alice

bokuto-san: Hey, not feeling great, so I'm gonna skip today, dont worry about me though! Pretty sure I got it for the test tmr, thanks for everything, btw. You're awesome!

You read it twice, then a third time, searching for something unsaid in the cheerful punctuation and easy words. A part of you wanted to believe him, he was the type to bounce back from anything, wasn't he? But there was a hollowness between the lines that you couldn't ignore.

You sighed, setting your phone down, but the weight in your chest stayed. It had lingered ever since you turned him down the night before, a gnawing guilt that you couldn't quite shake.

Why did it bother you so much? It was just a game, wasn't it? A volleyball match. You had better things to be doing. You didn't owe him anything beyond tutoring sessions, and those were transactional at best, right?

But the look on his face when you said no kept replaying in your mind. The slump of his shoulders, the way his grin faltered for just a second too long before he forced it back on. You'd hurt him, and you hated that. The logical part of you stood by your decision. You had a project due, and responsibilities to juggle.

You told yourself it was fine. He'd been improving steadily, and he probably did have a good grasp on the material by now. But his absence left the dorm unnervingly quiet.

Meanwhile, Bokuto rolled onto his side, his phone still clutched in his hand. The text stared back at him, the gray 'read' under his text practically mocking him. His jaw tightened as he thought about how easily you had dismissed the invitation, how easily you'd prioritized something else over him. He hated the feeling, he wanted to be as important to you as your project.

He wasn't actually sick. Not in the way you'd think. But after last night, the idea of sitting in your dorm and pretending everything was fine felt unbearable.

The rejection hadn't been harsh. You'd been kind and even offered to go next time, but it still stung in a way he hadn't expected. He wasn't used to feeling small. On the court, in life, he was the guy who lit up a room, who powered through anything with a grin and sheer determination. But hearing you say you couldn't make it to his game, that you had better things to do, though you didn't word it that way, it wasn't just a missed game, it was the hollow aching feeling of being pushed to the side.

He tossed his phone onto the bed with a soft thud, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. No matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, it hurt. It hurt more than it should have, and that gnawing emptiness didn't ease the longer he thought about it.

Bokuto sighed, staring up at the ceiling. His room felt unusually quiet, with no hum of excitement, no anticipation for Friday's game like there should have been. He hated how much this was getting to him. It wasn't like you'd done anything wrong.

What frustrated him most was that he wasn't sure why it bothered him so much, other than the obvious. He was used to people letting him down in little ways, laughing off his energy, brushing aside his invitations, saying 'maybe next time' when they really meant 'never'. But this was different. He thought you were different.

He groaned, running a hand through his hair and letting his palms rest on his cheeks, his mind replaying the way your voice had softened during your study sessions, the way your eyes lit up just slightly when he actually understood something. He thought maybe you cared, not just about the tutoring, but about him.

Bokuto's hands flew into the air dramatically and landed on the comforter with a muffled thud. His palm reached for his phone as he stared at the ceiling. The ache in his chest refused to leave, and for once, his usual methods of distracting himself, counting the specks on his ceiling, wasn't working.

With another groan he opened his contacts, his eyes landing on a name he often went to with problems, Atsumu. It wasn't because Atsumu was particularly wise (he definitely wasn't), but because Atsumu always had something to say. Usually something ridiculous enough to make Boktuo forget what he was upset about in the first place.

"Alright, Tsumu," he muttered to himself as he hit the call button, "Time to be a bro again,"

The line rang twice before Atsumu picked up with a dramatic sigh.

"Bokkun, let me guess. You've run out of hair gel, or you need me to tell ya yer the best wing spike in the world again?"

Bokuto frowned, clutching the phone tighter, "No! And that was one time!" he paused, his voice dropping slightly, "This is serious, Tsumu,"

There was a beat of silence before Atsumu said, "Alright, I'm listenin'. Hit me,"

Bokuto took a deep breath, "Okay, so... I invited my tutor, you know, the one who's been helping me to not fail, to our game, the big one, rival team, packed gym, all that stuff. I thought they'd say yes, but they said no."

Atsumu let out a low whistle, "Oof. Brutal. Did they at least give ya a reason?"

"Yeah," Bokuto muttered, "They said they had a project or something, and it's fine I get it, but... I dunno. It still sucks, you know? I thought maybe-" he cut himself off, groaning, "Never mind,"

"You thought maybe they cared as much as you do," Atsumu finished for him.

Bokuto blinked, "...Yeah,"

"Well," Atsumu began, his tone suddenly businesslike, "There's only one solution to this."

Bokuto sat up, "What is it? Should I send them flowers? Or, like, write an apology note? Or-"

"Go on a run,"

Bokuto froze, "...What?"

"A run," Atsumu repeated as if it were the most obvious solution in the world, "You're spiralin', Bokkun. Overthinkin' stuff isn't your style. Youre a doer, not a thinker. Lace up yer sneakers and run till ya can't think straight anymore. Works every time."

Bokuto frowned, his brow furrowing, "That's your advice? Go for a jog? I'm pouring my heart out here Tsumu!"

"And I'm savin' ya from yourself," Atsumu shot back, "Look, you don't have time to be mopin' over some person. We've got a big game tomorrow, yer energy's gotta be one hundred percent, or are ya plannin' to let me carry the team?"

Boktuo bristled at that, his competitive streak instantly flaring up. "Hey! I'm not gonna let you carry anything. I'm fired up for the game!"

"Then prove it," Atsumu said smugly, "Get your head back in the game, Bokkun. A run'll clear yer brain, shake out all that weird energy, and remind ya what actually matters. And what matters is crushin' our opponents, not daydreamin' about someone who isn't even showin' up."

Boktuo opened his mouth to argue but found himself deflating slightly. Atsumu wasn't entirely wrong. The game was huge, and his team was counting on him. He couldn't afford to be distracted.

"Fine," Bokuto muttered, dragging himself off his bed, "But if this doesn't work, I'm calling you back,"

Atsumu snorted, "You always call. Now go run like yer chasin' a win, Bokkun. And try not to overthink while yer at it."

Bokuto grumbled as he made his way to his closet, "Why do I even call you anymore?"

"'Cause I'm a genius," Atsumu replied smoothly, "Good luck, and don't trip!"

With an annoyed groan, Bokuto hung up and tossed his phone onto the bed with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as Atsumu's words echoed in his head, 'crushin' our opponents, not daydreamin' about someone who isn't even showin' up.' Harsh, maybe, but Atsumu had a knack for cutting through the noise.

He crouched down to rummage through his closet, pulling out a pair of running shoes. His fingers paused over the laces, thoughts swirling despite his best efforts to shut them down. Atsumu wasn't wrong, he always knew how to hit Bokuto where it hurt, but it was for his own good, right?

Still, the reminder stung. Bokuto wasn't used to this feeling, this hollow weight in his chest. Normally he was unstoppable. Bright, bold, unshakable. But the idea of someone not wanting to be part of his world, even for as something as simple as a game, gnawed at him in a way he couldn't explain. He shook his head and muttered to himself. "Stop being dramatic, Bokuto. It's just a game, and it's just one person."

But that wasn't entirely true, was it? He grabbed a hoodie and pulled it over his head, glancing at the mirror out of habit. His reflection stared back, looking just as off as he felt. It wasn't just a game, it was the game, the one he'd been hyped for since he heard about it. And it wasn't just one person, it was you. The one person who'd been patient when he struggled with concepts, who actually listened when he rambled, who filled the quiet moments with a sense of presence that made them anything but empty.

As stared at himself, Atsumu's other words came rushing back. 'Yer spiralin', Bokkun. Ovethinkin' stuff isn't your style. Yer a doer, not a thinker.'

Bokuto huffed out a laugh, half annoyed, half grateful. Atsumu had a point. Thinking wasn't his strong suit, it never had been. When something felt off, he didn't analyze it; he fixed it. When things were tough, he powered through. But what was he supposed to do now? You weren't a problem he could solve, and he couldn't just barrel into your dorm and demand that you care about the game as much as he did, care about him as much as he cared for you.

The fabric of the hoodie sat uncomfortably against his skin in the warmth of his room. Maybe that's what was bothering him the most; the realization that he couldn't make you care. He couldn't make you want to come. That had to come from you.

As he grabbed his earbuds and headed for the door, Bokuto clenched his fists, trying to shake off the tightness in his chest. Atsumu was right. A run would clear his head. He just needed to focus on the game, his team, and the roar of the crowd.

But even as he stepped outside and started jogging down the sidewalk, the cool night air brushing against his cheeks, one thought kept creeping back in. What if, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop caring about someone who didn't care back? After the test, you will be out of his life.

He picked up his pace, pushing himself harder. The rhythm of his steps pounded against the pavement, a slight contrast to the music in his ears. He didn't want to think anymore, not about the game, not about you, not about how much he'd hoped to see you in the stand, even just once, and definitely not about how he would probably never see you again.

Bokuto slowed to a stop, his breath clouding the crisp night air as he leaned forward, hands braced on his knees. His heart pounded in his chest, not just from the run but from the restless thoughts he'd been trying to outrun. He straightened, wiping his damp forehead with his sleeve, and glanced upward.

The stars stretched out endlessly, tiny lights scattered across the vast, dark canvas. He stared at them, searching for anything familiar, and then he saw it. Orion's Belt. Three stars lined up in perfect harmony, just as you'd described.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Found it," he murmured, his voice almost lost in the quiet. He could hear your voice in his head, patiently guiding him through constellations on that late-night call. He'd been so excited then, almost giddy when he'd finally spotted it. Now, the memory felt bittersweet.

He sighed, letting his gaze linger on the stars. You were under this same sky. The thought crept in uninvited, a whisper he couldn't ignore. Were you looking at the stars, too? Or were you buried in papers, completely unaware of how much space you were taking up in his mind?

Bokuto let out a small, humorless laugh, "What am I doing?" he muttered to himself. The stars didn't have answers. They just sat there, shining quietly, indifferent to the questions swirling in his chest.

The night stretched on, restless and heavy. You had tried to focus, burying yourself in the pile of notes and textbooks spread across your desk, but the words blurred together into meaningless shapes. Your thoughts kept circling back to the same place, or rather, the same person.

You sighed, dragging a hand through your hair as you stood and began pacing. You hated this feeling. It was uncomfortable, unfamiliar, like a knot you couldn't untangle. Why did it bother you so much? Why did the thought of him sitting somewhere, hurt or upset, gnaw at you in a way you couldn't ignore?

You prided yourself on being the kind of person who could deal with things on your own. You didn't need help sorting out your feelings, or at least, that's what you always told yourself. Asking for help meant admitting you didn't have everything under control, and that was something you hated doing.

But this? This felt different. No matter how hard you tried you couldn't sort through the swirling mess in your head on your own.

Your gaze drifted to your phone sitting on the nightstand. One name popped into your mind, Yachi. She was thoughtful, steady, the kind of person who could make sense of things you couldn't. You hesitated, staring at the phone as if it might leap up and solve your problem for you.

What if she thought you were being ridiculous? What if she didn't have an answer? Or worse, what if she did, and you didn't like it?

Your chest tightened, and for a moment, you considered pushing the thought away, pretending this confusion didn't exist. But the weight inside you wouldn't budge.

Finally, with a resigned sigh, you grabbed the phone and dialed.

"Hello?" Yachi's voice came through after the second ring, light and friendly, just as you expected.

"Hey," you said, sitting on the edge of your bed. Your voice sounded small. uncertain, "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course," she replied immediately, her tone warm and inviting. "What's going on?"

You hesitated, picking at the fabric of your blanket. "It's Bokuto-san," you admitted finally. "I think I messed up. I told him I couldn't go to his game, and now... I don't know. He hasn't come to study, and I feel..." you trailed off, struggling to find the words. "I feel bad. Really bad. But I don't know why it's bothering me this much."

Yachi hummed thoughtfully on the other end. "Why do you think it's bothering you?"

"I dont know!" you burst out, the frustration bubbling over. "I mean, I care, obviously. But it's just tutoring, right? That's all it's supposed to be. So why does it feel like... like it's more than that?"

Yachi's voice was gentle when she responded. "Maybe it's because you care about him more than you thought."

Your stomach flipped. "No," you said quickly, then hesitated. "I mean... I don't know. He's just... He's Bokuto. He's loud and annoying, and he never sits still. He's the complete opposite of me! But he's also... he's kind. And funny. And," you stopped, heat creeping up your neck as you realized where your thoughts were going. "And I like having him around."

"That's not a bad thing," Yachi said softly.

You pressed your lips together, the truth of her words making your chest feel tight. "I... I should go," you said abruptly, your voice sounding distant to even yourself.

Yachi paused for a beat, then replied, "Okay. But hey, don't overthink it too much, alright? Just... be honest with yourself."

"Yeah," you murmured, even though you weren't sure how to do that. "Thanks, Yachi."

"Anytime," she said warmly. "Goodnight."

You hung up, dropping the phone onto your bed and staring at the ceiling. The room felt too quiet now, the silence pressing in around you. Yachi's words replayed in your mind like a song stuck on loop.

'Maybe it's because you care about him more than you think'

Your chest tightened again, and you rolled onto your side, tucking your knees to your chest. Did you care about him more than you thought? That seemed impossible. It was just tutoring, wasn't it? Helping him study so he could pass a test, so he could play volleyball, so he could...

Your train of thought faltered, and you say up abruptly, shaking your head. This was ridiculous. Bokuto was loud, chaotic, the kind of person who threw you off balance without even trying. You couldn't possibly-

But then why did the thought of him now showing up tonight feel like something was missing? Why did you keep picturing the way his face fell when you told him no, or the excitement in his voice when he'd invited you to the game?

Your gaze drifted to the window, where the night sky stretched endlessly. Stars glittered against the inky blackness, their light steady and unwavering. Orion's Belt caught your eye, its familiar formation somehow comforting.

You leaned your forehead against the cool glass, staring at the constellation. Somewhere under the same sky, Bokuto was out there. Maybe he was looking at these same stars, his thoughts as tangled as yours. The image made your chest ache, a strange mix of longing and uncertainty.

What would he think if he knew how much space he was taking up in your head right now?

The thought of him being hurt by your rejection crept in again, sharp and unwelcome. You hadn't meant to hurt him. You didn't even know why you'd said no in the first place other than your excuse. Maybe it was fear, fear of getting closer, fear of caring too much, fear of letting someone like him, someone so open and bright, into the quieter corners of your life.

But that fear hadn't stopped you from caring. It hadn't stopped you from missing him tonight or from wondering if you'd made a mistake.

You sighed, your breath fogging up the glass. The stars blurred for a moment, and you wiped the fog away, your fingers trailing against the cool surface.

'Maybe it's because you care about him more than you thought'

Yachi's words echoed again, and this time, you didn't push them away.

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one / two / three

© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

Bokuto sat cross-legged on the floor of your dorm room, a notebook open in front of him, his pencil spinning absently between his fingers. His presence felt almost out of place in the tiny space, a whirlwind of energy crammed into a room meant for quiet reflection.

"I still can't believe I got banned from the library," he muttered, pouting slightly, "I wasn't that loud,"

You raised an eyebrow as you set your textbooks on the desk, " Bokuto-san, you were practically shouting about supernova aces, I'm surprised they didn't kick us out sooner,"

He grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head, "Well, at least your dorm's quieter, right? Way better for focusing, and I promise, no yelling this time!"

You didn't respond right away, instead, you glanced at the small stack of astronomy books on the desk and the stargazing guide you'd printed earlier. The memory of the other night drifted into your mind, unbidden but vivid, the way his voice had lit up over the phone when he finally spotty Orion's Belt, his excitement so infectious it had left you smiling long after the call ended.

"Hey," Bokuto's voice broke through your thoughts, warm and curious, "You okay? You kinda spaced out there,"

You blinked, refocusing on him, his head was tilted, golden eyes searching for your face with genuine concern. It wasn't just his usual energy, there was something softer in his expression, and just like the other night, you found yourself a little thrown off by it.

"I'm fine," you replied quickly, brushing the moment off, "Just mentally preparing for the monumental task of keeping you focused,"

He gasped, clutching his chest as if you'd wounded him, "Hey, I'm totally focused! I nailed the Orion thing, didn't I?"

Your lips tugged into a reluctant smile at his enthusiasm, "You did, and we're here to help keep that momentum going,"

His grin widened, brighter than the fairy lights overhead. It wasn't just his energy, it was the way he seemed so genuinely excited about learning something he'd never paid attention to before.

The memories still warmed you, though you quickly redirected your focus to the chart in your hand, you couldn't let yourself get too caught up in those thoughts. Bokuto was practically a stranger, someone you were just tutoring, and while he was undeniably charming, you didn't have time for distractions like this.

"Alright," you said, sitting cross-legged next to him and spreading out a colorful infographic, "Today, we are tackling phases of the moon, it's simple, but it shows up on the test every year, so you need to nail it,"

Bokuto squinted at the chart, tilting his head, "Phases of the moon? Oh, like full moons and stuff? I got this, there's the werewolf moon, and then... uh..."

You bit back a laugh, pointing to the chart, "Close enough, there are eight main phases, we start with the new moon, when it is almost invisible, and move through waxing and waning phases until we get to the full moon,"

"Wait, wait," he said, grabbing a pencil, "Waxing and waning? What's the difference again?"

"Waxing means it's growing, waning means it's shrinking" you explained, tapping the diagram with your finger.

Bokuto furrowed his brow, his pencil poised over his notebook, "So waxing is like... a team building momentum during a game?" he asked, his eyes lighting up with realization.

You smiled at his analogy, your heart doing a small, unbidden flip at how eager he was to make connections, "Exactly, and waning is like losing that momentum, when the games winding down,"

He grinned, scribbling something down, but you noticed it wasn't the phases of the moon, just a series of doodles, including a volleyball mid-serve and a tiny cartoon moon with a determined face. You sighed, though you couldn't help the fondness creeping into your chest.

"You know, Bokuto-san," you said, leaning slightly closer, "Your notes might be more useful if they had actual words instead of... whatever that is,"

He glanced at his notebook and laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck, "Hey, this helps me remember! Look, this one's the waxing moon, powering up for the big game," He pointed to a sketch of a volleyball spiking through the sky, labeled 'waxing gibbous',

You rolled your eyes but couldn't hide your smile, "If it works, I won't stop you, just make sure you know the real names when the quiz comes around,"

As he kept drawing, you found your attention drifting to him, his unrelenting energy, his unapologetic enthusiasm, there was something infectious about the way he approached everything, even studying. It made the room feel lighter, and brighter, as if his presence had its own gravitational pull. But then you caught yourself, quickly looking back to the chart.

Meanwhile, Boktuo glanced at you from the corner of his eye, his pencil tapping idly against the notebook. He wasn't sure why, but these study sessions had started to feel less like a chore and more like something he looked forward to.

Maybe it was the way you explained things so patiently, or how you didn't get mad when he went off on tangents, or perhaps it was the way your voice softened when you laughed like you weren't used to doing it too often, but it came naturally around him.

The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable, just the sound of pages flipping and the occasional scratch of Bokuto's pencil as he drew more words and things down. You found yourself sneaking glances at him, marveling at how someone could exude so much energy even when sitting still. He had a way of making the air around him seem warmer like his very presence was its own kind of sunlight.

You caught yourself stealing another glance at him, watching the way his hand moved across the page. You couldn't help but think, this was going to end soon.

The test was in two days, after that, your tutoring sessions would come to a close. A small part of you felt the weight of that inevitability settling into your chest, tightening with the knowledge that this connection, this strange unexpected bond that had formed between you was in fact temporary. Once Bokuto passed, you'd go back to your usual routine, the quiet isolation that had once felt comfortable was now somehow less appealing.

You pulled your gaze away from him, pretending to adjust your notes, but you couldn't shake the thought.

It's just tutoring, it's not like youre losing anything. This isn't a friendship, it's just a favor, just... extra credit.

But despite the voice in your head, there was a part of you that felt it. A soft tug at your chest whenever his golden eyes found yours, whenever his bright laugh filled the space between you.

"Hey," bokuto said, breaking into your thoughts, "You okay? You've been kinda quiet for a while now, like, more than usual, and not even bossy,"

The corners of your lips tugged upward, "I'm not bossy," you replied, your tone light but deflective.

"Oh, you definitely are," he countered, grinning, "But I'm cool with it, it's just weird when you're not talking, did I mess something up? Or... are you tired?"

You hesitated, his earnest expression making it harder to brush off the question, "I'm fine," you said after a moment, turning back to the chart, "Just thinking about how to make this all stick before your test."

His grin softened, the usual energy in his voice replaced with something quieter, more thoughtful, "Well, you've been doing an awesome job so far, I mean it," he tapped the pencil lightly on his notebook, "Couldn't have made it this far without you,"

Your chest tightened at his words, and for a second, you couldn't bring yourself to look at him, you forced a small smile and said, "Let's just focus, okay? We've got a lot to cover before Friday,"

"Right," He said, his grin returning full force, "Bossy mode activated,"

The next few minutes were filled with the familiar rhythm of explaining concepts and jotting down notes, you thought the moment had passed, the faint weight of his earlier words settling into the back of your mind, but then Bokuto straightened, his pencil dropping onto the notebook with a soft thud.

"Hey," he began, "So, I was thinking..." He hesitated, this was rare for him, both thinking and hesitating, "After the test on Friday, you should come to our game, it's a big one! We're playing our rival team, and the crowd's always insane, plus," he added, leaning forward slightly, "You could see all this hard work paying off in real time since I won't be benched!"

You blinked, caught off guard, "Your game?"

"Yeah! It's at seven, I'll save you the best seat!" he said, grinning with the kind of confidence that made it clear he'd already imagined you cheering from the stands.

For a moment, you wanted to say yes, you let yourself picture it, the energy of the game, his proud smile after landing a killer spike, the way his teammates would pat him on the back but his eyes would be locked with yours, then reality crept in.

"I... I dont think I can," you said, your voice quieter than you intended.

His grin faltered, confusion flickering across his face, "Why not?"

You glanced down at your lap, your fingers fidgeting with the hem of your shirt, "I have a project due next week, I really need to work on it this weekend,"

He stared at you, the excitement in his eyes dimming, "Oh," he said, the word heavy and flat, he tried to recover, flashing a crooked smile, "No, yeah, that makes sense, school stuff, right? Super important,"

"Bokuto-san,"

"It's fine," He interrupted, waving a hand as if to brush off the disappointment, but the way he avoided your eyes told a different story, "I mean, it's just a game, no big deal,"

The sight of him like this deflated and trying so hard to hide it, made your chest ache. You opened your mouth to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come.

"Maybe next time," you offered weakly, hating the way the phrase sounded like a hollow excuse.

"Yeah," he said, his voice quieter now, "Next time,"

He tapped his pencil lightly again, though his usual energy was gone, the air between you felt heavier than before, a fragile silence settling in as you both turned your attention back to the notes in front of you.

But even as you forced yourself to focus, the image of his crestfallen smile lingered in your mind, tugging at your heart, and you couldn't shake the feeling that maybe this time, he had been hoping for something more than just a 'next time'.

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© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

The rumble of the train beneath him was steady, almost soothing, but Atsumu's mind was anything but calm. He shifted in his seat, his knee bouncing slightly as he stared out the window. The scenery blurred past him, but it barely registered. His thoughts were miles away, back to you, to the way your voice had wrapped around him the other night, soft and vulnerable in a way he'd never forget.

He let out a slow breath, running a hand through his golden hair as he slouched against the seat. Thoughts were racing in his mind. What if it's weird now? What if he regrets it? What if you regret it? No matter how hard he tried to shake the thoughts away they always creeped back into his mind. Sure, you'd both laughed it off a little after, but there was no denying that something between you had shifted.

But alongside the nervousness was an undeniable excitement that bubbled up every time he thought about seeing you again. He hadn't realized just how much he missed you until the distance made it impossible to ignore. The little things like your laugh, the way you'd nudge him when he was being too obnoxious, the way your presence filled his core with warmth had left a gaping hole in his routine.

He gripped the handle of his luggage as the train slowed at another stop, his foot tapping against the floor. His heart was beating a little faster now, the closer he got to home. You miss him too. You said so. That thought was enough to make him grin widely, though it didn't entirely ease the tension that coiled in his chest.

The train pulled to his stop, and he stood quickly, shouldering his bag as he stepped onto the platform. The cool evening air hit him, and he took a steadying breath while searching for his Uber.

The cool evening air swirled around you as you stood by the living room window, glancing outside though you knew he wasn't anywhere near yet. Your fingers tapped idly on the windowsill, nervous energy thrumming through you, but it wasn't anxiety. It was anticipation, pure and electric, couring through every inch of you.

Atsumu was coming home.

You tried to keep busy earlier in the day, finishing paintings and cleaning your brushes. Anything to stop yourself from staring at the clock, counting down the hours. But as the sun dipped lower your resolve broke. The apartment didn't feel quite right without him. too quiet, too empty.

Eventually, you grabbed your easel and paints, dragging them out onto the balcony. The cool breeze brushed against your skin, and the distant hum of the city provided a comforting backdrop as you set up your workspace. The sky had deepened into shades of orange and pink, fading into twilight as you started to work.

You didn't have a plan for what you were painting, not really. Your hands moved instinctively, brushing streaks of color across the canvas in a rhythm that matched the swirling of emotions inside you. The soft glow of the streetlights below and the stars beginning to peek through above became your inspiration, a reflection of the restless energy you felt.

Hours passed without you realizing, the world outside fading as you lost yourself in the strokes of your brush. Your eyelids grew heaving with every passing minute, but you were determined to keep going, to stay awake and busy until he came home.

But your body had other plans. Somewhere between blending the blues of the night sky and detailing faint stars you sat your brush down and leaned back against the chair. The breeze was cool and soothing, and the rhythmic sounds of the city below felt like a lullaby. Before you knew it, your head tipped to the side, your eyes fluttered shut, and the exhaustion of the day overtook you.

The crisp night air nipped at you as you slept, peaceful and unaware of the soft hum of a car engine pulling up outside the building.

Atsumu stepped out of the Uber, his bag slung over his shoulder, and glanced up at the apartment. A single light glowed faintly, and he smiled to himself, already imagining you waiting for him inside.

Atsumu gripped the handle of his luggage as he entered the building, his footsteps echoing faintly in the stairwell. His heart was pounding, not from exrtion, but from the bubbling anticipation of seeing you again. Each step brought him closer to the apartment, to you, and the nervous excitement tangled in his chest grew stronger.

He paused at the door, fishing out his key. For a moment, he hesitated, his hand hovering over the handle. What if things were different now? What if he'd crossed a line he couldn't uncross? He took a steadying breath, shaking the thoughts away. You missed him, he knew that much, and he wasn't going to let his own doubts ruin this moment.

The door creaked softly as he pushed it open. The apartment was dim, the faint glow of a lamp in the living room casting long shadows across the walls. He stepped inside quietly, leaving his luggage near the door and kicking off his shoes.

"Hey," He called out softly, his voice low as if not wanting to disturb the stillness. When there was no reply, he frowned slightly, glancing around. The living room was empty and the kitchen was dark. His brows furrowed. Were you asleep already?

As he moved closer to the balcony, he noticed the curtains were flowing slightly with the wind. His pulse quickened as he stepped through the curtains, and the sight that greeted him stole the breath from his lungs.

You were curled up in the chair, your head resting against the back, your face peaceful in sleep. The faint glow of the city lights painted your features in soft hues, and Atsumu's chest ached at the sight. In front of you, a finished painting rested on the easel, a swirling night sky dotted with faint stars, vibrant and alive, much like the emotions you stirred in him.

The cool night breeze brushed past him as he crouched beside you, his fingers hesitating before gently brushing a stray strand of hair away from your face. You stirred slightly but didn't wake, your breathing steady and soft.

"Ya really worked yerself tired, huh?" He murmured under his breath, a small fond smile tugging at his lips.

Carefully, he slid one arm under your legs and the other behind your back, lifting you with practiced ease. The chair creaked softly as he shifted, and for a moment, you stirred, your head leaning against his chest.

"Shh," He whispered, his voice low and soothing, "I've got ya,"

He carried you inside, the warmth of your body pressed against him making his heart race. As he reached your bedroom door, he nudged it open with his foot, the dim light from the hallway spilling into the cozy space. Just as he stepped toward the bed, your eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep.

"Tsum?" Your voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and the way you said his name made his heart ache with longing.

"Yeah, it's me," He said, his voice just as gentle, "Didn't mean to wake ya, just takin' ya to bed, yer gonna catch a cold sleepin' out there,"

A sleepy smile spread across your face as your eyes focused on him, your arms lazily wrapping around his neck as he laid you on the bed, "You're home," You murmured as if reassuring yourself he was real.

"I'm home," He confirmed, his voice thick with emotion.

Before he could say anything else, you leaned up, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. It was tender and warm, filled with a quiet affection that left him completely undone.

Atsumu's breath hitched the moment your lips met his, the soft kiss catching him off guard in the best possible way. His heart felt like it skipped a beat before racing to catch up, pounding so fiercely in his chest that he was sure you could hear.

The warmth of your touch seeped into him, erasing the cold distance he'd felt during his time away. For a split second, his mind raced with questions, was this real? Did you mean it? But they all melted away as quickly as they'd come.

When his initial shock faded, he couldn't stop himself from leaning into you, his grip on you tightening instinctively. You felt so fragile and yet so solid in his arms, and the tenderness in the kiss left him utterly unraveled.

This is what he'd been missing. The thought hit him hard, and he could feel the tension from the past few days, the uncertainty, the nerves, all dissolving in that one moment.

His chest ached with the weight of emotions he couldn't fully name, relief, gratitude, longing, and something else, something bigger and harder to contain. The way you kissed him wasn't rushed of hesitant; it was soft, sure, and filled with a quiet kind of affection that hit him deeper than he expected.

When you pulled back, his lips tingled, and his whole body felt like it was buzzing. He couldn't take his eyes off you, even as your eyelids drooped with sleep again. You'd kissed him. You'd chosen to kiss him.

A faint, almost dazed smile spread across his face as he cradled you closer, his thumb brushing lightly against your side.

You smiled faintly, the corners of your lips curling in a way that left him utterly breathless, "Missed you," You murmured, your voice soft and raw, like a secret just for him.

His grip on you tightened ever so slightly, his thumb tracing gentle circles against your side, "You don't even know," He muttered, his voice a low rasp, "Missed you more than I even knew I could,"

The room seemed to shrink around you, the space between your bodies almost nonexistent now. He could feel the heat of your breath against his skin, the faint scent of your shampoo teasing his senses. It was intoxication, and every small movement from you sent a ripple through his that he couldn't control.

His hand moved without thought, fingers brushing against your cheek, his touch featherlight as if he was afraid you might disappear. Your skin was warm under his palm, grounding him in a way he didn't expect. You leaned into his touch, your eyes soft and unreadable, and that tiny movement sent a jolt through his entire body.

"Ya drive me crazy, y'know that?" He whispered, his voice barely audible, as if saying it louder might break the moment. His thumb grazed your lower lip, and his eyes followed the motion, lingering there like he couldn't pull away even if he wanted to.

You didnt reply with words, instead, your hand found his, your fingers tangling together as if to anchor him in place. The gesture was simple, yet it sent a rush of warmth through him, his heart thundering in his chest.

"Say somethin'," He pleaded softly, his forehead resting against yours now, "Anythin', just don't leave me hangin' like this,"

Your lips curved into a small smile, your voice still heavy with sleep but clear enough to make his pulse race, "I'm not going anywhere, Tsum,"

The weight of your words settled over him, pulling him further into you. His lips brushed against your temple, lingering there as if trying to commit the moment to memory. Whatever distance had been between you before had dissolved, leaving nothing but the warmth of your body against his.

"Yer voice is so pretty, y'know that?" He breathed out lowly, his voice was deep and laced with something unfamiliar.

His hips jolted against your clothed pussy, the feeling of his erection sending tingles and waves of warmth straight to your soft cheeks. Something low and consuming began to build, an ache you couldn't name but couldn't ignore.

"Tell me what you need," He breathed out, lips ghosting over yours with a small grin. The soft glow of the city pouring in from your window cast an illuminating light across his feature, highlighting the intensity of his eyes as he stared longingly at you.

Your lips were slightly parted, and the faint scent of his cologne lingered, familiar and comforting as you tried to muster up a reply but the only words you could think of at the moment were, "You,"

Your pulse raced as his hands trailed down your body, each touch slow and deliberate, igniting something deeper. His lips brushed against yours, tentative at first, then deepened as his hand wandered lower and lower, leaving your skin feeling hot below him.

Your hips had instinctively bucked up into him, grinding into his erection, earning a low groan from Atsumu at the feeling, your thoughts were a jumble of anticipation and nervousness.

"Is this okay?" He asked as he hooked his fingers around the waistband of your shorts and panties.

You nodded your head needily, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

Atsumu backed away to slip your clothes off, the cold air replacing his warmth as he did so. Once you were fully exposed to him he spread your legs to either side of his hips, taking in the view of you below him, your soft skin being illuminated by the moonlit window.

"Yer so perfect..." He whispered under his breath with a smile, his fingers taking their place on your clit, using his other hand to hold the underside of your thigh, "I'll stop if ya want me to,"

Your moan was barely more than a whisper, trembling and raw, as though you couldn't contain it.

"God, the way ya sound," He murmured, his voice rough with need as your moans grew softer and more desperate.

The thumb on your clit circled at a steady pace, sending waves of pleasure to your core.

"Don't, fuck, stop," You moaned out, your back moving into a slight arch from the overwhelming sense of newfound pleasure. "Need more, need you,"

Your words hung in the air as Atsumu processed them, his thumb left your clit to unzip his pants, his breathing becoming erratic as his cock sprung free from his boxers, landing on top of your stomach. Using your elbows to prop yourself up you saw the length of him, your eyes widened at the thought.

"I'll be gentle," He breathed out, one of his hands resting on your thigh while the other pumped his length. His head fell back in pleasure, and he quickly looked back towards you with a smirk.

"Are you ready?" He asked, sliding his dick up and down your slit, coating his tip in your wetness.

You nodded shyly, biting your lip as you watched his actions, your flush never leaving your cheeks.

Atsumu sunk his tip into your cunt, stretching your walls as a low, throaty moan escaped him, pulled from somewhere deep.

Your head tipped back, lips parted as a soft sound left your mouth, the sound was like music to his ears. Your gasps and moans became more drawn out and unrestrained as he sunk deeper, the stretch turning from pain to pleasure slowly.

"You like it?" He murmured, his voice quiet and rough as your quiet plea was all the confirmation he needed.

You could feel all of him inside you, your sounds turned to pants as he slowed his movement once he bottomed out, giving you time to adjust to his size and shape. You didn't need long, in fact, it hadn't even been a minute before you were grinding your hips against him, his tip hitting your soft spot with every movement, and the moan that slipped past his lips wasn't just about pleasure, it was a testament to how much he'd missed you, how much he needed this.

His hands snaked their way to your hips, gripping you gently as he pulled out, your walls aching for him before he slammed back into you, forcing a sharp shriek to slip past your lips.

"Tsum!," You gasped out as he repeated his action, craving more of the sounds you were making.

"Sorry, mm, you just sound so, fuck, so good," His voice dipped into a low groan, the sound vibrating through his chest like he was barely holding it together, as if he was clinging to the moment, "Wanna feel you cum 'round my cock, wanna hear ya,

His words were enough to make your body tense, every nerve alight as the pressure built within you, a wave of warmth spreading throughout your limbs as you welcomed the feeling, a deep shuddering feeling that made your legs shake around his hips as you chanted his name like a prayer, your breath hitching as the pleasure seemed to flood your senses, leaving you dizzy and breathless.

Atsumu felt your walls clench around him repeatedly, the feeling making his breath hitch, his thrusts becoming more erratic and sloppy as he chased his own high, your legs pulled him further into you, his tip practically kissing your cervix, the sensation sending a shudder down his body.

"Let me cum in ya, please," He pleaded desperately, "Wanna fill ya up so good 'nd so full,"

Your eyelids felt heavy as you watched his cock thrust in and out of you sloppily, the base of his length being coated in a thick white substance. "Tsum, I want you to,"

"Missed ya so much, needed ya so bad, mm, I can't- you're so- fuck-," He felt the rhythmic pause of his body as it surged, each wave of pleasure hitting him in quick, sharp bursts as a low groan escaped him, his body trembled and he leaned forward, his arms caging you to hold himself up as he grinded lightly into you, pushing his cum more into you as your walls flooded with white and warm liquid.

The air in the room hung heavy with warmth and quiet intimacy. Atsumu rested his forehead against yours, his damp hair sticking to his skin as he struggled to steady his breathing. The rise and fall of his chest matched yours, and the shared rhythm was a quiet reminder of the closeness you both had just experienced.

His arms, still caging your frame, trembled slightly, a mix of exhaustion and lingering adrenaline coursing through him. He opened his eyes slowly, his gaze meeting yours in the soft, dim light. There was something unspoken there, an overwhelming depth of emotion that he wasn't entirely sure how to put into words.

"You okay?" He finally asked, his voice low and husky, but filled with concern. He reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from your face, his fingers lingering against your cheek as though grounding himself in the moment.

You nodded, a soft, dazed smile tugging at your lips, "Yeah, I'm okay, more than okay," Your voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a sincerity that made his heart clench.

Atsumu let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, a quiet laugh escaping him as relief washed over his features, "Good," He murmured, his thumb brushing softly against your cheek, his gaze roamed your face, as if committing every detail to memory, the curve of your lips, the way your eyes softened when you looked at him, the gentle rise and fall of your chest as you breathed.

"Yer amazin', y'know that?" He said, his voice tinged with wonder, there was no teasing in his tone, just quiet, genuine admiration.

Your cheeks warmed, and you ducked your head slightly, a shy laugh bubbling up, "You don't have to say that, Tsum,"

"I mean it," He insisted, his hand sliding down to cradle the back of your neck, keeping you close, "I don't think I've ever felt this way before 'bout anyone," His eyes held yours, unguarded and vulnerable in a way that made your chest tighten.

The weight of his words settled between you, heavy but not unwelcome, "You make me feel safe," You admitted softly, the words spilling out before you could stop them, "Like I can just be myself around you,"

His lips twitched into a lopsided smile, his heart swelling at your confession, "Good," He said, his voice a little rougher this time, "Cause I don't want ya to ever feel like ya gotta be anyone else,"

For a moment, the two of you simply stayed like that, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of the moment, the faint glow of the city lights seeped in through the window, casting a warm, golden hue over the room. Atsumu shifted slightly, pressing a lingering kiss to your forehead.

"Lets get ya cleaned up," He said softly, his voice filled with a tenderness that sent warmth blooming in your chest, before you could protest or even process his words, Atsumu shifted, his strong arms sliding under your knees and around your back.

"Tsum, I can walk," You mumbled, your cheeks heating as he lifted you effortlessly.

He shot you a grin, playful but warm, "Nah, not takin' any chances, besides," He added, his gaze softening as you looked at you, "Lemme take care of ya, yeah?"

The sincerity in his tone silenced any further protests, and you relaxed against his chest, your arms looping around his neck. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your ear was grounding, a gentle reminder of how much he cared.

When he reached the doorway, he paused for a moment, his smile softening as he looked down at you, "By the way," He said, his tone teaing yet affectionate, "We're hangin' that painting up in the living room, yeah? I don't care where, but it's gonna be front and center,"

You blinked in surprise, a little taken aback by how serious he sounded about it, "You like it that much?" You asked softly, the warmth in your chest spreading further.

His grin widened as he sat you on the counter, shifting so he was standing between your legs, "I love it," He replied with a quiet sincerity, his hand brushing a lock of hair from your face, "Every time I see it, it'll remind me of you, of... this," He glanced away for a moment, a rare vulnerability in his eyes, before he looked back to you, that familiar playful gleam returning.

You chuckled, a light sound that made his heart flutter, before you nodded softly, "Alright, we'll hang it up," You agreed, your voice warm.

Atsumu leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your lips with a smile, "Perfect," His hand lingered on your side, grounding you both in this quiet moment. The world outside felt distant as if it didn't matter at all right now, with him close, holding you, "I'm glad to be home,"

You smiled, your heart full, your fingers gently tracing the line of his jaw as you whispered back, "I'm glad you're home too,"

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The apartment had felt quieter than normal, a stillness settling in that seemed to press against the walls. You sighed as you leaned into the couch, your phone resting in your hand. The sound of the narrators on the TV filled the living room.

He had left early two mornings ago, his departure marked by the sound of his suitcase wheels rolling down the hallway and his usual mix of excitement and nerves barely contained in his voice. The away game was a big deal to Atsumu, he'd spent the entire week leading up to it alternating between trash-talking the competition and pacing the living room as he ran through game strategies in his head.

You'd watched him as he packed, his energy electric as he tossed jerseys and clothes into his bag, muttering to himself about making sure to not forget his lucky socks. His excitement had been infectious then, filling the apartment and masking the thought of how quiet it would feel without him there, but now, with him gone, the absence was sharp and unavoidable.

You couldn't help but think of all the moments he usually filled, his loud singing while he made breakfast, his playful teasing whenever he caught you lost in thought, and the way he had a habit of draping his large body across the couch, leaving you to sit on the floor in front of him, and how you'd talk about everything and nothing until the night blurred into the morning. Two days without any of it, and the apartment already felt like a completely different place.

Your fingers tightened around your phone as you stared at the last text he sent, a picture of his team's pre-game warm-up. He looked so happy, his usual wide grin plastered on his face as he held up a peace sign with Hinata and Bokuto in the background. You smiled faintly, proud of him, but at the same time, you shouldn't shake the growing ache of missing him. His voice, his presence, and all the little ways he made the apartment feel like home.

The arena was alive with the sound of sneakers squeaking against polished floors and the sharp whistle of the referee cutting through the noise. Atsumu wiped the sweat from his brow, gripping a water bottle as he stood with the team during the timeout.

On the surface, he looked every bit the confident setter, but his mind wasn't fully in the game. It's not as if he was playing bad, he just couldn't stop his mind from drifting.

He reached for him phone hidden away in his bag beside the bench and unlocked it to find the last text you'd sent. It was something simple, so you, a casual 'im watching, you'll do great tsum!', but he read it three times already, letting the warmth of your words replace some of the restless energy buzzing in his chest. Atsumu wasn't one to admit things easily, not even to himself, but he felt your absence more than he thought he would.

He hadn't expected it to be this quiet without you. Sure, his teammates were loud and the atmosphere during away games was electric, but it wasn't the same. There was a certain calmness in your presence, even when you weren't doing anything particularly remarkable. Whether it was your clueless remarks when he tried to joke with you, and the way you'd absentmindedly hum as you worked on something. You made the apartment and his world feel alive in a way he didn't think anybody could.

The hotel hallway was quiet, the faint hum of fluorescent lights being the only sound as Atsumu stepped off the elevator, his duffel bag hanging loosely from his shoulder. His footsteps were muffled against the carpet, but inside, everything felt loud, his heartbeat, the rush of thoughts swirling in his head, and the nagging ache in his chest he couldn't quite shake.

The match had been grueling, leaving his body sore and his mind buzzing. Normally, the adrenaline would still be carrying him, the thrill of a victory filling every corner of his being, but as he entered his room, tossing his bag onto the floor, he couldn't help but feel hollow. The cheers from the crowd and celebrations with his teammates felt miles away now, unable to touch the strange emptiness that followed him.

Kicking off his shoes, he collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the stark, unfamiliar ceiling. Atsumu wasn't one to dwell on things, he liked to keep moving, to fill the quiet with noise, jokes, or distractions, but tonight, the silence wrapped around him, heavy and unrelenting. He hated it.

His hand reached for his phone almost instinctively. Opening your chat, he scrolled through the texts from earlier, his lips twitching at the teasing banter and you congratulating him on his win. Even through the screen, your personality came through so clearly, sharp, cute, funny, and effortlessly grounding. But the texts weren't enough. They were just words. He wanted more. He wanted you.

For a second, he hesitated, his thumb hovering over the call button. Would you think it was weird? It was late, and he didn't even have an excuse other than the gnawing need to hear your voice. But before he could second-guess himself, he tapped it, holding the phone to his ear as the line began to ring.

Each ring made his chest tighten, the seconds stretching unbearably. What if you didn't pick up? What if-

"Hello?" Your voice came through, soft but tinged with curiosity, "Tsum? Isn't it late over there?"

Hearing you felt like taking a deep breath after holding it for too long, he closed his eyes, letting the tension ease just slightly.

"Yeah," He said, his voice quieter than usual," I just... wanted to hear your voice,"

There was a pause, one that felt like an eternity, before you laughed lightly. It wasn't the full, unrestrained laugh he loved hearing, but it was enough to make the corners of his mouth lift.

"Well, here it is," You teased gently, "How was the win?"

"Didn't feel the same, s'too quiet here without you," He said softly, his grin forming despite the exhaustion weighing on him.

Your silence this time was heavier, but not uncomfortable, he could almost imagine you sitting in your favorite spot on the balcony, processing his words, maybe fiddling with the hem of your shirt absentmindedly or biting your lip in that way that always seemed to undo him.

"I miss you too," You said finally, and it hit him like a wave. It wasn't dramatic, not even particularly vulnerable, but it was enough.

The words settled between you, like a shared secret neither of you wanted to disturb.

Atsumu let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, running a hand through his hair as a faint chuckle escaped him. But this time, it wasn't the lighthearted sound you were used to, it was softer, lower, as if you reached a part of him no one else ever had.

"Wish I could be there right now," He murmured, his voice dipping into something that made warmth bloom in your chest, "Not just to fill the quiet, but... I dunno, to see you, to really be with you,"

The words hit you harder than you expected, the honesty in them leaving you momentarily speechless. He wasn't teasing or trying to smooth-talk his way out of an awkward moment, it was just Atsumu, bare and unguarded in a way he rarely let himself be.

"You'll be back soon, right, tsum?" You replied, but even to your own ears, the words sounded hollow. There was a tremor in your voice, a longing you couldn't quite hide.

"Not soon enough," He shot back, the grin audible in his voice now, though there was a tension underneath it, "You've got no idea how much I-"

He cut himself off, the words catching in his throat. A beat of silence passed, his breathing uneven as he tried to find the courage to finish.

"Tsum?" You asked softly, your voice threading through the phone like a lifeline. It wasn't teasing, not this time, it was laced with something gentler, something that made his pulse hammer in his chest.

His name on your lips was enough to undo him. He exhaled sharply, and when he spoke, his voice was lower, rougher like he was balancing on the edge of restraint, "Ya don't make it easy for me, y'know," He murmured, his words drawn out, heavy with something unsaid.

The way he said it sent a shiver down your spine, his tone rich with a tension you couldn't ignore. There was no playful edge to it now, just raw honesty, dipped in a yearning that made your breath hitch.

"Every time I hear your voice," He continued, his voice rasping like he was barely holding himself together, "Its like... it's like you're right here, and I cant- I cant stop thinkin' about what it'd be like if ya were. If I could see you, touch you, hear you laugh 'cause yer too nervous to do anything else."

Atsumu's words were heavy, unfiltered, dripping with a longing that practically reached through the phone. You could hear the way his breathing shifted, uneven and shallow like he was struggling against the weight of what he was feeling. And then, a low, guttural groan slipped past his lips, quiet but undeniably raw, sending a wave of heat through you.

"God," He groaned out, "You've got no idea what yer doin' to me, do ya? I can't even think straight when it's you, the way ya talk, the way ya say my name like it's the only thing that matters..." His words trailed off into a shaky exhale as he palmed himself through his shorts.

You felt your face grow hot, your heart pounding so hard it was a wonder he couldn't hear it through the phone. You felt your core pool in your shorts as you listened to his shaky breathing.

"Tsum..." You whispered, your voice soft but laced with an edge of vulnerability you couldn't hide.

"Say it again," He interrupted, his tone almost desperate now, "Say my name,"

The way he said it sent another shiver through you, his voice dipping into something deeper, something that wrapped around you like a vice. And before you could stop yourself, you obeyed, his name falling from your lips in a way that left him completely undone.

"Shit," He let out a breathy moan, his breath ragged, "Im losin' it over here, I don't even care, just- just keep talkin' okay? Dont stop, needa' hear ya,"

His words were a plea, his tone dripping with an unrestrained intensity that left you dizzy. Every syllable seemed to pull you in further.

Atsumu couldn't handle the way his dick throbbed against his shorts, he craved and yearned for the sweet release, the intensity of his need, or his desire to hear you and feel you all too much, all past exhaustion seemingly slipping away with the shorts now wrapped around his thighs.

"Can never get enough of ya," The confession hung in the air like a promise.

You felt your fingers subconsciously trail down your body with soft whimpers as you listened to Atsumu, your noises only pushing him further.

"Ya gonna touch yerself? Wanna hear ya moanin' my name, need it s'bad," He said, his voice desperate as he began slowly stroking himself to the sound of your whimpers. He imagined how much better they'd sound if he was there, touching you, replacing the fingers that were now sliding down your puffy slit.

His words echoed in your mind, sending another rush of warmth through your veins, it made your heart race and your walls clench around nothing.

You closed your eyes, imagining how he looked with his big hands wrapped around his dick, imagining the blush that would spread across his face, how his skin would feel against your own.

"Bet ya look so cute right now, huh?" He let out, the strokes on his cock were steady as he bucked his hips up into his hand, letting the pleasure take over him in shuddering groans.

Your fingers were coated in your own wetness, you couldn't muster up anything, too nervous to form a sentence so you let your sounds do the talking for you. You slid a finger into your aching pussy, a soft moan leaving your lips at the feeling.

Atsumu smirked as he imagined the sight, "Just like that, fuck, ya sound so pretty, say my name," Atsumu mewled through gritted teeth, trying his best to hold onto his composure as his biceps trembled, pumping his cock sloppily, precum leaking from his tip and into his stroking hands.

"Tsum," You said in a low, drawn-out moan, the weight of his words spurring you on, leading you to insert another finger, you were glad he couldn't see the deep red that painted your cheeks.

"Hah, I bet you'd take me so well, wanna show ya how much I miss ya," He panted, feeling the all too familiar feeling of his climax swirling in his chest.

You slid your fingers in and out at a stable pace, the pleasure creeping up your spine as you arched your back, your clit rubbing against the flat of your palm forcing soft whimpers of need.

"Feels so good," You babbled, placing the phone down next to you on speaker so you could use your now free hand to rub circles on your clit. Your thighs trembled and your hips jerked up.

Atsumu's strokes became sloppy and messy as he neared the edge, "Are ya close? W-Want ya to cum with me," His voice wavered, his eyes now closed, fully concentrating on the sounds that were emitting from your mouth.

You felt your orgasm seeping into your core, the shake of your legs, the arch of your back, your mind was running wild.

"Yes, fuck, tsum, want you so bad," You mewled, the sound of your fingers sliding in and out of you filling the room.

The sound of your pussy drove Atsumu crazy, "Cum, baby, cum for me, yer such a good girl,"

His words were enough to make you spill over the edge, your orgasm hit you hard, and you couldn't contain the loud moan that erupted from your throat as your thighs snapped shut, your eyes rolling back in pure bliss.

Atsumu's climax followed soon after, being pushed by the sounds of your orgasm and the chanting of his name over and over. Ropes of white painted his hand and his jersey as groans of pure euphoria filled his hotel room, his hips jutting up into his fist to ride out his high with a shuddering groan.

The silence that followed was thick, hanging heavily between you. You both knew something had shifted, but neither of you seemed ready to acknowledge it. Atsumu was the first to break the quiet, his voice softer than it had been before, tinged with uncertainty.

"Uh, sorry, I-" He trailed off, the words clearly not coming out the way he'd intended. You could hear the tension in his tone and the way he was trying to find the right thing to say, but the weight of everything that had just passed was making it hard.

Another long pause stretched between you. It wasn't uncomfortable exactly, but it wasn't easy either. You could feel your heart beating a little faster than usual, your mind racing with thoughts. What does this mean? Where do we go from here?

"It's okay," You replied softly.

Atsumu let out a shaky breath, "You're sure its okay? 'Cause I... I didn't mean to make things weird,"

It was endearing, the way he still seemed unsure despite how confident he usually was. That vulnerability made the whole situation feel different, somehow. It was like both of you had just crossed a line that neither of you were prepared for, and now you were both trying to figure out what the next step was.

Atsumu took off his jersey and stared into the phone screen at your contact name, waiting for your next response.

"Yeah," You said, finally, your voice quiet, "It's just... a lot. I didn't expect... this," You weren't sure how else to put it, but he seemed to understand, his next words coming out more slowly, more carefully.

"I get it, I didnt either, guess I'm just... not great with this kind of thing, but I don't wanna make you uncomfortable," He admitted, his voice quiet, almost hesitant.

Your chest tightened a little at his words, and you found yourself smiling despite the awkwardness, "I'm not uncomfortable, just... processing,"

He let out a small laugh, a nervous one, "Yeah, me too, this is weird, huh?"

You both laughed, the sound easing some of the tension. It wasn't perfect, but it was something. You weren't sure where this would lead, or if it should lead anywhere, but for now, the air between you had shifted, and there was something strangely comforting about knowing you weren't the only one feeling a little lost in all of this.

"I guess we'll figure it out huh?" You said, your voice was a little more steady now, as you both tried to make sense of the unexpected bond that had formed between you.

Atsumu's response was quieter. but there was a gentleness there, "Yeah... we will."

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© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

[part one]

[part two]

He gave the wood a few gentle knocks, the music now louder. Once you didn't answer he felt an annoyance bubble in his chest and gave the door a pound, the music quickly died down and you appeared in the frame shortly after.

You took in the sight of Atsumu, his yellow bedhead hair, the tired look in his eye, and the lack of clothes.

"Yeah?" You asked happily.

Atsumu stared down at you, how could you possibly be so... cheerful, so gleeful at six in the damn morning.

Atsumu's jaw clenched as he fought back the grogginess that threatened to snap his patience entirely. He rubbed a hand down his face, trying to compose himself.

"Yeah?" he echoed, voice dripping with sarcasm, "That’s all ya got to say? Yeah? It’s six in the fuckin' morning, and I've heard that same song so many times I’m startin' to hear it in my dreams!"

You tilted your head, clearly unbothered, as if you didn’t notice the thinly veiled irritation in his tone, "It’s a great song! Don't you think? Helps me start the day!"

"No," He said flatly, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Not at six. Not through walls that are apparently made of paper, 'm beggin' ya, tone it down— or at least wait until, I don’t know, a reasonable hour,"

You blinked, a small pout forming on your lips. "Six isn’t reasonable?"

"For a rooster, maybe," He muttered under his breath, stepping back and crossing his arms. "Look, I get it, a morning person and all, but some of us ain’t wired that way, can't you use, like... headphones?"

You gave him a sheepish smile, "It sounds better from my Alexa though,"

"I'm not sayin' ya can't listen' to music, 'm just sayin' to turn it down," He replied as softly as he could. He felt his patience wearing thin due to the early hours of the day.

"Yeah, totally! Sorry, Tsum," You smiled up at him.

Atsumu paused at the use of the nickname, before now it had always just been 'Atsumu', and it's not like he minded, he quite liked the way it rolled off your tongue, the way you said it so casually.

"Yeah, it's fine, 'm goin' back to sleep," He said before walking off, he heard the soft click of your door closing at the quiet hum of your music resuming.

He smiled to himself, his mind going back to the small pout that was on your lips previously, he felt creepy, he really did, but that's never stopped him from doing anything before and he wasn't about to change that.

Atsumu woke up to the smell of popcorn and the sound of his phone buzzing repeatedly. WIth a yawn he grabbed it and answered Hinata's call.

"Atsumu! Where are you?" Hinata asked with a sense of urgency.

Atsumu let out another yawn, "Ahh, why? What time is it?"

There was a pause, "It's two in the afternoon! Are you coming to practice today?"

Atsumus eyes widened as he shot out of bed, tripping over his blanket, "Yeah! 'm in my car right now, traffic am I right?" He laughed as convincingly as he could, silently praying Hinata was as oblivious as you.

Hinata didn’t miss a beat, "Oh, man, traffic's the worst! Coach is already fuming, though, so you better hurry, you know how he gets."

Atsumu scrambled to find his clothes, juggling the phone between his shoulder and ear, "Yeah, yeah, tell him I’ll be there in like... fifteen? Maybe ten?" He bluffed, tugging a wrinkled jersey over his head.

Hinata hummed, clearly buying it, "Okay, but don’t forget we're running rotations today, you’re paired with Bokuto, he's already hyped up and yelling about quick sets."

Atsumu groaned inwardly, the last thing he needed was Bokuto's relentless energy while he was still half-asleep, "Got it, I’ll be there soon," He said quickly before hanging up.

He turned to grab his keys, but the smell of popcorn stopped him in his tracks. Poking his head out of his room, he spotted you lounging on the couch, a massive bowl of popcorn in your lap, and a movie playing on the TV.

You glanced over with a cheerful grin, "Hey! Wanna join? Just started the best part."

Atsumu narrowed his eyes at you, "It’s two in the afternoon, and you’re watchin’ movies like it’s Saturday night?" Though he couldn't blame you, if given the chance he'd be right next to you on the couch.

"No better time like the present!" You beamed with a wide smile, "You gonna join?"

"Cant, woke up late," He glanced down to his phone, "Speakin' of I gotta go, I'll be back around eight, let's watch one then, promise," He yelled before closing the door and practically running to the elevator, only to see an 'out of order' sign on it.

Atsumu stared at the sign with a mix of disbelief and growing irritation. "You've gotta be kidding me," He muttered, jamming the elevator button just in case it miraculously worked despite the bright orange out of order notice.

No such luck.

With a resigned sigh, he turned toward the stairwell, gripping his duffel bag tighter. As he pushed the heavy door open, he glanced back toward the apartment. For a split second, and for the first time in forever, he really considered ditching practice and crashing on the couch with you, popcorn in hand.

But the image of Coach's wrath quickly replaced that thought, and he began descending the stairs two at a time, "This better count as my cardio," He grumbled under his breath, feeling the ache in his still-waking muscles.

Once he got outside he searched for his car, unsure of how much time has passed and how much he still had left.

A voice broke through his thoughts, "Hey, Atsumu!” He turned to see you leaning out of the apartment balcony, still holding the popcorn bowl, "Forgot to tell you— the elevator's been busted since last night, hope you like stairs!"

He threw you an unimpressed look, "Thanks for the heads-up, roomie, real helpful!" He yelled back, getting strange looks from passersby.

You laughed, utterly unbothered, "Break a leg at practice! And don’t forget— movie at eight!"

Rolling his eyes with a smile he jogged down to his parked car, hoping to make it on time.

As he drove, he couldn’t help but wonder how someone so delightfully carefree could disrupt his life so thoroughly— and still leave him looking forward to coming home.

By the time practice ended it was seven-thirty, it left just enough time to drive home to you.

While he was packing his duffel bag he heard Bokuto from behind him, "Hey, hey, hey, Miyatsumu! Wanna set for me while Hinata blocks my spikes?" He asked with a wide grin.

Atsumu's thoughts trailed back to you and the promise he made to you, surely you'd understand why he stayed late.

"Sure," He said to Bokuto, setting down his bag with a smile.

It was an hour past eight, and you were sitting with an empty bowl of popcorn and watching TikTok on the couch. You gave up hope around thirty minutes ago when your texts were left unanswered. What if his car broke down? Surely he wouldn't have forgotten about the movie night he promised.

You decided to give him a call, just to make sure he was in fact okay.

The phone rang a few times before he picked up, "Yeah?" He answered, out of breath.

Truth was Atsumu had completely lost track of time, to entranced in trying new things with Bokuto and Hinata, it wasn't as if he wanted to forget.

"You okay?" You asked, your voice tinged with concern, "It’s past nine and you didn’t answer my texts, so, uh, I just figured I'd call,"

Atsumu wiped the sweat from his brow, his stomach knotting as he glanced at the clock, "Yeah," He replied, struggling to catch his breath, "Sorry about that— practice ran late, and, uh, traffic’s brutal on the way back,"

"Traffic?" You repeated, your tone shifting slightly, "You’re driving right now?"

"Uh-huh," He said, trying to sound casual as he waved off Bokuto, who was yelling about one more round of spikes, "Just a few more minutes, I swear."

There was a pause on your end, and Atsumu felt a bead of sweat—not from practice—slide down his temple.

"Huh, that’s weird," You said finally.

"What’s weird?" he asked, swallowing hard.

"Oh, just that I don’t hear any traffic noises," You said innocently. "Almost like... a gym."

Atsumu froze, guilt tightening in his chest, "What? Nah, must be the Bluetooth or somethin’,"

"Right," You said, your tone now dripping with suspicion, "And I suppose that’s not your teammates yelling in the background either?"

Caught red-handed, he sighed and ran a hand down his face. "Alright, fine, 'm still at the gym."

"I knew it," You said, exasperated, "You lied to me?"

"I didn’t mean to," he said quickly, fumbling for an explanation. "I just—Bokuto and Hinata—look, I lost track of time, okay? I didn’t wanna let ya down, so,"

"So you lied instead?" You cut in, your voice sharp. "You could’ve just told me you were staying late,"

"I know, I know," He said, guilt eating at him, "It’s just... ya looked excited, 'nd I didn’t wanna ruin that,"

"Well, lying sure helped with that," You muttered, the disappointment clear in your tone.

Atsumu flinched, feeling like the world’s biggest idiot. "I’m sorry," He said softly, "I’ll make it up to ya, I promise, just... don’t be mad."

"I’m not mad," You said after a moment, though you still sounded hurt, "I’m just... we talked about this Atsumu,"

"I know," He said, his voice quiet. "I’ll head back now,"

"Don’t bother," You said, your tone resigned, "I’m already done with the movie,"

Atsumu sighed, hanging his head as you ended the call.

Bokuto walked over, tilting his head in confusion, "Everything okay?"

"Not really," Atsumu muttered, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder, "Turns out ’m terrible at balancing volleyball 'nd life,"

"Sounds rough," Bokuto said sympathetically, "Want me to call and apologize for keeping you?"

"Nah," Atsumu said, shaking his head, "This one's on me,"

You weren't mad at him, and you hated the fact you weren't angry, you should be furious, but you weren't. You were disappointed and sad. He promised he would be there, and you would've understood had he told you that hed be staying late, but he tried to lie about it like you were stupid.

Atsumu felt guilt eat at him, an undescribable feeling gnawing away at his form. He wasn't sure why he felt this guilty, he usually never felt anything after he told a lie and was found out, in fact, he'd gotten used to the feeling of just lying without thinking of any real consequence. He didn't want to hurt you, and despite what you said he knew he did. Imagining you on the couch, alone, pained him.

Atsumu stood there for a moment, staring at his phone’s dark screen, the weight of your words settling heavily on his chest. He could practically hear the disappointment in your voice echoing in his mind, he had messed up, and the realization twisted like a knife.

Bokuto nudged him gently, "Hey, man, you sure? You don’t look so good,"

Atsumu forced a weak smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes, "Yeah, I’ll figure it out," He said, his voice lacking its usual confidence, "But thanks,"

Bokuto frowned but didn’t push further, letting Atsumu make his way toward the exit.

The walk to the exit doors felt longer than usual, every step a reminder of how he'd let you down. He replayed your words in his head, each time hurting more than the last.

By the time he reached the parking lot, the air was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his chest.

He sat in his car for a moment, gripping the steering wheel and staring at the dashboard. He wanted to text you, to call you again, to say something—anything—to fix what he’d broken, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough, not tonight.

Atsumu stepped into the apartment you shared, the familiar silence weighing on him. The lights were dim, and the air smelled faintly of the popcorn you had made earlier. He glanced at the couch, where the blanket you'd used still lay, slightly askew, a reminder of the movie night that would never happen.

He kicked off his shoes, the soft thud of his feet against the wooden floor sounding too loud in the stillness. The clock on the wall ticked on, its rhythmic pulse only making the silence feel more deafening. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to start or what to do.

The guilt gnawed at him. He could feel the weight of the promise he’d broken, the disappointment in your voice still fresh in his ears.

"I'll fix this," he had told himself, but what if it was already too late?

The next few days were spent in silence. Atsumu resumed his regular routine of waking up early and heading to practice while you remained in your room, no longer playing your music and no longer speaking to him. He understood, he let you down. The weight of his actions hung heavily between you two, a quiet barrier he wasn’t sure how to break. Every time he tried to approach you, to say something—anything—it felt wrong. As if the words would only make things worse.

In the mornings, he'd hear the soft click of your door opening as you left your room, but there was no longer the usual cheerful greeting or the playful banter that used to fill the air. It was like you had withdrawn into yourself, and he couldn’t blame you for it. He didn’t deserve your lightness after what he’d done. He could never blame you for not wanting to speak to him again.

At practice, things were just as tense. While his teammates, especially Bokuto and Hinata, tried to keep things light, he could barely focus, his mind kept drifting back to you and the silent apartment, the popcorn bowl, the broken promise. Every spike he hit and every set always felt heavier than the last, the ball's impact only a small echo of the weight he carried in his chest.

After each practice, he'd find himself staring at his phone, his thumb hovering over your contact, but every time, he hesitated. He didn’t know how to fix it, how to make it right when the damage felt so deep. The silence between you was deafening, and he couldn’t tell if you were waiting for him to make the first move or if you were already done with him.

It was on the fourth evening, when Atsumu returned home from practice earlier than usual that he saw you in the living room. You were sitting on the couch, an open book in your lap, but you weren't reading, or well, you didn't seem to be, you were staring at the page, lost in thought, your expression distant.

Atsumu lingered in the doorway for a moment, simply observing your form and your expression, heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to speak, to break the silence, but every word he thought of seemed inadequate.

Finally, after a long pause, he stepped inside, his voice low, "I'm sorry,"

His words pulled you from your thoughts as you laid eyes on his slumped form, his forehead had a thin shine of sweat and he was in his MSBY jersey, his yellow hair stuck to his forehead as he stared you down, gauging your reaction.

You didn't immediately respond, and Atsumu's words hung loosely in the air, but it was the weight of the silence between you two that truly felt unbearable. You weren't sure whether to ignore him or acknowledge the apology as everything in you screamed that you needed something ore than just words, something more than an apology that felt like it was just thrown out there in an attempt to ease the tension.

A deep sigh escaped your lips as you finally decided on something, the feeling of betrayal wasn't easy to shake off especially since you already talked to him about lying to you.

"Sorry?" You repeated, the words still fresh on your mind, "Sorry won't fix this, Tsum,"

The book you were holding suddenly felt too heavy in your hands, so you set it aside, unable to focus on it any longer. You tried to divert your gaze, but the way he stood there— shoulders slumped, eyes searching your own, made your heart twist.

"I—"

You cut his sentence short, "I don't want your apologies," You said softly, though the impact of the words hit harder to Atsumu, "I was sitting there waiting for you, you didn't even text me, Tsum," You explained, your voice cracking as the emotions you felt bubbled back up.

Atsumu stood there, his gaze softening as he heard the rawness in your voice and words, he had expected the disappointment, but actually hearing it in your voice made it all the more real. His guilt had only deepened knowing he caused this pain when he could have just been truthful from the start. And even after all the hurt he caused you, you were still calling him by the nickname you gave him.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The room felt heavier now, and you weren't sure if it was the silence that surrounded you or the weight of everything in your heart.

His eyes kept searching yours, waiting for some sign—some indication that you might be willing to hear him out. His chest began to feel tight, like there was a heavy weight pressing down on him that he couldn't remove. And despite the silence between you, he couldn't bring himself to walk away yet.

You hadn't said anything since your outburst, still sitting on the couch, your arms crossed tightly across your chest, like you were holding yourself together. Atsumu knew that nothing he said could erase the hurt, not yet, and maybe not ever, but he had to try.

"I know it's not going to happen overnight, and 'm okay with that," Atsumu said, his voice soft but steady, "I just want ya to know 'm here, and I'll be waitin' for when yer ready to talk,"

His words hung in the air again, thick with the weight of everything that had passed between you two. He took a step forward, it was hesitant, unsure if you'd even want him near you.

For a moment it felt like time slowed, you studied him, and his tired eyes, his posture sagged slightly like he was carrying something heavy, something he hadn't seen before. Maybe it was guilt, or maybe it was just the weight of his own realization that he had messed up, and now the silence between you felt like an ocean too vast to cross.

For a long time neither of you moved, the room was quieter than it had been in days, and the air between you two was charged with all the words left unspoken, the thoughts that neither of you could quite articulate yet.

Finally, you let out a breath, your expression softening just a little. You didn't respond immediately as there was too much swirling inside you. Frustration, sadness, confusion. All of it was there, but beneath it, you knew there was sincerity in his words. He wasn't pretending, wasn't rushing to make everything okay again, he was just there, willing to wait.

You shifted, your gaze finally dropping to the floor, "Okay, Tsum," You spoke softly, "Please, just don't lie again, not about something like that,"

Atsumu felt his chest ease slightly at your words, though the guilt still clung to him like a heavyweight. He knew 'okay' didn't mean things were fully mended, but it was a crack in the wall of silence that had grown between you two, and he could work with that.

"I wont," He promised, his voice steady but laced with remorse, "Not again, I mean it this time."

You glanced up at him, your expression still guarded but less cold, and he took it as a sign to sit on the far edge of the couch, careful to keep some distance, giving you space to decide how much you wanted to bridge the gap.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. He fidgeted slight, running a hand through his sweat damp hair as he searched for something to say that wouldn't make things worse, "I know I don't deserve it, but thanks for givin' me a chance," He finally spoke.

"You shouldn't need a second chance, to be honest, Tsum," You replied quietly, and the truth in your words stung more than he cared to admit.

"I know," He admitted, his gaze fixed on his hands, "I mess things up sometimes, but I swear 'm tryin', I don't wanna mess this up—us,"

Your breath hitched softly at the words 'us', a small flutter in your chest you hadn't anticipated, it wasn't just the word it was the way Atsumu said it like it held more weight than the air around you like it wasn't just a throwaway term but something he'd thought about.

"Us?" You repeated, your voice quieter than you intended as your eyes lifted to meet his, searching his face for some clues as to what he meant. There was a vulnerability in his expression, his brows knit together and his lips parted slightly as though he wasn't sure what to say next.

Atsumu's hands fidgeted in his lap, fingers twisting the hem of his jersey. He exhaled, a soft chuckle escaping that sounded more nervous than amused.

"Yeah," He said, his voice low and unsteady, "Us, I mean... ya know, me and you, how we—" He paused, groaning softly as if frustrated with himself, "I don't wanna mess up what we have,"

Your chest tightened, he wasn't just apologizing for breaking a promise anymore—this was deeper. Atsumu wasn't always the best at expressing his true feelings, but the way his voice softened, the way his shoulders slumped as he sat next to you, it was like every part of him was saying he cared even if he wasn't saying it outright.

"Tsum," You started, hesitant, your own feelings swirling, you weren't sure where this was going or even where you wanted it to go. The silences stretched between you, thick with things unsaid, until he finally broke it.

"I'm not good at this," He admitted, his eyes darting up to yours, "Bein' serious 'nd stuff, but I care about ya, more than I thought I could care about anyone. And I hate that I let ya down, I hate that I made ya feel like I don't see you, 'cause I do—I see everything about ya, the way ya laugh too loud at yer own jokes, the way ya leave extra food on yer plate 'cause ya know I'll eat it, the way ya—"

He stopped himself, shaking his head and looking away as if he'd gone too far, but you didn't let him stop.

"The way I what?" You asked, leaning towards him slightly, your voice soft. Something in his words was pulling you in, even if you weren't ready to fully admit it yet.

Atsumu sighed, running a hand through his messy yellow hair, "The way ya make me wanna be better, even when ya don't say anythin', even when ya don't look at me, I feel it, I feel like I wanna do better 'cause... 'cause yer here."

His words hung between you, raw and unpolished, but they hit you all the same. The silence that followed wasn't as heavy as before—it was different now, like the air had shifted like something new had been laid bare between you.

You didn't know what to say at first, your heart caught somewhere between the hurt of the last few days and the honesty in his voice now, but as you looked at him, really looked at him, his eyes full of sincerity, his slightly trembling hands, you knew one thing for sure.

"You really mean it," You said softly, not as a question, but as a realization.

"I do," He replied, his voice steady this time, "And I'll spend as long as it takes provin' it to ya, if you'll let me,"

The corners of your lips twitched into a small, hesitant smile as you nodded your head.

You weren't ready to forgive completely, not yet, but maybe you were ready to start.

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© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

The campus library was supposed to be your sanctuary— a quiet haven where the soft rustle of pages and the hum of fluorescent lights allowed your thoughts to stretch as vast as the stars you studied.

But today, peace shattered the moment he arrived.

Bokuto Kotaro stormed in like a supernova, all bright energy and booming voice, waving his crumpled astronomy work like a flag of surrender.

“Hey, hey, hey! You’re the tutor, right?" he asked, his grin wide and unbothered by the dozen glares aimed his way.

You stared at him, momentarily speechless, wondering how anyone could radiate that much energy this early in the morning. It barely cracked eleven AM.

Under normal circumstances, you'd have never stepped five feet in the owl-headed boy's vicinity, but for the extra credit in your classes, you would.

Bokutos coach had come to you, requesting you tutor Boktuo on astronomy as you were the only one available and the only one who excelled in the university's astronomy course. In return, he promised hed twist a few strings to get you some extra credit, and after a few moments of debating you accepted, it couldn't have been that bad right?

Wrong.

"Bokuto-san, this is a library," You reminded him, subtly looking around at all the faces watching Bokuto's rather bright form.

Bokuto blinked at you, his grin faltering for only a second before bouncing back as if the concept of an 'indoor voice' simply didn’t exist in his world.

He leaned closer, lowering his voice ever so slightly, "Right, right, sorry!" he whispered, though it was still loud enough to earn a second wave of shushing from a nearby table.

"I just got so excited! I mean, how cool is this? Studying stars? Like, actual stars!" He punctuated his sentence with a dramatic gesture that sent his crumpled papers fluttering to the ground.

You sighed, already feeling the beginning of a headache, "Bokuto-san, I don’t think you understand—"

"No, no, I get it!" he cut in, crouching to scoop up his fallen notes.

"This is serious business, I’m totally ready to learn, you’re, like, my last hope before the coach makes me sit out for the rest of the season, "He looked up at you then, his golden eyes wide and genuine, and for a moment, you almost believed he meant it.

Almost.

"Then maybe start by sitting down... quietly," you said, gesturing to the chair across from you.

Bokuto saluted, far too enthusiastically for a library, and flopped into the seat with enough force to make the table rattle, causing you pinched the bridge of your nose.

This is going to be a long semester.

Bokuto leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement, as he spread his crumpled papers across the table like some sort of battlefield strategist, "Okay, so I was looking at the syllabus— well, kinda— and I think I get it, stars are, like, really far away, right? But also super hot? Like... the sun, but not?"

You stared at him, trying to decipher if that was a question, a statement, or a Bokuto-ism you’d just have to get used to, "That’s... technically correct, Bokuto-san, but—"

"See? I’m not totally hopeless!" He beamed, leaning back with almost contagious confidence, "Coach was all, ‘You’ve gotta study harder,’ and I was like, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve totally got this!’ And then—"

"Bokuto-san," you cut in, resisting the urge to bang your head on the table, "Do you even have your textbook?"

His grin faltered, "...Doesn't a syllabus count?"

Did he really just ask that? Where even was his bag? Why would he sign up for astronomy if he didn't even know the difference between a textbook and a syllabus?

You sighed, long and deep, feeling your patience wear thinner by the second, "No, Bokuto-san, a syllabus does not count, we’re going to need to start at square one,"

Bokuto straightened in his chair, slapping his hands on the table with a determined glint in his eye, "Alright, teach me! I’m ready!"

You raised an eyebrow, glancing pointedly at the other students in the library who were now watching him like a particularly loud wildlife documentary.

"Quietly, Bokuto-san, this is still a library," you muttered, before pulling out your notebook.

He immediately dropped his voice to an exaggerated whisper, "Right, right! Quiet stars! Got it,"

You pressed your lips together, stifling a laugh despite yourself.

You took a deep breath and opened your notebook, flipping to the diagrams you’d drawn for the last exam, "Alright, Bokuto-san, let’s start simple, can you name the three main types of stars?"

Bokuto leaned over the table, squinting at your neatly labeled chart like it was written in another language, "Uh... big, medium, and small?"

You blinked, "That’s not even remotely close,"

He scratched his head, looking sheepish, "Okay, okay, give me a hint! Is one of them... shiny?"

You bit back a groan, tapping your pen against the table.

"They’re all shiny, that’s kind of their thing, let’s try this instead," You pointed to the diagram.

"The three types are massive stars, intermediate stars, and low-mass stars, think of it like volleyball players— each type has a different role and lifespan depending on how much ‘energy’ they have."

Bokuto’s eyes lit up, "Ohhh, like an ace versus a libero! Okay, okay, I get it now! So... low-mass stars would be like liberos? They don’t get the spotlight, but they last a long time?"

You blinked, surprised, "Actually... that’s a decent analogy, I think,"

"See? I’m a genius!" He declared, earning another round of glares from the surrounding tables. He shrank a little under the scrutiny but quickly recovered, leaning in closer, "Alright, hit me with another one!"

Bokuto had only taken astronomy because he thought it'd be an easy class, he saw stars all the time, in movies, and outside; even the lights in the gym looked like stars! So how hard could it have been?

What he wasn't prepared for was needing to name them off the top of his head, and he never even understood the whole constellation thing, they all looked the same! He just could never see it no matter how long he stared at the sky, and he was starting to believe it was some inside joke he wasn't apart of.

Encouraged by his enthusiasm, you turned the page to a diagram of the life cycle of a star.

"Okay. This is how a star evolves over time. It starts as a nebula—basically a giant cloud of gas and dust, and from there, depending on its mass, it can become a protostar, then a main-sequence star, and eventually..."

Bokuto’s hand shot up like he was in a classroom, "Ooh! Ooh! Does it explode?!"

You stared at him, caught off guard, "...Yes, some stars do end their lives in a supernova,"

“I knew it!" He grinned like he’d just won the lottery, "Stars are like aces! They go out with a bang!"

You couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped, "That’s... one way to put it, I guess,"

Bokuto was definitely a creative person you'd give him that much.

For the next hour, you worked through more diagrams and explanations, occasionally pausing to translate the material into volleyball metaphors when Bokuto started zoning out. To your surprise, he was actually listening— though his 'notes' consisted of doodles of stars with dramatic eyebrows and stick-figure volleyball players labeled 'supernova aces.'

Despite the silly drawings instead of words, the notes actually made sense, like he was keeping up and actually processing what you were saying, for the most part, it was as if he just needed the right way of studying, and that way was comparing things to volleyball— something you had no clue about.

When the session finally ended, Bokuto leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head with a satisfied sigh.

"Man, that wasn’t so bad!" Bokuto said, his grin as wide as ever, "I mean, I still don’t totally get why stars have lifecycles or whatever, but that thing about red giants being, like, the blockers of the universe? That stuck!"

You arched an eyebrow, packing up your notebook, "You do realize blockers don’t explode into planetary nebulae, right?"

He waved a hand dismissively, "Details, details, the point is, I’m totally gonna ace this next quiz, the coach is gonna be so impressed!"

You paused, glancing at his scribbled mess of notes, amidst the chaotic drawings and exaggerated labels, there was a strange kind of logic— one that only Bokuto seemed to understand, yet seemingly effective if he actually understood.

"Well, if this... masterpiece helps you remember the material, I guess that’s what matters," you said, sliding your bag over your shoulder.

"Exactly!" he declared, shooting up from his seat with enough force to make the table rattle, he held out his fist toward you, his grin practically glowing, "Thanks! You’re the best tutor ever!"

You blinked at his outstretched hand, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. Hesitantly, you raised your fist and bumped it against his, feeling the warmth of his enthusiasm seep into you.

"Just don’t forget everything we covered the second you step out of this library, Bokuto-san," You replied, trying to sound stern but failing to hide the small smile tugging at your lips.

"No way! I’m locked in now," He said, tapping the side of his head, "It’s all up here, supernova aces, red blockers, all of it,"

You shook your head, suppressing a laugh, "I’ll see you tomorrow then, don’t forget your textbook,"

As you turned to leave, Bokuto called after you, his voice loud enough to earn another round of glares, you lost count at this point, "See ya, don’t miss me too much!"

Bokuto smiled widely, his papers in hand, he felt like he could really pass this class with your help, and he couldn't wait till tomorrow to show you that he in fact did not forget everything you've explained to him. He liked studying with you, you were patient, sort of, in your own way!

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the warmth spreading in your chest.

This is going to be a long semester.

But this time, the idea didn’t seem so bad.

You stepped into your dorm room with a small content sigh, replaying the memories of hours ago a small smile made its way onto your face, you were glad your roommate had been spending more time at her boyfriends apartment.

Boyfriend, the word itself grossed you out.

You could never imagine yourself having a boyfriend right now, you were just too focused on college and your major, You neither had the time nor the patience required to handle the responsibilities of a relationship.

Throwing your bag onto your desk you headed for your closet, wanting to change into something comfier before you began your late-night studying.

As you plopped onto your bed you felt your phone buzz, the screen illuminating your face as you read the notification.

unknown number: hey!!

you: hello?

unkown number: its me, bokuto!!

A smile appeared on your face as you bit your lip to try and suppress it.

you: how'd you get my number? and why are you texting so late bokuto-san?

bokuto-san: details details, anyway! do you have a window in your dorm??!111!!!111!11

you: yes bokuto-san, its mandatory...

bokuto-san: face time me !!!!

With a sigh you clicked on his contact and dialed his number, what could possibly be so important that he needed to call you so late? And why were you entertaining it?

Within an instant he picked up, the sight of bokuto filling the entire screen, a wide grin evident on his features.

"What did you need Bokuto-san?" You asked, propping the phone up on your nightstand while you sat on your bed.

"Your pajamas are cute! We should get matching ones!" He blurted out, you were wearing dark blue pajama pants that had stars littered on them.

The compliment made a blush rise to your cheeks, but you wouldn't let it distract you, "Bokuto-san," You said sternly.

"So serious all the time! Anyways, go to your window!" He said, and from what you could see in his background he seemed to be moving around.

With a sigh, you picked the phone up and walked to your window, "Now what?" You questioned, looking out to make sure he wasn't climbing it or something, you wouldn't put anything past this guy.

You heard him laugh, "Now open your window and tell me how to find this Orion guy!"

You smiled fondly, one of your favorite constellations was Orion, "Alright, Bokuto-san, but only for a little," You firmly said.

You opened your window and peeked your head out a bit, feeling the cold breeze hit your skin and sent a shiver down your spine.

"Cold, huh?" You heard Bokuto say, in a much calmer tone.

"Yeah," You stared up at the sky, looking for Orion's belt, "You ready Bokuto-san?"

Your gaze shifted back down to your phone, seeing Bokuto on his back in the grass, his eyes were looking past the phone and into the sky intently, the only thing illuminating his face was the moon and the subtle yellow light of an estrayed college sidewalk light.

"Yeah," He said focused, though his eyes beamed with excitement.

"Alright," You said, gently smiling as you redirected your focus onto the sky, "You’re gonna want to look for three stars in a straight line, they’re not super bright, but once you see them it's hard to unsee them," You explained as simple as you could, already finding Orion's belt once again.

Bokuto squinted, his brow furrowing as he scanned the dark expanse above."Uh… wait, wait! I think I got it!" He said enthusiastically, "Is it that one?" He pointed, seemingly forgetting you were on the phone.

"Bokuto-san, I'm not with you," You said with a soft giggle.

“Oh, right!" Bokuto laughed, the sound was sheepish but warm."Okay, okay, so, uh... describe it again? I think I’m close!"

You smiled, shaking your head,"Alright, focus on the three stars in a straight line, they’re pretty evenly spaced, and they’re just below a really bright star— Betelgeuse, can you see that one?"

“Betel-juice, yeah, I remember from earlier!" He said, his voice brimming with excitement. You heard the faint rustle of grass through the phone as he shifted around.

"Alright, I see the bright one, now... oh! I see them!"

"Really?" You asked, grinning, almost as excited as he was.

Almost.

"Yeah! Three stars, right? In a row? That’s it, isn’t it?" His voice was so loud and triumphant, it was hard not to laugh.

Bokuto couldn't believe what he was seeing, he actually saw a constellation, it wasn't just an inside joke between people in his class, it wasn't some myth, it was real! And you helped him see it, you're the reason he doesn't feel so left out anymore.

You laughed tenderly, "Yes, that’s it, congratulations, Bokuto-san, you’ve officially found Orion’s Belt."

"This is so cool!" He exclaimed, his voice practically vibrating with excitement.

"It really is," You say, happy he feels as excited as you were when you found your first constellation. "If you look north a little you'll see two brighter stars, those represent his shoulders, and if you look south of his belt you'll find his feet,"

After a few moments of silence, he spoke up, "Man, it’s way cooler when you actually know what you’re looking at, what’s next? Are there more belts? Like a whole star wardrobe?" He asked enthusiastically.

You couldn’t help but laugh again, shaking your head. "Not quite, but there’s plenty more to see, first, you might want to take a moment to just enjoy Orion,"

There was a pause, and when Bokuto spoke again, his voice was softer, almost a whisper. "This is actually kind of amazing,"

You looked down at your phone screen, and you noticed Bokutos eyes were glazed over in awe, adorning his cheeks was a pinkish tint.

"You're amazing," Bokuto said, turning his direction towards his phone screen, watching as a smile tugged at your lips. His tone was still the same soft voice, a contrast to his usual theatrical self.

He was telling the truth, Bokuto found you amazing, how you knew so much about the stars, something he wouldn't have even thought twice about before meeting you or before he signed up for the class. He was glad he did, he was glad he was failing the class because if he wasn't, he wouldn't be on the phone with you, lying in the grass and staring at the stars.

And just like that, he couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, the stars didn't seem so distant anymore.

navigation !

© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

"Tsumu, you need to find a new roommate. My girlfriend and I are getting serious," Atsumu's now ex-roommate explained to him. Atsumu could understand, though not really. He had never gotten too far in the relationship stages. His focus was usually on volleyball, and he couldn’t imagine himself in a serious relationship, so he never really tried.

So here he sat in his living room, on the couch, interviewing the fifth person that day for the new roommate position he’d put out on Craigslist. He was starting to regret the decision, especially since half of the people he met were... well, to put it nicely, extremely shady in his eyes.

Maybe Craigslist wasn’t the best place to post a roommate ad.

His rules were simple: don’t make a mess, be respectful of each other’s belongings, label your food items, and do not be a girl. Most of the rules seemed fair given that it was a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment.

But then there you were, sitting across from him, looking nervous as he stared you down.

"Ya' read the rules, right?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

It’s not that Atsumu hated women or anything—he loved them, for the most part. He just wasn’t sure he could share the same space with someone of the opposite gender. It was something he’d never done before, and given the way his exes acted, he assumed every girl would be uptight and all up in his business all the time.

"I, uh, yes?" You tried to put on a fake smile, but the truth was, you hadn’t read the rules. You’d just applied to whatever roommate ad you first saw. You’d been kicked out by your last roommate, who refused to tell you the reasons, but you had a pretty good guess why.

You had a bad habit of leaving things out randomly, calling it your organized clutter. But everyone else called it a pigsty.

"Then what was the first rule?" He questioned.

You said the first thing that came to your mind, "Don’t talk about fight club?" Your cheeks were a deep red color.

Atsumu felt a smirk fall onto his face "Ya sure yer applyin' for a roommate and not an underground fightin' ring?" He said, amused.

"It was the first thing that came to my mind!" You shouted, embarrassed about your accidental answer. "No, I didn't read your freak rules," You muttered, crossing your arms and staring at the wooden floor.

Atsumu chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, if yer gonna live here, you might wanna start readin' them," he teased, leaning back into the couch.

You directed your attention to him once again, "Wait, I can live here?" You asked, a hopeful expression on your face.

Atsumu’s grin softened as he noticed the hope in your eyes. He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. "Yeah, ya can," he said, his voice a little more serious now. "But, ya gotta understand, this place ain't some hotel. It's full of my rules,"

Atsumu knew he needed someone to fill the position of his roommate, and truthfully he was tired of interviewing people and having to awkwardly reject them, and you seemed nice enough, plus, he could just kick you out if you weren't nice to live with.

"I'm sure I can make whatever your rules are work!" You beamed, your excitement palpable.

You were overjoyed, and grateful to have found an apartment so quickly, especially with the truck you rented due to be back in six hours.

"First off," he started, but you cut him off by raising your hand. "What?"

"Can we, uh, bring my stuff up? The truck, uh... it needs to be back in six hours..." you said, your voice wavering, as if you were almost afraid he might tell you to unload it yourself.

Atsumu’s expression softened just a little as he processed your request. The nerves were so evident in your voice, and he couldn’t help but wonder if you were just a bit too anxious for such a simple question. But the truth was, he’d been nervous more times than he could count in his life. It was the only thing that kept him from being irritated by your timid tone.

"Sure," he said, his voice dropping to something a bit gentler. "I can help ya bring it up, no problem."

You blinked, taken aback for a moment. You expected some resistance— after all, most people would be irritated by the thought of helping move someone’s stuff after a first meeting. Maybe your original thoughts on Atsumu were wrong, when you first saw him you had assumed he would be rude but so far he seemed to be fairly nice.

"Lead the way," He spoke, standing up, once again reminding you just how tall he really is.

You both stood in front of the truck, it was a fairly small size, really only used for moving a bedroom.

"The boxes might be heavy, I dont pack well," You warned, sliding the door up and revealing your stacks of boxes as well as your bed set, but something caught Atsumu's eye, you had something flat and long covered on bubble wrap.

"What's that?" He asked, pointing his finger.

"Oh! My canvases, I, uh, do art, or well, make it, I guess," You explained, stumbling over your words nervously. "Well, not I guess, I know it, it's my job,"

You hoped he didn't ask any further questions since you weren't one to really talk about your art, most of your pieces never met your standards so therefore never met the light of day despite what everyone else says about them. You always tended to be your own biggest critique.

"Maybe you could paint me like one of your French girls," He teased, a wide grin on his face.

Your face went a deep shade, did he actually want you to paint him like a French girl? It wasn't uncommon for someone to ask you to paint them something but to paint someone was a whole different deal, though, you did find him candidly pretty enough for it.

"Maybe," You said while picking up a box from the truck, the weight almost enough to make you drop it as you struggled to walk.

Atsumu just watched you with amusement, his brow raising, you didn't actually think he was serious. Right? You had determination he'd give you that.

"Ya need help?" He asked wryly.

"Nope," You mustered out before taking another step and almost falling backward, "Okay, yeah," You admitted.

Atsumu quickly replaced your hands on the box, lifting it like it weighed absolutely nothing.

"Just say yes next time, yeah?" He said, making his way towards the entrance, making you mumbling excuses for not lifting it.

After Atsumu sat the last box down in your room he wiped the sweat off his forehead. You told him you'd be back in forty minutes. It took you ten minutes to get to the truck place, twenty minutes to wait for your friend to pick you up, and ten minutes back. It gave Atsumu a chance to spiffy the place up one last time. He didn't want you to think he lived messily, though it would be a different story when he was busy.

Before leaving your room, he caught a glimpse of the familiar bubble-wrapped canvases, curiosity piquing his interest. One look wouldn't hurt, right? And it's like you'd never know. Giving in to his curiosity he carefully unwrapped one from the back, it felt like Christmas all over again.

Lifting the painting up to get a good view his jaw dropped, it was a beautiful scenic view of a lake, the water and grass had been finished but the sky and what he presumed should've been mountains weren't. He wanted to see a finished one, so he declared that one didn't count and therefore he should be entitled to unwrapping another one.

Lifting the second one up he noticed the same thing, it was a moonlight beach piece- or so he thought; only the top part of the canvas hadn't been filled in. Once he rewrapped them he inspected all the canvases from outside the wrap, and despite how blurry it was, he could tell none of them were finished and a confused look strew onto his face, whats with you and not finishing things?

Hearing the doorbell ring he quickly placed everything back where he found it and rushed to the door, opening it slightly after peeking through the peephole and seeing your form.

"Password?" He asked with a grin.

You didn't quite pick up on his joking tone, "Wait what? You didn't tell me the password," You explained anxiously.

He laughed awkwardly when he realized the joke didn't land, you were gonna have to get used to his silly jokes if you were gonna become possible friends with him.

"Just come inside," He opened the door fully, watching as you slipped under the arm that was holding the door open.

"That reminds me," He paused, digging in his shorts pocket, pulling out a silver key, and handing it out to you, "Your key,"

You smiled and took it from his hand, "Why is your fingertip black?" You asked, taking his wrist and examining his hand.

Atsumu's eyes widened as he quickly tried to come up with an excuse, he couldn't just tell you he went snooping through your stuff. Atsumu was a liar, everybody who was even remotely close to him knew this, but to his luck, you had only just met him.

"It's not," He said with the most convincing smile he could put on.

He never said he was a good liar.

You looked up at him, his wrist still in your grasp as your eyes flickered between him and his finger, and your skeptical expression made it clear you didn't believe him.

"It's food dye," He spoke again, praying you'd release your weak grasp.

Narrowing your eyes you seemed content with his more believable answer, "Why didn't you just say that from the start?" You asked, letting go of his arm.

"Oh, ya know, the usual, anyway..." He trailed off, walking towards his bedroom to escape the awkward situation, "I'll be in my room, don't disturb me unless there's a fire,"

You watched his back as he fled and shut the door swiftly, you knew this new living arrangement would be anything other than a dull one.

But one thing didn't add up to you, what food would he willingly want to dye black? Oh well, you had more important matters to attend to, like unpacking your room, your least favorite part of moving.

With a sigh you looked around your room, it was neat, and you wondered how long it'd be till it wasn't. Mentally swatting those thoughts away you shook your head, you had to be clean this time in fear of getting kicked out, again, it's weird that it happened once it'd be even more weird if it happened twice.

The only thing left was to find a spot to put your unfinished paintings, was hanging up unfinished paintings weird to do? You weren't quite sure, but since you had nowhere else to store them you decided it was the only logical thing to do. Unwrapping the first one you noticed little smudges in the black. Once you hung it up you inspected your fingers, only that's when it hit you, Atsumu's fingers, he lied to your face!

Knocking on his bedroom door, you were furious— not because he snooped through your things, but because he lied to your face about doing so.

"Atsumu's not here, try again later," You heard him say from behind the door, feigning innocence.

You rolled your eyes, exasperated. "Why'd you lie to me?"

"As a loyal friend of Atsumu, I can confirm he's a man of integrity and would do no such thing," He shot back, in a mockingly serious tone.

Did he genuinely think you'd fall for this act? You were a lot of things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.

"I'm not stupid, Atsumu," you said, crossing your arms as the door creaked open.

His face peeked out with a sheepish grin, clearly amused. "Never said ya were, just testin' yer observation skills,"

You glared up at him, refusing to be derailed. "So? Why lie?"

Atsumu leaned casually against the doorframe, shrugging with an air of nonchalance, "Force of habit? Thought it'd be funny?" His grin widened.

Atsumu didn't really have an explanation of why he lied to you, it just came naturally to him, he'd lie even when caught in the act. He'd be more surprised if he told the truth.

You could only muster out a scoff as you turned for your room, you were more annoyed than angry at this point, annoyed that he kept joking about everything– was there a serious bone in this guys body?

Atsumu felt the need to apologize, he knew he shouldn't lie, or well, he should've told a better lie, but he still hurt your feelings and it hadn't even been a whole day since you moved in.

With an exaggerated sigh he knocked on your door. After a few moments you opened it, a scowl evident on your face at the sight of him.

" 'msorry i stretched the truth about a few things," He said, watching as you crossed your arms.

"Stretched the truth?" You repeated annoyed at how he couldn't admit the cold hard truth even in his apologies.

"C'mon don't be like that, i'm sorry, i got carried away 'nd wanted to see yer painting's" He leaned on the door way.

you let a soft smile onto your face at his words, you were glad he apologized finally, and you were happy someone wanted to see your work, though, had he just asked you probably would've shown him. Eventually. Most likely.

"Yeah, well... next time, just don’t lie. It’s not that hard." You say, not wanting to let him off the hook that easily.

Atsumu grins, "No promises," He said amusingly.

You rolled your eyes and smiled at him, "So, what do you think of them?"

Atsumu knew he was going to like invoking reactions out of you, the way you expressed yourself so clearly was adorable to him, and how you didn't quite catch on to his sarcastic tone, taking everything so seriously. It was far too cute.

"Why aren't any of 'em finished?" He asked inquisitively, watching as you leaned on the doorframe opposite to him.

You pondered for a moment, coming up with an answer that actually made sense to anyone but you. You knew why they weren't finished, it was a problem you've always had, you just never had the right motivation to finish the pieces, they were beautiful yes, and they could've been so much more but you never had the right... muse?

Motivation?

Reason?

Of course, you had reason to finish the pieces people paid for, but your personal pieces were and will always remain unfinished.

"I've never had any reason to finish them, I guess," You said, your tone completely changing from the one you've been using toward him, you sounded more collected than you did before.

Atsumu felt your words somewhat, though he couldn't fully understand where you were coming from as he never indulged in hobbies other than volleyball, and with volleyball you can't just not finish the game.

"Well, if ya ever finish one, we're hangin' it up in the living room," He grinned at your flustered face.

"You were saying something about rules earlier?" You changed the subject.

"Ah," He paused, "Respect people's things 'nd label yer food,"

You looked at him with a bemused expression, "Haven't you already broken one of your rules?"

He stood with a wide smirk, "Never said I'd follow the rules, gotta get yer ears checked," He said teasingly.

"My ears are just fine, I swab them every night for your information," You shot back, defensively crossing your arms.

Atsumu chuckled softly at your form, the way you always took him so seriously, it stitched something into him, nothing bad, but he just wasn't sure what the feeling was to what it could lead to, sure your personalities clashed wildly, but that's what made it so exciting to him. You were something new.

"Thanks f'the image,"

"Let me see your ears," You said, arms still crossed.

Atsumu raised his brow in amusement, "Why would I-"

Atsumu got cut off by you grabbing his shirt and tugging him down,.

Atsumu blinked, his lips parting slightly in stunned silence. He wasn’t used to being manhandled like this— especially by someone as small, compared to him, and stubborn as you.

“Y’know,” He finally murmured, his voice low and teasing as a grin tugged at his lips, “If ya wanted t’hold my face, ya just had t’ask.” He said playfully, trying to mask the flush your hold on his face brought.

You ignored his words, squinting at his ear as if it held the answers to the universe.

“It looks clean,” you muttered, releasing his chin with a sharp pat.

Atsumu straightened, rubbing his jaw with exaggerated offense. “Glad I passed yer inspection, doc. Feel free t’give me a heads-up next time, yeah?”

Despite the confident facade he put on, your touch and close proximity sent a flutter through him.

"Well, I did ask beforehand," You placed your hand on his chest to move him backward and out of the doorframe, god, why were you so touchy? It did absolutely nothing to calm the flutter of feelings spinning in his chest.

As you turned on your heel and shut the door, Atsumu stood there, watching you, his hand absently brushing over his chin where your fingers had been moments before.

What exactly had he gotten himself into?

navigation !

© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

Opening your eyes the sun shone on your eyes, memories of the night before instantly flooding your mind making a blush form on your cheeks.

Leaning up and resting on your elbows you smiled, the memories weren't a dream, and you weren't being delusional. Your eyes scanned the room, remembering how the stars looked while Tsukishima was on top of you. You shook your head, metaphorically swatting the thoughts away.

Facing to the right you noticed the bed was perfectly put together, what time was it?

Searching for your phone, and some clothes, you saw there was a small pile on the nightstand to your right. On top of the pile was your phone, and below it was a pair of volleyball shorts and his hoodie.

Grabbing your phone first the screen lit up, he had charged it for you. A smile appeared while you read the time, it was six. Tsukishima didn't have to leave until seven, you knew that because you leave at the same time.

Tsukishima would never tell you but he is supposed to leave at six thirty, but to talk to you he waits the extra thirty minutes and chooses to sprint to practice.

Throwing on the clothes you made your way to the living room finding Tsukishima sitting on his couch in silence, seemingly lost in a deep thought with a pensive look on his face.

"Hey, Tsuki," You greeted softly, not wanting to frighten him.

He swiftly directed his attention to you, he didn't answer for a moment as he gathered his thoughts and words. The silence brought a nervous look to your expression.

"Listen," He paused, "About last night,"

"Yeah?" You felt your heartbeat quicken.

"It was a mistake," He stood up now, walking over to you with ease.

You felt your heart drop into your stomach. You weren't quite sure how to feel in the moment, or well, you couldn't decide how to feel with so many emotions mixing in your head. You were filled with anger, sadness, and confusion. If barfing was an emotion, you'd feel that as well. Your mind was so clouded with emotions you couldn't form a reply, and if it wasn't what were you even meant to say to him? Just agree with him? Agree that it was a mistake and you'd go back to your normal routine together? It was something you'd never be able to do.

"We shouldn't have done it," He added.

You let out a scoff, staring up at him with your tear-filled eyes, "I cannot believe you, Tsukishima," You felt your tears drip down your cheeks and onto the floor.

"I dont want to lose you," Tsukishima felt tears threaten his eyes as he stared at your form. It was true, he didn't want to lose you, and being more than your friend meant there was a possibility of that happening. He was scared of how things would change.

"Lose me?" You sobbed out, "Youre losing me now,"

You turned on your heel towards the door, but before you could even get a step in Tsukishima wrapped his hand around your wrist.

You turned your head to him expectantly.

Tsukishima wanted so badly to tell you to stay, to tell you he didn't want this, but nothing came out, no matter how hard he tried to verbalize his thoughts he just couldn't, so instead he stared into your eyes with a pleading look, hoping and praying you understood what he meant.

You pulled your wrist away, "Dont contact me anymore, Tsukishima,"

He watched as you turned around, he watched as you slammed the door, and he watched the time pass as he stood planted in the same spot for thirty minutes. He wanted to cry, he wanted to sob, he didn't remember the last time he felt like this, if ever. Tsukishima in no way was an emotional person, well he wasn't until you came into his life. He thought back to his life before you, how every day was the same, how most of his days were filled with boredom or anger.

He missed you and you had only been gone for thirty minutes. But he decided it was simply for the best, you deserved someone who could properly speak their emotions, someone who isn't so passive-aggressive, someone who isn't him.

Your heart ached and yearned, you weren't sure how you could cry so much about someone who you had only just seen thirty minutes ago, someone who was probably fine without you, who was probably going about his day like his words held no meaning to them. You let him see all of you, feel all of you. The ghost of his hands only made you sob harder into your pillow, the way he roamed you as if you were the only person he'd ever laid eyes on. Were any of his touches real, did the words he said hold genuine meaning? So many thoughts ran through your head.

You knew you'd be late to work at this rate so you decided to call off work. You noticed you were still in his clothes, god, it was like he was haunting you.

Tsukishima didn't want to stay in his apartment any longer, everywhere he looked there you were. Memories of you on the floor studying, watching movies on his couch, baking in his kitchen, and now ghosts of you in his bed. He settled on heading to practice to hopefully take his mind off of you.

It was a decision he had really regretted.

You never left his mind, so much so it was affecting the way he played.

"What is the matter with you, Tsuki?" Kogane shouted after Tsukishima didn't even jump to block the ball. The nickname reminds him instantly of you.

"Its just practice," Tsukishima replied in a calm tone while walking to the benches for a sip of water.

"But you totally could've blocked that!" Kogane followed him.

Kogane considered Tsukishima a close friend, but Tsukishima did not, and he thought he always made that clear, but every day Kogane proved him wrong.

Tsukishima just sighed in response, he knew Kogane was right, Kyotani was always easy to read in two-on-twos, but how could he focus when all that he could think of was the sight of you crying? He wasn't sure how hed ever be able to forgive himself, let alone forget you.

"Is it about that girl that brings your lunches?" Kogane asked after taking a big gulp of water and almost choking on it, much to Tsukishimas's misfortune.

"It's none of your business," Tsukishima tried to maintain his usual scowl.

"Oh, it so is! Tell your dear friend about it," Kogane said, waiting expectantly.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because when she was coming around here you actually smiled a few times," Kogane explained, mimicking Tsukishima's angry face.

Koganes words didn't help Tsukishima in the slightest. He missed you even more so now, he missed how happy you'd make him, though he had a weird way of showing it.

"It's too late," Tsukishima said, he couldn't believe he was actually saying this to Kogane.

"It's never too late, Tsuki,"

Tsukishima didn't believe him, Kogane wasn't there, and he didn't see the look you gave him when you told him to not contact you again.

Despite everything, Kogane's words stuck with Tsukishima, and they rang in his head annoyingly, they rang on his way to class, and on the way back to his apartment, they especially rang when he passed the bakery you worked at. So there he stood, in the cold, outside the door. He contemplated walking in, what would he even say? Were you even at work? What if you already moved away?

Before he could change his mind Tsukishima opened the door, the warm air welcoming him in, as well as the smell of freshly baked bread and cakes.

"Welcome!" A girl called from the desk.

As Tsuki walked over to her he examined the walls and the pictures that hung on them, some were of customers, and cakes, but there was one of you standing next to a cake about as tall as you. You looked beautiful with your smile, the smile that used to be towards him. How he missed you.

Once Tsukishima asked if you were here the girl gave him a strange look, "Why? Whats it to you?" She spoke, attitude lacing her voice.

Tsukishima was taken aback by her aggressive tone, "I'm a friend," Though friend wouldn't be the best choice of wording.

"Are you Tsukishima?"

He raised a brow, "Yes?" How would she have already known his name?

"Oh! She talks about you like all the time, she let a cake burn one time to text you back!" She said with a smile.

Tsukishima felt his heart pang at the new information, here you were burning cakes to text him back and he shattered your heart like it was nothing, how could he have allowed himself to do such a thing? Losing you because he couldn't properly communicate his feelings because he was scared of something unknown.

Tsukishima liked to consider himself a smart person, but at this moment, here in this bakery, he felt like a complete and utter fool.

He found himself standing outside your door, hands by his sides. What was he even doing? You made it painfully obvious you wanted nothing to do with him.

"Tsuki?" Your voice called from down the hall, Tsukishima swiftly turned his head to meet your gaze. You were holding a brown grocery bag, your eyes were puffy and your hair was a mess, but he saw past that, to him you still looked as beautiful as you did that night.

Tsukishima didn't know what to say, everything he was previously thinking faded within a flash, his words once again failing him.

You stared at Tsukishima, he looked distraught, the sight of him was almost enough to make tears form in your eyes.

You walked closer to your door as he turned to completely face you, he prepared for you to yell at him, tell him you hate him, anything. He wasn't prepared for you to walk right by him and straight into your apartment.

Tsukishima sighed and entered his own, if he couldn't use words, he'd use something he knew you loved.

Baking.

Heading to his kitchen he took out all the ingredients he'd need to make strawberry shortcake. Looking at the bottle of vanilla you helped him pick out he smiled, remembering the look on your face while you were explaining the differences, the glimmer in your eye.

Tsukishima wasn't the best at baking, which was one of the reasons he liked having you over so much, you'd always bake his favorite dish for him, you were always doing things for him and he didn't even realize what he had.

Placing the last strawberry on the whipped cream he stepped back to get a full view of it. It was... strawberry shortcake for sure from certain angles. He didn't have enough vanilla to make another one since you'd always use his, so this... creation... would have to do.

Carefully walking to your door he knocked, and after a few moments you appeared, teary-eyed.

You rolled your eyes at Tsukishima, you didn't want to, but you couldn't help it. He broke your heart, and even after he did you still thought of him, you should be angry, and furious, you should hate him, and you hate that you don't. You hate that you still want him, you hate that he's still the person you think of most.

"What-"

Tsukishima cut you off by showing you the shortcake.

Your expression turned to confusion as you examined the creation on the plate before you.

"I didn't know that color was possible..." You muttered, trying to hide your amusement.

"I made it for you, I didn't have any more vanilla left so I couldn't make another one."

"Its gonna take more than that for me to forgive you," You flatly stated despite everything in you wanting to forgive him, to pull him into a hug, to hear his laugh.

"I'm sorry," He blurted out, finally finding the words to say to you, "I was scared,"

"Scared of what?"

"Losing you,"

You weren't sure what to say to him, you weren't even sure what to think at that moment. He lost you because he was scared of losing you? None of it made any sense to you.

"I meant what I said," He paused, "I can't stay away from you,"

And for the first time in a while, you managed to crack a smile, and so did Tsukishima.

You took the plate from his hands, "Youre on thin ice, Tsukishima Kei,"

Tsukishima felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders, he finally had you back, albeit he had a bit more work to do but he was more than ready for that if it meant having you in his life again. You, the one who made mornings tolerable, the one who made him realize there were more emotions than anger and boredom.

"Dont be a stranger, Tsuki," You said with a soft smile, to which he happily reciprocated.

"I dont think there's a world in which I would be,"

Tsukishima hated a lot of things.

He hated mornings, he hated polyester, he hated loud neighbors, overly enthusiastic people, and most of all, making friends with his neighbors.

But when you were around, he learned to tolerate things just a bit more.

mlist. rules. tags.

© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

tag: @ilovemymomscooking

part 1

It had been a few weeks since you said those words to Tsukishima, and it's like they're still fresh on his mind. Ever since then, you've been inseparable, well, as inseparable as you can be. You both grew fond of each other's company and grew well as friends, he even managed to break it off with Etsuko; not wanting her to interfere with your friendship any further. He even told some of the guys on his team about you, only after they wouldn't stop pestering him on who the pretty girl was bringing in his lunches in cute bento boxes. He appreciated what you did for him, and he did his best to show it in his own way, he hoped you could feel it as well.

But it all came to a steady stop a few days ago; nothing bad had happened, you just got busy managing your classes and job and you didn't really have enough time to stop by his practices much between running from the college to the bakery then back again. Tsukishima never said anything about it, he knew you were stressed and didn't wanna seem selfish, though, he desperately missed the times you'd spend together. It's not like you never spent any time with him, you'd still go over to his apartment and hed go to yours whenever but either way your face would be stuffed in a book and papers and never just on him.

It started affecting his days as well, not being able to see you- to really see you.

Today was no exception.

You were sitting on Tsukishima's living room floor, papers and books scattered all around you as well as highlighters and pencils, some music filled the background, your combined playlist you made him join on Spotify. It was a sight Tsukishima had grown accustomed to in these past days.

"You alright down there?" He asked, his tone rather gentle as he studied your form.

It took you a minute to reply, wanting to finish reading the paragraph before directing your attention to him, "Yeah, sorry," You let out a yawn as you stretched your back, your shirt lifting a little to reveal more of your skin, something that didn't go unnoticed by Tsukishima. He found himself noticing these small parts of you more often than usual.

"You should take it easy," He spoke softly, standing up and walking over to where you were seated, promptly leaning down to your eye level and neatly sorting your papers into a stack.

"Sorry for the mess, Tsuki, its just your place is so cozy," You watched as he sorted and piled your books and pencils, you watched how his long fingers engulfed the pencils with ease, and you started to wonder how they'd feel on your skin.

"It's practically the same as your place, since, you know, it's the same complex," He teased, placing your things in your bag as you snapped out of your thoughts.

What were you possibly thinking? How could you think that about your best friend? Maybe he was right, maybe you did need to take it easy, all this stress must've been getting to your head.

"Yeah, but in yours, I get to be near you," You hadn't meant anything by it when you said it, but Tsukishima still developed a slight blush on his cheeks. He hated how much of an effect your words had on him, and how easily you could have him flustered.

"Whatever," He spoke, standing up, "You gonna spend the night?" He wasn't sure why he asked, you've never spent the night at his place since you were right next to him, he just wanted to spend more time in your presence before you went back into your usual busy routine tomorrow.

"Of course, we can have a sleepover Tsuki!" You cheered up at him, still sitting on your knees. Despite how innocent the moment was, Tsukishima couldn't stop his mind from drifting.

"Dont say it like that, it sounds lame," He spoke, "Do you want the bed or the couch,"

You huffed, "Your bed is big enough for the both of us, right?" You stood up and walked towards his room, "I mean it is a sleepover, Tsuki,"

His face flushed once again at the thought of sharing the same bed as you, his bed was in fact big enough, but he wasn't sure he could control himself in such close proximity to you, he could barely stand it now.

Tsukishima wasn't oblivious, he knew what a crush was, and he knew what he was feeling resembled one. But he didn't want to ruin what you both shared, he didn't want to be selfish with you. It was a risk he wasn't willing to take.

"Dont call it a sleepover," He sighed, following you into the bedroom.

"Tsuki! I didn't even notice you had glow-in-the-dark stars! That's so cute," You exclaimed, staring up at the dimly lit green stars, you assumed they'd be brighter once the lights were shut off.

"Dont look at them it's embarrassing," He spoke while grabbing his plain black hoodie, and a towel and tossing them your way, "The showers in... well you already know,"

"Thank you," You said shyly as you entered the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom. It made you nervous knowing you'd be showering while Tsukishima was out there.

And Tsukishima was no better, he couldn't help but imagine your bare body, he thought about running his hands up and down your curves gently, showing you exactly how riled up you get him, hearing you say his name, god, the way it rolls off your tongue like a prayer. You drove him absolutely wild. He wasn't sure how he'd get through the night with you next to him.

The sound of the door opening snapped him out of his thoughts, he was sitting up on the bed, facing the bedroom TV on his dresser, watching whatever show was on your shared Netflix recent played, you begged him to join your plan so you could see what shows he liked watching since he wasn't really the talkative type. He liked that about you, he liked that you always wanted to know more about him.

His eyes scanned you up and down, and he could tell that you weren't wearing anything underneath his hoodie.

"Um, Tsuki?" Your voice called his attention, and he raised his brow at you.

"Do you have any spare, uh," You looked away out of nerves, "Panties.." You meekly said, earning a chuckle from Tsukishima.

"Why would I own panties?" He asked in a teasing tone, adoring the way you got shy so quickly. He wished his hoodie was just a bit shorter.

"Well, do you have anything?" Your face was a deep red as you furrowed your brows, not finding the situation as humorous as Tsukishima did.

"In that drawer, the top one," He pointed with his fingers while watching you walk to the dresser, turning your back to him to grab a pair of boxers. Tsukishima tried to keep his eyes from exploring places they shouldn't.

"Close your eyes," You spoke softly, now facing him.

With a sigh and a roll of his eyes, he complied and you swiftly pulled them up, they fit quite nicely against your curves, it covered you but left nothing to the imagination, not that you cared, you just wanted to feel less... bare.

He opened his eyes when he felt you crawl into bed next to him, taking your phone out of the hoodie pocket and opening TikTok. Tsukishima grabbed the remote and turned the TV down a bit, knowing you liked to blast your TikTok's on full volume, he never complained tho, he found your for you page funny.

He felt his phone buzz, it was a notification from you, you sent him a TikTok, "Why are you sending me stuff I'm right here," He said with a smile looking over at you wrapped in the blankets, your head barely peeking out of the sheets to see your phone screen.

"I dont know, quit judging me sassyshima," You mumbled from under the blanket, you promptly shoved the phone in his face as a TikTok played.

"When my boy bestfriend decides to not answer me like I'm one of his hoes," Tsukishima read the words out loud, earning a giggle from you.

"It's so relatable," You spoke, taking the phone away from his face.

"No it's not, youre probably the only girl in my contacts," He said, his eyes never leaving you.

His words made you sit up and face him, "Tsuki, is this an admission that you," You paused dramatically, "Have no game...?" Your arms held you up against the mattress as you leaned in for dramatic effect.

Tsukishima scoffed, "I have plenty of game, I have a pretty girl in my bed right now," He smirked at you, watching as the familiar blush formed on your cheeks.

You crossed your arms against your chest, puffing your chest up unknowingly, "That doesn't count," You mumbled, taking your place back next to him and yawning.

You shifted on your side, your back facing him in an attempt to hide your blushing face, unconsciously rubbing your ass against Tsukishimas leg.

He felt his dick throb at the touch, and he wasn't sure what he should do, he didn't wanna make it awkward but he also didn't want you to think he liked it- which he very much did; but he didn't want you to know that as it might scare you away. but god he knew he couldn't stand it much longer.

Tsukishima instinctively placed a hand on your hip, not even realizing what he had done before you stopped your movements.

"Sorry, I dont know why I did that," He spoke softly, removing his hand.

You were a flustered mess, your heart was beating out of your chest and you were sure he could've heard it from there, you didn't even know you were rubbing against him and you felt bad for it, the ghost of his hand on your hip left a burning sensation, making warm waves twist and turn in your stomach. Was it wrong to think he wanted you in the way you needed him?

"Tsuki?" You asked apprehensively, shifting so you were facing him.

"Fuck, dont say my name like that," He breathed out, already staring at you. His breaths were heavy, and from what the TV illuminated you could tell there was a deep red adorning his face, the sight of him like this had you clenching around nothing.

"Touch me again," You enticingly spoke. The air was thick with tension, and your body felt hot all over despite the cool air floating around Tsukishimas apartment, "Please, Tsuki," You begged fervently.

Tsukishima was fighting battles in his mind, he wanted so badly to take you right here, to show you how badly he's been missing your presence, but he knew that when the morning came you'd both regret it, the friendship would become awkward, he didn't want that, he didn't want to lose you due to not being able to control himself.

"We can't," He said reluctantly, looking everywhere but you.

"Why not?" You whined out, your whines only making his cock twitch in his sweatpants.

"Fuck it," And with those words he was on you, running his hands all over your soft body, moving his hoodie up, and feeling your bare skin.

You let out soft whimpers at his rough touch, he was feeling you like he'd never get to again, as if you'd disappear in an instant and you loved it.

"Can I take it off, baby?" He asked gently, still feeling you everywhere except where you needed him the most.

His question made you cower under his gaze, there was nowhere you could hide so you brought your hands up to cover your face.

"If you dont want to, it's okay, I'll still think you're beautiful," His voice was smooth and intoxicating, it made your mind go fuzzy and all you could muster was a small nod.

His hands came down to the hem of the hoodie and pulled it off you in one swift movement, and though he couldn't see much with only the TV lighting up the room, what he could see he found perfect.

Before his hands could continue exploring your curves you grabbed his arm, "You too," You shyly spoke, earning a smile from Tsukishima. He complied with your demand and swiftly threw his shirt to the ground. You admired his form and ran your fingers along his build, sending shivers down his spine at your touch. You were finally touching the man who consumed all your fantasies.

Your hips unconsciously bucked against his thigh, earning a small moan from you at the friction. "Touch me, Kei," Your tone was laced with sultry, you had a deep need for his touch, you wanted so badly to come undone on him, for him, to him.

He positioned himself so your legs were on either side of him, and his fingers ran down your soft stomach, and down into the borrowed boxers, eliciting a small gasp at the contact. He leaned his head into the crook of your neck and began kissing and licking as his fingers slid up and down your slick puffy lips, coating his digits in your wetness.

You felt him smirk on your skin, "All this for me?" He smugly asked, even in a moment like this he still had the biggest ego.

"Tell me how bad you want me," He demanded in your ear, kissing the soft skin.

"I need you so bad, Kei, so so so bad," You whined, hating how much he was teasing you.

You felt him sink a finger in, and you let out a hushed moan into his ear, causing him to sink another finger in. He felt your grip on his shoulders as he moved his fingers into you deeper, he loved how you felt around his fingers, the feeling had his dick throbbing in his sweatpants, but he wanted to take care of you first, he wanted to feel you cum all over his fingers.

Tsukishima knew he found your soft spot when you became a moaning mess, rocking your hips on his hand and digging your nails into his skin.

"Yeah? Like that baby?" He whispered in your ear, quickening his pace. His other hand ran up your body to massage your breast in his palm, you felt vulnerable under his gaze, knowing he's touched you everywhere, but the thought only made you clench more around his fingers.

"Yes! More, more, more," You repeated in chants, his thumb came to rub around your clit, making your hips jolt up at the sudden sensation.

"I've missed you so much since you've been busy," His pace was steady, and his slender fingers reached places in you you didn't even know existed, you couldn't barely form any sentences as the familiar feeling of your climax crept up on you.

"Missed seeing your pretty face all the time," He praised in your ear, licking his way from your neck to your lips in a hungry kiss, wanting to taste you.

"You gonna cum?" He asked, maintaining eye contact with you as his fingers gradually increased their pace on your clit, the feeling felt like nothing you've ever felt before, it was new, and you were already addicted, his scent was intoxicating and it filled your every pore, you could hear how wet you were.

You nodded profusely, unable to speak due to the loud moans and shrieks that were coming from your mouth, Tsukishima loved the sight of you, a mess all because of his fingers, he couldn't wait to see what you would be like on his dick.

"Look at me, baby, god, I can't get enough of you,"

"'M gonna cum! Tsuki, tsuki, tsuki, please," You were cut off by your own climax, your walls clenched tightly around Tsukishimas fingers as your back arched up into his body, twitching and jolting while he fingered you through your high.

Your clit soon became too sensitive so you wrapped your hand around his wrist in an attempt to halter his movements.

"Tsuki, too much," You whined out, body twitching vigorously.

"Sorry, youre just so pretty," He took his fingers out of you, your walls instantly missing them. You took a minute to regain your composure while Tsukishima slid his sweatpants down and you slid the boxers off.

Tsuki started pumping his dick in his hand that was coated in your cum, the feeling eliciting a low moan. He could've come just by the sight of you.

"Are you ready?" He asked, rubbing his tip against your puffy lips, guiding it to rub against your clit.

You nodded up at him through tired eyes.

"I wanna hear you, baby," He spoke, never losing eye contact with you.

"Yeah, I need you Tsuki," Your voice was soft, exhaustion setting in from your high before.

"That's my girl,"

He guided his tip to your entrance and slowly let it sink into your slick folds, a gasp erupting from your mouth while Tsuki bit hard on his lip, trying to quiet his own groans. It wasn't enough for you though, you needed more of him, and you wanted to take every inch of him.

"More, Tsuki, please," You begged.

His arms were planted on either side of you, holding him up above you, "I don't want to hurt you," And it was true, but a part of him wanted to thrust so deep into you until you took all of him. But this was your first time together, he wanted to take it slow and remember every little sound you could possibly make.

Tsukishima slowly pushed deeper into you and with every inch came a new sound, your fingers were digging into his forearms, and your legs were wrapped around his waist, trying to guide him further into you. The pain felt so, so good to you.

When he finally bottomed out, you felt it, that special spot you had become addicted to him hitting, it felt even better now that you felt fuller.

"Right there, more, please, oh my god," Your back arched upwards and your hips bucked as you started fucking yourself on his dick, you felt him twitch inside of you at the sight.

"Fuck, baby, youre gonna make me cum doing that," He lightly laughed at how desperately you grinded on his dick, his arms moved to your hips, holding them in place and stilling their movement.

"You want more? Huh?" He teased.

"Yes! Stop being mean, Tsuki," You whined, face turning into a frown at the lack of friction.

"Alright, baby, I'll be nice," He smirked before pulling out and thrusting roughly back into you, your eyes rolled back and a shout of pleasure erupted from your throat, your body would've twitched had his grip on your hips not been so tight. He repeated his motion again, only this time he kept doing it at a steady pace. The pleasure sent waves up your spine, you couldn't even think straight, the only thing on your mind was how good Tsukishima was fucking you.

"Been wanting to do this since you made me that cake," He breathed out between moans and thrusts, "You have no idea what you do to me,"

Your hand reached down to your clit but was swatted away and replaced by Tsukishimas fingers, "Such a needy girl, yeah?" It wasn't even processing in your mind what he was saying, all you knew was to agree and take it.

With every thrust, your moans grew louder, every time he hit your soft spot harder and harder, the sounds of skin on the skin filled the room along with your nonsense blabbers about how good he was fucking you.

"Fuck, baby, I'm close," He groaned out, his pace grew sloppier with his thrusts, and his fingers on your clit got faster, "Can I cum inside you?" He asked, leaning down to breathe in your scent.

"Yes, please, please," Your sentence rambled off into noncoherent moans as the familiar knot in your stomach tightened. Tsukishima whispered all sorts of praises in your ear, but one stood out to you.

"Your body is perfect for me, baby," His sentence was enough to drive you over the edge, your walls clamped down tightly around his dick as you let out a shriek of pleasure, chanting his name over and over, it brought Tsukishima to his own climax, and with one deep thrust you felt his cum fill you in warm sputters, his hips bucked through his climax while his head rested on your shoulder, small pants coming from him as he caught his breath.

You both had stayed in that position for a while, seemingly going over what had just happened.

He stood up suddenly, leaving your walls to clench around nothing and you stared up at his glow in the dark stars as he cleaned you off silently

mlist. rules. tags.

© 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ─ please don't copy, translate, or post any of my work without my permission !

tags: @ilovemymomscooking

Waking up Tsukishima stared at the glow-in-the-dark stars placed above his bed, watching as they faded with the oncoming sun peeking through the blinds. He dreaded mornings, he hated the way his mouth felt dry, how hot he felt under the sheets, and most of all, waking up meant he'd have to deal with a new day of idiots doing things he hated.

Tsukishima hated a lot of things, he hated his old rowdy neighbor, he hated overly cheery people, the feeling of cold coffee in the morning, how polyester felt against his skin, and he especially hated when his neighbors tried to get to know him.

Putting his headphones on he stepped out into the hallway, only to be greeted by the sight of you trying to lift a box into your new apartment.

You decided to save money youd only ask the movers to move your furniture and not your boxes, you were deeply regretting that decision right now. You only had three more boxes to go but the soreness was already catching up to you from the other ten.

The sight was enough to annoy Tsukishima, why didn't you just ask for help instead of trying to do everything yourself, movers are a thing. Did you not have friends that could help you do this? He tried his best to ignore you while locking his door but a part of him felt bad for you, that you couldn't even complete a simple task.

With a sigh, he made his way over and took the box from your hands which startled you.

"Oh, you don't have to-"

"Where do I put it," He cut you off flatly before he could change his mind about helping you.

You were thrown off by his tone, its not like you asked him to help you so why was he so angry?

"In the living room is fine, thank you, sorry," You weren't sure whether you should be apologizing or thanking so you settled on doing both, which just earned another sigh from Tsukishima.

You were surprised by how easily he lifted the rest of the boxes, despite how skinny he looked he was really strong, or maybe you were just really weak, but to save your ego you decided he was just strong.

"Thank you again for helping," You looked up at him as he sat the last box down on the floor. You noticed this guy sighed a lot, it made you feel like you were somehow wasting his time.

Looking down at his watch he realized how much time had passed and he mumbled something under his breath before leaving your apartment.

He didn't even acknowledge your gratitude. The entire encounter had you stunned, was he really going to be your next-door neighbor?

With a content sigh, you plopped down on your couch and instantly relaxed, you had finally finished unpacking every box and arranging your furniture the way you liked it, and it only took you six hours. Despite how tired your body was you wanted to do something to show your grumpy neighbor how thankful you were, and you were gonna do it in the only way you knew how to show thanks.

Baking. But first, you would have to go grocery shopping.

Heading toward the elevator at the end of the hall the door opened to reveal your tall, grumpy neighbor, still wearing the same frown he left in. Only it seemed to deepen at the sight of you.

You smiled at him as he exited the elevator. Tsukishima prayed you wouldn't try to talk to him, but of course, like every other time, his prayer wasn't heard.

"Hey, neighbor! I never got your name," You beamed up at him, looking at him now he was freakishly tall, his hair was disheveled, and he looked sweaty, it was almost enough to intimidate you.

"If you know it, you'll say it," He flatly said, walking past you to his apartment door.

You didn't know what you did to possibly receive this kind of treatment, it wasn't even your first day living here and this guy acted like he hated you.

"What did I do to you?" You asked, slightly irritated by his ego.

He simply ignored your question and entered his apartment, promptly closing the door.

It's not like Tsukishima intended to be rude to you, well, he partially did. But there was truth to his words. If you knew his name then you'd assume he was your friend and you'd try and talk to him, and he just didn't want that. His apartment was a place where he didn't have to talk to anyone and he intended to keep it that way. He couldn't understand why you didn't get the hint.

You weren't gonna let his rude attitude stop you from baking him something, it only made you more motivated to bring a smile to his frowny face.

You weren't sure what you'd bake him so you decided to go with your own favorite dish, strawberry shortcake.

Walking down the aisles you stared at everything in your cart, you had gotten some regular food items you'd need for the next few week's meals, as well as some snacks and drinks you enjoyed. Now all that's left is to get the ingredients for the desert you'd be making your neighbor.

Looking up at the signs above the aisles you searched for where the flower would be. Once you found it you walked over, only to see the one and only standing there in front of the vanilla bottles staring intently at them. You wondered what he could be doing there.

"Hey, you," You greeted, resting your arms on the cart handle as you walked over.

Tsukishima didn't need to look to see who the voice belonged to, why were you everywhere he went?

You noticed he looked much cleaner now, and his blond hair was much more neat.

"What're you doing? Did the vanilla bottles look at you the wrong way?" You joked, stopping right in front of him. Your eyes shifted between him and the bottles, trying to figure out what he was doing.

He didn't answer you, in hopes you'd get the hint this time but that never worked out in the past. Your joke only further annoyed him.

You came to the only reasonable explanation hed be standing here staring for so long at the bottles, he didn't know the difference.

"What flavor were you looking for?" You asked, trying to sound as nonjudgemental as you could, not wanting to annoy him any further.

"What?" He asked confused.

"Well, Bourbon, or Madagascar, vanilla has a much stronger taste," You explained, pointing to the bottle you were speaking about. "While Mexican vanilla has more of a spice and smokey tone to its flavoring, and Tahitian vanilla is the opposite, its fruity and floral, almost cherry-like." You spoke softly as he nodded along.

"It's all based on your preference and what you're going to be cooking." You finished off, looking up at him.

He only nodded as he reached for the Bourbon vanilla bottle and placed it in his shopping basket.

"Thanks," He muttered out. He wondered how you knew so much about vanilla flavors, they all tasted the same to him.

"Youre welcome, can I get your name now?"

He paused for a moment before turning to you. "No,"

You let out a breath of defeat as you grabbed your own bottle, but you knew it's fine, you'd get his name one way or another, you're sure of it.

Placing your shopping bags on your counter you sighed, thankful they had an elevator or else you would've passed out walking the heavy bags up five flights of stairs.

Putting away the groceries you left out the required ingredients needed to make the strawberry shortcake.

Placing the strawberries in a bowl you layered them with sugar and gave it a light mix, only wanting to coat the strawberries in the sugar. Once that was done you began on the small cake and placed it into the oven.

An hour passed and if was finally done, it was the most beautiful thing you'd laid eyes on, it almost brought a tear to your eye. And to think the frowny, grumpy, rude, annoyed neighbor would have the chance to eat it brought a smile to your face.

Placing the treat into a small box you picked up at the store you carefully made your way to your neighbor's door and gave it a knock.

You stood there for a few moments before you heard muffled voices and the unlock of a door.

Tsukishima peeked his head out and saw you before fully opening the door.

He didn't say anything and instead raised his eyebrow, waiting for you to say what you needed.

"Sorry if I disturbed you, but I baked you a shortcake! I wasn't sure what you liked so I made you something I liked, as a thanks," You explained as well as telling him your name and handing over the box which he took and peeked into. If you were looking close enough you could see a glimmer of happiness in his eyes.

"Hm," He let out.

"Do you not-"

"Tsukishima Kei," He cut you off, something he seemed to enjoy doing.

You were stunned, "Tsukishima?" You tested the way it rolled off your tongue.

"Dont wear it out, is that all?"

"So does this mean we are friends?" You asked cheerfully, earning a sigh from him.

"No, now goodbye," He said before closing the door.

It wasn't a smile, but you learned his name so you counted that as a win.

Tsukishima walked into his kitchen and grabbed a fork, immediately ready to try his favorite dessert.

"Who was that?" Tsukishimas girlfriend, Etsuko, asked from the living room.

"My neighbor brought me some strawberry shortcake," He said, hoping she wouldn't make an argument over this like she always did, it was something he disliked, and didn't see the point in meaningless arguments but it was a habit she had recently picked up on, the latest one being about his volleyball teams manager.

"Oh? The new girl?" Her voice was laced with jealousy, something he could easily pick up on with how often she spoke in a tone like that.

"Yeah, I helped her move her boxes," He explained while biting into the shortcake, his tastebuds almost exploding with how flavorful it was, and in the privacy of his own kitchen, he cracked a small smile at your dish.

"Why'd you do that?" She asked, now moving to the kitchen to get a better view of Tsukishima, his smile quickly fading.

"Why does it matter?" He asked, annoyance visible on his face and voice.

She shrugged, "Just doesn't seem like something you'd do,"

He let out a sigh while picking up another bite with his fork, "Yeah well I did it Etsuko,"

"Jeez, what's your problem?"

It was as if she knew just how to push Tsukishimas buttons like she was destined to be here and get on his nerves, and she wasn't always like this but lately, it was like her sole purpose was to interrogate and bother him.

Instead of giving in to her, Tsukishima decided to remain quiet and enjoy the shortcake, hoping she'd give up and go back to her original spot on the couch.

The entire night you couldn't wipe the smile off your face, despite what Tsukishima said, you considered him your friend.

Waking up the sunbeams shone across your face, welcoming you to another day filled with new possibilities, you loved mornings, it was like a second chance, any mistakes you made yesterday were, well, yesterday's news. You loved how the sun looked as it rose above the buildings, it was a beautiful sight to wake up to.

Looking at the clock it read six o'clock, you needed to be at work in an hour, it would be your first day back in a week do to moving and you were extremely excited to be back and baking, maybe you'd bring your new friend a sweet treat home.

Opening your door you were met with the sight of Tsukishima locking his door, he had a plain white shirt on and a pair of blue jeans while he carried a plain hoodie on his side, as well as his usual headphones around his neck.

"Tsukishima!" You cheerfully greeted him as you walked up to him, you couldn't hear it but you knew he sighed, he always did that to you, so much so you've gotten used to it.

"Why're you up so early," He asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question in his voice while you walked to the elevator together.

"Well, today I start work again at the bakery two blocks from here! I'm super excited about it, I've been missing work lately." You explained.

Tsukishima found your enthusiasm for things quite annoying, he couldn't understand how you could be so excited and cheerful this early in the morning.

"What do you have planned today, tsuki?" You beamed, pressing the floor button on the elevator.

Tsukishima would never admit it but he did like the way you said his nickname, it was different from how everyone else said it, and it was innocent in a way.

"College classes, and practice," He dully said, watching the doors close while he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Practice?"

"Volleyball practice,"

You made a sound of excitement and admiration, "Youre a volleyball player? Thats so cool!" You said, looking up at him.

"It's not that cool," He sneered.

"Well, it makes sense! Youre like crazy tall and strong,"

Your compliments were almost enough to bring a blush to his cheeks, and he was thankful the elevator doors opened before you could get any more innocent compliments in.

"You know it's gonna be cold today, right?" He asked, looking your outfit up and down.

"It is?" You asked worriedly, in your rush to get ready you completely forgot to check the weather, and you still had to walk to work in the cold.

"Couldn't even check the weather," He sighed, shoving his hoodie into your hands.

"Tsuki.." You nervously said.

"Dont thank me, just dont let it happen again," He sternly said.

"No, it's just," You paused, looking down embarrassed.

"What?" He asked, raising his brow at your form. It was unlike you to be shy and nervous.

You took a deep breath, "What if it doesn't fit," You meekly said.

That thought hadn't crossed Tsukishimas mind, mostly because he didn't care about that sort of thing.

"It will," He simply stated, motioning for you to put it on.

This was a side of Tsukishima you weren't used to, you had expected him to laugh at your embarrassment, or just ignore you, but it gave you enough will to pull the hoodie over your head and he was right, it did in fact fit. His scent invaded your being, and a small blush rose to your cheeks.

Tsukishima hoped you didn't see his own blush at the sight of you in his hoodie. He didn't know why he was being so nice to you right now, but hearing you say it wouldn't fit irked something inside of him.

"Thanks, Tsuki," You looked up at him with a soft smile.

"Whatever," He turned away from you and walked out of the entrance to the complex, placing his headphones on his ears and taking out his phone.

You smiled the entire way to the bakery, with a warm feeling in your stomach with every inhale of Tsukishimas scent.

You felt disappointment for the first time when you approached your work because entering meant you'd have to take off the hoodie since you didn't want to get it covered in batter and flour.

Walking to the back towards the employee lockers you greeted the familiar faces of your employees with a cheery smile, disappointment soon being washed over with glee as you carefully hanged the hoodie in your locker and tied your apron around your waist ready to begin the day.

You always loved this job since the moment you got it, it truly was a blessing to you, you get paid for doing things you love and you get to meet all different kinds of people.

You noticed a girl standing by the counter and rushed over.

"Hello!" You greeted her with a bright smile, excited to meet a new person, you hadn't seen her here before.

"So, youre Tsukishimas new neighbor?"

The question had caught you off guard and a confused look appeared on your face, "Yeah?" You replied though it sounded more like a question than an answer.

"Well, he's my boyfriend," She stated.

You raised your eyebrow at her, what kind of reaction was she trying to get out of you?

"Good for you?"

"You should hear the things he's been saying about you," She sneered.

You didn't like where this conversation was going, and it angered you that you could tell where it'd go.

You didn't like feeling angry, in fact, it was one of the few things you hated, because when you felt angry you also felt sad, and sadness usually led to slumps where you didn't feel like doing anything and where life feels meaningless.

"If you aren't gonna get anything then please leave," You tried to hang onto the last string of cheerfulness you had, the last string of patience with her. You didn't want to be angry at her since she was clearly someone special to Tsukishima and you'd hate to genuinely upset him.

"Just know he isn't who you may think he is," She said before turning and taking her leave.

You weren't sure what to make of the encounter, you didn't know if you should be mad or upset, and you knew Tsukishima could be rude but would he really talk bad about you behind your back? Is it even worth asking? Maybe you'd just take the hint and leave him alone like he always wanted you to, and looking back now you should've seen it sooner, all his one-worded replies and the way he addressed you with such coldness. You'd just give him what he wanted.

The day came and went and it was time for you to head back home, only this time Tsukishima's hoodie was clenched in your fist, and the emotions you'd been repressing all day bubbled back up like soda, you understood you hadn't known him for long but you considered him a friend and you thought he did the same in his own antisocial rude way.

You were so lost in thought you didn't even care how harsh the cold was nipping at your skin and you only realized when you entered the warm lobby of your apartment, that the warmth instantly engulfed you as you shuddered away the cold. You silently prayed that you wouldn't cross paths with Tsukishima, but your prayers were cut short when you heard a voice from behind you, and it didn't take much to guess who it was.

You were surprised that he was the one greeting you, but you wouldn't give in, this is what he wanted. As soon as you entered the elevator you started spamming the close door button but in two strides he was already in, damn him and those long legs.

Tsukishima instantly caught on to the attitude change towards himself. Usually, you'd be chatting his ear off, talking about everything and anything and he'd be there, listening to every word of it while acting like he wasn't. Like how two days ago while walking to the elevator you were talking about the nature documentaries you watched and how they always made you cry but you could never turn them off. But now you were quiet, and looking everywhere but him, he didn't like it one bit. In fact, he hated it.

"Did you burn a bread roll or something?" He sneered, trying to gauge any sort of reaction out of you, a smile, a laugh, a look, anything.

Well he did get a reaction, you shoved his hoodie into his chest and sped off to your door, slamming it shut before he could even get a word in.

He sighed and headed for his, disappointment spreading through his body when his eyes met his girlfriends.

Tsukishima softly closed the door and kicked off his shoes, his mind still on you and the way you completely ignored him earlier. He tried racking his brain on what he could've possibly done to upset you other than ignore you, be rude, give you the cold shoulder, be dry. But he thought you understood and didn't care about all that stuff, though he could admit maybe he took the whole act a bit too far at times. He started to feel like a jerk, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he should apologize to you. The only thing is he wasn't sure how to or where to start.

It had been a week since you last spoke to Tsukishima, and it had been five days since you last stood in the same elevator, he was partially okay with you not speaking to him but purposefully avoiding him? He decided today was the day he'd try and make things right with you. Even he couldn't believe his thoughts right now, never in a million years did he think he'd be going out of his way to try and get someone's forgiveness. But the days spent without you were quiet and dull, he no longer liked waking up, and he no longer liked the way the sun glared in his glasses, in fact, he found it once again absurd.

Tsukishima missed having you as a friend.

He missed your rambles, he missed being able to talk about his day in short sentences, and he missed you and the feelings you erupted in him.

And as soon as he awoke he found himself walking to your apartment, he wasn't sure what he was gonna say or how hed say it, or even how you replied but he knew he needed to do something if he was gonna keep you in his life.

He knocked twice, and after a few moments, you appeared, dressed in black pajama shorts that rode up a bit too high and a crop top. He could tell he had woken you up by the way you rubbed your eyes and how your hair was going in all directions. But even now, the sight of you made his heart rate increase.

You were stunned to see Tsukishima in your doorway, he looked like he hadnt had a good nights sleep.

"Yeah?" You asked, looking up at him.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He asked outright. You were surprised he even noticed you were intentionally avoiding him.

"Isn't that what you want?" Your voice cracked, you were trying your hardest to remain standing strong in front of him, not wanting to reveal that you genuinely miss talking to him.

"No, it's not," He spoke softly, looking you in your eyes to scan your reactions, to see if you showed any signs of wanting him to leave.

"Well, that's not what your actions say,"

"I know, and I apologize for giving you the wrong impression"

You stayed silent for a while, taking in the moment and trying to find the words to say to him.

"Then why did your girlfriend come to my job and tell me you've been saying all kinds of stuff?" You felt tears prick in the corners of your eyes and you internally cursed yourself for letting your facade slip.

Tsukishima felt anger bubble inside of him, of course, Etsuko had something to do with this, his days could've been filled with you, but they weren't, and of course, it was her fault.

"Listen, Tsuki, I appreciate you apologizing but,"

"She is lying, i haven't said anything bad about you, and I couldn't even if I wanted to,"

You didn't understand what he meant by even if he wanted to, the whole situation was confusing to you, why would she lie about something like that? What could she possibly gain by saying that to you? All sorts of questions were floating around your head and Tsukishima seemed to notice that.

"I want us to be friends again," He said, letting a small smile onto his face as he watched your eyes brighten. He was glad, the sight of you on the brink of tears brought a sort of sadness to his core.

"Tsuki," You paused, "Did you just say what I think you just said?"

He let out his usual sigh, "I'm not gonna say it again,"

"Just one more time?" You beamed, "I'll never ask again," You stepped closer to him, looking up with a pleading look, how could he ever say no? Well, he could and he did.

"No,"

You let out a sound of defeat. You both stood there for a few silent moments, just staring at each other with small smiles. Tsukishima was glad to be back on good terms with you, he knew he'd enjoy the mornings again, and he'd enjoy seeing the sun peek through the blinds because that meant hed get to talk to you for another day, hed get to see and hear you talk about the most random things, you'd once again be the highlight of his day.

"Wanna do something?"

"Like what?" You asked, raising a brow.

"Show me that show you were talking about a week ago, Euphoria? If you aren't too busy,"

You let out a shriek of happiness and pulled him inside by his shirt and dragged him to your dimly lit living room.

You plopped down on the couch and motioned for him to do the same as you turned on the TV. You were happy he apologized despite it taking him a week to do so, but you were glad to have your friend back, you had missed your mostly one-sided conversations, but you knew he was listening to you despite his actions saying otherwise.

You had gotten ten minutes into the first episode and there was already an intimate scene, and even though you both were already silent, the silence seemed to thicken as you both refused to look anywhere but the screen, if you moved would it show that you were uncomfortable? You probably should've warned him about how many intimate scenes were in this show. The closeness of Tsukishima did nothing to calm the awkwardness.

You reached for the remote to try and skip ahead but your hand was stopped by his, and you quickly turned to look at him, a bright blush adorning your cheeks at the contact.

Tsukishima wasnt one to like things, in fact, he hated most things, but you were certainly not one of them.

"I can't stay away from you," He said softly.

Your heart was racing, you didn't know what he meant by that or what way he meant it.

"Then dont,"

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The sound of Frank Ocean's voice in your airpod quickly replaced the silence as you flipped the sign indicating you were now open, you had hoped it would be a slow morning today since you'd be the only one here for the next few hours. Your manager couldn't make it due to a 'family emergency', and you believed him, well, you believed him the first four times he used that excuse this month. You'd like it better if he told you straight up that he'd like to sleep in some more, you'd have no problem doing a job that's meant for two people. With school starting up again most of your coworkers had quit, now devoting their time to academics, which you didn't mind.

You grabbed the broom that was sitting behind the counter, wanting to do one last sweep before the regulars came in for their usual morning coffee and pastry, and it's not like you had anything better to do having already made fresh pastries two hours before opening.

You began quietly humming along to the lyrics, not hearing the ringing coming from the door.

"Hello," A gruff voice spoke out, and usually you'd be cheery, replying in an instant, but usually you'd hear the customer.

Kuroo instantly recognized the song you were humming along to and a smile appeared on his face from familiarity. Though he was visibly confused about why you kept sweeping, had he not spoken loud enough?

This wasn't his usual coffee place but it was the only place that opened at six in the morning and was spoken very fondly of by Lev.

He cleared his throat preparing to speak out louder this time, but you quickly spun around and took out both your airpods, a shocked look prevalent on your features as you hastily spat out apologies while bowing profusely.

Kuroo let out a small chuckle at your actions, a hand coming to the back of his head as he stood their awkwardly.

"Frank Ocean?" His voice snapped you out of your apologetic state, your flustered blush never moving.

"Yeah! I just lost track of time and thought I'd have a bit more time to finish sweeping and I swear I wasn't igno-"

"It's okay, things happen, I remember when I was young like you." He cut off your rambles before you spoke yourself into the grave.

Only then did you realize how tall this guy was, he was tall but he didn't look old. What did he mean by that? How old was this guy? His bedhead hair gave him an even taller illusion. He wore a red tracksuit, a clothing item you're familiar with, he must be from Nekoma. Then what the fuck did he mean by 'young like you'? You brushed away your confusing thoughts and wondered if he knew Lev.

"Can I get a coffee now?" He asked, taking note of how long you stared him up and down, which silently inflated his ego.

"Yeah! Of course! Sorry," You quickly led him to the counter, letting the broom rest against the brick wall, turning to log into the register.

"Do you need a menu?" You asked, staring up at him, you hadn't seen him here before, you usually remembered all your regulars and customers since you've worked here since, well, you could legally start working. And you're sure you'd remember a face like his. He had distinctive cat-like eyes, and the way he stood, like he knows he's attractive.

"I'll just get an Americano," He spoke, reaching for his wallet as the price displayed on the register.

"Don't worry about it, it's on me for not paying attention" Your hands shot up dismissively.

A smile grew on his lips, "You sure? It's not a big deal," He didn't mind that you weren't paying attention, but a free coffee is a free coffee.

"Yeah! It's only espresso and hot water," You explained, turning around to start the espresso machine up.

You felt nervous under his gaze, knowing that he could see your every move. It had never made you nervous in the years you worked here, but now it was the only thing on your mind. You weren't sure why you were so nervous, it's not like you hadn't seen an attractive guy before, you didn't even know this guy's name.

"And a name for the order?" You said playfully, back still turned to him to hide your blush, but if you were facing him you'd catch the playful smirk he displayed while watching your form.

"Kuroo,"

"Kuroo," You repeated, testing the way it rolled off your tongue, and he relished in the way you said his name, how innocently you pronounced it. He couldn't help the way his eyes drifted lower and lower.

The espresso machine beep cut both of your thoughts shut. Kuroos eyes snapped back up while he internally cursed at himself.

Placing the to-go coffee cup lip in place you grabbed the sharpie from your smock pocket and popped the lid off, writing 'kuroo :)' on the side and promptly handing him his drink with an innocent smile, hoping you had spelled his name correctly.

He returned your smile and placed his large hands around the cup, brushing against your smaller fingers which sent a shiver down your spine, something that didn't go unnoticed by him.

"I'll be seeing you,"

"Yeah!" You watched as he turned towards the door, the bell chiming as he took his leave. The silence of the coffee shop settled in and you had already missed his presence. You knew today would be a long day, would he be here tomorrow?

Kuroo made it halfway to Nekoma before he realized he didnt even get your name, he didn't even think to ask, he debated on running back and asking for your name but you'd probably be busy by now, he would just need to ask next time he went. He wasn't sure when next time would be due to practice and his matches, but for now all he could do was trace your handwriting with his thumb as he entered the Nekoma boys gym.

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