Rintori Week 2022 - Day 7 - Crossover

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“I swear to God,” Rin grumbles, wiping sand off of his chin with the back of his hand. He drags in a harsh lungful of air, eyes on his and Ai’s opponents. “I remember beach volleyball being a lot less intense.”

Across the net, Shouyou grins, and doesn’t look like he’s even starting to sweat. He looks absolutely unrepentant when he says, “Sorry. Occupational hazard, I guess. Neither Kageyama nor I are really known for being able to just,” he shrugs, “be normal about volleyball.”

“By which you mean you’re crazy competitive, even in the most casual of settings,” Rin throws back, and if it feels a little like pot calling teakettle, well… 

Ai snorts beside him. “Rin-senpai, you’re one to talk.”

Rin’s cheeks burn, but he’ll swear up and down it’s from the high noon sun. “Hush, you.”  

Ai grins up at him, and it’s blinding. 

“I guess we could try,” Tobio says from where he’s just drank half a bottle of water. “Going a little bit easier on you guys.” He looks like it actually pains him, the thought of taking volleyball easy. Going by the look on Shouyou’s face, he has the exact same mindset. It’s honestly as hilarious as it is emboldening.

And he can now understand why these two are the stars of Japan’s national volleyball team.

He rolls his shoulders, then drapes an arm around Ai’s own, tilting his head until it touches the side of Ai’s. “I think we can take you without you needing to go easy on us. Right, Ai?”

Ai nods, as much as he can. “Right.”