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PSL /Overflow/ Open Post
What it says on the tin.
Go ahead and put it in.
[Certainly if Atsumu goofed off - or behaved dangerously - Kita would stop it. But for now? He's learning. The whole point is to build up confidence.
Also... Atsumu has a nice grin.
What an odd thing to notice.]
By the way - I don't think you're a fool. You act foolish, but that's not the same.
[Certainly if Atsumu goofed off - or behaved dangerously - Kita would stop it. But for now? He's learning. The whole point is to build up confidence.
Also... Atsumu has a nice grin.
What an odd thing to notice.]
By the way - I don't think you're a fool. You act foolish, but that's not the same.
[not for the first time that day, kita's taken atsumu by surprise. he pauses, hand still on the oven door. the look he gives kita is oddly vulnerable, with just a hint of aggression--more defensive than anything, as if that's his first instinct to lean on when he's feeling uncertain of anything.]
Wow, Kita-san. You're complimenting so much today. [the look's gone by the time he opens his mouth again.] If you keep that up, I'm gonna feel real spoiled.
Wow, Kita-san. You're complimenting so much today. [the look's gone by the time he opens his mouth again.] If you keep that up, I'm gonna feel real spoiled.
Am I?
[It was just the truth.
So why is Atsumu's expression like that?
For maybe the first time today, Kita feels... off. Not like he's misjudged, or caused offense. It's something else. Something that stubbornly refuses to come forward. After a beat, he shakes himself.]
...We should clean up. Before the food dries on the knife. It's easier.
[It was just the truth.
So why is Atsumu's expression like that?
For maybe the first time today, Kita feels... off. Not like he's misjudged, or caused offense. It's something else. Something that stubbornly refuses to come forward. After a beat, he shakes himself.]
...We should clean up. Before the food dries on the knife. It's easier.
Edited 2021-01-03 15:31 (UTC)
[just like that, the moment breaks, though atsumu's left smiling anyway, without really knowing why.]
Heh, that's what mom and Samu do, too. Cleaning while they cook.
[there's a pause as atsumu realizes he's brought up a topic he was trying so hard to avoid, then shrugs and goes about washing up. oh well. it's not like he can take it back now that he's already said it.]
Heh, that's what mom and Samu do, too. Cleaning while they cook.
[there's a pause as atsumu realizes he's brought up a topic he was trying so hard to avoid, then shrugs and goes about washing up. oh well. it's not like he can take it back now that he's already said it.]
[it's quiet, aside from the noncommittal hum atsumu gives in reply. he looks deep in thought as he dries off everything they used for prep.]
Do you think... [there's hesitation in his voice, unlike what kita's ever heard, most likely.] Samu's been off during practices at all, cap?
[it says plenty, that atsumu's asking for kita's opinion, when he's always believed he and his twin knew each other best. but kita's observant, and maybe he's seen something that atsumu's missed.]
Do you think... [there's hesitation in his voice, unlike what kita's ever heard, most likely.] Samu's been off during practices at all, cap?
[it says plenty, that atsumu's asking for kita's opinion, when he's always believed he and his twin knew each other best. but kita's observant, and maybe he's seen something that atsumu's missed.]
Off?
Yes.
But that's normal, after an injury.
[Kita puts the equipment back in place. Reviewing the issue. Today's game was fine. The Miyas performing at the expected level. You wouldn't know Osamu was sidelined. You wouldn't know Atsumu was away for a week.
Except Atsumu was away for a week.
He and Osamu can't have played separately since... well. Probably since they started volleyball. Never mind volleyball, though. When was the last time they were even apart?
A week doesn't seem like that much. Unless it is.]
What are you seeing?
Yes.
But that's normal, after an injury.
[Kita puts the equipment back in place. Reviewing the issue. Today's game was fine. The Miyas performing at the expected level. You wouldn't know Osamu was sidelined. You wouldn't know Atsumu was away for a week.
Except Atsumu was away for a week.
He and Osamu can't have played separately since... well. Probably since they started volleyball. Never mind volleyball, though. When was the last time they were even apart?
A week doesn't seem like that much. Unless it is.]
What are you seeing?
It's probably nothing. [it's definitely not "nothing" if they're fighting over it and bothering atsumu enough to seek kita's opinion.]
He's still playin' at a high level, but sometimes...it's like he isn't motivated the way he used to be. [with a sigh, he leans against the counter as they wait for the rice and vegetables to cook, finding he has nothing to occupy his hands with now.] It didn't even bother him much when I got chosen for the camp and he didn't.
He's still playin' at a high level, but sometimes...it's like he isn't motivated the way he used to be. [with a sigh, he leans against the counter as they wait for the rice and vegetables to cook, finding he has nothing to occupy his hands with now.] It didn't even bother him much when I got chosen for the camp and he didn't.
It isn't 'nothing' if you're noticing it.
[Point established, Kita listens carefully. Then thinks. The quiet stretching.]
...I'm an only child, so I don't have any first-hand experience. But I suppose it makes sense. That siblings grow into their own people. With different interests.
Even twins.
[Point established, Kita listens carefully. Then thinks. The quiet stretching.]
...I'm an only child, so I don't have any first-hand experience. But I suppose it makes sense. That siblings grow into their own people. With different interests.
Even twins.
We've always had volleyball.
[together, he doesn't have to say. it should be a good thing, shouldn't it? the two of them taking different paths. but it just makes atsumu oddly angry instead.
he scowls, expression turning dark to hide the sting of such a thought.]
Tch. He's probably just giving up because he can't keep up with me anymore. Coward. Who needs him anyway?
[together, he doesn't have to say. it should be a good thing, shouldn't it? the two of them taking different paths. but it just makes atsumu oddly angry instead.
he scowls, expression turning dark to hide the sting of such a thought.]
Tch. He's probably just giving up because he can't keep up with me anymore. Coward. Who needs him anyway?
[atsumu folds his arms over his chest defensively, still scowling, but says nothing instead of replying with a "yes" as he wants to.
he stares down at his feet instead, the sullen silence an answer of its own.]
he stares down at his feet instead, the sullen silence an answer of its own.]
[though any kind of comment would have likely set atsumu off, the silence bothers him, too, wearing at him until he finally gives in.
there's a conflicted look on his face as he steps closer, helping kita with the utensils, the plates.]
Why aren't you saying anything?
[it's finally mumbled with a side glance.]
there's a conflicted look on his face as he steps closer, helping kita with the utensils, the plates.]
Why aren't you saying anything?
[it's finally mumbled with a side glance.]
[the strangled sound he makes at that isn't subtle or quiet, and it turns into something resembling a laugh by the end of it.]
You sure know how to make a guy sweat, cap. [atsumu twists one of the cloth napkins between his fingers, exhaling noisily.] Fine... I don't think he's givin' up. It's more like he doesn't care as much anymore.
[not as much as atsumu does, at least.]
You sure know how to make a guy sweat, cap. [atsumu twists one of the cloth napkins between his fingers, exhaling noisily.] Fine... I don't think he's givin' up. It's more like he doesn't care as much anymore.
[not as much as atsumu does, at least.]
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