PSL /Overflow/ Open Post

[1foxgiven]

 What it says on the tin.

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[1foxgiven]

All right.

[Just - Like that.

Because the conclusion is obvious. Osamu's not an option. For whatever reason. That leaves one candidate available.

Kita was about to offer, except Atsumu got there first.]

[amiyability]

[atsumu falters on the next step. he turns stunned eyes on kita, searching for anything that might help him understand what kita's thinking.]

Wait...really? You're not pulling my leg are you?

[he'd only suggested it as a deflection, to change the subject; he hadn't expected kita to actually agree.]

[1foxgiven]

I'm not an expert, but I can show you the basics. Do you have time now?

I know we have pickled plums...

[Atsumu still hasn't agreed, technically. Maybe Kita's stacking the deck.

Just a little.]

[amiyability]

[he might be eyeing kita incredulously now, a reluctant smile pulling at his lips.]

Cap... are you tryin' to bribe me over to your house? First the sass yesterday, now this... you're gonna give everyone a heart attack if you spring them on us like this, you know.

[admittedly, the pickled plums are very tempting. he still remembers the taste of the ones kita had left for him last year, and figures kita's probably being humble about his cooking skills. like he is with everything else.]

[1foxgiven]

Huh. I guess that's what it sounds like, doesn't it.

[Aran would shove him, probably. Laugh that it's okay to want things.

Does he want this? Well. He wants to know Atsumu won't try to survive on junk food because of his pride. So... maybe? Kita shrugs. As much to Atsumu as his inner dialogue.]

Well?

[amiyability]

[that reluctant smile grows until atsumu's ducking his head in a surprisingly bashful gesture.]

Yeah, all right. I've just gotta call home and let them know.

[this isn't how he imagined his day going, but atsumu's not exactly complaining.]

[1foxgiven]

[There's the smallest tug in Kita's chest. Seeing Atsumu warm up like that. Almost... an unwinding. Relief that the plan's been accepted.]

Good. This way.

[By the time Atsumu finishes, they're walking up to a small blue house. The front scrubbed clean, flowers nodding up the walk. There are Better Home covers that would be jealous of this place.]

This is ours - I'm home.

[Called to an empty living room, as Kita unlaces his shoes.]

[amiyability]

[a rare glimpse into the captain's home life... atsumu wonders if anyone else on the team has been here before. the thought of being the first to see it sits oddly in his chest--in a good way, he thinks.]

Sorry for the intrusion... [atsumu says carelessly, also out of habit. he toes his shoes off once the laces are untied, then looks around the house with curiosity.] Nice place you got here.

[1foxgiven]

[Aran's visited a couple of times. That's it. Which must explain the mental lurch Kita feels. Seeing Atsumu here. It's just... odd. Seeing that familiar stance in a house, instead of the court.

Kita shakes it off. Smiles.]

Thank you.

This way. Oh, my parents probably won't be home while we're here.

[So no worry about witnesses?

The kitchen is bright, airy, and spotless. Of course. Except it doesn't feel sterile - Just ready. Surfaces clear, pans gleaming. Primed for any task ahead.]

What would you like to start with - Rice? Or noodles?

[amiyability]

[kita's guess is right; the lack of witnesses does make atsumu relax. it's enough that he's comfortable enough to smile crookedly in kita's direction, once he's done a cursory inspection of the kitchen.]

...rice? [sheepishly, he runs a hand through his hair.] Which one is harder to mess up?

[1foxgiven]

[Kita chuckles. Begins pulling out a couple of pans.]

That's fine.

Do you have a rice cooker at home?

[amiyability]

Yeah. Know how to use it and everything, too.

[despite his earlier reticence, atsumu looking more at home now, even leaning against the kitchen counter while kita grabs all the cooking utensils.]

So, what's on the menu today? Unless it's supposed to be a surprise...

[1foxgiven]

Good. We'll start with that.

[He tosses a bag of rice to Atsumu. Points at the device in question.]

Two cups.

We're making rice and vegetables. Three ingredients. You don't have to cook the vegetables, if you're low on energy. It just tastes better.

[amiyability]

["I'll bet Samu would have something to say about that." it's on the tip of his tongue, ready to roll off. atsumu pauses, waiting for the surge of emotion to follow, not quite bitterness, not quite fondness--more like something in between. a second or two passes and...it doesn't come, and that alone takes atsumu by surprise.]

Two cups. Got it.

[he says, just a bit wooden as he processes this. as atsumu measures out the rice and gives the grains a quick wash, he sneaks a look over at kita. maybe this wouldn't be as hard as he thought, after all. something about the captain, here, in the cozier kitchen, sets atsumu at ease rather than keys him up, the way kita's presence usually does in the gym or on the court.]

[1foxgiven]

Do you know how to use a knife?

[It helps that Kita doesn't sound judgmental. At all. He's feeling out a baseline. Not suggesting Atsumu should be any higher than he is.

He lays out the tools. Chef's knife, cutting board, a washed pepper.]

[amiyability]

You bet I can. [he might not be as handy as osamu when it comes to their skill with the knife, but even he knows the basics.

atsumu sets the pot of washed rice aside and rolls up his sleeves when he joins kita at the counter again.]

Say, Kita-san... did you learn all this from your parents?

[the kitchen fills with a soft clunking noise as atsumu dices up the pepper, brows furrowed in concentration.]

[1foxgiven]

Hm? Some of it. My grandmother taught me first.

[Next up - Onion.]

[amiyability]

Your grandmother? [a memory of kita-san mentioning her tickles at him.] You should bring her to our games. Bet she'd be happy to watch you play.

[when the pepper's done, atsumu reaches for the onion without protest. it's probably a novelty, having atsumu so obedient for once.]


(ooc: fyi my notifs are being wonky, pls let me know if I don't respond to our thread within a couple days!)

*Wildly makes things up*

[1foxgiven]

((No worries!))

[Atsumu listens when it suits him. Or when he respects the person. Kita is aware of both conditions, and takes the attention seriously. Handing over a bowl for the cut food.]

She would, but she broke her hip a few months ago.

That's where my parents are - Visiting her.

that's a mood

[amiyability]

Oh. [his brows crease in concern; flippant as atsumu might be about a lot of things, family isn't really one of them. if it were his grandma, he and samu would be beside themselves without a doubt.]

Sounds pretty serious. Is she doing alright?

[a broken hip on anyone would be a cause for concern, but someone elderly, it'd be ten times worse.]

[1foxgiven]

Much better, thanks. She's doing physical therapy now. Walking and pool exercises in the morning, yoga in the afternoons.

[It is serious.

Which is why there's a procedure in place. An action plan the doctor has shared thoroughly. And Kita has memorized.

Because of course he has.]

[amiyability]

Yeah? Well, she's got you and your parents looking after her. [he flashes kita a real smile now.] Can't ask for any better.

[because it's kita. and if atsumu's learned anything these past two years, it's that kita doesn't do anything by halves when it comes to caring.

he finishes up the onion, setting the diced up vegetables and knife aside.]

What's next, Cap? Or maybe I should call you "Chef" while we're doing this.

When you want to make icons but the computer is in the other room SO FAR

[1foxgiven]

If you like. I don't mind either way.

[Kita is... genuinely touched by that compliment from Atsumu. He's used to doing things. Not so used to people pointing it out so directly. It's kind of nice.

So he smiles back.

Sets down olive oil, salt, pepper, and a spoon.]

Here. Add all this and mix the vegetables. You don't need to be precise.

[Of course he'll stop Atsumu from dumping the whole bottle or something. But Kita's fairly sure that won't happen. Maybe. Probably.]

truly the struggle

[amiyability]

[hold up... that's a smile? a smile from kita?? forget the seasoning for a sec, atsumu's busy having his mind blown. he doesn't think he's ever seen the captain like this before, and now he can say it's a damn shame.]

You're...you're smiling.

[way to point out the obvious. at least he's not trying to measure out the oil while he's struck dumb like this.]

[1foxgiven]

Hm? Is it that shocking?

[Now for the second rare sight - Kita looking openly amused.]

I do smile, Atsumu.