[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?
[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?
["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.]
[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.
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.]
[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.]
[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.]
Not around the team, you don't! [at this point, atsumu's just flabbergasted by the many revisions he's had to make to his impression of kita in the past day alone.] You're always so stern during practice.
[it's not a bad thing, really. kita kept them in line when they threatened to go overboard, and gave really, really good advice when it came down to it.]
You should. Smile more often. [it's mumbled, like atsumu himself can't believe he's saying it. before he can turn too red, he grabs the seasoning and oil and starts adding them to the vegetable mix.]
Oh. [right. don't want to mess up something as simple as the seasoning, even if he doesn't usually dabble in the kitchen. atsumu squints down at the mix with dubious eyes.]
How can you tell just by lookin' like that? All the recipes I've seen had some measurements.
Measurements are important, but Cooking is flexible. A few shakes and a few grinds is safe. As you practice, you can decide if you want more. It's like volleyball - You learn the rules, then you start trying new things.
[he's grinning as he says this, having regained some confidence from the tiniest compliment kita paid him. if osamu were around, he'd no doubt deflate his twin's ego promptly before he got too ahead of himself; hopefully kita's up to the job.
for now the intervention isn't necessary, atsumu miraculously following the directions as he dumps the chopped veggies onto the tray and prods at them until they're no longer clumped together.]
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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?
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...rice? [sheepishly, he runs a hand through his hair.] Which one is harder to mess up?
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That's fine.
Do you have a rice cooker at home?
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[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...
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[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.
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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.]
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[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.]
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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.]
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[Next up - Onion.]
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[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*
[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
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.]
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[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.]
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[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
[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
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.]
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[Now for the second rare sight - Kita looking openly amused.]
I do smile, Atsumu.
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[it's not a bad thing, really. kita kept them in line when they threatened to go overboard, and gave really, really good advice when it came down to it.]
You should. Smile more often. [it's mumbled, like atsumu himself can't believe he's saying it. before he can turn too red, he grabs the seasoning and oil and starts adding them to the vegetable mix.]
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[Which yes. Means being the one to step in when things get rowdy. Kita gets calm faster than the coaches. It's an asset.
It's interesting, though. The impact a simple facial change makes on Atsumu.]
Ah - That should be enough.
[He switches on the oven, then gets a baking tray.]
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How can you tell just by lookin' like that? All the recipes I've seen had some measurements.
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Measurements are important, but Cooking is flexible. A few shakes and a few grinds is safe. As you practice, you can decide if you want more. It's like volleyball - You learn the rules, then you start trying new things.
[Kita spreads tinfoil over the tray.]
Like Sets no one else can do.
[Compliments help with learning, right?]
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When you put it that way, I've got no choice but that pick it up quickly.
[apparently compliments do work.]
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Kita chuckles.]
The vegetables go on the tray. Spread them around so they roast evenly. Did you start the rice?
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[he's grinning as he says this, having regained some confidence from the tiniest compliment kita paid him. if osamu were around, he'd no doubt deflate his twin's ego promptly before he got too ahead of himself; hopefully kita's up to the job.
for now the intervention isn't necessary, atsumu miraculously following the directions as he dumps the chopped veggies onto the tray and prods at them until they're no longer clumped together.]
This look all right to you?
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[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.
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Putting this after Junior Training Camp, before Nationals
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Wow so DW NEVER showed me this notif?!