["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.]
[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.
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.
[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.]
[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.]
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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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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.
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[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.
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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.]
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[Kita neither encourages nor shuts down the topic. Just hands over a clean washcloth.
How Atsumu proceeds?
That's up to him.]
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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.]
Putting this after Junior Training Camp, before Nationals
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Wow so DW NEVER showed me this notif?!