1foxgiven | PSL /Overflow/ Open Post

1foxgiven

What it says on the tin.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

amiyability

[a simple phrase like that shouldn't hit atsumu that hard, but it does. he sucks in a breath, step faltering.

then, he shakes his head.]

Are you sure about that, Kita-san? [he gives his captain a sly smile.] Samu and I, we're supposed to be a package deal.

From:

1foxgiven

I said what I said.

[The air around them seems to drop a few degrees. Though Kita's pace doesn't change. Or his tone.]

Please stop acting like I'm someone you can bait.

Edited Date: 2020-12-06 01:15 am (UTC)

From:

amiyability

[scary, he thinks. atsumu's pretty sure he didn't imagine the chill going down his spine right now. he shivers.]

Never said you were, cap. [he finally mumbles, mouth twisting unhappily.] Just what do you want me to say here? That we don't really need something else they associate with both of us?

From:

1foxgiven

Yes. Because that actually helps to know.

[Honesty? Helping? More likely than you think.

Kita's quiet for a few moments. Considering this. He doesn't have siblings, and can't even begin to imagine what being a twin is like. Growing up and told you're part of a set.]

Excuse me if this is wrong. It sounds like there's actually two problems. One is wanting to have independent interests - maybe even not stepping on Osamu's?

The second is you do need to take care of yourself.

From:

amiyability

[the more kita talks, the higher atsumu's shoulders climb. is this what being dissected feels like? to be cut open and have all the vulnerable squishy bits that would normally be hidden exposed?]

Sounds about right. But I'm not gonna ask Samu for help, if that's what you're thinking. [it's mumbled, sullen. there's something in his tone that says he's not ready to talk about this, not even if kita turns that stern captain's gaze on him. he hasn't even talked to osamu about any of this, for fuck's sake. there's no doubt his twin is the one who knows him best, but their relationship's a complicated one. it'll just take more than one walk home to untangle.]

Hey. [there's that sly tone again, though kita's probably realized by now it's just atsumu putting his guard up.] If it's that important, maybe you should teach me.

From:

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.]

Edited Date: 2020-12-08 08:06 pm (UTC)

From:

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.]

From:

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.]

From:

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.]

From:

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?

From:

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.]

From:

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.]

From:

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.

From:

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?

From:

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?

From:

1foxgiven

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

That's fine.

Do you have a rice cooker at home?

From:

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...

From:

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.

Edited Date: 2020-12-11 09:17 pm (UTC)

From:

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.]

From:

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.]

From:

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.]

From:

1foxgiven

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

[Next up - Onion.]

From:

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!)

From:

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.

From:

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.]