PSL /Overflow/ Open Post

[1foxgiven]

 What it says on the tin.

Comments

[1foxgiven]

[What is any of that supposed to mean. This was just supposed to be an Eat Properly text, but somehow we've... stumbled into something else?

Kita's brow furrows.]

'Be selfish'?

Why is it bothering you like this?

[amiyability]

[why is this bothering him so much? usually atsumu's all too happy to let the rest of the team do whatever they want as long as they gave their all on the court, with his sets. he can't really put a finger on it.

all he knows is that there's usually a give and take with everything. so if the captain's doing all this giving, then who's giving kita anything in return?]

dunno maybe it's cause samu's not around to talk my ear off and you messaged me
now i can't stop thinking about it

[1foxgiven]

[Atsumu does at least as much talking as Osamu. Or more. Better to let that point pass, though.]

If it helps you work this out

I don't mind texting

[Because then Atsumu will stop worrying (?) about it, and eat dinner, and go to sleep. And then he will be at his best. Which means Inarizaki can be at its best.

Which is the goal. Right?]

[amiyability]

[atsumu would be no use trying to explain what he's feeling, if only because he has no idea what's getting him so worked up in the first place. this wasn't even something he'd thought about before kita sent him the food.]

see? that's exactly the kind of thing i'm talking about!
you're always helping other people
maybe you should think about yourself, too

[1foxgiven]

But it doesn't _bother_ me

[Kita really doesn't see it as extra trouble. He knows other people do. That it's unusual to act this way. But usually it gets waved off as 'That's just Kita.' Which isn't enough here. For whatever reason.

So he takes a minute to think. How to bring this to Atsumu's level...]

If I do it, then it's done

I feel settled.

So

Maybe it is a little selfish?

[amiyability]

[the reply comes slower this time, mostly because atsumu needs to process what kita means.]

so you're saying you do all this for other people because it makes you feel better, too?

[can't relate.]

[1foxgiven]

That's part of it




I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense.

[Kita just doesn't know how else to explain. If Atsumu decides to drop it, that's fine.]

[amiyability]

you don't have anything to apologize for, cap
guess i should be the one saying sorry for bugging you after you went through the trouble of getting me food

[atsumu being considerate? miracles do happen. then again, he's overdue for some self reflection. it's always been easier for these thoughts to creep in when he and osamu have a fight that ends in silence on both ends.]

[1foxgiven]

That's all right

I will be texting Osamu to make sure he eats too

[So don't take his share.

It's an odd exchange, but those involving the Miyas usually are. Forgotten about by the next morning. It gets buried in the shuffle of game-day activities. Equipment on the bus, players on the bus, warning off overzealous fans so the second thing can actually happen...

Kita moves calmly through it all.]

[amiyability]

[the game goes well. of course it does, with him as the setter and their team in tip top shape already. once it's all over, atsumu lets his thoughts wander right back to the conversation with kita again.

ignoring the questioning look aran gives him and the too-telling silence from his stupid twin, atsumu slinks over to their captain as they're heading back to the bus.]

We gonna practice some more when we get back to the school, Kita-san?

[1foxgiven]

Do you need to?

[Rest is as important as practice, and they've just had a game. Kita's listening, though.

In case there's an area Atsumu's concerned about.]

[amiyability]

[there's just something about kita that always leaves atsumu feeling flat-footed and floundering. no doubt osamu would be laughing at him right now if he heard all this.]

Nah... was just wonderin', that's all. [he hunches his shoulders slightly.] Where's the rest of the stuff we need to load?

[1foxgiven]

[Kita's turn to be caught off-guard. Usually the upper years don't volunteer to help with this. They put in their own time as beginners. He blinks at Atsumu. Then points.]

Oh - On the other side of the bus. I was going to ask the First Years -

[amiyability]

Nah, I got it. [he waves off those same first years already walking over and hefts the bags of equipment himself, the back of his neck turning just noticeably pink when aran actually drops his own duffel bag in shock as he passes.

is it really that weird? never mind, he knows it is.

though atsumu can practically feel his capttain's eyes on him, he keeps his head bowed, not meeting them as he shoves the bags into the luggage area of the bus.]

[1foxgiven]

[Aran shoots a questioning look to Kita. Who shrugs.

Never mind. Leave him to it.]

I appreciate that.

[Whether Atsumu looks up or not? There's a nod.]

[amiyability]

[though atsumu didn't start all this for the praise, more out of a strange curiosity than anything, something in him warms at kita's acknowledgement all the same. to his horror, he feels his face heat up.]

It's nothing. [he mumbles, shoving his hands into his pockets as nonchalantly as he can.] What else do you need help with?

[1foxgiven]

That's it.

[For some reason, that feels insufficient. Atsumu has a hard time connecting with others. But here he is. Making an effort.

Is it something to do with the exchange last night?]

...You could help unload when we get back?

[amiyability]

[why is he just standing here and waiting for kita to give him more to do? on a normal day, atsumu would've climbed onto the bus and picked out a seat already, leaving the clean up to the first years.

yet here he is, nodding in agreement again, maybe hoping to understand what kita was talking about yesterday.]

Yeah, sure. [now he's definitely feeling osamu's gaze on him, and atsumu fights the urge to turn and scowl at him. serves his twin right. if he's gonna be ignoring atsumu, then atsumu's not telling him anything, no matter how curious he is.] Guess I can help out with that.

Skip to the school?

[1foxgiven]

Thanks.

[With that, Kita climbs onto the bus.

And unless Atsumu wants to keep talking - which would be fine - he lapses into thought.]

yes!

[amiyability]

[out of spite, atsumu takes the seat next to aran before osamu can, and doubles down on ignoring his twin. he knows they'll make up later when one of them inevitably caves, but that doesn't stop him from being petty now. it's just how he and brother operate.

conveniently, aran falls asleep on the way back to the school. it gives atsumu a chance to swap between scrolling through the text exchange from the night before and studying the back of kita's head from where he's sitting.

for all of his thinking today, he hasn't gotten any closer to understanding their captain. and perhaps that's why he doesn't even put much of a fuss when he catches kita's eyes as the team steps off the bus later.

atsumu leans down and grabs the equipment from before kita even has to open his mouth.]

[1foxgiven]

[Kita nods at the First Years to help. It's too much for one person.

While that's going on, he finishes up with the rest of the team. There's always a few notes to share. A good play. A missed opportunity. It's the advantage of watching from the sideline. Kita notices, and has the time to remember things. Giving everyone something to chew on.

There's also a word with Aran, who corrals Osamu. Taking him to eat and - hopefully - talk. Whatever's going on? The twins need more time apart.]

[amiyability]

[the way the first years give him a wide berth, casting nervous and awed looks in his direction as they scurry around with the rest of the equipment is almost enough to raise his spirits. and he spends some time teasing them, purposely brushing past one or two or returning their stares when he catches them looking. they should respect him, if they're hoping to be regulars on the team soon. he's their setter--a damn good one.

setter or not, though, he eventually ends up wandering back to kita once everything's put away. thankfully, most of the team has already left, and atsumu doesn't have to put up with their curiosity.]

Looks like we're done, cap. [he shoots kita a crooked smile.] You ready to head home?

[1foxgiven]

[Kita considers stepping in. Only for a moment. The teasing stays good-natured, so he lets it run the course. Atsumu interacting - voluntarily - Should be encouraged. Whenever possible.

Finally, everything is packed away to Kita's satisfaction. He sees the stragglers out. Atsumu is the last of them.

Not a surprise.]

Yes. We can talk on the way.

[amiyability]

[that actually stops atsumu short, mouth falling open for a second.]

We're walking together?

[as soon as the words are out of his mouth, atsumu nearly pinches himself. stupid! the captain just said as much! what's wrong with him? he's not usually so slow on the uptake.]

[1foxgiven]

Like I said - We need to discuss your eating habits.

[Lest Atsumu think he's getting out of that. Though it doesn't sound like Kita's actually cross about it?]