1foxgiven | PSL /Overflow/ Open Post

1foxgiven

What it says on the tin.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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.]

From:

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?

From:

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.]

From:

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?

From:

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 -

From:

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.]

From:

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.]

From:

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?

From:

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?

From:

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.

From:

1foxgiven

Thanks.

[With that, Kita climbs onto the bus.

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

From:

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.]

From:

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.]

From:

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?

From:

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.

From:

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.]

From:

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?]

From:

amiyability

[atsumu winces. kita doesn't sound upset, but that doesn't mean he can't cut through his blustering; he's done it before after all.]

Heh. Shoulda known you wouldn't let me off the hook that easily.

[he slings his bag over his shoulder, looking at kita expectantly.] Let's go.

From:

1foxgiven

[As the afternoon sun hits, Kita takes a deep breath. The job is complete. Game won. Everything clean. No one getting lost or starting fights. There's even the strange bonus of Atsumu being agreeable. A good day. All around.

For a second, he lets himself enjoy this. The warm satisfaction that only comes from a task finished.

But - There's always another checkbox to tick.

Kita moves on.]

So. Why can't you cook?

[Again, the statement is mild. Maybe edging into a joking tone?

Hard to say.]

From:

amiyability

[wow, straight to it, kita-san? not that atsumu's surprised; their captain is about as straightforward as one can get.]

Haaah... [it's an odd mix of a laugh and a sigh as atsumu tilts his head back.] Never really tried to. Like I said, Samu's the one who actually likes all that.

[he slants a look at kita.] Would you believe me if I said I wasn't interested?

From:

1foxgiven

[Kita meets the look evenly. Doesn't break his stride.]

If you've never really tried, then no. I don't.

[It sounds like an excuse. And Atsumu should know that such an explanation isn't going to fly.]

Look, it doesn't have to be your favorite. But it still needs to get done.

From:

amiyability

[it is an excuse, of a sort. it's a practical skill, it's just...atsumu knows he wouldn't be half as reluctant if his brother weren't already so invested in the kitchen.

instead of saying so, because that seems too much like admitting a weakness he doesn't want to delve into, atsumu just shrugs with forced nonchalance.]

Yeah, maybe. Do we really need two Miya cooks, though?

From:

1foxgiven

[That gets a sharper glance.

Kita knows a deflection when he sees one.]

We're not talking about 'two Miyas'. We're talking about you, Atsumu.

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)