Chapter Text
“Which one would you choose?”
And Yahaba takes the question seriously, entire team's eyes on him waiting for a response to a lighthearted question that doesn't exactly have to be meaningful
Yet he wants to look like he put some thoughts into it
He looks down, meets first and second years gazes from the ground, and enjoys the privilege of being able to be on a bench instead of wood
“Batman”, mostly because he wasn't really thinking about it, too worried checking his peripheral vision
He's too deep in now
Watari speaks up instantly, “It doesn't suit you though”, insisting on going down on ground rather than the bench with Yahaba and Kyoutani
Team bonding isn't a common event, coach calling it quits for the day and leaving them to entertain younger players
sunset streaming through windows, casting a warm glow over the gymnasium; easy going demeanor coming in handy, shown by an unmistakable grin on his lips
“Why not?”
Watari elbows Kindaichi “He's broody and everything”, maybe encouraging him to speak up?
“Yeah”, and here he goes, “you're more like Spiderman”
Is that an insult or a compliment?
Kyoutani takes his attention fairly easily, nodding along solemnly, oblivious to a bunch of first years insistent stares
"Why did you decide to join Aoba Johsai, anyway?" he asked, genuinely curious to hear their reasons
One of the younger players, a boy with a sheepish expression, rubbed his nape self-consciously "uh-" he began, his cheeks flushing slightly
"Oikawa-senpai looked so cool, and I just wanted to be like him, you know?"
Yahaba nodded, a sympathetic smile spreading across his face. That was expected
"That's fair," he acknowledged, his tone understanding. Turning to Kyoutani, who had remained quietly observant until now
"But he wasn't amazing all the time. Ask this guy”, pointing his thumb on Kyoutani’s chest
Riling him up isn't a good idea
And the latter just leans in, hands on knees to emphasize his point "All he did was antagonize me from the start"
Yahaba couldn't help but elbow him either way, warning him to check his words before going on
Kyoutani's lips thinned into a tight line, his gaze narrowing
"Who the hell gives people weird nicknames right off the bat?" he challenged, his tone defensive before facing Yahaba
"Excuse me if I was cautious around someone who seemed intent on burning me alive the first time we met”
“You're so dramatic”
Rolling his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, I suppose he had his redeeming qualities" he relented, his gaze flickering towards the attentive first-years
"Just don't expect me to sing his praises anytime soon”
Yahaba has done his fair share of challenges, he went on a date and he's an official setter; but what about Oikawa-san?
Must be difficult with all that distance, he's always been ambitious and his dream has come true. That's enough to celebrate, truth for iwa-chan or not
-
Watari settled his lunch on the table in the library, Casting a sly glance at Yahaba and Kyoutani, who had chosen to sit side-by-side rather than their usual separate spots
Yahaba is worried of being teased to death
Watari couldn't resist the opportunity to pry
"So?" he prompted, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "How was your date?”, using his teeth to open wrapped up utensils
Kyoutani's eyes widened momentarily, and he shot Yahaba a questioning look. "How did you know?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of wariness
Yahaba supposes he forgot to mention Watari's help with the whole situation
He tensed, bracing himself for Watari's inevitable teasing, but before he could respond, the other chimed in with a triumphant grin
"I'm the one who told him to be clear about his intentions" Watari said, his tone laced with satisfaction. "Figured it was high time you two stopped beating around the bush”
How caring
Kyoutani decides to just move his head away from Watari, "It was nice," he admitted, his gaze briefly meeting Yahaba's before darting away back on his food
Yahaba relaxed, relieved that Kyoutani seemed willing to acknowledge their ambiguous relationships status, even if only in front of their trusted friend
"More than nice" he added, his voice soft yet confident "We had a great time”
Watari beamed, pleased to see his friends taking a step forward "Glad to hear it, "About damn time, if you ask me”
“He nearly cracked his head on the ground though”, celery in his mouth, adding in
Of course he had to break the moment
“hm?”, already entertained
Yahaba decides not to shove him off from the bench, lazily moving his fork to his mouth
And he gets pointed at with a vegetable “He was fucking around on a playground”, pausing for a bite, “upside down”
“Yahaba”, Watari shakes his head, pissing him off even more, “it could actually be dangerous”
Hiding a stupid grin with more food
And Kyoutani nods. Does he realise it's mock disappointment or is it genuine?
Watari leaned back in his chair, satisfaction spreading across his face
"So, you're officially dating now, right?" he pressed, his eyes darting between Yahaba and Kyoutani "I mean, you had a date and a good time, that seems pretty straightforward to me”
If only Watari had some introspection to help himself with academics, or that one girl he seemed to like
He doesn't try to understand why it feels hot in his stomach, or why he's looking for more reassurance
He shouldn't have doubts now
Yahaba and Kyoutani locked eyes anyway, silently communicating as they gauged each other's reactions. Nothing to read if Kyoutani just looks at him blankly
After a brief pause, Yahaba tried to shake his head, his gaze shifting back to Watari. "Yeah?" he confirmed, seeking Kyoutani's affirmation
And Kyoutani, thankfully, returned the nod, "Yeah" he echoed
That saves some embarrassment
Kyoutani is just the type to be vague enough to confuse him, and direct enough to move his lanes a little on the right way
You can never be too sure
Yahaba's face breaks into a radiant smile, all traces of his earlier apprehension melting away "Yeah, we are”
It feels good, like when he was the setter for that one practice game with Karasuno and they were doing beautifully
Pleasure and satisfaction because he did his job well enough so everyone could play and score points
Volleyball is kind of like dating, if you squint
He tries to engage with Watari's words, only mumbling useless questions that fuel his rant
There's communication, teamwork, a net between them to pass decisions for the other to debate
Only that this time is less rough and there are less Volleyballs flying around, it's less fast paced and you have to sit with your decision before passing it back
Maybe dating isn't like volleyball after all
But it's not so bad
-
As Kyoutani and Yahaba walked side-by-side along the familiar path leading home, a comfortable distance maintained between them, the initial awkwardness began to resurface once they were out of sight from the school grounds
Showing anything near an academic building doesn't seem appropriate
Kyoutani broke the silence, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty "You know I know nothing about this, right?" he confessed, his gaze fixed ahead, and it's not a surprise when he's said something similar before
"I mean, I don't even watch romance movies to begin with”
Yahaba slowed his pace, He reached out and held his hand again. Maybe that's their thing now
Movies don't give any tips, it doesn't matter
"Wasn't expecting less from you" more humour than needed, "Neither of us has much experience with this kind of thing anyway”
“I saw you flirting with Karasuno's manager”
“That doesn't count”, squeezing his palm defensive, unsure where they're exactly headed
Maybe it's time to go face the old man instead of running away out of fear
“Because you failed and got threatened?”
This time he does shove him, shouldering Kyoutani and making him stumble back; guiltily reaching out last minute to pull him up, scowling offended
And it takes one look for his frown to disappear, a stupid smug on the other face
Sleeve pulled, he can't even gasp in time, and this time it's Kyoutani grabbing his collar, twisting his fist counterclockwise and smashing their faces together
Both hands on his shoulder to soften the blow. it doesn't work
It's more noses than lips, proof of that inexperience he was talking about
Yahaba holds him away, laughing loudly with his hands still sinked on Kyoutani
“Damn”, trying to stiffen out his laugh and face the flustered mess in front of him, “you're terrible! I thought you had good aim”
“Shut up!”, pushing Yahaba’s face away, letting go of his collar and huffing. “Man you're horrible”
He can't argue otherwise, so instead of talking he places both hands on either side of Kyoutani’s jaw, angling him to meet his eyes
He doesn't try to break free
“You're lucky I like you, you know”, squeezing his cheeks and ignoring a grumble, eyes squeezing and lips twisting, “I don't like to be told to shut up”
Until Kyoutani actually breaks free, “Get used to it”, shrugging like he didn't go for a kiss moments before
He takes it back, it's like volleyball. He nearly got a damn nosebleed