Hear Me
Neteyam x Metkayina!F!Deaf!Reader
Summary: Neteyam thought you were the most beauitful thing in the world, yet you never seemed to respond to him.
Warning: Reader is Deaf!, Fluff, Angst (went you squint)
*not my best work, I've just had this in my head for the last few days and needed to get some form of it out*
When you had been born, the first child of Tonowari and Ronal, a great celebration had been held. They sang songs of what you would accomplish in the future, praised your name to Eywa for a blessing of a child. It didn't take long for your parents to notice you were, different.
You never reacted when someone approached or called your name. You never flinched from loud noises, only when something jumped out or you turned to suddenly see something you didn't know.
Your speech was different too, only able to make simple noises than actually talk. Able to communicate through the Clans Sign Language, but never completely with words.
Ronal prayed to Eywa for an answer, visiting the Spirit Tree to seek help. Only for a vision of silence to flash behind her eyes when she had made the connection to the tree.
You were deaf. Eywa blessed you with many things, beauty, grace, compassion and kindness.
But not the ability to hear.
Never able to hear the beautiful songs of the Tulkun, never to sing in tune with your brothers and sisters, yet you were an amazing dancer.
It took many months and years of everyday practice and routine for you and your clan to adjust to you. What you lacked in hearing, you made up in sight and touch.
You could feel the slightest change in area, quick to take others down with a elegance to it that had many young Na'vi boys swooning. You could feel the vibrations in the sand, the netting, the water. Able to change course and react before something happens.
When the day of the Sully's arrival had happened, you had been out on the Ilus with your sister, Tsireya. You lounged in the water, eyes closed as you felt the waves caress your body before shadows flashed your eyelids, eyes opening to see five Ikran's flying overhead to the main village.
Reya motioned for your attention, your eyes meeting her figure as she signed to you, 'We must hurry, they've signaled an arrival'
You nodded, connecting with your Ilu and both of you racing to the beach front. Exiting the water, you noticed six dark blue Na'vi standing there.
Reya seemed to have caught the attention of the second oldest son, his eyes quickly averting from her figure. You smiled, nudging her slightly as you made your way through the crowd that had gathered.
Many men and boys quickly moved aside for you, a smile in return you graced them.
Your brother Ao'nung had been pointing at them with a cocky smirk on his face, his friend Rotxo laughing along. Although, you could only tell he was laughing from the way his shoulders and diaphragm moved.
Feeling that it was something bad being said, you went between the both of them, slapping the sides of their arms as a warning. Reya had also slapped them, both boys quickly stopping their verbal assault.
You made eye contact with the oldest boy, a Na'vi around your age. His eyes were so bright, you could see the flecks of gold against the yellow. He made a gesture of hello, you smiling and slightly nodding your head in acknowledgement.
Your Father's sudden appearance beside you made you slightly jump, too caught up in the boy to notice the sand shifting beside you.
Meeting his face, his eyes read for you to back up so you did, your Mother soon making her way to the crowd aswell.
You could only watch as the exchange happened, the father of the other group seeming to plead with your own father. Ronal poked and prodded at the family, pulling the second sons hands into the air to show his five fingers.
Looking to Reya for help, she simply signed, 'They seek to stay, wanting refuge with us' causing you to become confused, your eyes narrowing toward the group. What could be happening that forest Na'vi come here of all places?
Seeing your father and mother start to dismiss them, you reached out for your fathers arm, his eyes snapping to you, your Mother also looking intently as you signed one thing.
'Help' and gestured to the family.
Your parents made eye contact, seeming to understand. They turned back to the other family, nodding and exchanging words before addressing the rest of the clan.
Your Father gestured to your siblings, his hand coming onto your shoulders as you assumed he introduced you. You smiled, slightly bowing your head in greeting.
Your brother of course didn't like whatever was being said, stepping forward to speak out but your father quickly shut him down.
'Show them the way' he told you, Reya grabbing your hand and leading the family away.
You glided next to your sister it seemed, your eyes casting out to the open blue water, the air gently touching your cheeks as the wind blew. Neteyam wondered about you.
You haven't said anything, yet you and your family communicated using, hands? It confused him, water Na'vi. Tsireya had explained to them how and when things would happen, she was the only one talking to them out of the pair of siblings.
Maybe you were just being nice? Nice hello gesture and that's it? You wouldn't talk to them, would look at them. We're you freaked out of their "Demon Blood"? Was being a different type of Na'vi really that off putting?
"Here we are, I hope its to your liking," Tsireya smiled, stopping at the new home of the Sullys, you accidently bumping into her as you hadn't been watching where you were going. You laughed silently, a hand on her back as an apology.
"Lessons begin this afternoon! I hope you all settle quickly," Tsireya bid goodbye, taking your hand and motioning for you to follow. You waved goodbye to the family and followed your younger sister, both of you a vision of beauty in the sunlight.
~.~
You had already been down in the water when you felt the splashes nearby, turning to see your siblings and Rotxo dive in, swimming over to you. You greeted them, looking past to see the Forest Na'vi trying to follow but kept going up to the surface.
The four of you were confused so you followed them up, motioning to them confused. They began to talk, but you waved your hands, unable to hear them.
Tsireya came up, asking for you aloud what was wrong and why they weren't just breathing.
The youngest sibling, a little girl, struggled to keep up so you took it upon yourself to help steady her in the water, the oldest boy watching you closely with Tuk.
Tuk began to thank you, your eyes meeting Rotxo who was closer, 'Tuk says thank you,' you smiled at the girl as Rotxo told her she was welcome. Tuk and Neteyam looked at eachother, both confused on why you wouldn't answer yourself.
Neteyam and Lo'ak had told them they didn't understand anything they were doing. "What is this...finger, hand motion thing you guys do? We have no clue, yet you always speak it, especially with her," Gesturing to you who was spinning Tuk in a circle in the water, the youngest one laughing in joy. You didn't acknowledge them, even though you were the center of the conversation now.
"Don't bring her into this," Ao'nung growled, teething baring. "I will teach you, as will (Y/n), believe me, you'll learn it quick with her," Tsireya assured, splashing water at you to gain attention.
You stopped, Tuk giggling as you turned to face them. Eyes dashing at each of the siblings, they all just stared making you nervous. Did you miss something important? Were you supposed to say something?
Ao'nung waved you off with a soft smile, making you return it. Your Father appeared on the shoreline, waving his hand to signal for you.
Letting out a yell in acknowledgement, you handed Tuk off to Neteyam. His eyes stayed trained on you as you swam off, your body cutting through the water like a sharp knife, but yet it didn't disturb the water. The water seemed to bend around your body.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Tsireya asked, smiling at Neteyam, "yeah," he trailed off before realizing what he just said outloud. "I mean, for a water Na'vi," he added quickly, Kiri rolling her eyes at her stupid brother.
'Morons, all of them,' she thought.
"So why doesn't she respond?" Lo'ak asked, his eyebrows contorting in confusion.
Ao'nung and Tsireya shared a look, Rotxo simply shaking his head.
"That is not our information to share, but please be patient with her," Tsireya pleaded, her big eyes making Lo'ak melt, "she is very bright and smart, but please, just be patient as you learn more about her,"
The Sully siblings looked at eachother before confirming with a nod to the water Na'vi.
~.~
Neteyam stared at you from a distance, you currently teaching some of the younger children how to dance. The way your hands moved, elegantly and flowing, like water. A smile on your face, eyes focusing on a child who grabbed your attention, their hands moving. You did it back, again, no verbal reply.
"Is there a reason you're staring at the Olo'eyktan's daughter?" His father gained Neteyam's attention back, his eyes wide. "I wasn't staring at her," Neteyam replied, looking back down at the fish they were currently gutting and cleaning for dinner.
"I mean I can see why, your age, beautiful, good with kids, anything else you wanna add?" Jake joked, Neteyam feeling his face get warm. "He hasn't said a word to her," Kiri chirped, Neteyam glaring with sharp eyes, his teeth bared in warning.
"Oh? Now you're telling me my oldest son can't talk to a girl?" Jake pressured, Neytiri sending him a look, a look to tread lightly.
"Its not that, it's that she never responds," Neteyam clarified, but he knew it really was because he was worried to talk to her.
"That's cause she's-" Neytiri slapped a hand over her mates mouth, her eyes basically shutting him up.
"She's to tell them, not you," Neytiri warned, Jake nodding, Neytiri releasing him.
~.~
At the clans dinner, many banged drums and danced to the beat. Chanting and singing drawled out into the night sky, footsteps marking in the sand by a large bonfire.
At the center of it was you, your head bobbing as you felt the vibrations through the sand, your feet and your spirit. Tsireya beside you as you guided her through the movements, her eyes suddenly catching the oldest son, turning you toward him and motioning for you to grab him.
You did just that, teething gleaming from a smile as you grabbed his hand, gesturing for him to come dance. "No thanks," he tried, but you just pulled him up and dragged him out to the sand.
"No, (Y/n), I don't dance!" He tried to explain but you just carried on, smiling and waving at him to join. He was soon grabbed by other Na'vi who had started a dance circle, hands and arms linked as they jumped and chanted. You laughed, a weird chortle but Neteyam could only grin back.
When the ceremonies had started to die down, you grabbed his hand and gestured him to follow, his eyes trying to find his family to see if they were watching him slip away.
"So where are we going?" He questioned, of course you didn't hear, you just kept running through the bushes, leading him somewhere special.
"Is there a reason you never respond?" He tried again, still nothing.
Finally having enough of a one way conversation, he grabbed your hand, stopping the movement going forward. You turned, face showing confusion.
"Where are we going?" He annunciated slowly, you waving your hands, pointing to your ears.
"What? If you're listening then reply," he urged, frustration growing. You hummed, trying again.
'I can't hear you,' you signed, but he only groaned, eyes rolling. "What are you saying," he growled, angry at himself and you. This was all so annoying.
You took his hands, placing them on your ears and pushing them down. "What you don't wanna listen? Don't wanna hear?" He raided an eyebrow, you looking at him with a quirked eyebrow, hinting at something.
He just shrugged, so you placed your hands on his ears, smashing them down. "Ow! Now I can't hear-" it dawned on him, mouth dropping open as his eyes stared into yours.
All this time you hadn't meant to ignore or be rude. You were oblivious or an airhead. You just couldn't hear. He grabbed your hands softly, bringing them off his head and holding them close to his chest as you both stared at each other.
'Understand?' You signed, Neteyam still struggling to figure out all the signs your clan had but nodded slowly, almost like he knew what you did say.
"You can't hear? Nothing?" You had learned to read lips a little over the years so you briefly nodded, Neteyam looking at you in a different light.
He'd always thought you were beautiful to begin with. Your smile alone could distract him, make him weak in the knees. The way you cared for your clan and his family even, made him feel warm inside. Of course, not many words were expressed between you two, but he couldn't help an attraction, a pull almost, towards you.
You could say the same. His strength that was displayed everyday was very invigorating, his protectiveness over his family made you feel safe as well. The way he seemed to go with the flow even if he didn't want to reminded you of water. The softness of his hands squeezing yours brought you out of your day dream.
He smiled at you, your eyes bright with warmth as he allowed you to continue the way you had been trying to go moments before.
Coming to a open pool of water, hundreds of jelly like fish swam. All glowing bright, iridescent colors.
Neteyam looked around in awe, turning to you in amazement as you let out a chortle, him finding it the most beautiful sound ever.
He watched the way your skin glowed in the light of the fish, your eyes reflecting both the light and the night sky. 'Beautiful' he signed, one thing he did remember from Tsireyas instruction earlier.
You felt your face grow warm, suddenly bashful under his gaze as you looked downward. Many boys had told you you were pretty, but hearing it from Neteyam, a boy from another clan. Someone who had just stayed learning your ways was different. It made you feel nervous, yet excited.
He reached his hand out, cupping your chin to make your eyes met again. "Don't hide from me," he grinned, you not hearing his words but felt the love behind them from his hand on your face that you leaned into as it moves up to your cheek, cradling you softly.
"I know you can't hear me," he let go of your face, his turning inward as he tried to remember everything Tsireya taught him earlier. "I see you, (Y/n)" he gestured, you suddenly beaming as you titled your head giddy like.
"I see you, Neteyam," you signed back, his arm coming around you to pull you in close. Maybe you couldn't hear his words, but you sure did feel them.
Look my baby fever is already high as it is and this has me deceased đ I want my own baby with my husband đâ€â€
cw pregnancy mention, gojo has a daughter, minors dni
Satoru has a fussy one-month-old in one arm and a cold bottle of pumped breastmilk in the other.Â
Itâs the dead of night, somewhere between 2 and 3 am, and itâs been just a little over three hours since you last fed the little bundle of joy, but sheâs especially squirmy at this moment, and your husband has swooped in to collect her before she can wake you fully. Itâs been a rough past few weeks, especially for you between recovering from a not particularly easy birth and dealing with the expansion of your little family from two to three. Gojo may have wished with every ounce of power that he could make your life easier - if he could have had the baby himself he absolutely would have - but he can only do so much.Â
And he does everything he absolutely can.Â
Bouncing her gently in his left arm, he sets up the bottle warmer, then leans on the counter to rock your daughter slowly back and forth. He has about six minutes to burn as he waits for the milk to be ready, and considers returning to your bedroom to glance over at you as you sleep. Youâd been truly exhausted, loosely clinging to his neck as he moved you from the couch to tuck you into bed, murmuring his name and a sleep-softened word of thanks. Itâs a relief so small that he offers you and yet youâre always so grateful, even with your eyes closed and barely conscious.
He loves you so much.Â
Your little girl is so tiny in his arms but her weight in his hands is something incredible. Sheâs quieter now, still bundled warmly, and Gojo holds her with two hands to take her in fully, as he does so often these days. Clear blue eyes mirror his and wisps of white hair peek from under one of the many hats his students knitted for her. Despite the fact that she is his spitting image, he still finds it so hard to believe that she truly belongs to him.Â
Him. He is her father. She is his. He is hers.
Her gaze at him is so focused sometimes that it feels almost like a challenge but his heart swells the longer he looks at her. He kisses her forehead then holds her close to his chest.
An alert goes off and he picks up the now warm bottle to test it on the back of his hand, then moves to the living room to feed her.Â
His daughter closes her eyes as she drinks but Gojo cannot take his eyes off of her. He hums as she suckles and strokes at her cheek every so often with his thumb. She favors him so much in appearance but heâs constantly searching for you in the babyâs features, and he always finds it. You are her mother after all.Â
Thereâs a saying that men who have a lot to prove are blessed with daughters, and at least in this case, it is proven to be true. He promises with every fiber of his being that he will be so very good to her and of course, to you.
Agghhhhh all I can think about is Bakugou having a newborn and wanting to let his partner get some rest cause they've been with baby almost solo all during the day for the past 2 weeks, so he brings Baby Bakugou to work with him....
IN A BABY BJORN.
And Bakugou isn't gonna care because he's stable in his mindset as a man cause we ain't got time for toxic masculinity. He knows who he is and that's a Father now and a caring partner.
Just shows up to the workplace, strapped in with a orange, green and black Bjorn because of course, 'Dynamite' . Gotta represent properly like a badass.
Newborn sleeping against his chest as he has his baby's diaper bag on his back, a backpack and not a sling shoulder bag because "I ain't trying to ware out my neck and shoulders dumbasses".
Everyone coming over to see the new addition and he tells them that if they wake up his baby he'll kill them and make sure they can't go out in the field for 2 months.
Some of the sidekicks getting a kick out of "Soft Daddy Dynamite" vs "I'll Kick Your Ass Dynamite"
Just
*screech*
Is it my baby fever acting up? I think so đ„șđđ»đ„°đ§Ąđđ€â€đ€đđ§Ą
Clouds of Rain
Neteyam X F!Reader
Part 3 of Clouds Series
Summary: Everyday you and Neteyam get closer, but now he's seen a side you want to hide
Warning: Toxic parents, a little angst, fluff moments between Neteyam and Reader, Neteyam and Reader are eyeing eachother đâ€ïž
When the day had started, distant sounds of thunder echoed around the forest. Shadows crept across the moss covered floor as a storm rolled in. Many Na'vi relished in the rain, the prosperity it brought to the food and animals almost seemed mystical, but to you it brought a sorrow.
You weren't allowed out of your families tent on stormy days, even though you were seen as a grown adult, you were unmated, uncourted, so therefore, still a child in your parents eyes.
You longed for the sunshine and blue skies, but Eywa seemed to want a day of rest and restoring water to the cycle of life. "(Y/N)! Come here at once!" Your mother's voice cut through your day dream as you stared out into the vast mist of rain in the distance.
You stood from your position and walked with small steps to your mother. Your youngest sibling, a boy the age of three, sat in her lap fast asleep. You wished you could curl up like that, remembering the days she would coo at you and kiss you sweetly, that changed when more siblings came along and suddenly you couldn't do anything right in her eyes.
Kneeling in front of her, she spoke,"You are to go get us some fruit from the gathering circle, be quick, you are to come straight back, do you understand," her tone left no answer needed, it was a demand.
You nodded, going to stand but her hand tightly grapsed your wrist, pulling you back around to face her, her dull yellow eyes hard. "Answer me girl!" "Yes mama," you quietly spoke, eyes meeting her face but not her eyes, she hated when you looked at her in the eyes.
Releasing you, she waved you off and you quickly turned and hurried out. It wasn't usual for Na'vi to be abusive to their children, yet it wasn't unheard of. Your parents just happened to check every mark there was, verbal, emotional, mental, and physical. It just depended on their mood of the day to determine how your day would end.
Reaching the gathering circle, you picked the nicest looking fruit that you hoped would appease her rath, you began to walk back with it bundled in your arms, only to run smack into another person.
The fruit got squashed between both bodies, the juice sticking to your arms, chest and stomach, your mouth slightly open in shock. That was unexpected, but then again you were rushing with your head down.
"Oh Great Mother, I'm sorry!" Neteyams voice made you jolt up to meet his eyes, his face worried as he realized he ran into you. Just another foolish episode it seemed.
"(Y/n)! I'm so sorry, let me help you," Neteyam reached down to grab the fruit, but it unsavable at that point. You covered your mouth with a soft laugh, not wanting to upset the man in his rush to help you.
"Its alright Neteyam, no harm done," you assured, a smile gracing your lips. Neteyam was a light in your gray world, he could do no wrong in your eyes. The thought of the fruit left your mind, now focused solely on spending time with Neteyam.
"Come," you helped him up, his words stumbling over each other as he tried to figure out how to help, "B-but your fruit? Let me, let me help," you shook your head, waving it off, "There will be more fruit, but let's go get washed up," he let you drag him away, the fruit left forgotten on the floor.
Mother would not be happy later.
~.~
Laughing as you two walked up the edge of the village where vases of water sat, you let go and approached the water. Cupping your hands together, bringing the cool water to your face and neck, you breathed in a sigh of relief and shut your eyes, the water doing good to help rid the sticky fruit and seeds that stuck to your skin.
Neteyam allowed his eyes to trace over each water droplet that ran down your soft skin, going where only his eyes could imagine and where he wished he could touch too. Oh to be envious of water.
"Aren't you going to wash up?" Your soft voice broke his concentration, eyes looking to your face and seeing your glowing green eyes staring at him with your eyelids lowered, a look you weren't trying to give him but his thoughts quickly wondered and this caused him to rush forward, almost dunking his head into the water to cool himself off.
You giggled, having noticed his look from before and allowed your own eyes to slowly rake over his flushed body. His years of training doing wonders for him, the muscle and strength he held made your tail flick a few times before you willed it to stop and wrap around your leg.
"I am sorry, for ruining your fruit," Neteyam wiped his face of water, looking down at you though you smiled.
That pretty smile made him weak.
"Its alright, there will be more fruit later," you looked up at him, "let me make it up to you," he offered, though you grew confused. How would he make it up to you? Why did he feel the need? It was only a few pieces of fruit, surely you could replace it on your own.
"Oh? How?" You asked, arms crossing and staring at him intrigued, your hip jutting out a little causing him to gulp, trying to focus back on you as a whole.
"That's for me to worry about, now, let's go grab you some more fruit," he placed a small kiss to your head as he walked by, your face flushing as you trailed after him.
It was true you had kissed him before, a few weeks ago before he took you flying on his Ikran, but since then it had only been longing stares and a few light touches. A whisper here and there in the others ear, both of you too scared to ruin what you had going on. Scared that your realities would be crushed by the world if the true feelings were spoken out into the air.
~.~
Arriving back at the gathering circle, Neteyam grabbed new fruit to replace the ones he messed up, placing only one in your arms and he carried the rest.
"Oh no, Neteyam I can carry It really," you begged, not wanting him to follow you home. Not to the horrors that may await you. "Nonsense, allow me to help you, it was my fault," he grinned, not picking up on your worried tone.
It seemed he didn't have to, for your father's voice cut throught the air like a knife. "(Y/n)!" His deep, growl like voice caused you to freeze, Neteyam frowning when he saw the fear plaster on your now pale face. His eyes glanced behind you where two figures were appearing.
"Papa," you greeted, turning where the tall, brooding Na'vi man stood. He was one of the best hunters in the clan, your younger brother, only three years younger than you, trailing behind him with a small, smug look.
Your brother quite enjoyed when you got in trouble, but that's only because he himself didn't have to bare your father and mother's disapproving gaze.
"What are you doing? Your mother has been waiting and here you are, goofing off and laying around like you always do," Your fathers eyes made you shrink, head down into your shoulders hoping to disappear.
Neteyam placed himself between you both, chest puffing up to match your father. He didn't like how dull your eyes got, he hated how you tried to shrink instead of stand tall. "The fault is mine, sir, take it up with me. Leave your daughter out of this," Neteyam hissed, his tail lashing at the thought of what this man would say or do to you, his own child.
Your Father seemed to realize who he now faced, eyes narrowing suspiciously as they darted between Toruk Maktos oldest son, the future leader of the clan and his own child, his only daughter and oldest child.
The way the young man stood in front of you, challenging him to dare say another word had your father ask,"Who are you to tell me how to talk to my daughter? Have you courted her, mated with her," he knew the answer, but your father wanted to prove a point.
"No sir, but the fault is mine. I caused her to drop fruit and helped to clean her up, so any qualms you have you can deal them with me right now," Neteyam promised, knowing that the fact you two really weren't together stung, but he would defend you no matter what. He loved you that much.
It seemed as though Eywa had a saving grace, his own father, Jake Sully, appeared. "What's going on here?" Jake looked narrow eyed to the hunter in front of him, he knew (F/N) well, the man was very strict and harsh, but one of the best hunters to the clan.
You rushed forward, tired of all the arguing and not wanting a whole fight to break out. "Neteyam was helping me with fruit, I was clumsy and dropped it," you spazzed through your words, not turning to meet either Sully mens eyes behind you, focusing on your father instead, scared of what he would say more or do.
"I'm sorry Papa, I will be more careful from now on," Your father didn't want to cause a bigger scene infront of his Olo'eyktan, so he called for your brother to take the fruit who glared at you as if you had asked him instead of your father. "We will speak at home," your father leaned down close and threatened, eyes of green, though darker than your own, stared right through you. His words a silent threat that more than talking will be done at home.
"Yes Papa," you submitted, ears pulled back in fear and humiliation. Fear of what your father would do. Humiliation that Neteyam had to witness you like this.
Your Father and brother stomped away, your shoulders tense as you turned to see both men staring at you sadly.
"Thank you for helping me Neteyam, I'll see you around," you hurried out, words like mush as you trailed off into the direction your family had gone to.
"(Y/n)-" Neteyam reached out, but his father's hand on his shoulder stopped him, a huff of defeat in his lips as you disappeared from view.
"Give her some space, (F/n) is not one to mess with, getting her in more trouble may not be a wise case," Jake instructed, Neteyam clicking his tongue in annoyance and anger.
"(Y/n) shouldn't be suffering with them! It was my fault that the fruit fell, she shouldn't have to pay for that," he felt himself become hostile every second that passed, now beginning to pace in front of his father.
"(Y/n) deserves to be free! She is a grown woman, not a pet or a child!" He cried, Neteyam turning his body, eyes gazing after your invisible figure one last time.
"She so gentle, I want to watch her float on the clouds, not be tied down," Neteyam whispered.
~.~
Taglist: (there is a lot of yall đ€Ł)
@jaymiemallari21 @ssc7514 @itsemy01 @zbeez-outlet @danamq1 @cwufst @sourpatches111 @eywas-heir @heaven1oo4 @neteyamforlife @naynay2808 @msjae @ultimatebluff @jjkclub @ksata @otukirey @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @whenercolorfulrainbowlol @teyamdefender17 @tejas-kris @serpientez @thexplosivegirl @inluvwithneteyam @dead-28 @brooklynscherry-z @weridpersonhelp @he110hon @rainbowsocks @andromets @awriana @alldaladiesloveleooo @loves1ckgirl @pixiexdusts-world @yagirldd @wwwellacom @melllinaa @dreamingsmile @starstruckmentalitypaper @velvetskies @mxrgodsstuff @ambla-nezie @wiltedkyinn @giannadodson @glowbugsblog @boggiesho @mentallyillartist @hastalapastayuh @
@honeyluvsblog @blairrrrrr @heluvsst4rgir1
Strawberry Wine
Uggghhh was listening to Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter and yalls Cowboy!AU Bakugou Katsuki has got my mind in a foooooooog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just imagining visiting your grandfather for the summer and there's a new helping hand around the farm. A young man about the same age as you, it's also a bonus he's very attractive.
He does all the hard labor your grandfather has gotten a little too old do be doing. The sun beating down on him and making his blonde hair seem like a halo on his head, the golden evening rays making his eyes shine like the brightest ruby.
According to your grandfather he was helping out just for this summer since he was on break from college and wanted to get back to his hometown roots on a nearby farm.
Of course you were caught in a slump, eyes following him everywhere making you clumsy and messing up your own chores making him having to pick up the slack. Okay, maybe it was on purpose so he would be near you and talking to you.
Eventually catching his eye one day while riding a horse and being able to catch a wild hog that had ended up on the farm.
Both of you sneaking around corners and haylofts just for a moment together, before your grandfather came calling.
Him sneaking you out to his truck and just tearing down dirt roads underneath the warm summer moon. Talking about everything and nothing, dreams and goals.
Sharing tender moments and light touches by the pond where he dropped the tough guy act and you both showed your true colors.
Of course nothing can stay the same, as September came calling and he had to leave. The teenage promise to keep in touch and that you'd visit. Him promising he'll see you next summer and that he'd wait if you would.
A few cards, letters and one long distance call over the course of a year you both slowly got preoccupied with other things but never forgot the genuine connection you both had.
Every summer you still go back to see your grandfather, the fields overgrown now as he's gotten too old to maintain it alone but you do your best to help him out.
5 years have passed since you've seen the blonde, eyes always searching for him during the Summer with no luck yet.
Visiting the pond where you both truly bonded, first kiss and first love. A love that still remains sweet in your memory like the Strawberry Wine you had shared together that night.
"Hey there Princess,"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Someone pull my cavity it's too sweet âșïžâșïž
In Your Eyes
Tamaki Amajiki x Gn!Reader
Summary: When two people meet eyes for the first time.
Warnings: Fluff, a little hostage situation, ProHeroAU, Togata has his quirk back, mentions death but no one dies,
When his eyes met yours it felt like the world had come to a stand still.
You had been walking down the street to go into work like normal, an everyday routine. A Villain had other plans though and had taken you hostage. You're unsure why it had to have been you, it could've been any other person, of course life loves to throw screw balls your way.
Hanging upside down in the air was terrifying, more so from the fear of being dropped. Someone had called that the Heros were on the way and you could only close your eyes in a silent prayer that they'd capture this guy before something worse happened.
"You all will bow before me! I dare anyone to try and stop the great Anpu!" Wait did this guy really call himself Anpu? "Uh sir, have you killed anyone?" You couldn't help but ask, I mean the name did mean God of Death.
It seemed like your question had stumped him, "U-uh well..no..no I haven't, BUT IM WILLING TO," he yelled at you. You could only roll your eyes, your fear from before completely gone at this armature Villain.
"Stop right there!" A voice had interrupted the conversation and caused you to look, there were two Heros down on the ground, one with bright blonde hair and a red cape, the other wearing a large white cloak, the hood pulled up to cover his face. Wait, was he shaking?
"Don't worry citizen, we'll save you!" The Hero, now recognized as Le Million from what other people called out, had shouted to you and you called out, "Take your time, no rush," this had taken everyone back. We're you not terrified?
The guy standing next to Le Million, now announced as Suneater had suddenly sent out a large Octopus tentacle and it wrapped around your waist as you were tugged in his direction, Le Million appearing out of no where and punching the Villain back onto the ground.
Closing your eyes due to the sudden pull, you felt two arms wrap around you. The feeling was tight yet not so snug you couldn't get out.
"You okay?" The deep voice asked, you opening your (e/c) eyes to look up into a pair of dark eyes that stared back at you.
The whole world seemed to have gone silent as you stared at eachother in wonderment. His eyes were dark but warm, reminding you of a dark stary night sky somewhere in the quiet of the mountains. You felt your face flush as you found your hands on his chest and his hands still around your waist. Was this a dream?
Tamaki on the other hand couldn't find it in him to pull away from you. Beautiful (e/c) eyes stared into his soul. He wanted to shy away from your eyes and your hands that lingered on his chest but at the same time he wanted to stay looking to your eyes.
The rich color was warm and inviting, pulling him in deeper as if it would quench the thirst of curiosity he now possed about you. Your eyes to him seemed to hold the whole world, reminding him of a sunrise where hope for a new day started.
He heard nothing, no more Villain or cheering citizens. Just you and him. Him and you. Two people alone in this world. Was this a dream?
"T-thank you," you smiled at him, your eyes seeming to glimmer even more with gratefulness and the sunlight hitting them just right that had his heart stopping.
"Y-You're wel-welcome," he stammered, his face now flushing yet you found it enduring, almost cute. His eyes drew you in more, causing you to unconsciously lean in closer to the flushing Hero who you felt squeeze you tighter.
Who knew the day could start out this amazing.
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Ayee a little shorter but wanted to focus more on the feelings than the plot. Let me know what yall think
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Uh, I'm sorry. This needs more likes because, holy fuck. đ đ„”
Summary: Hard Ren is known for not cumming during his scenes until now.
A/N: I'm biting on the bars of my enclose while i write this.
Warning: NSFW, spitting, choking, role playing, rough, happy ending, ladies we are porn stars too!
Word Count: 3.3K
Border Credit: @cafekitsune
Anyone who watches porn knows who Hard Ren is.Â
Hard Ren is known to have stamina like a fucking animal. He fucks like one and heâs good at it but what he is worldly known for is he never cums when he fucks. When he does cum itâs only when heâs masturbating.
Yeah, a porn star who doesnât cum when fucking other people. Hard Ren has done interviews about it. He jokes about it and tells them that his cock hasnât found the right person yet. This sparks something with the female porn star community because they all want to make him cum. None of them ever succeeded.Â
âKylo.â The dark haired man looked up from his phone when his manager, Hux stopped the car.Â
âWeâre here.â Kylo follows Hux out of the car and into the studio to his dressing room. Kylo performs his usual preparation before filming. 200 pushup and crutches. He curls his 150 pounds dumbbells along with lifting his barbell while Hux tells him more about the person heâs going to fuck. Kylo was in the middle of a rep when he heard Hux mumbling the name of the porn star.Â
âWhatâs her name again?âÂ
âSheâs new, you probably havenât heard of her but she has a fan base already. Not ugly like the last oneâ Hux told him while typing on his phone.Â
Finishing his usual preparation and getting dressed with the clothes laid out for him, Hux walks with him to the set. Kylo was fixing the sleeves of his blue jean button down shirt. He goes into the mind set as a teacher, that was the script. He's done this multiple times, he plays the college professor and the girl plays the student looking for extra credit.Â
His head shot up when he heard laughter. Director Phasma is standing next to a woman. Phasma is showing her the story board with a pleased look. When he saw you, heâs starstruck, since you were the one that he watches when he does his masturbating videos. He plays it cool, of course but the moment you give you a smile. His cock is already hard. His most viewed video of him masturbating was thanks to you. He came on his chest to the video of you on a bed with your legs spread and your cunt of full display. He liked your moans and how you pout while playing with yourself.Â
âI like your work.â You tell him as Hux and Phasma speak on the set. You look up at the 6â3 dark haired man while playing with your fingers nervously.Â
Excitement ran up and down your body at the sight of him. âI like yours too.âÂ
You smile at his words. He runs a hand through his hair with a chuckle. âEspecially the one with you on the bed.âÂ
"There's a lot of me on the bed." You said jokingly and he laughs. "I like them all."Â
You blush at his words. He had seen your work. When the camera was ready, you and him got into place.Â
âPlease, Professor Hard Ren. I need this extra credit. I wonât pass the semester.â You begged him as you walked towards him. Ren was leaning against the edge of the desk with his arms crossed around his chest. You played with the bottom button of his shirt
âThere might be something you can do for me.â Ren said, wrapping his arm around you pulling you close to him.Â
âIâll do anything.â You whispered as he leaned down, his large hands pulling the dress up to your hips.Â
âAnything?â He asks as he cups your ass, giving it a good and hard squeeze for the camera, making you moan. He pulls you close to his chest as he tugs the thong to the side.Â
âFuck.â You hear him whisper.
About to do what you do best, you start to tug on his belt. Ren leans back when he notices what you were doing. He helps you while you unzip the black slack and goes down on your knees in front of him. Your mouth drops open as you stare up at him as you pull the slacks down to his ankles. Heâs in full commando, and his cock almost smacks you in the face if you havenât caught it first. His cock was thick and pink, his fat head is begging to be licked.Â
Ren groans at the sight of your little pink tongue licking his cock. He grips the edge of the desk when you spit on his cock and start to use your spit as lube to start jerking him off with both hands. He tries his best to not shut his eyes because he wants to see you. He wants to see the moment you put his fat cock inside that little mouth.Â
He moans out loud when you start to suck his cock, gagging, his thick girth stretching your mouth.Â
âFuckk.â Ren moans when he starts to move his hips forward, he uses a hand to hold the back of your head. He feels his balls tighten up when he sees your eyes filling up with tears. His thighs are wet from the drool and spit. He can see the spit dripping off the corner of your mouth.Â
âYes, gonna give you a good grade. Keep sucking you teacher's cock.â He tells you as you bob your head up and down on his cock. He sees your pretty face start to turn red and he pulls you off of his cock. He grabs his cock and pats it against your cheek then trace your lips with the head of his cock.Â
âOpen your mouth, show me that fucking tongue.â You obey and he taps the head of his cock on your tongue.Â
âYouâre so fucking hot. You know that.â Ren leans down to take your arms. Helping you up, you were shocked when he cups your cheek, bringing your face up close to him. He kisses you while he gently pushes against the desk making you sit on the edge
You look at him with wide eyes when he pulls away from your lips. He takes his shoes off and removes his pants as well. For a moment you forget about the camera when he takes his shirt off. He looks so good on video but in person, this man was sculpted. You can see every beauty mark on his skin. Looking at his abs, you looked further down, passing the light happy trail, you can see a vein aiming down to his cock. It took all the strength in you to not throw yourself in the ground to lick it. His cock stood out, proud and hard.Â
He gets near you, grabbing you by the chin and kisses you again. He makes you spread your legs, pushing the dress up. He lets the camera panel over at your pussy when he pushes the thong to the side. Running his thick fingers run up and down your slick slit.
You donât even pay attention to the camera behind him. His thick fingers rub your clit making you moan as he kneels down in front of your cunt. You feel those thick fingers slide into you.
Heâs a messy and fast eater when it comes to pussy, he knows it but right now. He takes his time, he sees your cunt so many times while he comes. He couldnât believe you were right in front of him. Looking so pretty with legs spread and your pussy practically pulsing. He kisses your mound enjoying the scent of your musk. He grins at the sound of you gasp when his nose hits your clit. He presses his lips against your lips. Licking your slick, he gets hard by how good you taste.Â
He grins against your cunt when moan loudly. Your moans are heavenly to him, it sounds real and not fake as the others. He feels your fingers through his hair as you gently push his face against your cunt. Ren is pumping himself as he licks your cunt, he savors your taste. He looks up when he hears you call for him. He feels his heart flip inside his ribcage when you look down at him. He whines when your hand on his hair goes down to cup his face. Ren doesn't let you speak, he quickly stands up from his knees to kiss you.
You look over his shoulder when he starts to kiss your neck. Phasma waves her hand at you, signaling you that it's fine you didn't have to say your line. You couldnât do it even if you tried. Ren was taking control, removing your dress for you.Â
âPrettiest fucking tits.â He says as he leans down to kiss your breast. You blush when he practically pulls the desk close to him so he can get near you.Â
âI want to fuck you so bad.â He says as he looks at you, his hands grab a hold of your hips, spreading your legs open.Â
âYou can.â You told him looking up at him with a smirk, batting your eyelashes.Â
âIâll do anything for a good grade, Professor Ren.â You said as your hands grabbed his throbbing cock, slowly jerking him off, rubbing the tip of his cock with your thumb.Â
âJesus Christ.â Ren moans when you use the other hand to grasp his balls, pulling them softly. You watched as he stood still as you kept touching him, he threw his head back, you bit your bottom lip as you watched his tense up.Â
âCome here.â He tells you, you gasped when he wrapped your legs around his waist. You wrapped your arms around his neck as he picks you up from the desk and walked over the couch on the other side of the office set. You hear him whisper close to your ear, he tells you to relax, he wonât drop you.Â
The camera zooms on to your ass when Ren sits down on the couch, holding you tight on his lap. His big hands grasp your ass, pulling your cheeks apart showing your holes.
âCan I ride you, please?â You asked him and he grins, nodding as he leans back a bit. He smiles when he notices the excitement on your face. Quickly getting back to work, he groans as you spit on his cock, rubbing it up and down on his shaft.Â
âJust like that.â He praised you when you rose up and gently sat on his cock. His eyes never left your face, he wanted to see that look on your face when his fat cock splits you open. He bites his bottom lip when he sees your face, that same face you give to the camera when your pussy is being stuffed.
He holds your hips when you start to bounce on his cock. He thrust upward making you cry out, he grins and does it again. You place a hand on his chest, making him stay in place but Ren being much bigger than you does it again making you whine.Â
âCanât take it? Huh? Can't take your professor's big cock?â Ren asks you. He chuckles when you nod, pushing yourself on his chest then sliding back down. He grabs your arms pulling into his chest as he grunts sliding further down on the couch so the camera can go under him.Â
âGood girl.â He shouts as he started thrusting upward like crazy making you moan as he fucks you hard. Your ass bounces every time he thrusted up to you. Your poor pussy being stretched wide up, the camera zooms in to see Renâs cock sliding in and out of your pussy. Your slick is running down his shaft to his balls.Â
Your face is squished against his hard chest as he rams into you. He holds you down with one arm and the other, he brings it up to your face making him look up at you.Â
His nose bumps with yours and you see him going in for a kiss.Â
âYou feel so good.â You whispered against his lips then kiss him. You moan when his hand grips your hair making you wince when he pulls it.Â
He shakes his head, âNo, you do.â He licks his lips as he continues with his thrusts. He hears you moan loudly, it sounds so soft exactly like the video he uses of you.Â
âRub your pussy for me.â He doesnât wait for you to respond. You squeal when he grabs you and pushes himself up. He lifts you and drops you on your back. The camera man moves standing behind him, zooming into your face.Â
Spreading your legs wide, youâre smiling at Ren as he jerks himself off. His eyes are wide as he stares at you. He gets turned on even more by how much you're enjoying yourself, looking so pretty rubbing your cunt in front of him. You bring your knees to your chest as close as you can. Your arms go under your knees and you rub your clit, giving it soft smack making you moan.Â
Your fingers don't feel as good as his, you finger yourself while looking at him. Heâs staring at your cunt then back at your face. You stick your tongue out at him as you give your cunt another slap making him groan.Â
Youâre giddy with excitement when he comes over to you, he man handles you pushing your knees further back and lowers himself. You squeal when he smacks the head of his cock on your cunt.Â
âHow bad do you want an A+?â He asks you, raising a brow at you.Â
âReally bad, professor. I want it. Please.â You pouted at him.Â
You know he does it on purpose, he just looks down at you with a smug look on his face as he slides his cock up and down your slit painfully slowly. You huff at him and grab his cock, surprising him.Â
âI want that A+, sir!â You cry out pushing his cock at your entrance. You look at him with a pleading look and Ren thinks he just died and gone to heaven.Â
You keep on surprising him, taking control like that, grabbing his cock like you own it. Fuck, you practically did already. All of his masturbation videos ended with him cumming so much because he was looking at your videos. Of course the viewers didnât know that, the cameras were always aiming at him, at his lower half.Â
âIâll give you that A. Imma fucking give it to you.â You cry out when he thrusts into your cunt in one harsh thrust. Ren doesnât pay attention to the camera under him, all he can stare is your face, your tits bouncing by his harsh thrusts. You were losing your grip under the your legs, trying your best to keep them to your chest.Â
Ren wants to feel you cum, he wants you to cum on his cock. What a dream would that he thinks to himself as he brings a hand to your clit, rubbing your slick over it. Heâs rough with it, making you grin as you shut your eyes with pleasure.Â
âChock me.â You cry to him as you open your eyes to stare up at him.Â
âYou like that?â You nod quickly as he complies to your request. Ren groans loudly when he feels you clench around him when he grabs a hold of your neck, he can feel your heartbeat and it just makes him goes faster.Â
âOh-h-h fuck! Shit!â Ren shouts he holds the couch with one hand as he goes balls deep in you. He feels you holding his arm, his grip around your neck tighten and he throws his head back when he feels you cum.Â
You are crying his name and that was it for him. It broke him completely.Â
âCan-can I cum in you?â He shouts as he looks back at you. Youâre staring up at him with teary eyes still feeling the hard orgasm you just had.Â
âYes.â You said meekly, he removes his hand from your neck and holds your chin. Keeping your head in place, staring up at him as he thrust into your sloppy pussy.Â
In the corner of your eye, you see the director and the crew staring at both of you with wide eyes as Ren groans loudly. You canât help but whine when he does one last harsh thrust. He moves the couch and he keeps you in place as he fills your womb with his hot milky cum.Â
âF-fuck.â Ren moans as he releases your chin and slouches a bit. He cups your face as he tries to catch his breath. His thumb runs over your bottom lip and you do something that you have been craving to do since you saw his hands. Grabbing a hold of his wrist you stick his thumb in your mouth, sucking it as you stare up at him.Â
He feels his knees go weak and he pulls away and sits down next to you with a grunt. He has his head throw back over the couch as he sits there, with his limp cock.Â
Ren hears the camera man tell you to keep your knees to your chest. Phasma praises you and he opens his eyes to see you. Youâre playing with his cum, rubbing his cum all over your cunt and mound.Â
âFuck yeah.â A crew member whispers when you scoop Renâs cum dripping from your fucked hole up to your lips. You made a moaning sound as you tasted it, licking your lips seductively as the camera pans over to your face.
You walk out of the shower, thanking god that Phasma was a saint when it came to her workers. She had a shower installed in the dressing rooms. You really didnât want to go home with cum dripping out of you. Your manager had applaud to you and said Hard Ren just came because of you.Â
Feeling amazing after the hot shower, you got dressed with the extra clothes your manager packed for you. Fixing your hair, you grabbed your phone, looking at the recent messages from your manager. You frowned because she had sent you a message saying that she was waiting for you in the parking lot then a few seconds later. She sent you a message saying thereâs a surprise for you in the parking lot.Â
You didnât think much of it. You were still tired from having sex and you were starving. You just thought she was being like this because of the accomplishment you just did.
You walked to the exit still thinking about him, Ren. He was just as handsome in his videos and his cock was something to die for. You were feeling pretty good for making him cum. He looked so fucking hot cumming.Â
Pushing the door open you walked to the parking lot and frowned when you saw your manager wasnât there.Â
âHey.â You looked over your shoulder and saw Ren leaning against the building with a cigarette in his mouth. Heâs wearing different clothes as well, dark jeans with boots and a graphic tee. He had a leather jacket on and his hair was damp.Â
âHi.â You answered back and he gave you a soft smile.Â
âYou hungry?â He asks, throwing the cigarette on the ground after blowing a puff of smoke.Â
âStarving.â You tell him as he walks towards you. He bites his bottom lip and for a moment he looks a bit shy.Â
âMe too. I know a place. Wanna come with me?â You nod at him and give him a smile. You start walking with him out of the parking lot when he tells you his first name, Kylo.Â
Fine, I guess I'll work on writing fanfics again since I can fucking scroll anywhere to distract my ADHD
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TITLE: lights will guide you home
PAIRING: Bakugou Katsuki x Reader
SUMMARY: Soul-lights arenât as common in this day and age as they were in the past, before quirks, but theyâre common enough that people do still find their soulmates.
At thirteen, you meet Bakugou Katsuki, and he lights up for you in orange and gold. You tell him he's your soulmate. He sneers and tells you that you aren't his. He makes your adolescence miserable until you part ways.
You meet again as adults, late at night, in a grocery store, over a pile of bok choy. He apologizes for how he treated you when you were children.
(In which you have a choiceâto reject Bakugou's apology, reject him, or to let him show you the man he's become, to learn with him what it means to love and forgive.)
TAGS: soulmate au, trope inversion/subversion, slow burn, getting together, falling in love, fluff, aged up characters, pro-hero characters, eventual smut, mild bullying
STATUS: Ongoing
WORD COUNT: 22.1K
Chapter One: In which you meet your soulmate, and heâs nothing like you dreamed about. Chapter Two: In which you get your bok choy (mission accomplished), grapple with old feelings you have about Bakugou, and experience new ones. Chapter Three: In which you and Bakugou get coffee, and you really don't know what to make of him. Chapter Four: In which you bump into Pro-Hero Dynamight on the street, and he invites himself on your errand. Chapter Five: In which Bakugou does something nice and proves that he's grumpy not just in-person but through texts, too. Chapter Six: In which Japan thinks you're dating Pro-Hero Dynamight, and you desperately need that to not be a thing. Chapter Seven: In which Bakugou has a kitten photoshoot in your apartment. Chapter Eight: In which Bakugou continues to feed you, and you have a realization: Heâs handsome, it dawns on you. Itâs like wires rearrange in your head, and you canât stop looking at him. Chapter Nine: In which you find out running away from Bakugou is a bad idea, you become a familiar face at his agency, and he finds a way, as always, to make you feel cared for.
Read on AO3
UGH I LOVE THIS đâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïž
Summary: It was a bittersweet moment when Inarizaki lost to both Inarizaki's manager and Karasunoâs ace. What will happen next? Do the feelings stop there?
Word Count: 11.7K
Warnings: A lot of fluff. The slow burn is intense. This chapter is long because I wanted to add meaningful conversations. Spoilers for Season 4/Chapter 291! Dialogue from both sources. I donât own anything. Haikyu belongs to Furudate Haruichi! Also, I added a scene that I found adorable. The Tiktok creator (astrq.ella) translates the fanmade manga into English and it's so cute!! Go check it out!
A/N: Obviously, the dialogue of the twins, Aran, Kita, etc are from the anime and manga. I tried my best to keep the flow of speech going throughout this chapter. Lol idk if I can keep up but Iâll do my best! When am I going to edit that dialogue in the previous chapter? Well, your guess is as good as mine! Also, I apologize for the sudden hiatus, my life is crazy but I hope you enjoy this new chapter.
The match ended with a score of 30-32. With each team winning a set, the third and final set was their last chance to win, to advance, to stay alive in Nationals. The hunger to win was there. The sheer determination to win was there. The will, the passion, the⊠Well, everything. Each player on the Inarizaki had it all. They played with everything they had.
Atsumu proved to everyone, whether they were familiar with volleyball or not, how his setter skills were top tier and worthy to be labeled as the best high school setter. With his opponent being a setter that attended the same All-Japan Training Camp, he was pushed to another level to become a star setter.
Osamu covered for any tiny mistake his brother made during the match. The unspoken intuition between him and his brother every time he scored a point through their version of Karasunoâs quick attack. Never before had he felt so hungry during a match.
Aran played his role as the ace more than ever. With each difficult pass that was made, he made sure to call out for the ball and with his strength he scored a point for his team. The title of ace suited him as he proved it with each service ace and spikes that broke through Karasunoâs blocks. Gin followed his senpaiâs footsteps closely as he scored points through difficult blocks and receiving difficult passes.Â
Omimi kept up his blocking skills all throughout the match, turning Karasunoâs possible points into their points through his blocks. The same can be said with Suna. The middle blocker, despite his deadpan expression, didnât slack off as per usual. He lived up to his title as one of the best middle blockers in Nationals as he kept his sharp game sense and surprised his opponents with his wide-range spike.
Akagi did his best as lead libero. He saved the team on multiple occasions through his receives. His eyes focused on the ball more than anything as he commanded his body to follow after it. With each received he made, it brought a sense of security to his teammates to continue playing. He was the cornerstone for his teamâs defense and wasnât about to slack off, not even for a second.
Kita kept his plays consistent all the while keeping the rambunctious second-years in check. But ever so often, the match brought out a side of him that hasnât been felt for a long time. Karasuno wasnât like any other team. Every player on that team pushed his teammates to their limits so many times that it made him crack a smile or two throughout the game. Karasuno were worthy opponents.
Even the first years challenged themselves to play. They didnât hold anything back.Â
And yetâŠÂ
âItâs a madhouse in here!â The announcerâs loud voice filled the arena of the crowdâs uproar. âThe entire Tokyo gymnasium is shaking with the roar of the crowd!â
The Inarizaki manager was the first to snap out of it. She didnât realize how loud it was before until now. The last sound she heard was the sound of the ball hitting their side of the orange court. Everything after that felt muffled in a sense as she stood there motionless.
(Y/N) looked at her team. With the exception of their chests moving, no one made an effort to walk off the court. Whether they were too tired to move or they were in disbelief at their loss, (Y/N) knew that her friends were taking this loss harder than usual.Â
They were so closeâŠ
âWe lost.â It helped saying those two words out loud. It didnât lessen the sting obviously, but it confirmed her reality.Â
Even more so when she saw how unbelievably happy Karasuno looked. Her eyes automatically looked for Asahi. When her eyes landed on his jersey number, her wounded heart swelled up with admiration. Under the bright gym lights, Asahi looked unbelievably happy as his arms wrapped around his teammates. He, along with his friends, were hugging the two first-years that made the incredible block against the twinsâ attack.Â
The scene made her smile bittersweetly. While she was sad that her team was no longer able to advance, losing the match to Karasuno didnât feel too awful. The match was almost like a battle of wills. Everyone was fighting for a point. No one gave up, not even when the odds were against them.Â
There was no way around it, Karasuno won fair and square and while this didnât mean the end of the world for her⊠Today marks the end of her Spring Tournament journey⊠Wow. Third year brings out a different perspective more than anything.
(Y/N) reminded herself to breathe. She looked for Kita. Unsurprisingly, the captainâs observant gaze was on her already. He always had a knack in knowing what she was feeling. It has been like that since their first year. The two smiled at each as they were thinking the same thing.
They couldnât be any prouder of their entire team.
âItâs time to line up.â Coach Kurosu instructed with Coach Ćmi following behind.
She nodded and wordlessly grabbed the white picket sign that showed her schoolâs name. The manager waited for her captain to step next to her. Once he did, she gave the sign in his hands. Their eyes met and (Y/N) knew he was going to be okay.Â
Everyone lined up on either side of the net; their Karasuno counterpart right in front of them. (Y/N) looked ahead and she smiled when she was met with Kiyokoâs teary-eyed expression. She hoped those tears were of happiness and not of pity for her and her team. In unison, everyone bowed down and thanked each other for the game.
After standing back up, the players stepped forward to shake hands. (Y/N), along with the coaches, did the same.Â
âThat was a great game.â (Y/N) told her when they shook hands. âAnyone who says Karasunoâs a fallen powerhouse is kidding themselves.â
Kiyoko wiped away the tears that threatened to fall at her new friendâs words. âThank you. You donât know how much this means to us.â
(Y/N) let out a good-natured chuckle. âYou have a great team, Kiyoko. Take care of them because the competition is going to be even fiercer.â
âI will⊠And (Y/N)?â
âHm?â
âIâm sorry-
âDonât be.â The Inarizaki manager cuts her off. âDonât apologize. You never know whatâs going to happen. All we can do is our best and keep moving forward. Okay?â
âOkay.âÂ
âGood.âÂ
The girls smiled at each other. To Kiyokoâs surprise, (Y/N) gave her a tight hug. It took her a second but Kiyoko managed to hug back. The loud cheers of the arena along with the announcerâs voice almost made it impossible to hear (Y/N)âs next words but she still heard them all the same: âKeep winning.â
Kiyoko pulled away first as she gave her friend a determined nod. âWe will.â
(Y/N) smiled at her one last time before following her teammates. She stood next to Kita in front of the Inarizaki cheer section. She scanned the crowd to see her fellow classmates and friends. They had tears streaming down their faces but it didnât stop them from clapping or shouting words of encouragement.Â
In the corner of her eye, she saw how frustrated Atsumu looked. Anyone who had eyes can tell by the expression he wore.Â
With furrowed brows and a small pout to accompany it, Atsumu muttered under his breath, âCâmon. Boo us. Losers donât need no consolation applause.â
To his surprise, one of the older fans called him out. âShut yer mouth, Atsumu, ya little dimwit!â
(Y/N) smirked when her underclassman was taken aback; heâs probably thinking how on earth did the man see right through him.Â
âItâs scrawled all over yer face, ya idjit!â The fan yelled at him, confirming (Y/N)âs theory from before. She didnât miss the way Osamu smirked at his brother, most likely thinking he was a idiotic moron.
âA GOOD GAMEâS A GOOD GAME, AND WEâRE GONNA TELL YOU IT WAS A GOOD GAME! YOU GOT THAT?!â
While the loss did sting, the fanâs words gave her a sense of pride. Everyone rallied behind the fanâs statement. The claps became louder. They shouted each memberâs names, including her own, telling them it was a great game. They even brought out the hand-made signs that had their names on it and carried them proudly over their heads. (Y/N)âs eyes swept over the crowd until she was met with Kitaâs grandmotherâs gaze.
She met the older woman before on multiple occasions. Kita Yumie was the ideal grandmother as she wore a gentle smile that matched her kind eyes. The fact that she showed up to their game only proved how much she cared for her grandson and his team. Not to mention she wore a hand-made sweater that said âGood Luck Shinsukeâ.
It didnât help when the elder woman mouthed, âIâm proud of you all.â
(Y/N) could feel her tears well up around her eyes. She blinked rapidly to gain control but there was always that one tear that ended up escaping down her cheek. Her hand quickly wiped it away before her team saw. But, as always, the Inarizaki captain was watching.
He patted her back and gave her the same gentle smile that he shared with his grandmother. The smiles were almost identical.Â
Wordlessly, everyone bowed to the Inarizaki cheering section and shouted, âTHANK YOU VERY MUCH!â
~
As Coach Kurosu and Kita delivered their post-game interviews, (Y/N) busied herself with packing everything up. Once she deemed everything was accounted for, she zipped up her bag and took one last look at the orange court. It was bittersweet to say the least.Â
âCanât forget this.â Aran came up to her, her maroon Inarizaki jacket in his hand. âYâalright?â
(Y/N) smiled at her friend and nodded as she put on her jacket. âI should be asking you that, Aran.â
The ace shrugged. âIt hasnât sunk in yet, yâknow?â
She hummed in agreement. âI keep expecting to wake up but I pinched myself enough times to know this is real.â
The two third-years walked towards the crowd of journalists where their friend/captain continued to answer questions. As they waited on the sidelines, Aran couldnât help but steal glances at his manager. Which of course didnât go unnoticed by her.Â
âSomething wrong, Aran?â
He took a moment to find the right words before he spoke, âThat samurai guy⊠He made some great plays.â
âHe did, didnât he?â (Y/N) recalled Asahiâs top moments of the match. A smile graced her lips when she remembered the moment Asahi feinted a spike that surprised both Aran and Akagi. She can tell by the look of his face that he didnât mean to do that, all the while Inarizakiâs ace and libero glared at him. âEven our own fans cheered him on at one point.â
âI know right? But I couldnât blame them for cheerinâ.â Aran sighed as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. He mentally winced as he recalled the time Karasunoâs #3 received his spike with his shoulder. He didnât want to brag but he knew for a fact that his spikes were strong. No doubt Azumane is going to have a bruise that will last a few days. âHeâs definitely a strong ace.â
âYou guys shook hands, right? Did you tell him something?â (Y/N) asked her friend, curiosity getting the best of her.Â
Aran nodded. âYeah, I told him something.â
(Y/N) waited for him to continue but when he didnât say anything else she stepped in front of him. âWell? What did you tell him? You didnât say anything mean, did you? Heâs sensitive and-â
Her mini interrogation was cut off when Aran laughed and said, âRelax, (Y/N). I didnât say anything mean.â
âThen what did you tell him?â She asked again, getting slightly annoyed by Aranâs secrecy.
âDonât worry about it. Itâs a guy thing.â
Oh, you suck.â (Y/N) pouted as she punched his arm repeatedly. âAnd here I thought you were the one guy that I can trust unconditionally. Guess Kita is the only one.â
âAww. Donât be like that.â Aran swung his arm over her shoulder and brought her in for a side hug. âAfter all weâve been through these last three years, youâre just gonna toss me away like that?â
(Y/N) let out a small yelp when she felt Aranâs hand ruffle her hair. âHey! My hair! It took me all morning to make it look good.â
âOh?â Aran gave her a teasing smile that could rival the twinsâ. âYou never do your hair for matches. You tryinâ to impress samurai guy?â
âS-Shut up! Whatâs wrong with me trying to look good?â (Y/N) defended, hoping Aran didnât see through her tough act. âAre you really not going to tell me what you told him?â
Aran laughed and shook his head. âNope!â
âFine. Iâm sure Kita would tell me.â She said before pulling away from the aceâs embrace. She wrinkled her nose before covering it. âYou stink.â
(Y/N) opened her bag and gave him a clean towel. Aran huffed but didnât argue because he knew he didnât exactly smell like roses. He wiped away the sweat around his face and neck when he noticed his captain coming towards them.
âLooks like Kitaâs done.â
âYou guys were waiting for me?â Kita asked his friends. âYou didnât have to.â
âItâs tradition.â Aran pointed out. âWe always walk together off the court.â
âItâs been like this since our first-year, Kita. Remember? Why would we change it now?â She added.
Kita hummed as his heart stirred at his friendsâ words. âI guess not but letâs go. The next match is going to start soon and we shouldn't get in the way.â
He walked forward, missing the way his friends shared a knowing look. Together, the Inarizaki captain, ace, and manager made their way to the rest of the team that were patiently waiting for them.
Along the way, (Y/N) took the chance to ask the same question she asked Aran and hoped he would give her the answer she was hoping for. To her dismay, Kita gave her a soft smile and said, âAran only told your friend the obvious.â
(Y/N) sighed. âYou wound me, Shinsuke. I thought you were my friend. My best friend who would tell me everything. My good friend who should have my back after everything we went through. My-â
âGive it up, (Y/N).â Aran laughed at her attempt to guilt trip Kita. âI told ya itâs a guy thing.â
âThatâs the lamest excuse Iâve ever heard.â (Y/N) complained as both captain and ace smirked at her.Â
The third-year trio met up with their team and together they departed to the sub-arena. As they walked down the stairs, (Y/N) could practically feel her underclassmen heavy stares on her back. It was only a matter of time before someone said something.
Itâs almost comical how she was able to call stuff out before they even happened, especially when the twins asked for Kita. Judging by the guilty expressions on their faces, it wasnât hard to figure out what they were going to say.
In unison, the twins began their apology. âUm⊠Weâre sorry-âÂ
But, as usual, Kita was one step ahead of them as he interrupted their speech. âWhat? Gonna apologize to me so you can feel a bit better about yourselves?â
Standing next to the captain, (Y/N) shivered under her jacket at Kitaâs seemingly ice cold words and she wasnât the only one who felt the effects. The Miya twins straightened up their posture and with similar embarrassed expressions they yelled, âWha?! N-No! Course not!â
(Y/N) grinned at the second-yearsâ panicked response. Sheâs going to miss those two when she graduates in a couple of months.Â
Kita smirked to himself and waved his hand in dismissal. âI know, I know. Sorry.â His expression changed into a pensive one. âBut⊠I think you should save the apologies for when youâve done something wrong.â
Atsumu and Osamuâs eyes seemed to glimmer under the light, taking their captainâs words to heart.
Kita continued. âI donât think you made a mistake by choosinâ to do that quick set right then. I thought you were gonna score too⊠Though I hafta say I hate the idea of tryinâ stuff in real games that we ainât done in practice first.â
The twins grimaced as their eyes looked at the ground with great interest. They looked so guilt-ridden because they knew Kita had a point.Â
âStill,â (Y/N) spoke up, causing everyone to perk up. âThe fact you guys were able to copy that quick attack on your first try was amazing. Iâve never seen anything like that.â
Aran nodded. âAnd that last rally there⊠We probably just picked the wrong guys to try it against.â
âI agree.â Kita said as he recalled the matchâs final moments. âWhen you two get all fired up and gung-ho-like⊠You usually leave everybody else back behind you in the dust.â He paused, recalling Karasunoâs so-called âfreakâ duo before continuing. âBut this once, the other guys were just as fired up and gung-ho-like as you two⊠It was amazinâ right?â
The captain couldnât help the smile that grew on his lips and (Y/N) couldnât help but smile as well. It was a rare sight to see her friend smile but it never failed to warm her heart. Kita began his descent down the stairs but not before saying, âIt ainât every day you get to play a game like that against a team like that. We got real lucky⊠Good for you.â
(Y/N) chuckled at how her underclassmen looked so shocked after hearing Kitaâs touching words. They must have thought heâd be his stoic self. They donât realize that heâs happy that his teammates found worthy opponents in Karasuno.
âWaitâŠâ Atsumu said. âKita-san was smiling just now, wasnât he?â
âYeah.â Osamu confirmed, his eyes following his upperclassman.
Riseki stepped beside Atsumu and added, âI caught him smiling bunches during the game.â
âBunches?!/Yer kiddinâ.â The twins exclaimed at the same time, not believing the first-yearâs statement.
They looked at their manager, mentally asking her if it was true. Their jaws dropped when she nodded and said, âHeâs not a robot, you guys. Kita can smile. Donât act so surprised when he shows his feelings.â
Kita stopped in his tracks when he heard his managerâs words. He stood there in silence, contemplating his next words that could leave a lasting impression on his team.Â
After a moment, he admitted his feelings, âStill, for some reason Iâm awfully frustrated. Now, I did everything I could proper and I did it right. I can say I donât have any regrets and mean it as the honest truth. Results like winning and losing, theyâre still just side effects that happen when Iâm doin what I oughta be doinâ. But⊠Itâs funny.â
The captain of the Inarizaki volleyball team turned to look at his teammates. His eyes met with each one along with his rare gentle smile that surprised the first and second-years.Â
ââWell? Isnât my team amazing?â I wanted to say that even more.â
(Y/N) opened her mouth to say something but she was left speechless after listening to Kitaâs speech. She tried so hard to contain her tears but it was no use. Her strong facade crumbled with each tear streaming down her face. Kitaâs words etched into her heart and she hoped her juniors will continue to work hard in the future. At the thought of her juniors, (Y/N) glanced up at them only to see they were tearing up as well. Suna was the only one who remained tear-free but (Y/N) knew him well enough to know heâs feeling the same way as everyone else.
As she tried to compose herself, Osamu tearfully spoke up, âPlease keep saying it, senpai.â
Atsumu followed up and declared, âWeâll be the kind of teammates you can brag about to your great-grandkids.â
Kita looked up to the ceiling with a hopeful look on his face. His smile grew even more after hearing the twinsâ promise.
âI look forward to it.âÂ
And with that, the third-year captain turned around and continued to walk down the stairs. The rest of the Inarizaki team were left spellbound, too stunned to move an inch.Â
âCome on. Letâs hurry up and get changed.â Kita advised them. He looked at his friends and his eyes softened when he saw the state (Y/N) and Aran was in. âYou guys okay?â
(Y/N) couldnât help the small chuckle that escaped her lips. Automatically, her arms wrapped around him and hugged her friend tightly. It took a few seconds but she soon felt him hug back. Then she felt another pair of arms around them and it didnât end there. In less than ten seconds, her and Kita were in the center of a massive group hug.
Inarizakiâs motto stated that they didnât need the memories, but with this heartfelt moment she was experiencing⊠(Y/N) hoped her teammates would make an exception because she will definitely hold this memory close to her heart.
âYou guys are the best. I wouldnât manage any other team. Thank you for the last three years!â
It went without saying there wasnât a single dry eye amongst the group.
âTHANK YOU SENPAI!â
~Meanwhile in the baggage storage area~
Asahi never felt so exhausted before in his entire life. This match was, without a doubt, on his list of top three most difficult matches. The adrenaline from before seemed to evaporate the moment he stepped away from the court. He was sure he looked like the dictionaryâs definition of tired. Despite the exhaustion and the victory under his belt, he felt conflicted.
He hasnât seen (Y/N) since the final line up and he wondered if she was okay. Her team came close to winning. The last rally was really a battle of wills between his team and hers. He could only imagine the sting of hurtful defeat the moment the ball fell onto their court. And with (Y/N) being a third-year, it was her last chance to be with her team in Nationals.
Now her chance is gone⊠Asahi couldnât help but feel a bit responsible for that.Â
Which is why his eyes keep glancing at the entrance every five minutes, hoping to see her and talk for a minute. Even after he cleaned up and dressed back into his normal clothes, there was still no sign of the girl that made him nervous yet confident all at the same time.
It didnât help how tired he felt. He yawned for what seemed like the fourth time today, but his tired eyes kept focus on the entrance.Â
âYo Asahi! You look like the walking dead.â Suga jested, sitting down next to him. âEverything okay?â
âJust tired. My arms feel like theyâre going to fall off.â
Suga laughed and repeatedly slapped his aching back. âBut you were great out there! You looked so dependable.â
Asahi let out a nervous chuckle. âThanks. I didnât want to let the team down.â
âOh yeah? And here I thought you were just showing off for a certain Inarizaki manager. I caught (Y/N) smiling when you made that awesome service ace.â
âYou did?â He hoped Suga wasnât pulling his leg. The thought of (Y/N) smiling because of him felt too good to be true.Â
Asahi wished he could have seen that smile but with how intense each set was he could only afford the briefest of glances in her direction. Thankfully, there was a moment they shared together that felt like an eternity.Â
It was during a time out and he was intensely listening to Coach Ukaiâs instructions. Kiyoko just handed him his water bottle and a clean white towel to which he gratefully took. He wiped away the beads of sweat that formed on his neck and face before taking a drink. As he took in the cold refreshing drink, his eyes drifted to the other side of the net where the Inarizaki players were huddled together. And there was (Y/N), doing the same thing as Kiyoko as she handed her teammates their water. She just gave her setter his water when she looked up and met his gaze.
His heart began to beat wildly against his chest and it had nothing to do with the high caliber game that was going on. Then she gave him that smile, the same smile that made him all warm and fuzzy on the inside, along with a small wave. His face began to burn bright red and for a few seconds he forgot how to breathe. Unfortunately, during those few seconds he was drinking his water which led to him having a small choking episode. Luckily, it wasnât too bad so when he looked up and saw (Y/N)âs worried expression, wordlessly asking him if he was okay. Touched that she was worried for him, Asahi gave her a small nod and hoped it was enough to reassure her.Â
The interaction lasted about maybe 45 seconds before the referee signaled for the game to continue but those 45 seconds were committed into memory, something he will cherish for a long time. He wondered if (Y/N) thought the sameâŠÂ
âAre you remembering how you choked on your water when you looked at (Y/N)?â Suga laughed. âI thought you were going to pass out! Then we wouldâve been in real big trouble!â
âI-It wasnât that bad.â Aashi protested though he could feel his cheeks beginning to warm up. Trying to hide his blush, he grabbed a towel and wiped away the nonexistent sweat from his face. âShe just surprised me, is allâŠâ
Suga grinned at him. âHow is it that you two are so adorably cute yet you guys arenât even together?â
âSorry?â The ace apologized with a confused look on his face because honestly he didnât know what he was apologizing for.Â
âNever mind. By the way, did Inarizakiâs ace say something to you when we shook hands?â
Asahi recalled that moment with Ojiro Aran. âYeah, he did. He didnât say anything bad. Just wished us luck in the next round.â
It was trueâŠish. His Inarizaki counterpart did wish him luck as well as some advice, something he wasnât quite ready to share with his friends just yet.
âHuh, well thatâs nice of him. He looks like a cool guy. The kind you want to hang out with, you know?â Suga remarked.
Asahi nodded. His eyes took a quick glance at the entrance, hoping to see the familiar maroon-colored Inarizaki jackets. He tried not to look disappointed when he didnât see anyone on the team.
âI just canât believe that Aran guy!â Suga exclaimed. âHe was on a roll so many times. I canât believe he jumped for the ball not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES!â
âUh-huh.â
Suga furrowed his brow at his friendâs lack of active response. He was just about to ask him whatâs wrong when he took one look at his face. It didnât take a genius to figure out what was on his mind.
âLighten up, Asahi, Iâm sure your future girlfriend will walk through those doors any minute now.â
Another wave of heat washed over him as he tried to stutter out a reply. âI-Itâs been a while. I wanted to talk with her before we go back to the inn.â
Initially, Suga was going to poke fun at the fact Asahi didnât deny the âfuture girlfriendâ part but he decided against it.Â
âIâm sure sheâs with her team right now, Asahi. They lost their place in the Spring Tournament so they must be torn up. After all, they were the favorites to win this whole thing.â
âYeah, I know. That's why I want to talk with her to see if sheâs okay. I mean I know sheâs a third-year so this is her last year, so I canât help but feel bad.â
âI thought you guys agreed on being cool whatever the outcome was?â Suga asked.
âDoesnât mean I canât feel bad for her.â Asahi countered. âI mean, Iâm happy we won but⊠I donât know⊠I wished it was different.â
Suga sighed but he understood where his sensitive friend was coming from. âI get it, Asahi, but you also need to stand proud for what you accomplished, itâs almost like a slap in the face to her and her team if you donât. Iâm sure if (Y/N)-san was here, sheâll agree with me.â
Asahi slightly grimaced but he couldnât find any fault in Sugaâs advice. After all, he did make an agreement with (Y/N) before the match started that they would stay on good terms whatever the results may be. Still, the thought of her being sad, especially when he was the cause of it, made his heart tighten in anxiety.
The ace was brought out of his thoughts when he felt Sugaâs hand on his shoulder, âJust breathe. Everything will work out in the end. So quit giving yourself a panic attack.â
âRight.âÂ
Following his friendâs advice, Asahi took a deep breath to calm his nerves and to get rid of the worst case scenarios in his head. It was difficult to say the least with each passing minute and there was still no sign of (Y/N) or her team. During the time he waited, he made the choice to sit on the bench closest to the entrance.Â
Asahi was very much aware of the stares from the other players but he didnât take it to heart. Instead, he kept his cool composure while his hands were balled up inside his black jacket. Thatâs when he felt his phone and an idea formed at once. He quickly pulled out his phone, clicked (Y/N)âs contact, but then stared at the blinking cursor.
âWhat should I text her? Something short and sweet? No, it should be something meaningful. But if I do that then it will be a super long text and it might freak her out⊠Gah! Why is it so hard making a good text?â
âListen up everybody!â Coach Ukai announced loudly. âWe leave in a few minutes. Get your stuff and head outside.â
Focused on the task at hand, his mind wracked for the right words that would check off the metaphorical checklist of the perfect text. After a few rough drafts and deleting a few words here and there, Asahi was more or less sure, 85% sure, he wrote a good enough text. All he had to do was press the send button.
His thumb hovered over the button for a moment and at the same time his heart was beating like crazy. Itâs unbelievable how nervous (Y/N) made him even when sheâs not physically there next to him. He wished he could at least see her.
âChop! Chop! Man-bun! Our ride is here!âÂ
Asahi shuddered under Coach Ukaiâs nickname designed specifically for him. Without thinking, he hurried to pocket his phone, grabbed his bag, and joined his team. He looked over his shoulder one last time before following his team to the bus. Once he sat down, he took out his phone and opened up his messages when his heart jumped to his throat.
Message sent.
His message to (Y/N) has been delivered.Â
He must have accidently sent it when he was getting his stuff together when Coach Ukai called him out. Maybe it was for the best. He wasnât mentally ready to send the text but perhaps it was for the best. A little push from the gods to give him a little boost of confidence.
Now all he could do was wait for her reply. The anticipation of her response was suspenseful to say the least. Either way, at least he could breathe a bit more easily now that his text message was sent. He just wished he had another chance to talk with her.
~
(Y/N) stood right next to Suna as they all stood in line underneath their Inarizaki banner. Her attention focused on Riseki who was pointing the camera, ready to take the commemorative photo Kita had asked for. She put on her best smile and placed her hand on her hip, ready for the picture to be taken.
She felt a subtle shift in her hair and automatically her other hand went to pinch Sunaâs arm as she knew how childish the middle blocker was for making bunny ears from behind.Â
âReally, Suna?â She quietly chided, making sure to keep her smile on for the camera. âBunny ears? What are you? Nine?â
âDonât know what youâre talking about, senpai.â
âWatch yourself, Suna. I know your phoneâs passcode. Donât tempt me.âÂ
Suna pouted slightly before removing his hand away. Heâll just have to time it the moment the picture is taken. Easy enough.
âReady? Say cheese!â Riseki called out.
Ding! (Y/N)âs phone alerted her that she received a text message.
Bi-Bip! Kashik! The camera took the picture without a hitch.
Multiple events happened at once the moment Riseki took the picture. What was supposed to be a normal commemorative picture that enshrined Inarizakiâs great volleyball players turned out nothing of the usual. Everyone gathered around the first-year to look at the picture, hoping it turned out alright. It didnât take long for opinions and excuses to start flying all around.
âWhat the heck, Samu!â Atsumu exclaimed to his brother. âLook at the camera, wouldja!â
Osamu shrugged his shoulders and offered his excuse, âI thought I caught a whiff of curry cominâ from outside.â
âCurry? Youâre imagining things!â Ginjima laughed but he wouldnât be surprised if the ever-so-hungry Miya was right.
Suna joined in on the banter as he said, âYouâre hallucinating smells now? Scary.âÂ
âLike youâve got room to talk, Suna!â Aran called out the middle blocker. âYou werenât lookinâ at the camera, neither! Or you, Akagi!â
The libero offered the ace a smile. âI was thinkinâ maybe we oughta go call coach.â
Ćmimi sighed while closing his eyes at his teamâs antics. He looked at Riseki, who stared wordlessly at the cameraâs screen with a sweatdrop rolling down his face. âTime it better next time.â
Suna took one more look at the picture and his lips formed a smile when he saw his bunny ears hand gesture behind (Y/N)âs head. Even with the silly hand gesture unbeknownst to (Y/N), the manager looked effortlessly beautiful with her smile. He was sure if the president of the yearbook club were to see this picture, he wouldnât hesitate to put it front and center of the dedicated pages because of their lovely manager that could charm any guy with a smile.
Speaking of their manager, Suna never heard her opinions about the picture. He looked up and his eyes searched for her. It didnât take long to find her. She was in the same spot as she was in the photo though this time with her phone in hand. Come to think of it, he remembered her phone notifying her that she received a message.
Who could be texting her? He had a pretty good guess.
âYo.â He called out to (Y/N) before peering over her shoulder. His eyes strained to read the screen before she quickly pressed her phone to the chest. âIs the samurai guy texting you already?â
She turned around and gave him a soft glare. âQuit sneaking up behind me, Suna.â
Suna ignored his managerâs words as he swung his arm over her shoulders. âDonât dodge the question. Iâm right, arenât I?â
â... Maybe.â (Y/N) smiled up at her friend. âHow did the picture come out? Are we taking another one?â
âNah. I think Kita-senpai liked it. Said it looked just like us or something like that. You looked great compared to the rest of us.â
(Y/N) playfully rolled her eyes, âI would hope so. You guys need a shower. Like badly.â
âI take it back. You looked horrible.â Suna huffed in what was supposed to be annoyance but the third-year manager knew better as she saw the playful glint in his eyes. âNow I donât feel bad for doing bunny ears behind your back.â
âYouâre such a rascal. Just wait, Iâll get even with you.â (Y/N) informed him with a mischievous glint in her (E/C) eyes. Â
âI like to see you try.â Suna remarked as he removed his arm away from her.Â
Ever the observer, he looked for any signs of sadness that (Y/N) may be hiding. Todayâs loss was a harsh reality for the entire teamâs expectations to make it far into this competition. Heâll never admit it to anyone but he did try his hardest to help his team win. He wanted to keep playing more matches with the third-yearsâŠÂ
âYou okay?â He asked her after sharing a moment of silence. âYou can tell me the truth. I wonât tell anyone.â
(Y/N) couldnât help but let out a light chuckle, leaning her head back to look at the gym lights. She replayed all the best moments from the match with a fond smile across her lips. There were no regrets at all as she answered, âHonestly and strangely, I feel fine. I know you guys played your best against them so thatâs all I could ask for. If anything, Iâm grateful for Karasuno because I know for a fact this loss will only push everyone, including you, to become better. â
Suna frowned at the idea of the extra drills and long practices that will no doubt be inevitable. But before the tiring thought could take over his entire mind, the sudden urge to win against Karasuno grew tenfold. By this time next year, Inarizaki will come out victorious.
âI havenât lost you, have I, Suna?â (Y/N) asked in a teasing tone. âHow on earth are you going to manage your third-year?â
âDonât ask.â Suna groaned. âYouâve been with us since day one. Itâs going to be weird without you and the rest of the third-years around. Weâll miss you.â
(Y/N) bit her lip in order to contain the laugh that threatened to slip out. âIâm not dying, Suna. I canât stay in high school forever.â
âNot forever. Just stay another year with us.â Suna clarified.
âTempting offer but this girl would like to step out into the real world. Besides, donât pretend you arenât going to send me daily texts. Iâm counting on your videos to cheer me up.â (Y/N) smiled one more time at Suna before patting his back. âNow, come on. Letâs get going. We wouldnât want to keep everyone waiting.â
âOh? Whatâs the rush? Eager to see samurai-guy again?â
She could feel herself getting warm from Sunaâs line of questions. Though it didnât stop her from saying, âHis name is Azumane Asahi.â
Suna exhaled but still smiled nonetheless. âIf he cares for you, the same way you care for him then I guess Iâll remember his name.â
(Y/N) smiled at Suna and nodded. As the middle blocker made his way to follow the rest of the team, the manager slowly trailed after him. She took out her phone and reread the text Asahi sent her.
Hey (Y/N)-san. I donât know if you want to hear from me or not but I hope you do. I wanted to talk with you face-to-face but Iâm about to leave. I was waiting for you but I guess you were busy? I mean, I understand if you were. So if youâre free and if thereâs any chance we could talk in person somehow, could you text me back? I want to explain myself to you (if that makes sense). Please⊠Thanks.
Even with words on a phone screen, (Y/N) can feel how anxious Asahi must have been when writing this message. It was almost adorable in a way. Then again, the fact that he said he waited for her really had her heart skip a beat.
She quickly typed her response:
Hi Asahi! Iâm sorry we couldnât meet up after the match. We were taking a picture and it took longer than expected lol. Iâm sorry you waited for me. I wanted to talk with you too. Congrats on winning! It was a great game! If itâs okay with you, do you want to meet up tonight? Our coach is taking us out to eat so Iâll text you when weâre back at the hotel.Â
It didnât take long for another message to show up and she felt herself smile like a fool in love when she opened and read Asahiâs text.
If itâs no trouble then yeah letâs meet up. Enjoy your meal and see you soon.
(Y/N) smiled to herself once more as she held her phone close to her heart. She couldnât wait to see him again.Â
~Hours Later~
âSAMU!! QUIT STEALING MY ONIGIRI!!âÂ
âIT WAS MINE FIRST AND YOU KNOW IT!!â
(Y/N) sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time today but the amused smile never left her lips as she watched the twins continue to bicker. The other third-years sitting next to her also watched in amusement while adding their own comments.
âIâm gonna miss this.â (Y/N) confessed when she took a sip of her drink. âYou can always count on the twins for entertainment.â
âRight? Itâs going to be weird without hearing their arguments.â Aran laughed.
âOr separating their fights once every two weeks.â Akagi added.
âTheyâll be fine.â Kita spoke up from the center of the table. âThey all will.â
And strangely enough, no one doubted the captainâs words. (Y/N) had no doubt in her mind that by this time next year, their juniors will make it to Nationals once again and when that time comes, sheâll be there.Â
âHey (Y/N)-senpai? Youâre still treating me to dessert, right?â Osamu asked from across the table. Sticky pieces of rice danced around his mouth but still had that hungry look in his eyes.Â
âHUH?! If he gets dessert, then I should too!â Atsumu proclaimed.
Yeah. Sheâll definitely be there for them.Â
~
After leaving the restaurant with stomachs filled with ramen, curry, onigiri, and other delicious meals, the Inarizaki manager took her phone out and texted Asahi that she was on her way back to the hotel. With each passing minute, (Y/N) could feel herself become excited yet nervous at the same time. It wasnât long until the familiar building of her hotel was right in front of her.
On the walk back to the hotel, she was laughing along with the rest of the third-years when she heard her name being called from outside the group.Â
âAsahi!â (Y/N) greeted him with a wave. It was almost natural to have a smile on her lips; the crush she had on Karasunoâs ace was so obvious. She can practically feel her face burn with all the warm fuzzy feelings against Januaryâs chilly air.Â
âH-Hey (Y/N)!â He waved at her before giving the crowd of boys a nod of acknowledgement. His mind racked for the right words to say to them, but having ten or so guys staring (were they glaring at him?) made it almost impossible. Still, Asahi found the ability to speak and without stuttering he said, âHey guys. Er, nice to see you again.â
While the first-years were too scared to reply and the second-years tried to maintain their silent dominance, it was Aran and Kita that finally broke the tension.
âNice to see you too. Azumane, right?â Kita asked, giving the ace a warm smile. âYou played a great game.â
âOh, thanks! You guys did too.â Asahi returned the compliment, meaning every word.Â
âYour receives were impressive, Azumane-san.â Aran followed up. âHowâs your shoulder? Hope I didnât hurt you too badly.â
Funny how at the mention of his shoulder, Asahi felt it throb in pain. Still, he made himself smile and lied, âItâs nothing I canât handle. Iâll be fine by tomorrow.â
âThatâs good to hear.â Aran laughed in good nature. âKarasuno is definitely a team to watch out for. Hope youâre ready for tomorrow.â
There were a couple of scoffs and a few mumbles but Asahi was sure he heard someone say, âDay three is always hell.â But before he could ask, (Y/N) clapped her hands together and stood in front of him.Â
âGuys, letâs not make Asahi nervous. He doesnât need the extra stress.â She told her friends, making sure to give the second-years a pointed look just as Atsumu opened his mouth to say something. âWhy donât you all head inside? Iâll catch up with you guys later.â
Kita nodded. âAlright, donât stay out too long. Youâll catch a cold.â
âIâll make sure she stays warm.â Asahi was quick to say, not realizing the slight innuendo his words sounded until it was too late. âI-I mean-â
Atsumu stepped forward with Osamu right behind him. âOh, now weâre definitely staying.âÂ
âNo you are not.âÂ
The Inarizaki setter flinched under Kitaâs ice cold words that felt like a punch to the gut.Â
âB-But (Y/N)-senpai-â
âLetâs go, you two.â Aran placed his hands on each of the twinâs shoulders before forcing them to the hotelâs entrance. âIâm sure your company isnât needed.â
âWhat are you talking about? I make great company.â Atsumu argued.
Osamu scoffed. âNot really.â
âShut yer trap, âSamu!â
Kita sighed before facing (Y/N) and Asahi. âSorry about them. They mean well. Go ahead and have your conversation.â
âThanks, Shin.â (Y/N) told him as she hugged her friend. âYouâre the best.â
âNo problem.âÂ
With one final wave, the Inarizaki captain followed the rest of his team. He helped Aran push the resistant twins into the hotel, but not before Osamu yelled, âNo funny business!âÂ
âYeah! What âSamu said!â Atsumu called out from over Aranâs shoulders. â(Y/N)-senpai is our manager. Donât hurt her!â
âQUIT TALKINâ AND GET INSIDE, YA STUPID TWINS!â Aran yelled as he gave one last push to make the Miya brothers enter the hotel.
(Y/N) sighed before facing her crush. It wasnât until now she realized how warm she felt until a cold breeze flew by. It was funny how a crush can emit such feelings. She wouldnât deny she never had a crush before. Perhaps there were fleetings moments of admiration and adoration to some guys at school and an embarrassing fangirl crush on famous celebrities.
But never before have the butterflies in her stomach felt so impactful. Asahi has unknowingly made his way to her heart and caused the warm feeling of love to bloom.
Which is why she couldnât help but smile up at Asahi. He looked taller up close. Broader too. His hair wasnât in its usual style, instead it was in a low man bun with a few strands framing his face very well. His eyes remained kind and warm and she could feel herself fall deeper in love with him.Â
âSo,â (Y/N) began, her hand instinctively tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. âYour text said you wanted to talk?Â
âY-Yeah.â Asahi confirmed nervously. âI hope I wasnât interrupting anything with your team. You guys look close.âÂ
She smiled at how anxious Asahi was behaving and a small part of her hoped it was because of her. âI could say the same thing about your team, but donât worry about them. We spent the entire evening together so they should be fine without me for a while.â
âAre you sure?â Asahi asked, the worry in his voice was evident and (Y/N) knew she had to do something to help him calm down. âI-If y-you rather be with t-them-â
Without a second thought, (Y/N) took his hand and held it reassuringly, âI want to be with you.â
Her heart swelled when she saw how Asahiâs eyes seemed to light up as he asked, âReally?â
âReally.â She confirmed, her voice firm yet gentle that washed away all doubt in Asahiâs mind. âNow, come on. Letâs sit down and have a friendly chat.â
Never before has Asahi felt his heart beating so fast against his chest than it was at this very moment. He was feeling hot and cold at the same time. His stomach was in multiple knots with those metaphorical butterflies dancing between his ribcage. Was it weird for his mind to go a million miles a minute yet he couldnât figure out what to say to the most beautiful girl heâd ever laid eyes on?Â
(Y/N) looked like an angel sitting under the strings of outdoor lights. Even while wearing casual winter clothes with her maroon Inarizaki jacket and a red scarf, Asahi thought she looked ethereal. Her (H/C) hair looked so elegant, almost magical in a sense when he noticed tiny snowflakes decorating her head, like shimmering diamonds. Then there was that smile of hers. A smile that made him feel like he could do anything in the world. He wished he could see that smile of hers for the rest of his life.
âSo, what did you want to talk about, Asahi?â (Y/N) asked, her eyes were bright and inquisitive. âYour text said you wanted to explain yourself?â
âY-Yeah, I did.â He admitted, his hand rubbing the back of neck. He took a deep breath to calm down before facing his crush. âI-I wanted t-to apologize.â
(Y/N) furrowed her brow upon hearing this. âWhat? Asahi, what are you- H-Hey!â
He was bowing his head and before she could ask further questions, Asahi spoke, âI-Iâm sorry that w-we ruined your chance to advance. Y-You guys were the favorites to win this whole thing! A-And itâs y-your last year too! Iâm sorry we took your chance away. Please forgive me!â
Asahi didnât dare raise his head after spilling everything he felt ever since the match ended. He could feel his ears beginning to burn against the cold air. The silence was unnerving and it didnât help when his mind was overtaken by anxiety.
âWhy would (Y/N) ever forgive me?â He frustratedly asked himself. âShe probably hates me. No. Iâm sure she hates me and probably everyone on my team.â
â(Y/N) is not like that. Sheâs kind, considerateâŠâ The tiny voice of hope spoke up. âShe doesnât hate you. Youâre friends-â
But the dark voice of anxiety and doubt took over. âFor now. (Y/N) probably only agreed to talk to you so she can say itâs over. She doesnât want anything to do with you. Why would she be friends with the person who stole her and her teamâs chance to win?!â
âAsahi.â (Y/N)âs voice sounded so soft and full of care. It may sound crazy but just hearing his name in her voice made Asahi feel the warmest he has ever felt. âPlease look at me.â
He didnât want to but something in her voice reassured him, similar to a ray of sunlight after a hurricane. Slowly, Asahi looked up and his eyes immediately found comfort in (Y/N)âs eyes. His heart skipped a beat when he saw (Y/N) was smiling up at him, not an ounce of hate anywhere.
âI thought we agreed that whatever the outcome of the match, weâll be okay?â (Y/N) asked before taking hold of his hand, the very hand she shook when they made the agreement. âWe shook on it, remember?â
Asahi felt himself flush under her words but he still found the courage to speak as he said, âI-I just thought⊠You would, I-I donât knowâŠhate me after what happened today.â
âI would never! Todayâs match was the result of everyoneâs hard work. Everyone played amazing. You guys won fair and square. If thereâs anything I should feel, I think being grateful comes to mind. In fact, I feel like I should thank you.â
âThank me?â Surely, he must have heard her wrong.
But (Y/N) flashed him a bright grin and nodded, âYou and your teammates gave motivation to my team the next time they get to Nationals. Iâm not sure if you realized this, Asahi, but you guys represent Nationals to a lot of people now.â
âAre you sure? I feel bad. I want to do something, anything, to make you feel better.â
Out of everything that came to mind, Asahi wasnât expecting to be punched in the shoulder by the girl he has a major crush on. It was just like yesterday, (Y/N)âs punch wasnât as forceful as Sugaâs nor was it delicate and yet it was enough to send shivers and goosebumps all throughout his body. Then when her eyes met his, Asahi swore his breath was taken away with how close she was to him.
âFirst, you can stop feeling bad. Iâm okay, really.â Her hand lifted again and Asahi mentally prepared himself to be punched again only to have her hand on his shoulder. (Y/N) offered a gentle smile before continuing on. âAnd second, if you really want to make me feel better then take the win. Take it and do the same thing tomorrow. Play each set and win some more. I promise if you do that, Iâll be more than okay because Iâll be rooting for you.â
Just hearing her words of encouragement was enough to make his head spin. All the self-doubt threatening to take over his mind washed away. How does she do that? Say these words so easily that brought him back from the edge? Words that held such meaning that easily helped him calm down and breathe.
âAsahi? You okay?âÂ
âAh! Yeah! Sorry! Itâs justâŠâ Asahi looked at his feet, his hand scratching his cheek. âYou just surprised me is allâŠâ
(Y/N) was taken aback before smiling, âI hope thatâs a good thing. But I meant what I said, Asahi. Though if youâre still worried about me being sad and you were serious about making me feel better then maybe⊠You could do me a favor?â
Asahi jumped at the chance and nodded furiously. âAnything!â
It was hard to hide the laugh that threatened to escape but (Y/N) canât help how adorable Asahi was behaving. Heâs a teddy bear. Ugh! She just wanted to hug this gentle giant!
âWin the next match for us.âÂ
He opened his mouth to say something, anything really, but his mind was still reeling of how sincere (Y/N) was with him at this moment. His eyes never left hers, searching for any hint of sadness or bitterness. Instead, he felt himself getting lost the longer he gazed into those beautiful, kind eyes.Â
After what felt like a lifetime, Asahi found his voice and for the first time his voice did not waver, âWe will.â
(Y/N) smiled before nudging her shoulder against his. âThatâs the spirit! Plus look on the bright side, Karasuno is getting popular. Iâm sure after today you guys earned some fans cheering you on. Youâre definitely going to have fans cheering you on.â
Asahi let out a nervous chuckle. âI guess so. I just hope I donât disappoint them tomorrow.â
âHey!â A series of soft pats made their mark on his shoulder and Asahi could feel himself flush under her touch. âThink positive! Remember youâre not alone. You have your friends and the rest of your team that you can rely on.â
There was a moment of hesitation. He can see it in her eyes though it was gone because (Y/N) smiled at him and said words he wonât be forgetting anytime soon, âAnd if it helps, you have me too.â
She didnât physically hug him but she might as well have with her words that filled Asahiâs whole being with warmth.Â
âIt does. Thanks, (Y/N). You-â Asahi stopped himself when he realized he was about to say something embarrassing. Instead he said what he always thought since yesterday, âYouâre amazing.â
This time it was her turn to flush under his gaze. His warm brown eyes had her melting in her seat. Out of habit, (Y/N) let out a nervous laugh before playing with a strand of her hair, âIâm not as cool as you, Asahi, but thank you for saying that.â
The two high schoolers sat in comfortable silence underneath the twinkling lights and while neither one of them said a word they found themselves gazing at the dark sky full of stars. Maybe there was a stolen glance or two but no one said anything.Â
âHey, Asahi?â
âYeah?â
âThis is going to sound a bit weird but⊠Whatâs your star sign?â
Asahi furrowed his brow but he answered nonetheless. âIâm a Capricorn.â
For some reason, a childhood memory played in his mind and the thought of it made him smile. It was a bit silly thinking about it but it was a precious memory all the same.Â
âYou know, when I was a little kid I used to spend all my time looking for the Capricorn constellation.â
âOh? Any reason why?â (Y/N) asked with genuine curiosity.
Asahi looked up at the sky full of stars. It was a shame they were in Tokyo as the bright cityâs lights made the stars look faint, almost dim.
âWell, I thought that if I could find my constellation in the sky and make a wish it would come true.â The ace felt his neck grow hot when he confessed the next detail. âBut whenever I couldnât find it, I would go crying to my grandma.â
âAww, Asahi.â (Y/N) cooed though there was a faint glint of amusement in her eyes. Her imagination took over as she thought of how cute Asahi must have been as a kid. He must have been the sweetest little kid with the biggest heart. âThatâs adorable. Do you still look for your sign or did you grow out of it?â
âWill you think it's embarrassing if I admit I still do?â Asahi asked.
âCourse not. I think itâs sweet to carry on your childhood tradition. I hope you made a lot of wishes.â (Y/N) looked back at the sky and sighed. âI wish I could see my star sign right now. I donât even know what mine looks like.â
âReally?â
(Y/N) rubbed her hands together, trying to bring back some warmth. âYou canât really see the stars well back in HyĆgo.âÂ
Asahi rubbed his neck. âWell, if you want⊠I could show you.â
Surprised, (Y/N) looked at him before asking, âYou would do that for me? You know you donât have to, right?â
âI want to. You did a lot to help me. Besides, after looking at the stars for so long Iâm sure I can find your star sign.â He looked at the sky and his heart physically deflated when he saw how faint the stars looked above the Tokyo cityâs lights. âThough I wonât have any luck seeing any constellations tonight. Iâm sorry.â
(Y/N) giggled before nudging her shoulder with his. âYou really like apologizing, donât you Asahi? Itâs not like you could control the weather or light pollution. But itâs nice of you to offer. Maybe one day I can visit Miyagi and see what the stars are like from your perspective.â
Asahi felt his heart skipping a beat at the sound of her laughter and the smile in her eyes. While he only met her literally yesterday, he felt comfortable enough to relax around her, even if his heart was going a hundred miles an hour and his skin felt like lava.
He didnât know where he found this extra boost of confidence to say, âI could show you around if you want. Miyagi has a lot of hidden gems that only locals know about. We can hang out i-if you want to.â
âIâd like that. Canât wait for the tour.â (Y/N) said as she clapped her hands together in glee. âMaybe one day, you could visit HyĆgo and I could show you around too!â
âIf itâs not a bother to you then yeah, I could pay a visit.â
âGreat!â (Y/N) exclaimed. âHyĆgo has a lot of tourist attractions we can visit. Iâll show you all my favorite spots! Oh, like the Kobe Port Tower! Itâs 108 meters high and it's designed to look like a traditional Japanese drum. It has an observation deck where you can see for miles! It even has a revolving cafe! Or if you donât like heights, there's the Himeji Castle. Itâs a very popular tourist spot because of its architecture-âÂ
It was only then she realized how much she was rambling. She glanced at Asahi only to find him already staring at her with those warm brown eyes, as if she did something amazing. Embarrassed, (Y/N) tried to hide herself behind her red scarf.
âSorry.â What was she apologizing for? (Y/N) didnât know. Maybe Asahiâs habit of excessive apologizing was starting to rub off on her. âI got excited for a second. I ramble whenever itâs a topic Iâm passionate about. I know architecture is a bit boring to some people but I think itâs so cool to see the different kinds of designs buildings can have and- Oh. Sorry Iâm rambling again.â
âI donât mind.â Asahi told her along with a soft smile. âI think itâs cute.âÂ
(Y/N)âs eyes widened when she heard her crush calling her cute. Did he realize what he just said? Or did she imagine it? So she had to ask, âDid you just say cute?â
The look on Asahiâs face quickly morphed into one of panic as he tried to jumble out a reply with an obvious blush painting his face, âI- Uh? No? I mean, I did. B-But I-I meant youâre rambling. N-Not you specifically. W-Wait! I think youâre cute too! P-Pretty even!â
(Y/N) couldnât hold back her laughter at how panicked Karasunoâs ace was currently behaving. So strong on the court and yet he was practically shaking like a fall leaf.Â
âAsahi, itâs okay. Breathe.â She placed her hand on his shoulder, hoping it offered comfort. âItâs just me.â
âI-I know.â He took a deep breath before facing her. âBut I meant what I said. A-About you.â
There goes her heart again, beating like crazy against her chest. âThanks Asahi⊠I⊠I think youâre pretty cute too. And youâre an amazing player.â She sighed longingly. âI just wish I can see you guys play again.â
âWait,â Asahi furrowed his brow, concerned . âYou arenât coming to the match tomorrow?â
âIâŠI donât know. I heard the coaches talk about it during dinner. Apparently, the principal called. He expected us to place further along in the tournament and since we didnât⊠Well, thereâs a chance we might go back to HyĆgo tomorrow morning.â
âOh.â He couldnât hide the bitter disappointment in his voice. Now more than ever, he didnât want this night to end. It might sound a bit silly but he wanted to keep seeing (Y/N). Todayâs victory dimmed in comparison now that he learned this might be the last time heâll see (Y/N) in a long time. âSorry again.â
âHey, come on, Asahi.â (Y/N) got up from her spot and stood in front of him. âYou donât have to keep apologizing. Thereâs nothing to forgive.â
âAre you sure?â His eyes pleaded for the truth.Â
(Y/N)âs light chuckle pulled his heartstrings and the vibrations sent warmth from his chest all the way to his fingertips. He can feel himself falling in love with her all over again when she surprised his soul out of his body the moment her hands touched his. She pulled him towards her and he was so anxious he almost tripped over his own feet as he stood in front of her.Â
Then Asahi felt it. Her arms wrapped around his torso bringing him close. It was a hug that sent a huge swarm of butterflies in his stomach. She was so close, closer than he has ever been to her. Wait⊠Thatâs not exactly true. Yesterday, when he saved (Y/N) from getting hurt, he was able to pull her aside just in time. (Y/N) stood right next to him with his arm around her. It was the first time he ever did something that brave and he remembered every second of it in that short moment.
But that moment of (Y/N) being next to him so close only lasted a minute. Asahi thought nothing could top the moment he met the girl that made his heart race.Â
Boy, was he wrong. Maybe his so-called bad fortune from his new year shrine visit was wrong. Or maybe the gods thought it was time to cut him a break. Perhaps he did something in his past life that granted him this moment right now. Whatever it was, he didnât want this moment to end.
(Y/N) had her ear pressed into Asahiâs firm chest as she continued to hug him. She could hear how fast his heart was beating and she smiled to herself because of it. It was cute that she had this kind of effect on her crush.Â
â(Y/N)?â His deep voice reached her ears and while she couldnât see him she could imagine the nervous expression on his face. âIs this okay? You hugging me? I mean, w-we only met yesterdayâŠâ
âAre you uncomfortable with me hugging you, Asahi?âÂ
âNo!â He was quick to reply. âI just meant⊠You donât have to hug me.â
âYouâre my friend and this is my way of showing you that thereâs really nothing to forgive. You donât have to apologize anymore.â She pulled away and smiled brightly up at him. âDeal?â
âDeal.âÂ
âGood.â
âGreat.â
âAmazing.â
âAwesome.â
âCool.â
âUhh⊠Warm?â
(Y/N) raised an eyebrow at him. âWhat?â
Asahi let out a nervous chuckle. âI-I donât know. Youâre warm so I said what was off the top of my head.â
The two high schoolers stared at each other before they laughed together. They were still in each otherâs arms but they made no movement to separate. If anyone were to walk by and saw them together, no one would have any doubts about how genuine young love can be.
Which is why they were surprised to hear a familiar voice that broke the calm, soothing atmosphere around them.Â
âOh? Asahi-senpai! I didnât know you had a girlfriend!âÂ
(Y/N) pulled away but she didnât stray too far as she stood her ground by Asahiâs side. Her eyes met with the innocent yet excited eyes of Karasunoâs #10, Hinata Shoyo and not far from him was the other half of the terrifying duo, Kageyama Tobio. Well, at least no else was here- Oh. Wait. Was that Tsukishima on a bicycle?Â
âHinata!â Asahi shouted before turning back to (Y/N). âSorry about him. He doesnât know what heâs talking about.â
The manager smiled and reassured him that it was okay. She then turned to face Karasunoâs first years and introduced herself. They did the same and Asahi was just about to sigh in relief when-
âSo are you Asahi-senpaiâs girlfriend?â This time it was Kageyama who asked.
(Y/N) felt her neck warm up and it wasnât because of her scarf. Out of habit, she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear before answering, âNo, Iâm not. Iâm just a friend.â
Hinata and Kageyama looked satisfied with the answer. However, Tsukishima looked unconvinced. His calculated eyes looked at his upperclassman as if asking for the truth. Asahi tried to convey the silent message to leave them alone to the middle blocker, hoping they could leave them alone. Preferably before the duo could ask any more embarrassing questions.
âHey, Asahi-san, why are you holding hands-â
âCome on, you two,â Tsukishima, Asahiâs savior right now, grabbed their collars. He bowed before his upperclassmen before dragging his teammates. âWe finished your nightly jog. Itâs time to get back.â
âAck! Youâre choking me!â Hinata cried.
âYou donât have to push! Besides, Asahi has to come too!â Kageyama argued, clearly frustrated at how he was being manhandled by the snarky middle blocker.
âNo. Asahiâs right where he has to be.â Tsukishima stated. âYou idiot.â
âHUH?!â
(Y/N) watched in amusement as the trio of first years entered their little inn. âThey sure are interesting.â
âSorry about that. They can be a bit much.â
âOh, thatâs okay. The Miya twins are like that too. But I think⊠I should let you get back. Itâs getting late and you need your sleep. Tomorrowâs a big day for you.â
âRight. TomorrowâŠâ Asahi wished there were more than 24 hours in the day. âSo I guess this is it?â
âYeah...â
Her hand was still interlocked with his but did not make the effort to leave. She still wanted to spend time with him. Instead, she said, âSo, um, good luck tomorrow. I might not be there in person but Iâll be cheering for you.â
âThanks. That means a lot.â
âYou got this Asahi.â She gave him one last hug. âI know you do.â
The ace hugged her back one last time before he awkwardly pulled away. (Y/N) cleared her throat before smiling.
âKeep in touch?â She asked.
Asahi nodded. âOf course. Iâll call you before and after the match.â
âOkay⊠You know, Asahi, Iâm glad weâve met each other. Youâre not like any guy Iâve ever met.â
âThatâs a good thing, right?â
(Y/N) laughed but nodded. âYes. Iâm glad we've become friends. I would have hated for you to be someone I used to know.â
âMe too⊠So I guess, this is goodbye?â Asahi couldnât hide the sadness in his voice. His eyes landed where their hands were still connected.Â
âMmm, itâs more like see you later. Weâll see each other again.â
It was a silent promise under the endless night sky where the moon and stars were the only witnesses to see how enchanted Karasunoâs ace and Inarizakiâs manager were with each other.Â
~ Meanwhile inside Inarizakiâs hotel room~
âSay Aran-kun.â
âWhatâs up, Osamu?â
âI wasnât going to ask but (Y/N) brought it to my attention so Iâm curious. What did you tell Azumane when you shook hands?â
âOh that?â Inarizakiâs ace smiled to himself as he recalled that specific moment. âI just gave him friendly advice.â
âWhich was?â
âPlease donât hurt my friend.â
~
Next: Chapter 5
Such an amazing read
YOUâRE THE ONE THAT I HAUNT : BAKUGOU KATSUKI x READER
SUMMARY: Ghosts arenât real. At least, thatâs what you tell yourself when the spirit of pro hero Dynamight suddenly starts haunting your apartment. (A Halloween adventure, in which your cooking is criticized, your showers are rudely interrupted, and you must work together with Bakugou Katsuki to figure out if his disappearance is a trickâor a treat.) TAGS/WARNINGS: romance, halloween, snarking, (not actual) character death, eventual smut, aged up characters, fem pronouns + afab reader, 18+ mdni LENGTH: 15k, STATUS: COMPLETE
CHAPTERS: part i, part ii, part iii, part iv
READ ON AO3