[closed for lempereur] A Rush of Adrenaline

[azuhi]

Since Yusuke had expressed an interest in seeing him play, and because he'd been kind enough to share his studio with him, Asahi extends an invitation for Yusuke to attend their next official volleyball game. He's nervous about having someone he knows in the stands, but Asahi also knows that once he's on the court, it'll be a lot easier to forget his surroundings and focus on the match. He can't let his teammates down, after all, and he especially can't disappoint his date.

His date. God, Asahi never imagined he'd be bringing a boy to his games, that someone would want to be there for him, cheering him on. Meeting Yusuke feels like a dream come true, or even a miracle.

Fortunately, the match goes well. Asahi is able to lose his nerves, and keep his head in the game even when things aren't going in Karasuno's favor. And when they are, he's at his peak performance, warmed up from the game and getting better, his spikes getting stronger, faster, and harder to block.

When his team wins, a few people crowd around him to celebrate, thumping his back (and, in Nishinoya's case, happily leaping onto his shoulders), but Asahi still takes a moment to turn to the stands. He makes eye contact with Yusuke and beams triumphantly, without a hint of his usual shyness.

The team heads down to the locker room to get clean and change out of their sweaty clothes. Asahi plans on meeting Yusuke once he's done, and hopefully he has enough time for them to go on another date.

Comments

[azuhi]

That would be part of the problem, I think? [How is Yusuke not getting this? Is he some kind of angel that never has to deal with unwanted erections? The internet assured Asahi this happens to every guy his age, but he's never quite believed it.

But they're eating at a public restaurant now, so Asahi really isn't going to explain himself. He just hums and shovels some noodles into his mouth to give himself time to cool down, so he can believably say the thing he wants to say.]

If you think I'd be okay at it... we could try?

[lempereur]

No...that would be beneficial, so that you can hold a pose for the time it takes to paint you.

[ For as much as he's accused of being a pervert, he's completely oblivious. It's not that he's never had an unwanted erection, of course he has, it just doesn't occur to him that it would happen in a situation like that. It's not as romantic as a process as it sounds like. ]

You've given me much inspiration already. I think a true collaboration would be wonderfully stimulating.

[azuhi]

[This really has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with being stared at by a cute boy while he's naked. And using the word 'stimulating' isn't really helping, either.

But Asahi doesn't want to say no to the chance to be close to him.]

I've inspired you? [He asks, figuring that the least dangerous and most interesting part to focus on.]

[lempereur]

[ Nudity is the body's most natural and beautiful state. Yusuke would be naked right now if it wouldn't get him thrown out. People are way too self-conscious about it, he thinks. ]

You've brought out feelings in me I didn't expect. It's given me new direction.

[azuhi]

[Asahi is one of those self-conscious people, depending on the context. He's feeling a little self-conscious now, flustered and blushing as he is.]

O-Oh? That makes me really happy to hear, honestly.

[lempereur]

Good.

[ Yusuke smiles at him, bashful. and returns to his bowl of noodles. It's easy for him to say things like that, but harder to hear them. He wants to, so desperately, even if it's hard to accept it as truth, or accept himself as deserving of it. ]

The ramen is delicious. You'll have to give me some more recommendations.

[azuhi]

[Asahi smiles as he watches Yusuke eat. How is anyone that elegant while slurping up noodles?]

Of course. I already promised you meat buns, those are just from the store near our school. And there's also a bakery nearby... do you like sweets?

[lempereur]

I can indulge on occasion.

[ He won't ever refuse food. Ever. ]

And you do? We should continue the celebration in the morning, then, as soon as they open.

[azuhi]

I mostly like more traditional sweets, but yes. [Asahi grins hopefully. Seeing Yusuke first thing in the morning? He won't say no.] It would be nice to see you in the morning. Worth waking up for.

[lempereur]

Good. I'll bring coffee.

[ After so much time being spoiled at LeBlanc, he's very particular about it. Only the best will do. ]

[azuhi]

Good. I'll probably need some. [He jokes fondly. Asahi isn't much of a morning person, but he tries. Thanks to practice, he's used to waking up early.]

Let's meet at this bus stop at... 8? [He suggests, indicating the stop.]

[lempereur]

[ Yusuke opens up his phone to take note of the location, and...balks at the volume of notifications popping in. A problem for later. ]

Perfect.

[ It's an excellent bowl of ramen. Ryuji would like it here. Sadly, he's almost to the end of it, having to stir up the broth to find the last of the noodles. ]

Can I walk you home when we're finished?

[azuhi]

[Even in the name of politeness, it's pretty much impossible to miss the way Yusuke's phone aggressively vibrates when he turns it back on, or the look on his face as he stares at the screen. Asahi bites his lip.]

Um, yes, if you want... is everything okay...?

[lempereur]

Yes, everything's fine. I sent the picture we took to my friends on the way here.

[ He turns it on silent and puts the phone back in his bag. He usually texts Asahi back right away, but they can wait. ]

They have dozens of questions, that's all. Nothing that can't wait.

[azuhi]

Ah, that makes sense. [Asahi hasn't looked at his phone, which is silenced, but he probably also has a considerable number of texts. He just hopes they're not on the team chat, because then Shimizu and Yachi will see, too, and then someone will surely tell them about the kiss and somehow that is more embarrassing than actually having been kissed in front of all his team mates??

But now he's curious about who all are blowing up Yusuke's phone.]

Are these friends from Tokyo..?

[lempereur]

Yes. they are.

[ Bound together forever by everything they'd gone through last year. If Yusuke tried to tell him now, would he even believe it?

Better not. He likes Asahi, a lot, but he doesn't know him well enough yet to trust him with something that big. Someday, hopefully, before things get too serious. ]

Ann thinks you look cool.

[azuhi]

[Yusuke's insinuated having friends back home before, of course, but this is the first time Asahi's really been so aware of them. Or maybe it's because he knows they know about him now. What has Yusuke told them? What do they think?

Well, he knows what one person thinks. It makes him sheepishly scrub the back of his neck.]

Really? Do they like me? I mean, what have you told them?

[lempereur]

I haven't told them anything. Just the picture.

[ Should he have? Asahi didn't. Yusuke isn't shy about it, but it's not like any of them have asked him if there's anyone here that he's seeing. He's used to keeping such things to himself, because back then, revealing his crush on Akira could have hurt the team. ]

But I will answer their questions later, to the best of my ability, and I'm sure they'll like you. Unless you're the spy.

[azuhi]

I see.. I can see why they're surprised, then. Um, and hopefully happy?

[It would be bad if they thought he was a thug, or in some other way bad for Yusuke.]

Ah, no, I'd probably be a terrible spy. I tend to break easily under pressure. [Obviously.]

[lempereur]

They'll be happier once I explain myself.

[ They've all been through enough to know not to judge a book by its cover. Once he explains to Makoto that Asahi is a high schooler, she'll relax. ]

I don't know. The game was a lot of pressure. You were behind at one point, but you performed admirably.

[azuhi]

Oh, you think so..? I mean, I guess I've had a lot of practice. Uh. I did quit the team once, so. You know, pressure.

[It's embarrassing to talk about it now. But talking to Yusuke is easy.]

[lempereur]

I'm happy you stuck with it. I think we all have rough patches sometimes.

[ Yusuke's had artist's block plenty of times...but he was never in a position where he could quit. This is what gives him direction. ]

[azuhi]

I'm glad my team mates could convince me to go back. [He admits softly, his gratitude obvious.] I think if I'd still been staying away from it, I'd be really hurting now.

[lempereur]

[ There's a soft, affirmative hum out of Yusuke as he brings the last of the broth to his lips. He's emptied his bowl entirely, not a drop, noodle, or scallion to be seen. He hadn't realized how hungry he was...he rarely does, until a meal is in front of his face. ]

They sound like good friends. I hope they'll accept me.

[ Yusuke doesn't know them, so he doesn't really care what they think of him, beyond how difficult the alternative would be for Asahi. But Asahi is a sweet man, and he doesn't deserve to have to stress over it. ]

[azuhi]

Of course they will. [Asahi insists, not seeing a reason why they wouldn't. Even Daichi and Suga wouldn't try to tell him who to date.. right? Of course not.]

Being with you makes me happy. That should be enough for anyone.

[He notices that Yusuke's bowl is empty now, and hurries to finish the last of his brother. Pretending that he isn't blushing.]