Comfort In Distress

9

Asahi and Nishinoya continued to walk down the hall, seemingly alone. Their teammates had taken off long before them. They both had been so focused on each other, they hadn't even noticed until coach Ukai had yelled loud enough for everyone in the gym to hear. Both boys were obviously embarrassed, neither of them have spoken a word since they left the gymnasium. Both stuck in their own thoughts. They both were just in happy silence. They didn't need to say anything because despite embarrassment clouding their thoughts, there was definitely something between them. There always had been and now it was finally coming to light.

In hindsight Asahi should have figured it out. He had always liked the small libero but was always unsure about Nishinoya's feelings towards. Daichi and Sugawara has always just told him to tell the second year, that it was obvious that he liked him back. Though Asahi never saw it, maybe it was just his own insecurities clouding his thoughts, which Suga had told him and smacked him upside the head to 'try to knock some sense into him' Sugawara's words, not his. Now, after almost two years, he was starting to believe it all. He should've known when Nishinoya and him had that fight in his second year but now everyone was pointing out their obvious feelings for each other, even the school nurse.

The giant glanced over at Nishinoya, who's lips curved up into a happy smile. Despite being so silent, which was odd for the normally hyperactive libero, Asahi knew he was happy. Just watching the way he smiled, how he seemed to have a certain pep in his step, it only made Asahi fall in love with him further. He was always so positive, so upbeat. Even now, his worst had literally been broken and he seemed so happy, like as if it didn't matter.

They were complete opposites. In almost everything, from their height to their personalities. Yet they manage to click so well, it was almost scary how good of a team they were. Nishinoya always has his back and Asahi would always have his.

Ashai was so caught up in his thoughts he almost didn't notice the sudden movement out of the corner of his eye. He quickly turned to see a blur of movement, rushing forward at Nishinoya, lunging to grab at his wrist. His bad wrist and anxiety rushed through Asahi, his heart beating at his chest as realization hit him. Number 15 had grabbed Nishinoya's bad wrist, causing the libero to quickly turn around. He seemed to be keeping his calm, but Asahi could see the panic in his eyes. Number 15 didn't seem to have a tight grip, nothing like before but it was enough to cause Nishinoya to grimace in pain as his wrist was held. He tried to squirm out of the grip but it only caused sharp pain to bloom from his wrist and he quickly stopped.

"C'mon dude let go!" Nishinoya yelled, looking up at the taller player.

His face was empty. Void of any and all emotion until it started to shift to one of anger and resentment. "You...you little shit! You got me kicked out of the game! And now the club!" He shouted.

Asahi was stuck. He hated fights, he didn't understand why people fought. Like this- this guy attacked Nishinoya with no reason, no motive other then to be mean. But he couldn't just watch this happen. Nishinoya was clearly in pain, and who knows what this guy planned on doing. He could run for help, but he didn't feel comfortable with leaving Nishinoya alone with this guy. Who knows what he planned on doing, but clearly he didn't see Asahi as a threat. Which was odd because most people cowered away from the ace. He hated it but this wasn't one of those times. So either this guy saw right through him or he just wasn't intimidated by him.

"Listen asshole! It's not my fault, you attacked me! What did you think was going to happen?" Nishinoya spat. Though he was small, he knew how to stand his ground. He hated this guy, for obvious reasons but he also hated people like him. Who thought they could just get away with horrible things scott free. People who thought they could pick on people just because they were smaller then him. Last time Nishinoya was caught of guard but if he wanted to, he could kick some serious ass! Right now, probably not. Once again being caught off guard.

He held onto his wrist, his already damaged wrist. If he tried to fight this guy off, he'd probably make the whole thing worse. Number 15 clenches his jaw tight, his anger growing as he listened to Nishinoya talk. His grip on his wrist tightened and the libero couldn't help but let out a small yelp. He reached his free hand and held onto his own arm, trying to pull free.

Asahi didn't know what happened. He heard the yelp and something just rushed through him. Adrenaline maybe? His anxiety had been pushed to the side and Asahi felt like he couldn't even control his own body anymore. Because before even he could react, his fist  swung, directly hitting number 15 in the cheek, sending him stumbling a few steps back and away from Nishinoya. Nishinoya was free, number 15 had let go of Nishinoya once he was hit. Nishinoya stood in shock, mouth agape and eyes wide as he watched the normally shy ace.

In a few quick moments, Nishinoya was now starring at Asahi's back. He had moved in front of him, protecting him from anything else that might be coming their way. Nishinoya didn't know what to say, heat rushing to his cheeks. Nishinoya moved a bit, now looking up at his friends face. He was taking quick breaths, keeping his eyes forward. Something changed. He wasn't the gentle giant he had come to know. Though clearly hitting the guy has wracked his nerves, he was standing his ground. He looked ready to take another swing.

Though number 15 was standing away from them, holding his cheek. He was also in shock, eyes wide as they slowly made their way to Asahi, locking onto the ace. He looked him over, debating whether or not to do anything. Though 15 was taller then average, Asahi was bigger. In height and in muscle mass, he was more built. Now, he just seemed to realize it. He scoffed and began to walk away, making his way back to the gym, still holding his quickly bruising cheek.

Asahi's brown eyes followed him, watching to make sure he wouldn't come back. He was unaware that Nishinoya was looking up at him still. Once 15 turned a corner, Asahi turned and gently held Nishinoya by the shoulders.

"Y-Yuu! Are you okay!? How's your wrist!?" He asked frantically, his anxiety once again returning as the adrenaline faded. His heart was practically beating out of his chest. He was so scared for Nishinoya and he just had the need to protect him. He didn't expect to punch the guy! It just happened.

Nishinoya continued to look at Asahi not saying a word as he just started into the aces brown orbs with pure awe and amazement. He shook it off, relaxing that Asahi was on the brink of freaking out.

"Y-yeah! I'm fine! My wrist just hurts a bit- but I'm fine!" He said glancing down at his wrapped up wrist before looking back up at his friend.

Asahi seemed to instantly relax, letting out a relieved breath. "O-oh thank god..." he said softly.

"Asahi, you just punched a guy! That was so cool! You were all like- boom! And he was all like swoosh!" Nishinoya nearly yelled, trying to express the scene that just unfolded.

Asahi jumped as Nishinoya explained what happened in his own little way, causing him to laugh a bit. "Y-yeah well, I got scared y'know? I thought he was going to hurt you..." he admitted softly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Before Nishinoya could say another word, Asahi stood up and offered a hand out to Nishinoya. "C-come on we should probably head back to the bus before everyone gets worried" he said softly. Nishinoya looked at his hand for a second. It was the same hand he had used to punch that asshole. His knuckles were bruising.

Nishinoya nodded and took his hand and they began to walk back to the bus and he couldn't help but notice as the giant stood far closer to him then he normally would.

Authors note:
Hey guys! I'm sorry for being so spacey with updates! But here it is and I hope you guys enjoy it! As you must know- this book is coming to an end soon! But I am now on Ao3! It is where I'm going to start writing more of my haikyuu fanfics if you want to read more! I already have something up, it's a OiAka personality switch based off of a comic I read! I plan on writing more there as well! I have a bunch of ideas running through my head! Including more Asahi and Nishinoya! If you want to check it out my name is Diverse_Hac

I also plan on writing a one shots book on there too! So if you guys have an idea or specific ship you wanna see please comment! I literally love reading your guys comments they make me so happy 🥺 y'all are hilarious I swear. Anyways! I hope you enjoyed this little book so far! Have a good day or night!