Jump float serve

Play with us

Yamaguchi studied his expression for a moment. Terushima's shoulders sunk, eyes lost their light. Yamaguchi felt a lump stuck in his throat. If older boy already acted all caring and attentive to a close friend like him, what must it feel like to be the one he loves? Someone's a lucky guy... Yamaguchi sighed. It felt like something he would never get to experience.

"Look!" Terushima shoved his phone in Yamaguchi's face, switching boy's attention, "this isn't even my type!" The guy on the picture looked very similar in style to Terushima. He groaned, making Yamaguchi chuckle. Suddenly Terushima froze, phone falling from his hands. "Shit," he breathed out. Yamaguchi caught a glimpse of Terushima's flushed cheeks, before he sprung up from the sofa.

"Who is he?" Yamaguchi asked, smirking. This reaction peaked his interest.

"Forget it," Terushima threw, walking towards the kitchen, "want some more tea?"

Terushima didn't wait for an answer and disappeared in the hallway. Yamaguchi arched an eyebrow. This wasn't what he expected. Who is he? Question left hanging in the air and Yamaguchi decided not to pick it up again. He took Terushima's phone from the sofa, stood up and made his way to the kitchen, ignoring pacing heart in his chest.

Terushima was leaning onto the counter and watched water boil. His cheeks were dusted almost unnoticeable pink. "Here," Yamaguchi handed him the phone, "your team's texting."

Terushima's eyes flickered to the boy and he took his phone with a sigh, "no more questions."

"No more questions," Yamaguchi nodded.

"Thanks," Terushima smiled and opened team's chat. Previous topic died out and boys started discussing volleyball. "By the way, Freckles," he looked at Yamaguchi, tilting his head slightly, "you said you were practicing a new serve lately?"

"Kinda," Yamaguchi put two tea mugs on the table.

"How's it going?"

"Uh...could be better," he shrugged.

"Hm?" Terushima watched Yamaguchi bite his lower lip.

"It's not like I wanted to learn it that badly..." he sighed. Memories of Tsukishima ignoring or criticizing his serves filling his head. He let out a frustrated sigh.

"HUH?" Terushima's eyebrows shot up, returning Yamaguchi to the present, "don't tell me you're giving it up!"

"First of all, I don't feel like playing with my team now...and..." he swallowed hard, "I'm no good pinch server anyway," Yamaguchi brushed away tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

"Tsukishima?" Terushima asked and watched boy nod silently. He clicked his tongue and felt his phone buzzing. He pat Yamaguchi's head lightly, giving boy time to sort his emotions out. Terushima glanced at the phone, it's screen lit up with new messages from his team's group chat. His lips curved in a smirk as a wild thought crossed his mind, "wanna play some volley today?"

Yamaguchi rolled his eyes, "great time for jokes."

Terushima threw his hands up defensively, "wait, just think about it for a sec." He watched Yamaguchi's frustration grow into confusion. "Look," Terushima spun to the side to face him, "Karasuno is all about work no fun, right?"

Yamaguchi thought about it for a moment, before nodding. Karasuno's goals were high and they required a lot of practice and hard work. Even though Yamaguchi wanted a chance to go to the nationals, he wanted to enjoy playing too. However it got impossible these months.

"Play with us for a while," Terushima ran a hand through his hair, "practice that serve how much you want and we'll try to help too."

"What difference will it make?" Yamaguchi snickered, leaning onto the counter. It all sounded the same as it would continue at Karasuno.

"No pressure," Terushima grinned, "we're not pushing each other all the time to work hard and be the best. We have fun." He took a sip of tea, watching Yamaguchi react to his words. Boy's lips parted, then closed again. He was visibly hesitating. "If you can't work good under all that 'we have to go to the nationals' bullshit, then relax and change the atmosphere," Terushima shrugged. It wasn't a bad offer and he knew how much Yamaguchi needed it. "Practice with us this week," he continued, "learn that serve and show Tsu-Karasuno what a great pinch server you are." Terushima smirked.

"Can I really?" Yamaguchi fidgeted with his fingers.

"No problem," Terushima turned his phone to Yamaguchi, "it'll just take one call."

Yamaguchi read the contact name on the screen. Coach... He met Terushima's bright eyes. He needed it. They both knew that. "Fine then..." he bit his cheek as watched Terushima grin.