Flutter

Nest of Wasps

The sky was a charcoal grey when you woke up. It was too early for class, but your body wouldn't let you rest any longer. You sat on the steps of your building holding a cup of coffee in your hands. The morning was chilly, but it felt really nice when you were all bundled up in your jacket and a scarf. With every sip, you could feel the coffee traveling through your digestive system. You couldn't see the sun when it rose, your building faced the west. But you knew the sun was rising when the watercolor grey slowly started to fill with color. Washed-out oranges and rosy pinks flooded the sky around you as you had your back to the sun. It was serene, you lost yourself staring at the sky. There was comfort to be found in being the only one awake in a silent, frosty morning. You watched the clouds perk up on their slow hike across the sky. Glowing orange and yellow in the sun's rays.

You heard them before you saw the jogger running across the sidewalk a ways away from your dorm. You tore your gaze from the sky and looked towards the origin of the sound. Squinting, it took you a few seconds to discern the figure making its way towards you. "Ushijima!" You called out to him, he turned towards you. He still didn't listen to music on his runs. He changed directions and crossed diagonally over the grass to greet you.

"You woke up early." He commented, ending his trot at the foot of the steps.

"Couldn't sleep," you shrugged, looking up at him.

"Do you want to go on a run?" He asked, face as stoic as ever but his eyes looked hopeful.

You had never really been one for morning runs, but the glint in his eye made you huff out a hesitant "Sure."

It took you all of five minutes to change into something more appropriate for running. It was chilly, and when you met Ushijima on the steps, you shivered.

"Let's go." He nodded at you.

At first, you tried to keep up with him. That was a big mistake. His stamina and speed (not to mention his long legs), pushed him so much farther than yours could in twice the time. He was a few meters ahead of you when he turned around and saw you struggling to keep up. Ushijima was never one to look back, but when it came to you, he wouldn't mind slowing down for a bit. He guided you through his normal morning route through campus. You watched the professors arrive on campus and the poor saps with classes at eight lumber out of their dorms to the dining hall. On occasion, the two of you would see another athlete. You watched the campus come alive in the morning, section by section.

It took you a while, but the two of you came full circle back to the steps of your dorm. You were panting and sweaty when you plopped down on the steps. Ushijima looked down at you, offering you the towel he had draped across his neck. You accepted it before sending him a glare. How the hell had he not broken a sweat the whole run? You were jealous. He slowly sunk down next to you, he paused for a moment before he sat down, as if he wasn't exactly sure just how close he should sit next to you. You sprawled out on the steps and leaned back on your elbows. You opened your mouth to speak, but a student exited your dorm and you were momentarily distracted.

Ushijima looked at you expectantly, waiting to hear what you had to say. You smiled at him after a few moments and shook your head like the idea was silly. "I'm sorry I slowed you down today." You apologized instead.

"I have never liked running with other people much," he said, rather introspectively, "but if I am to run with someone, I want it to be you." You felt your cheeks heat up at the sudden declaration. You buried your face in the towel.

"How can you say something so embarrassing  with such a straight face?" You asked, peeking one eye from out of the towel.

He cocked his head to the side. "Is it embarrassing? It was only the truth."