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Tanaka planned on coming out to this get together, catching up with his old teammates and rivals, and having a few drinks. He did not however plan on being snatched mid drink, thrown over Tora’s shoulder and taken to a small room in the back of Ukai’s apartment.
“What the actual fuck, Tora!!" yells Tanaka as he is forcefully shoved into the small dark space. “Tora, don’t you dare lock me in here!”
"Sorry, it's for your own good."
“I thought we were friends!” Tanaka pounds on the door, twisting the handle frantically. He squeezes his eyes shut resting his head on the door, and tries to focus on his breathing. He can do this… He hasn’t had a panic attack in years. It’s just breathing. "God damn asshole."
"Tanaka?"
"Who the fuck?" he whips around pressing himself back into the door. His body heavy, his heart hammering in his chest and he’s sucking in air so fast it's making him light-headed. He scrubs his eyes before closing them again and leans forward to balance against his knees. His breath, coming in gasps at this point, as his legs start to go out from underneath him.
"Hey, you’re okay. I got you." There are hands on him, at his shoulder and waist guiding him to the ground. The calm that starts to wash over him is familiar and comforting like a warm blanket on a cold evening.
“Asahi?”
“Yeah. I’m here.” he kneels in front of Tanaka, loosening his tie. “Tanaka, breathe or you’re going to pass out.” His hand rests on Tanaka’s shoulder firm and grounding.
“Asahi, you know we’re locked in here right?” Tanaka manages to get out between panicked breaths.
“Suga might have mentioned it when he shoved me in here.” Asahi huffs as Tanaka opens his eyes to look up at him. His vision hasn’t adjusted enough, to the dark, to properly see him but he can see the outline of his arms, his hair resting softly on his shoulders, one side tucked behind his ear showing off his jawline. Tanaka can feel himself blushing as Asahi rests his hand on his neck, his thumb tracing against his jaw.“You okay?”
Tanaka realizes his breathing isn’t quite so hard now. His heart is still thrumming against his ribs but he’s pretty sure that’s for an entirely different reason at this point.
“Yeah.” He clears his throat “Yeah. Thanks.”
“I’m sorry they threw you in here.” Asahi exhales slowly, studying Tanaka’s face. “I know you’ve never been great in small spaces. I didn’t think..” he drops off in thought as a calm reassurance washes over Tanaka having Asahi near him, much like standing with him on the court. Someone to depend on, look up to, and rely on. Asahi runs his fingers over Tanaka’s jaw once more before dropping his hand and sitting next to him close enough their thighs are pressed against each other.
He looks over at Asahi, who's still looking at him eyes soft but lost in thought, his heart clenches and it hits Tanaka that familiar fluttering in his stomach. He starts laughing, soft at first until it’s full on uncontrollable laughter that he’s covering his mouth to try to contain it.
“What?” Asahi’s mouth is upturned in a slightly confused half smile.
“I had the biggest crush on you in high school.” Tanaka clears his throat, barely getting his laughter under control. “I'm pretty sure I’m the reason we're here. So don’t apologize.”
“Oh yeah?” Asahi’s voice is soft, his eyes never leaving Tanaka’s face like he’s looking for something.
“”Well yeah. I had it bad for you.” Tanaka laughs softly “You’re kind of the reason I figured out I was into guys.” A blush covers Asahi’s cheeks and spreads quickly. Tanaka’s hands clench and unclench at his side wanting to chase the blush across his skin.
“I..need a minute to think of the appropriate way to respond to that.”
“That’s such a high school Asahi response. It’s nice.” Chuckles Tanaka “It’s been a few years since we’ve seen each other and you are so confident and put together now. You seem so different but this” Tanaka smiles softly tracing the blush with his fingertips. “This feels familiar.” He tucks Asahi’s hair behind his ear twirling the loose strands through his fingers before dropping his hand.They slip into a comfortable silence.
“Tanaka, I think.. I...” Asahi he exhales roughly. “I don’t know why this makes me so nervous.”
“It’s okay, take your time. I don’t think we’re getting out of here any time soon anyway.”
“I had feelings for you too, in high school. You weren’t my first crush on a guy but you were the first one that felt like something more than just fleeting feelings. Something that maybe could be something if I wanted it to be...but I was always so scared...You were everything I wasn’t. No matter how much you messed up or an opponent went after you.. You picked yourself up and became stronger.. You were someone I knew I could always lean on.You were never afraid... But I assumed after I graduated all those feelings would go away..Distance you know?.. But they never did…I found myself keeping tabs on you just to see how you were doing and what you were up to..” Tanaka is blushing all the way to the tips of his ears and his mouth is partially open when Asahi looks back over at him. “I guess my feelings are so past tense.”
“Asahi...” Tanaka’s voice is soft and he’s gesturing as if to articulate what he can’t say in words. He goes still as a look passes over Asahi’s face.
“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same anymore. I don’t have any expectations of you…” Tanaka moves, shifting so all his weight is on one arm and his free hand is at the base of Asahi’s neck. The contact freezes Asahi’s ramble.
“Asahi, can I kiss you?”
“Please.” Tanaka pulls him close, his mouth gentle at first, barely there before Asahi exhales completely releasing the tension he always seems to be carrying and fully melts into Tanaka kissing him soft but hungry with sighs that taste of relief.