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The referee’s whistle signals the end of the match. Bokuto lands with a thud, turning around to join his teammates in their ritual victory hug. He drapes his arms over Meian to his left and Shōyō to his right.
As he pulls away from the group hug, Shōyō compliments him with his usual level of enthusiasm. “Amazing spike, Bokuto-san!!”
Bokuto beams back. “It was all thanks to Tsum-Tsum! If it wasn't for that perfect set, I wouldn’t have scored! This guy is wicked good!”
And before he can think twice about what he’s doing, before his brain can stop him, he impulsively grabs Atsumu Miya’s face on both sides and gives him a fast kiss on the lips.
To their left, he hears the sound of camera shutters going off.
Atsumu gently but firmly pushes him away. Right. Shit. There are journalists here. His little spur of the moment gesture is going to be on every sports newspaper tomorrow. He fucked up, big time.
And worst of all, he turns towards his other teammate, who just so happens to be Atsumu’s boyfriend. Sakusa’s sporting a tight-lipped, ice-cold expression on his face.
He’s always in a resting bitch face type of look, but right now Bokuto fears the man’s actually trying to make his head explode or pulverize him on the spot.
He doesn’t get the chance to talk things out, though.
Foster urges them to get in a line to shake their opponents’ hands and then quickly sends them off to the locker room, asking Atsumu to stay back for the post-game press interview. Bokuto sighs, and follows the others towards the lockers.
He changes as fast as he can and rushes out to go meet Keiji, shouting a hasty bye! as he leaves. He figures he has some explaining to do to his fiancé. On the way out, he stumbles across Atsumu.
“Listen man, I’m sorry for before. I just… I acted without thinking…”
“It’s okay. I understand. Thought I’d steer clear of Omi for the next couple of days if I were you.” Atsumu smiles, patting his hand on Bokuto’s shoulder in an attempt to reassure him, but there is a sort of tension in his words.
“Right.” Bokuto echoes, scratching the back of his head. “Did they ask anything? The press.”
“Wanted to know if we’re a couple, which I obviously said no.”
“Okay.” Is all Bokuto manages to say. “Uh. See you tomorrow, I guess.”
Atsumu nods and walks off, leaving Bokuto alone in the gymnasium hallway.
He stands still, his mind reeling. How is he supposed to avoid Sakusa if they’re teammates? They can’t just, like, stop talking altogether. It would harm the entire team. And it’s all his fault.
“Hey.” A voice pulls him from his thoughts. He turns towards the origin of the sound and sees his fiancé, leaning against the pillar.
“Keiji.” He walks towards him, determined to make it up to him.
“I’m sorry, I don't know what came over me, I would never cheat on you, that kiss didn’t mean anything and I know I just did something really stupid and…”
Keiji interrupts his rambling by placing a hand over his mouth, laughing softly.
“I’m not mad, Kō.”
“What?”
“I said, I’m not mad. I know it wasn’t anything serious. It was actually pretty funny. Though Sakusa-san didn’t seem to see it the same way, I’m afraid.”
“You noticed it too?”
Keiji hums.
“I’m starting to think you were right all those times you said he’s kind of a stuck up prick.”
“Of course I was. He stared at me like he wanted to zap me out of existence.”
Keiji laughs again, low and sweet. Then takes him by the hand and starts leading him towards the exit.
“C'mon, let’s go home. Pretty sure you’re going to be all over the news come morning. Isn’t it what you’ve always wanted?” He teases.
Bokuto’s shoulders sink. “That was totally not what I had in mind when I said that.” He complains.
…
The next day goes smooth for the most part. That is, until it’s time for Bokuto to head to practice. When he enters the changing room, Sakusa and Atsumu are already there. There’s no one else yet. It’s his only occasion to apologize to Sakusa.
So he gathers his courage and steps closer.
“Sakusa-san?” He calls, a bit hesitant. “I wanted to apologize to you for what happened yesterday. It was totally my fault and Atsumu’s got nothing to do with it, I swear. I’m really, really sorry for crossing that boundary.” Perfect.
He hadn't forgotten any words. Just like he and Keiji had practiced.
Sakusa’s face remains expressionless. Bokuto tenses. “Of course, Bokuto-san.” He replies with his usual level of politeness. “I understand. It’s in the past, now.” Then, Sakusa actually smiles.
Bokuto is pretty sure he’s never seen him smile before. It actually makes him shiver with chills for a second. Then, he shakes the feeling off, resorting to being happy for getting forgiven. “Thank you for understanding, Sakusa-san.”
Practice goes smoothly after that.
They do their routine in sets and spikes and blocks, rotating between team members so that everyone gets to practice every position.
When there’s just ten minutes of practice left, Foster splits them up into two teams for a practice match.
He ends up in the same team as Atsumu, Sakusa and Barnes. Their team is in the lead by a couple of points when it's Sakusa’s turn to serve.
“Server up!” Atsumu yells.
Sakusa steps back from the court's end line, launches the ball into the hair, starts his run up…
And serves the ball right into the back of Bokuto’s head.
Bokuto turns around and, as he notices Atsumu grinning at him and giving him the thumbs up, can’t help but think he really should’ve seen this coming.