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Lev had to go pee. He had to go really really bad. In fact, he needed to to hours ago, way before the match even started. He had already went three times prior, but he figured the water he had been chugging since they arrived at the gym was finally passing through. He wanted to blame the stubborn liquid that streamed throughout his body, or maybe his teensy bladder, which Yaku claimed “Is ridiculously small for someone so giant,” although he knew he could only really blame himself for not going to the bathroom while on his last break.
Well, in his defense, it was probably Yaku’s fault. Because at one point, just right before the seemingly infinite games would begin, he was considering asking the Captain, Kuroo, if he could take a leak, but then Yaku chimed in: “Wow, Lev! I’m impressed you haven’t pestered us with your bladder! You’re on a streak!”
And who was he to ruin the streak? After all, he was stubbornly strong and amazing, and he effectively communicated his thoughts by responding with a haughty, “Well you know, Yaku san, I can actually hold it for the whole game!”
Okay so maybe thinking it over, it was most definitely his fault. Instead of wallowing in his own regret, he had to figure out a plan to hold it for at least the next hour, Lev had concluded. He was a regular, but at some periods in the game, he was switched out with other fellow Nekoma members. During that time, it was easier to hold it since he could shove a hand in his pants, and play it off as those weird stances some volleyball players did. He also had the freedom to bounce or shake, or even sit down on a bench if he begged his coach hard enough!
Just when he thought he could hold it enough to actually feel cocky, the whistle blew and snapped him out of his flow. He didn’t realize how long he was stalling until,
”Lev! Get on the court right now before I cut you down 4 inches! Maybe then, I could punch you in the face!” Yaku shouted furiously, a little less oblivious to the wide stares he earned from the crowd.
Lev was about to remind him that if he did happen to shrink 4 inches, he still wouldn’t be Yaku’s height, but he realized that the brutal kick he would receive would only encourage an accident. “Yes, Yaku san!” was all he squeaked out as he jogged onto court.
Kuroo slapped him hard on the back. “Loosen up! We’re all a team here! And remember what I told you about proper posture? Stand up!” he motivated with an exhausted smile.
Lev forced his spine to straighten and his legs to spread, and audibly gasped when he felt the pressure on his bladder increase by approximately 40000.09 percent. Fukunaga, attentive as always, noticed his discomfort and gave a reassuring thumbs up. Lev almost relaxed until he heard the whistle blow. That dang whistle.
It was already hard enough to play volleyball in front of 30,000 people, his senpais, his friends, and Kenma. But playing with a full bladder took the cake by far. Lev’s legs seemed to wobble and his hands felt clammier than usual. Despite the struggle, he still managed to hit the ball set by a weary Kenma. It was really high and a bit out of place, but it wasn’t anything he could reach. With a whip-like arm, he swung with all his force and slammed it against the ground, smirking when he heard the satisfying “Smash!”
As Lev landed steadily and released a victorious cry from the back of his throat, he awaited for the applause to erupt from the stands. Nothing but a few laughs, followed by an embarrassed yelp that sounded like his sister. His arm returned between his legs as if that was its regular position. Strange. He thought for sure he hit the ball-
“Lev, you…hit our side of the court…” Kenma sighed miserably, “And that wasn’t your ball…”
Oops.
Lev’s face scrunched up in embarrassment and maybe a bit guilt. “One more, Kenma san! I’ll get the 100 points.” he began weakly, but Kenma had given up on him (or life) at this point. Seeing his body downcast and tired, his regular golden cat eyes foggy with annoyance, made Lev mentally curl up in himself.
Kuroo forced a grin as they settled back into position. “Do-Don’t mind! But Lev, hitting the ball isn’t the only way to receive attention!”
Lev almost scowled at that. That wasn’t the reason. It was an honest mistake. The game progressed and it was getting harder and harder to hold it. And focus. He already got caught in the net three times, fell into the crowd twice, and missed the ball several times.
Just when he had the perfect chance to strike, a particular movement of his leg sent an agonizing jolt through his body. He toppled onto the ground, a hand flying to his crotch. The Russian felt something wet drip down his finger and he had a hard time distinguishing it between sweat or pee. This can’t be happening.
The news reporters gasped as they witnessed the middle blocker collapsing. “Haiba just fell right before the ball set by Kozume! That was a crucial moment missed because their opponent is now currently winning 23-19! Will Haiba Lev, the tallest and most capable ace-aiming player, help Nekoma able to catch up, or will the other team take the first set and lead?!” one of the reporters boomed through the mic.
His wording was so obnoxious Lev suspected it was targeted specifically towards his bladder. He whined in pain, coiling up further to cut off any liquid threatening to dribble out. A harsh kick to his bottom sent him leaning heavily on his head.
“Lev, I told you!” Kuroo spat, “We get it! You want attention! But we need to focus on the actual game, not feelings!” his tone fell softer, “Are you hurt? You still look stiff.”
Lev contemplated telling the truth. “K-Kuroo san, I might ha-have…”
He was interrupted by his fiery senpai that made him cringe, “You idiot! Your never taking my title from me, you got it?!” Yamamato screamed, dragging Lev to the bench. It only took one lecture about focus from the coach to break him.
Clambering over to his captain like one of those running titans, Lev whined again. “U-uh…Kuroo sa-s-san…” he started, pausing as he contemplated his actions. No, this was worth it. “I real-really need to-“
”Yeah, yeah, we know!” His upperclassmen snapped, “You want Kenma to set to you. You should be glad Coach called a timeout so we can revise our team plan. It seems like this middle blocker isn’t playing so well today.”
Lev was about to protest when Inuoka clapped his shoulder supportively before taking his hand and leading him over to huddle. Just awesome. For the third time, he tried again. “So I would r-really l-like if I could-“
Kuroo shouted fiercely. “Let’s get on our a-game everybody!! And remember, this is about teamwork! Connecting!” Lev swore he could see everyone glance at him with wide, cat like eyes, but he was too focused on not spilling his bodily fluids onto his teammates’ shoes. “Let’s have Lev switch out with Yaku, and…Yamamato towards the back. Sound good?” (I know nothing about volleyball bear with me…)
Everyone cheered in acknowledgement except for Kenma, who just looked pleased he didn’t have to set to sloppy Lev and experience another tragedy anymore. Lev groaned audibly as he shuffled over to the bench, squirming and shaking with his legs pressed together in an awkward manner. This was it. He was benched because of some stupid, but badly needed, bathroom break. He clamped his thighs tighter. Maybe if he was lucky, he could waddle to the bathroom and back without anyone noticing.
“Feeling under the weather?” Fukunaga cut through the fuzzy clouds in his head, causing Lev to turn to him in confusion, “Don’t worry too much. It’ll probably just be for a small…pee-riod (period).” he giggled to himself softly.
Lev’s face fell. Oh. So was it that obvious that Fukunaga even knew? He wriggled uncomfortably, even more so since now his senpai was aware of his urgent need. “Fukunaga san, c-can you t-t-tell Kuroo…” he asked weakly before someone pulled his hand. He whimpered at the loss of warmth, but was momentarily shocked to find it was Inuoka.
He smiled. “Let’s get you to the bathroom. I’m not exactly sure why Yaku san wants me to go with you…doesn’t matter! You know where the bathroom is, right?”
Lev shook his head, and he swore he could hear Yaku whisper “pathetic” under his breath. For once, he actually agreed. He really was pathetic. I mean, just look at him. He thought he did an alright job of hiding his need, but how could he? Besides, he couldn’t do anything right. That’s why he messed up all those sets he received. He messed up the team. Now he was taking up Inuoka’s time, too. Why was he made regular again? Because he was the ace?…No. Because he was tall. That was his only talent.
The brunette appeared to sense his friend’s self-deprecating thoughts. “When I was playing again Karasuno the first time, I almost threw up from my anxiety.” he admitted quietly as his cat like pupils shot around his eyes in order to locate the bathroom sign.
Lev gulped in response. “Okay…”
”When I realized Kuroo and Shibayama and Teshiro and my new friend Hinata was there, I relaxed. Automatically.”
Okay? Lev didn’t understand where he was getting at, but it didn’t matter. He wasn’t listening to his stories too well anyway because his bladder was screaming for attention. While another drip made its way out, Lev’s whines grew louder. “I-In…Inuoka…I can’t—please, can we go-go outside—or if it’s closer—or farther?…Just…I dunno…”
Inuoka’s grip tightened ever so slightly. “It’s just around the corner and…oh…stairs. Look, it’s just one flight. You got this.” he spoke confidently before taking off down the steps with even more energy than when he entered the gym. The older trailed behind him meekly, his lanky legs goofily bobbing against each other.
By this point, the front of his pants were sporting a dark red spot that looked extremely noticeable unless you were standing 10 feet away. He tried to squeeze his muscles tight and believe real hard he wasn’t going to give in. Ultimately, his inner self betrayed him. Just those measly drops were heavenly, although he couldn’t tell himself that. A cry he didn’t know he wracked up escaped his lips, causing Inuoka to presently whip around to observe his face.
It probably looked ugly. Tear stricken and flushed. He was already compressing every muscle and organ in his lower body, so why should he be expected to do the same for his emotions? “I’m n-not….not mak-making it….” he groaned, attempting to pinch the flow with whatever strength he possessed, “It’s already…Can we—”
Those words left his mouth and they were off running again. Lev gave into his desire the minute the bathroom sign popped into his eyesight, the floodgates bursting like a dog who saw the gate left open. The hallway was filled with shameful wails as Lev’s cries picked up volume.
He couldn’t bother to feel embarrassed anymore —he was way past that— as he let out strings of tearful complaints such as “I’m a mess,” and “It’s no use,” each sentence punctuated by a sob. The shorter paid no mind, solely determined to get Lev to the bathroom. Inuoka forced the other into a stall, even as his hands and legs increasingly began to reek of ammonia, and practically shoved him on the toilet. Afterwards, he slammed the door closed and covered his ears tightly.
‘These pants were too small anyway.’ was all Lev kept telling himself, being that hours of liquid streamed through the fabric. The force was so powerful it splashed against the water and bounced upwards, around the inside of the toilet bowl.
He sighed sluggishly, his fixed hold on the sides of the porcelain faltering under the relief. But as he relaxed, he still let out sobs. Snot dripped down his nose and pooled at his upper lip shortly before spilling to join the mess spread under him. He spotted Inuoka’s feet waiting patiently in front of the stall, doing that little foot shaky stim he usually did when he was anxious. Oh, so he was burdening him, too?
”Inuoka, you can leave,” Lev blubbered once his peeing had slowed down to the point where it wasn’t embarrassingly echoey, “I know you just want to get back to the game.”
Inuoka uncovered his ears and let out a small sigh. “No, Lev. I need…to know if you’re okay. Did you hurt yourself?…”
Lev paused his whimpering. “No…I-I’m fine….” he whispered, “I literally pee’d myself. Why do you care? You definitely can’t picture me as an ace now.”
Suddenly, the silver haired noticed the shaking coming to a stop. Then, his shoes turned to face the stall. “I’d rather have my clumsy, dumb friend than an ace. At least Lev is fun. And he just doesn’t know when to quit.”
Lev cringed at the last part, but his face brightened significantly. “I made a mess of the floor, my clothes, you, and myself.” he responded a lot less shyer than he expected.
“We’ll clean it up. No one’s here to laugh at you.”
They sat there in comfortable silence until Lev’s sobs came to an end. With shaky limbs, he gently pushed the door open, subconsciously bracing himself for the judgmental stare.
He gazed ahead bashfully and somewhat eagerly. However, he was taken back by the other’s bright smile. For some reason, he smiled back. A second of silence followed before it was broken from a snort. Then a chuckle….giggle….and finally a full blown laugh. Inuoka wheezed uncontrollably, leaning heavily on the sink for support as Lev, whose eyes was filled with tears of gratitude and laughter, fought to stay upright.
”You were literally pissing yourself!”
”Why did we just stare at each other for 30 seconds?!”
”You broke first!”
”No you!”
When their fit ended, Lev peeled off his soiled pants and the younger cleaned and dried it with some of the bathroom equipment. After sneaking to the storage room where all their bags were kept and quickly discarding his boxers in favor of clean ones, they rushed back to the arena. They had only been gone for 10 minutes at most, but it certainly felt longer. It even felt like they came out as two different people. Two friends with an unbreakable bond.