Chapter Text
Miya Atsumu never thought of himself as the type to settle down, always fighting to reach the top — to reach the highest peaks success can give. For years training and playing volleyball has been his life, his reason to breathe; the aches in his muscles bear results in his reserve for striving for more, callouses mark his hands like medals reminding him in each victory was a labor induced climb.
As the match reached into its final set the roar of the crowds cheering him—them—on (as a team of course) Atsumu could feel the hunger that settled deep in his core, the sweat that pooled in the ridges of his muscles that drip from his skin down to the gymnasium floor—it was electrifying.
"All right, Black Jackals! This is the final set. We're tied with the other team right now, but I know we've got this! You already know the plan, so do your best out there!" their captain Meian shouted with a wide grin to boost morale in the last part of the set. shuffling the others to the other side of the court while making sure their lineup got enough rest.
Atsumu thanked their manager for the water handed out to him, dabbing away his sweat soaked face, the primal need to win clings to his shoulders. He looks up from the bench glancing at his team — Shoyo-kun and Bokuto-san jump in the air like two balls of energy practically buzzing at the anticipation, their coach reprimanding them for not resting. He chuckles quietly shaking his head as he hydrates himself, his eyes wander to far edge of the bench where Sakusa Kiyoomi sat his broad shoulders hunched over as his deep set eyes concentrated on the court.
As minutes ticked by it seemed time slowed when Atsumu set his brown eyes on the timid outside hitter who was clutching his hands in tight fists, the hunger in his core shifted into something warmer,heavier. His heart stammering against his chest. His normal focus trampled over by the confusing emotions bubbling inside.
Like a bumbling teen with a hopeless crush he wanted to hide; to look away before he gets caught, however it seems that Kiyoomi's magnetic disposition has attracted Atsumu no matter how hard he tries to push it down.
As the blonde setter gaped longingly at the raven haired man a pair of deep black irises met his own. A scowl formed on the hitter's face one eyebrow raised up at the setter's intense gaze on him.
"What are you looking at Miya?" Kiyoomi asked form still hunched but hardened at the moment he noticed the singular audience watching him.
Atsumu grinned at him with a sly sensibility washing away his foolish affections for said man "Omi-kun why keep using my last name? It makes me feel as though yer talking bout my brother" he mockingly motioned puking at the thought of his identical twin.
"Because unlike you Miya I'm a professional, I have no business in being chummy with you outside the court" came the blunt reply.
The coldness of those words pierced through the young setter's heart. As much as he wanted to he had no right to argue back, realistically the man was right. They were merely coworkers—acquaintances at best from their time at the youth training camp but other than that they barely talked outside volleyball.
How Atsumu wished that could change.
Before he can retort a snark remark the buzzer snapped him out of the private bubble he and Kiyoomi had created in the moment. Their coach yelled at them to get back on court.
The bright lights weighed heavy on them. The spotlight shining on the team of MSBY Black Jackal's. Atsumu refocused on the grueling final match, the whistle blew, signaling the opposing team’s serve. Still a part of him couldn't help but think about the outside hitter.
Set. Spike. Run. Receive.
The squeaks on the floor followed by heaving breathes and shouts from both teams ring alongside Atsumu's beating heart. His body moved in sync alongside his teammates. Hands and form steady–perfect. He sets towards Bokuto on the right side.
Blocked by the rival team, hope was not lost as Shoyo sweeps from behind keeping the ball alive.
Atsumu scanned his hitters deciding whom to set the ball, he locked eyes with Sakusa. Without words he could feel it —the same hunger in Kiyoomi's gaze, with a manic grin he sets to him.
Sakusa flew.
Watching in awe as Sakusa Kiyoomi soared above him, as he spiked clean through the rival's defense. Mesmerized by the raw power, the sharp features on the hitters face —he didn't even hear the loud shouts of their teammates nor the increased cheering of the crowd.
"WE WON!!!"
Shoyo had jump on his shoulder's as the other members like Bokuto and Meian come round to give him pats on the back. However Atsumu couldn't care less. Focused on Kiyoomi's retreating form, a brief glance came his way.
"Not bad Miya" Kiyoomi said nonchalantly —however a small smile escaped his features, nobody noticed, except Atsumu of course.
A slight flush covered his face, as he watched the raven haired man exiting the gymnasium most probably heading to the locker rooms.
The gym lights now felt too bright, the cheers too loud. The game was over, but something in his chest was still racing, just not from the match.
He exhaled slowly, letting the moment stretch before the sound of Bokuto’s voice yanked him back to earth.
"Oya, Tsumu-kun, you okay your face is really red!" Bokuto peered at him concerned.
Atsumu waved his hand in dismission reeling his burning desire back into a false smirk, "I'm fine Bokuto-san the game was just… intense today" he reasoned hoping to fool the man.
While skeptical of whether the statement was true, Bokuto's worried expression eased up to one of joy for today's victory.
"Alrighty then, let's head off to the locker room! Sakusa-kun already went ahead — AHAHAHA, it seems he really can't stand germs huh?"
"Well he wants to take care of himself Bokuto-san, being sick does not win games after all" Atsumu remark with a lazy grin recalling a brief conversation with the raven haired man about his… intense dislike for germs deeming them a hazard for ones health. he walked in tandem with Bokuto and Shoyo.
" Can't blame him" Hinata chimed in "After what happened to me, I've started taking care of myself better too, I still need to beat Tobio for last time!"
the ginger exclaim eager to make up the lost from their last game with the Adler's, their long standing rivalry with the setter lasting decades now, Atsumu wondered how Shoyo—sunshine incarnate himself ,carved his way inside Kageyama's cold blunt heart.
"Oh? Tobio huh~?, no more Kageyama kun~?" the blonde setter teased him grinning wickedly like a cheshire cat.
The ginger flushed instantly "Oh-well, its just-, we've been spending more time together since i got back from Brazil! And -and we've known each other since high school so y'know… we've just started calling each other by our first names!"
"AHAHAHA MY DEAR KOUHAI! Have you and Kageyama finally settled your undeniable sexual tension" Bokuto hollered wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, grabbing Hinata in a chokehold, ruffling his hair.
" S-sexual Tension!? Wha-whatever do yo-you mean Bokuto-san" The poor boy could not escape his seniors teasing at his supposed love life.
Bokuto cackled"Don't try to deny it Shoyo!, even if I'm not the most emotionally observant guy, i most definitely have witnessed you two's chemistry since high school! Right Tsumu kun~" he turned to Atsumu as they entered the locker room.
"It's true Sho-kun" Atsumu replied grinning wider "Yer very obvious with yer feelings for that stinkin Kageyama, so… any development besides the first name thing~"
At the merciless teasing and prodding of his teammates Hinata's resolve broke— with his cheeks red and spilled his hopeless endeavor of loving the one and only Kageyama Tobio.
Atsumu parted himself from the flustered ginger and the enthusiastic spiker, as the younger of the two shared his hopeless pinning for the Adler's setter. Shaking his head as the two kept up their conversation. He sighed mentally—partly from the stiffness of his body, and maybe, from jealousy. Oh who was Atsumu kidding he was definitely jealous of Hinata, at least the younger man had something in the romance department unlike him.
'AAGHHH! Stupid! Stupid! Tsumu! why fall for the emotional unavailable bastard!.'
Scrunching his eyes he lets his head flop into the towel burying his inner turmoil in soft fabric, setting his head straight he then gets his toiletries, and heads towards the shower's —only to collide with a warm body blocking his path.
Kiyoomi bristled at the contact "Watch yourself Miya".
Atsumu stepped back, the warmth in his core now joined by butterflies that dared to claw up his throat. Sakusa Kiyoomi who stood before him, was built like a Greek god.
Brown eyes flitted down—over the bare toned legs,wet glistening abs, strong arms flexing as he adjusted the criminally short towel—before shooting up to others face. Dark curls dripping droplets on the floor taunting Miya Atsumu's resolve. For a split-second he swore he went to heaven.
"What Miya? Cat got your tongue?"
Atsumu spluttered a haste reply, arms flailing at a futile attempt to look casual"Wha– Oh, sorry Omi-kun, guess I spaced out AHAHAHA!" his laugh strained and awkward.
The sound making Sakusa's gaze sharpen.
"Whatever.Just get some rest. Can't have our setter benched for the next games" Sakusa brushed past him, voice blunt as ever— but Atsumu noticed something… softer, almost like worry in the hitter's tone.
'Wait was that… concern?'
At the sudden implication his heart rattled against his ribs—throat dry and mind reeling. He needed to hide. Rushing towards the nearest empty stall hiding behind shower tiles a growing heat consumed him. Shame prickled through him for shamelessly staring at his teammate. However who could blame him? His crush bumped into him half-naked! Laid out like temptation himself.
'Shit! I hope he didn't notice me checking him out.' A small whine escaped his lips shallowly echoing through the stalls. 'God, universe, whatever is out there —help me out here'.
Atsumu prayed as desperately as he set each ball in court, willing the universe to finally set something back to him.
And luckily for Miya Atsumu… it seemed like the universe might just be listening.
The MSBY Black Jackals sat together on a tatami mat flooring shoulder-to-shoulder,a cozy place that seemed even smaller as Foster cramped them inside. The traditional restaurant requiring them to sit on the ground—well at least they had zabuton's. The other members tried to get comfortable with Barnes their wing spiker, and Inunaki their libero sitting next to each other seiza style—how polite of them Atsumu thought briefly—with the two most loud members having giving up sitting appropriately just spread out on the tatami mat. Leaving Atsumu sat right next to Meian acting as a buffer between him and Sakusa Kiyoomi who was currently giving the two judging stares.
And while Atsumu would've been flushing at the close proximity with Kiyoomi, the current numbness of his legs have his mind occupied at the moment as chaos erupted from the small table. From the other side Hinata almost dropped two bowls in his haste and Bokuto's loud cackling called the attention of the other patrons peacefully eating. Poor Meian the ever responsible leader he is already helping the overwhelmed waiter and silently thanked them for serving their food while he bowed apologetically for his rowdy teammates.
Considering they just finished a grueling match, the small cramped restaurant wasn't exactly what Atsumu had in mind for a victory reward. A nice hot soak, a good sleep, maybe even a massage— not being pressed together with his teammates like sardines, while coach Foster loomed at the head of the table.
The coach coughed his throat load enough to silence the chatter. Atsumu straightened his form right away.
"First of all, good job out there you did well against (insert other volleyball team)" he said calmly, almost casual, until he followed with a shout"that said YOU LOT STILL HAVE A LOT TO IMPROVE!"
The table turned silent even a small gingered crow and an energetic spiky haired owl, froze mid-air, chopsticks in hand as if they've been caught red-handed.
Foster’s gaze swept the table as he began to dissect their performance.
“Bokuto—your serve was sloppy at the end of the second set. Barnes—your block was full of holes the other team smashed through you. Inunaki—your silence almost caused us back there you should call out to your members on court.Sakusa—you should’ve been faster on that reception, just because someone else can cover you doesn't mean that you should be slacking off. Meian—your stamina dipped hard in the last set, as captain you can't afford to lose steam especially on the final set. Hinata—your recklessness almost cost us that attack pattern. And Atsumu—” Foster’s eyes lingered a second longer on the setter, “—you were playing like your mind was somewhere else.”
The players’ heads dropped, each in their own brand of frustration: Bokuto’s lips pushed into a sulky pout, Sakusa’s shoulders stiffened resisting the urge to argue back, while Hinata distracted himself by poking absently at his food.The coach deeply sighed as he finished his rant. holding a hand up to cut off incoming protests.
"All in all—y'all did good but you could be BETTER!" he added voice booming, crossing his arms "That said an opportunity to better our team came to us like an angel sent from GOD!" their serious coach turned dramatic exclaimed, the team chuckled quietly into their bowls used to their coach's flare. Laid back as he often was, when he chewed them out, he made sure it stuck.
"An opportunity coach? ya sure this ain't just a scam for us to do yer bidding" Atsumu grinned at their coach.
Bokuto chimed in pointing a skeptical look towards their coach"Yeah coach, last time you set up 'special training', we just basically cleaned out your storage space! and you had the gall to rename it as 'Muscular-Stamina Endurance Training' " he punctuated his betrayal with dramatic air quotes.
The rest of the team laughed once more at Bokuto's skepticism and back-talk to their coach, who was mostly a good sport supporting his own cheeky smile.
"Yeah yeah, yap it up, still it did help with endurance didn't it?" Foster defended himself before pulling back the theatrics. His voice dropping into something firmer
"This time it’s no gimmick. The JVA has officially selected the Black Jackals to attend a professional summer boot camp."
The words hung in the air for a split moment—then chaos erupted once again as members eagerly pressed for details. Questions thrown out, voices overlapping as everyone tried to speak at once.
Atsumu sat deep in thought as he fathomed the training camp, this wasn't much of a new thing for him, however the notion that top-notch volleyball groups are attending as well—was the intriguing part. That sparked something in him. Rivals.Allies.Battles.Opportunities.
And then—
"A summer training camp huh" the raven haired supplied low, into the cacophony of voices around them."this will be…interesting"
Atsumu's stomach flipped; the chaos blurred away. The realization hit him straight in the face—that he'd be with Kiyoomi for weeks for a month!
As excitement and dread filled him he couldn't help but smile.
"Oh interesting indeed."