Can I be what he deserves?
Terushima has been out of highschool for two years now and something has felt missing since. Heâs tried reaching out to old friends and teammates but nothing feels right. He came out as bisexual his third year and the team all laughed and told him it was about time that he realized what they all already knew. His revelation came while watching Karasuno after they admittedly made fools of themselves trying to get the other teams manager to give them her phone number. He cringes at the thought of how aggressive and probably scary they were being with the glasses clad third year until the excited little red head did his best to step in and help her. While thinking over why he was even trying to be get her number because he wasnât even interested he caught sight of Karasunoâs pinch server who had the cutest freckles and shy personality heâd ever seen. He pushed those thoughts to the side quickly realizing if he even tried to befriend the little brunette heâd be beaten and buried by their insanely tall blonde middle blocker who was almost certainly more than just the others best friend.
After the realization that he was also interested in men a lot more things started to make sense inside of Yuuji. Unfortunately things on the outside only got worse. He didnât have the best relationship with his parents to begin with especially his dad and one fateful day his dad decided to come home earlier than normal and find him in a compromising position with a fellow teammate. Takeharu had come to Yuuji with questions about his sexuality. He wasnât sure if what he was feeling for another friend was normal friendship or something more. He wasnât even sure if he liked guys and could see them this way. Teru being the good friend and open minded person he is offered to help Takeharu figure it out. At first as to not scare him Teru just took Takeharuâs face in his hands and straddled his waist sitting on his knees. While nothing lewd had happened between them the feeling of his heart in his throat was enough to tell Takeharu he could probably be into guys. Just after Teru leaned in to capture Takeharuâs lips with his own his father walked in and was greeted by the sight of his son slipping his tongue into one of his best friends mouths. Yuujiâs dad went ballistic shouting and pulling Yuuji off of Takeharu by his hair and dragging him into the kitchen while demanding Takeharu leave.
â-eruâŠ.-eruâŠHEY TERUâ Kazuma Bobataâs voice break through Yuujiâs memory of the horrible last day his father spoke to him. Heâs standing outside the university Bobata and Takeharu attend,waiting at the gate for his friends. âI said do you wanna go hit the ball around with Takeharu and I on Saturday?â Yuuji smiles as brightly as he can manage without making it obvious how fake the smile truely is, he knows Bobata can see through his fakeness but also knows he wonât ask unless Yuuji starts crying. âHell yeah! You know Iâm always down to play volleyball with my favorite power couple!â Teru exclaims, at least one good thing came out of that horrible day. Takeharu had the confidence to confess to Bobata and theyâve been together ever since and living together for the last year and a half; Yuuji likes to take credit for their relationship whenever he can. ââŠHey man do you wanna talk about whatâs bothering you?â Bobataâs voice is quiet and calm like heâs trying not to scare Teru away. âWhat do you mean? Iâm fin-..â Teru is cut off by Bobata who sighs âLook Teru I know itâs been hard for you since you left home and I know youâve been working really hard at your apprenticeship at the tattoo shop but donât you think itâs time you meet some new people?â The tears that had been threatening to spill do just that and Bobata starts to apologize profusely for over stepping thinking heâd hurt his friend when Teru looks up through tear stained eyes and confesses how lonely heâs been but nothing fills the void that quitting volleyball and cutting off his family created. Bobata hugs Terushima tightly and can just barely make out a whisper from him âWhat do I do now?â Terushima cries.
After Terushima has calmed down enough to walk Bobata insists on him coming over to have dinner with Takeharu and himself. Teru has never told either of his best friends what happened after Takeharu left that day beyond the fact that he does not speak to his parents anymore which they only know because Terushima lived with Takeharuâs family the rest of the year. Arriving at the house Takeharu immediately notices something is wrong with Terushima but doesnât mention it right away as to not pry. Initially Teru is grateful for the silence but knows heâll have to address the elephant in the room eventually. âDo you remember when my dad caught us kissing?â He addresses Takeharu and Bobata flinches, he knows the kiss meant nothing but sometimes heâs still a little jealous always having felt physically inferior to Terushima. âOf courseâŠIâve never seen anyone so angryâŠâ Takeharu also flinches at the memory of Terushimaâs dad dragging him away screaming over a fairly innocent kiss. âThat wasnât the end of itâŠafter you left he said he was going to âturn me straightâ and âmake me normal againââŠâ Terushimaâa voice quivers heâs never said any of this out loud beforeâŠâ He wanted to âbeat it out of meââŠthe smart thing to do would have been to pretend like it worked but I was even more hot headed then so I refused to fold and he just beat me more and more with anything he could get his hands on beltsâŠglass bottlesâŠ.even broom stick handlesâŠ.thatâs why Monday morning at school I asked to live with you but beyond that I couldnât bring myself to care about anythingâŠI quit volleyball saying I was trying to focus more on school but the truth was I had several fractured ribs and so many bruises it hurt to breathe playing would have been impossible.â Terushima canât bring himself to look at his friends, he doesnât want to see the pity in their eyes. âSo when you quit itâŠit was my faultâ Surprised Terushima looks up and what he sees on Takeharuâs face is not pity but guilt and shame. âIf I hadnât asked you to help me he never would have seenâŠor if I hadnât left you by yourselfâŠmaybeâŠâ Teru laughs it isnât funny and the laugh sounds broken but he looks at his friends with his signature smirk anyway âItâs not your fault he would have found out eventually anyway after we graduated I couch hopped with other guys on the team and even a few guys from other schools until I met ShinâŠI fell for him hard he was older, said heâd take care of me and he did things were good for a while but he started trying to control meâŠwho I could talk toâŠwhat I could wearâŠhe started hitting meâŠone day he grabbed me by the throat and threw me into a table and it shatteredâŠI didnât know what to do so I ran and spent the night in the parkâŠthe next day is when the three of us met up, I told you I slipped off a curb and I stayed here for a few days until my studio was ready to move intoâŠâ Bobata looked furious and Terushima flinched..was he mad at him for not telling them? Was he mad BECAUSE he told them? âYou could have stayed here sooner or longer you know? Why didnât you ask us for help?â
In truth Terushima knew he could have come here sooner could have told Takeharu and Bobata that he was being hurt by his boyfriend but he was so ashamed that he didnât stand up for himself like he always did for his teammates. They all thought he was strong and he didnât want them to worry so he suffered in silence. âYou guys had just moved in together and were so happy I didnât want to rain on your paradeâŠbesides I found a new place soon afterâŠitâs been hard to find someone I trust enough to be with after that thoughâŠI just really wanted to come clean to you guys why Iâm single and why I havenât been myself this past year. Iâm really sorryâ âNo!â They say in unison âWeâre sorry, weâre supposed to be your best friends and we had no idea you were having such a hard time.â âWeâre sorry you were being hurt and thought telling us would ruin our happiness we would drop everything to get you out of that situationâ The silence that follows is deafening but nobody speaks up until Bobata stands to get dessert. He places the cake in front of Teru and clears his throat. âLook this might sounds crazy but maybe you just need baby steps toward feeling like yourself againâŠas lame as is sounds Iâve never seen you happier than when we played volleyball. Maybe pick up a community team and start your healing from there?â Terushima smiles at his friends and takes a bite of cake. He really does miss volleyball.
Terushima walks into Scared Skin the following morning and greets the receptionist and gives the same charming grin as always not letting on anything is bothering him and she blushes. âYUUJIIIIIII MY BEAUTIFUL STUDENT THERE YOU ARE!â âAmaya senpai good morning whatâs on the calendar for today?â Amaya bounds over to Yuuji and smacks him on the back. Amaya is a short girl only about five feet tall with piercing all down her ears like Yuuji but quite a few more tattoos than him. âI actually thought Iâd let you take the lead on a customer today! Heâs coming in for a sports related tattoo and happened to see some of your sketches on the counterâ Terushima stops dead in his tracks heâs so nervous and excited all at the same time. A client saw his drawings and wanted HIM to come up with a tattoo?! âOf course! When will he be here?!â Teru nearly screams. Amaya chuckles âHis appointment is at 530 he has volleyball practice until 330 so you should have plenty of time to draw up a few ideas he wants it to be about three or four inches and volleyball themed probably on his calf or tricep depending what looks best and he said âmake it badassâ I know you used to play so Iâm sure you know better than me what that meansâ Terushima is overjoyed he gets to combine his two favorite things into one volleyball and art. He immediately pulls out his sketch pad and begins to work.
Drawing has always been a passion for Terushima, it calms him makes him forget his troubles even just for a little while. Before he even realizes itâs almost 530pm and he has 8 different sketches to show the client. Teru isnât sure what position the client plays so he does a couple of each to cover his bases and some general ones as well. Heâs most fond of the one with the silhouette of a man spiking over a net but he also has a setter and a server as well as one of just a volleyball covered by flames Incase the others are too much. Finally the time comes and Teru is nervously awaiting his first client. Amaya is going to be over seeing his first real job but sheâs assured him heâs more than ready. A handsome man probably in his 30s with blonde hair walks in and gives his name to the receptionist. After a moment after Amaya and Teru are greeting the client who introduces himself as Takinoue YĆ«suke.
âIâm really excited to see what you have drawn up for me I really liked all the line work and still lifeâs I saw in your portfolioâŠactually idk if itâs still life since it had so much movement.â Takinoue smiles at Terushima and his heart melts a little being such a sucker for praise has always been his downfall. âIâm really excited to show you! I was the captain of my volleyball team in highschool and I really miss itâ Teru says while pulling out his sketches. Takinoue looks through them enthusiastically telling Teru how heâs a wingspiker for the Karasuno neighborhood association that his friend Ukai Keishin started. This immediately caught Teruâs attention âwait you mean the coach for Karasuno High?? Man my team got demolished by them my 2nd year.â As he laughs at the memory. Takinoue and Terushima continue to chat about volleyball while Takinoue ponders the design choices. Amaya stands nearby listening to the conversation and is about to interrupt to ask if any of the designs catch Takinoueâs eye when the man shouts âOH HELL YEAH THIS IS IT!â
Terushima looks at the sketch heâs pointing at and itâs one of the first ones he started but the last one completed. Itâs a little bigger then the four inches that we originally discussed but Teru liked the idea too much to leave it out and says as much. Itâs a silhouette of a person jumping with knees bent and an arm above his head after spiking a ball over the delicate line work implying a net you can see the air rush where the spiker has jumped from the ground and can see the velocity of the ball which is being depicted with blue flames the only color in the whole tattoo. âThis is my favorite that I drew iâm so glad you like it. Itâs the one I would get as well if I still playedâ Terushima smiles at the memories of volleyball. The only indication that he ever played being the kanji for simplicity and fortitude; his schools motto, tattooed over each hip just below where his pants sit. When he got it done Takeharu and Bobata laughed saying only he could make a highschool motto seem slutty. After some discussion with Amaya itâs decided that it will have to be 2 sessions one for the outlining and silhouette and one for shading and adding color. Due to the bigger than planned size of the piece the only logical spot is going to be on Takinoueâs right calf. The first appointment is set for the end of the week to make sure thereâs plenty of time to prepare. âWhy donât you head home too Yuuji? You did a really good job today and deserve itâ Terushima Bows âThank you so much Amaya senpai Iâll do just that.â
4 A Piece of me is missing
Terushima exits Sacred Skin and sees that Takinoue is still outside smoking. âHey mind if I bum one?â Teru barely finishes asking before Takinoue is holding out the pack. âSo I gotta ask and I know itâs not my business but it seems like you really loved volleyball whyâd you quit?â Teru freezes and just says âI didâŠdo love it but I quit for personal reasons.â Takinoue nods, not wanting to overstep. âWell Iâm only really asking for selfish reasons, you see weâre down a guy on my neighborhood team since our buddy got transferred out of the prefecture, and you did say you were a wing spiker.â Terushima raises an eyebrow, his jewelry flashing in the street light. âYou want me to join the neighborhood team?â Takinoue leans against the wall and takes a drag of his cigarette. âOnly if you want to, it can also be temporary if you want. One of the other guys convinced his brother to fill in for a while but he plays for the Sendai Frogs so he canât stay forever.â He barely met me and he wants me to play with them? Teru thinks. He doesnât even know if Iâm any good. His thoughts are racing and he must have been quiet too long because Takinoue stomps out his cigarette and looks at Terushima âLook you donât have to decide now but I have a game before my appointment here on Saturday why donât you meet me at the Rec center at 9am and watch us play then we can come over here together at 1?â Teru nods in agreement even if he doesnât decide to join the team no harm can come from watching a game.
The two say their goodbyes and walk away. The whole way home Terushima is thinking about everything that has happened these last few days. What are the chances somebody asks me to join a volleyball team right after my friends tell me to get back into it?? He thinks. He has to admit he almost jumped at the chance to play again but heâs worried he lost his touch. He gets home and kicks his shoes off in the doorway before going to take a shower. In the mirror he looks at himself closely. He still has the defined body of an athlete thanks to his regular work outs. His muscles on his chest and arms even more defined by the tribal pattern tattoo covering the areas not seen when heâs in public. His boxers hanging low on his hips revealing the V that attracts women and men alike adorned by the two kanji tattoos on either side. He knows heâs physically attractive despite his ribs and back being scarred from past abuse. He sighs itâs his inner self thatâs unattractive he thinks. Heâs too sensitive but also too cocky; heâs too unreliable but also too focused on his work; heâs not creative but too unrealistic. He has never been somebody thatâs anyone wanted for more than his body not even Shin despite what he thought when they got together.
He steps into the shower and letâs the hot water fall over him, trying desperately to wash away the negativity after all he had such a good day today but when heâs alone he just canât stop the thoughts. His breathing quickens and he laughs to himself even after all these years what his family did to him can drive him to be a sobbing mess in his own shower. Pieces of himself have been missing and broken for yearsâŠ.a heavy sob leaves his chest âEven Takinoue just wants me for my body Iâm just a place holder until they find a new wing spiker..Iâm sure somebody would be better than me.â Realistically he knows that isnât what he was thinking when he was offered the position, Takinoue said it himself he can see how much Teru still loves volleyball. He decides just to sleep it off despite how hard that will be. He goes into the next morning and Amaya is already rushing up to him to ask what him and Takinoue talked about after they left and if he happened to mention a partner. âDonât you think going after a client is kindof unprofessional senpai?â He chuckles. âHey technically heâs YOUR clientâ she snaps back. âBesides heâs GORGEOUSâ Teru only shakes his head she isnât wrong but he wonât agree with her that easily. âWe only talked about volleyball I donât know anything about his personal life but you can always ask Saturday when heâs here for the appointment.â Amaya seems pleased with this and retreats back to her station while Teru cleans up his and begins to practice some more on the fake skin. Heâs done this 100 times already and Amaya says itâs basically perfect but he needs it to be 100% when he tattoos his art on Takinoue for real.
Saturday morning rolls around fast than expected and Yuuji is waiting outside the Rec center for Takinoue. Heâs nervous about seeing him for some reason even if it is just to watch the game. Heâs leaning against the wall smoking when he spots him in the distance walking with a few other guys. âTerushima! Come meet some of the other guys on the teamâ Yuuji stomps out his cigarette and walks over to meet them; âGuys is this Terushima Yuuji heâs the tattoo artist I told you about. Terushima this is Shimada Makoto, Tsukishima Akiteru, and Ukai Keishinâ Teru bows in greeting âNice to meet you guys I look forward to watching the gameâ He recognizes one of the men as Karasuno Highâs coach and he really hopes the man doesnât recognize him. He didnât leave a very good impression in highschool. One of the guys Tsukishima Akiteru looks kindof familiar but heâs sure theyâve never met before. Heâs got a nice build, blonde hair, not to mention eyes and a smile you could get lost in and for a moment Teru does. Akiteru blushes a little and smiles saying they need to get inside for the game. Takinoue gives the guys a nod and turns back to Teru telling him to meet here after the game and theyâll walk to Sacred Skin together.
Teru takes a seat in the bleachers on the neighborhood association side. There arenât many spectators mostly family and a few people wearing Sendai Frogs jerseys. âRight he said somebodyâs brother from the Frogs is filling in, I wonder who it is.â Teru thinks to himself. The games about to start and immediately Teru knows who the fill in is. âShit itâs angry glasses from Karasuno, I didnât realize he was on the Frogsâ The announcer calls out the lineup âTsukishimaâŠ.heâs pretty eyes brotherâŠ.Glasses hates me what if he told his brother what I was like in highschool, my time on this team might be over before it startsâ Teruâs eyes scan the crowd again and isnât all that surprised to see the Karasuno pinch server in the crowd sporting a âTsukishimaâ Sendai Frogs jersey. Heâs far enough away Teru doesnât think heâll be noticed but moves to the back of the stands anyway to be safe. Itâs a good game the neighborhood association wins the last set making them the victors for the whole game. The team is pretty good and Teru really wants to play again but heâs worried what impression of any the other guys have of him. To his surprise itâs Ukai who speaks up first, Teru is leaning against the wall waiting for Takinoue when Ukai Keishin approaches him. âSo what did you think? Weâre not too bad for a bunch of geezers huh?â Rising his eyebrow at Teru who smirks in return âNone of you guys are that old, you were only what? 26 when you coached my second year so youâre barely in your 30s now?â The silence that follows has Teru sweating he just admitted he recognizes Ukai. âAhh I thought I recognized you youâre Johzenjiâs captain aint cha? You seem different, more mature.â Teru averts his eyes âThings happen. People grow up, changeâŠfor better or worseâ The air is heavy. âYa know if we were all judged by the way we acted in highschool nobody would get anywhere. I hope youâll join us, playing with somebody I used to coach is draining especially when heâs so much better than me.â Ukai smiles fondly at the thought and says his goodbyes.
Terushima lights up another smoke and thinks things over. He really would like to play volleyball again and maybe making some more friends would do him good. When Bobata and Takeharu are busy Teru is completely alone and left with this thoughts except when heâs at the studio or drawing for fun. Takinoue walks up and is ready to head over to Sacred Skin. He waves goodbye to Akiteru who to Teruâs horror is standing with his brother and the pinch server, both of whom look shocked to see Teru there. He also gives a small wave and begins their walk to the studio. âSo what did you think? Not bad right?â Terushima laughs âwhether or not you guys are any good was never going to affect my decision, itâsâŠa little more personal than that ya know? Iâll have to think it over some more how many more games is Tsukishimaâs brother in for?â Takinoue has a gleam in his eye like he knows Teru will say yes âHeâs only able to play in the next game then heâs gotta go. Itâs Saturday again at 10amâ They arrive in front of Sacred Skin and go inside. Teru notices Amaya has more makeup on than usual and her shirt is unusually low cut. She immediately comes to greet them giving Takinoue the prettiest smile Teru has ever seen her give and he chuckles granting him intense side eye from his senpai. Takinoue grins ear to ear telling Amaya how nice she looks today and gloating about winning the game. Teru canât stand watching them flirt anymore and goes to get his station ready.
Takinoue and Amaya come over a few moments later. Amaya tells Takinoue to lay on his stomach and explains that since Terushima is still an apprentice she will be over seeing the tattoo but he will be doing the actual tattooing. âI have full confidence in Yuuji he has such a steady hand when drawingâ Terushima smiles âIf you need any breaks please let me know Takinoue. This will probably take a little while since Iâm new.â Takinoue nods in acknowledgment âDonât worry I have faith in you also please call me YĆ«suke. With any luck weâll be teammates after next weekend.â The next couple hours go by without a hitch. The tattoo looks amazing and everyone is praising Terushimas work especially for his first time. âOkay so make sure you apply the cream and keep it dry. Also please feel free to call me if you have any problems or if you just want to talk volleyball.â Teru hands Takinoue a slip of paper with his number and his name âYuujiâ written on it. âWill do! Iâll see you Saturday morning at the game and to finish up this killer tat. Have a good night Yuuji.â YĆ«suke waves and starts toward the door pausing to smile at Amaya âPleasure to see you again Amaya.â Terushima can see Amaya senpai melt into a puddle of herself before his very eyes. The receptionist giggles as the door slams shut. âI think youâve got a pretty good chance boss.â She says and Amaya is drooling. âI am gonna climb that man like a tree SO HELP ME!â
The sun is coming in through the window of Terushimaâs studio apartment. He has a bed, and a card table with a few folding chairs he found in an alley. It isnât much but itâs his and he doesnât need to rely on anyone for help with it. The only people who have been over are Bobata and Takeharu and only for a second at that; not that Teru is embarrassed it just doesnât make sense for them to squish into his tiny studio when they own a home. Teru reaches for his phone, 10:30; heâs meeting his friends at 1 to play volleyball at the park, itâs never much of a game since theres only 3 of them. He gets up and reheats some leftover ramen from the fridge. *Scar tissue that I wish you sawâŠ* his phone plays in English. unknown number *Decline* âSpam callsâ he says out loud with a sigh and looks at the clock again 12 time to get ready and head out to the park. Teru puts on basketball shorts and a tanktop that shows his arm and part of his chest tat and runs out the door.
Takeharu and Bobata are already there when he gets there and are passing the ball back and forth over the net. âWow so nice of you to join us Captainâ Bobata teases. âIâm not your captain anymore you scrub. Havenât been for a whileâ he smirks. They play 1 v 1 loser of the set swaps out. Teru gets a final point on Bobata who swaps out with Takeharu. âSo whatâs been going on with your life huh? You havenât told us what happened with that tattoo client.â Terushima excitedly pulls out his phone to show the guys the volleyball tattoo heâs doing for Takinoue and starts to tell them about the neighborhood team. He tells him about the guys he met and coach Ukai. âDo you guys remember grumpy glasses? Karasunos middle blocker? His brother is on this team and theyâre nothing alike. His brother is so sweet and his eyes are so gentle unlike how aggressive his brother always looksâŠâŠâ Terushima continues to tell them about Tsukishima filling in until next week and how heâs on the Sendai Frogs saying how Tsukishima Akiteru seems really proud of his younger brother and how he seems so supportive. âWait so are you joining the team or not? All youâve been telling us about is your crush on pretty eyes.â
Teru is taken aback for a second âMy what on who?!â Is that how he came off? He was just talking about volleyball. Even Bobata seems frustrated with Teru right now. âDude all youâve said about volleyball is that the guy youâre tattooing asked you to join his team then started on a tangent about how pretty this other guy is.â Takeharu nods in agreement âIf youâre this taken with this guy why not ask him out?â Teru doesnât know how this took a turn. Sure Tsukishima is pretty and seems really nice but does Teru like him? He doesnât know him that well, they barely met he doesnât even know if heâs into guys. âWell heâs on the team so thatâs why I mentioned him. Takinoue and the other guys are cool too. Iâm going to their game on Saturday again to make a decision.â His friends shrug and gesture to continue the game. âTerushima!!â Yujji knows that voice to his horror the topic of their conversation is walking toward them with a smile that could blind a man.
The look on Teruâs face must have given something away because he can hear Takeharu gasped and yell whisper âpretty eyes!â To Bobata who is not subtle about whipping around to look at the man behind him. âTsukishima! Howâs it going?â Teru asks before his friends can embarrass him. âCall me Akiteru, hopefully weâll be teammates soon anyway. I heard youâre coming to the game Saturday, itâs the last one my brother can play in so YĆ«suke is freaking out even though Keishin is the captain.â Akiteru laughs and Teruâs heart jumps into his throat. Shit heâs so pretty shit shit shit. Teruâs mind is racing and he hears Bobata and Takeharu introduce themselves. âHey if you have time do you wanna play 2v2 with us? We usually have to swap out every set but we can have a proper game if you join Yuujiâs team.â Akiteru agrees saying itâll be nice to see how his future teammate plays. They make a moment to get into sync but eventually theyâre working like a well oiled machine. âYuuji that spike was awesome!! My set was kindof low and you still killed it!â Bobata and Takeharu roll their eyes and Yuuji doesnât miss their smirk. âYour set was great especially since youâre a spiker too, I could hit âem all day Aki!â Yuuji misses the intense red blush that forms on Akiteruâs face at the use of the nickname but his friends donât; Takeharu elbowing Bobata in the ribs and screaming at him silently with his eyes.
Akiteru and Yuuji beat Takeharu and Bobata by one set. âMan im starving.â Bobata complains and wraps his arms around Takeharu waist nuzzling into his shoulder. âJesus get a room you show offs some of us are lonelyâ Teru smirks and his friends stick out their tongues. Akiteru looks at his cellphone and makes a face Yuuji canât decipher. âIf you need to leave thatâs okay I know we just kinda snatched you up for the game.â Akiteruâs eyes widen âno! I mean itâs fine I donât have anywhere to be. YĆ«sukeâs just being dumb in the group chatâ. Bobata grabs Takeharu by the hand âWell weâre gonna get going home we look forward to seeing you guys play together after next week.â Yuuji smiles âI think I probably will join I just hope I donât let anybody downâ he says quietly. âWe think you should go for it.â Takeharu and Bobata say in unison the gleam in their eyes saying they arenât JUST talking about volleyball.
Sometimes you need a new POV
Akiteru and Yuuji realize theyâre walking in the same direction and continue to chat. âYou seem really proud of your brother. I wish I had family like that.â Akiteru has been gushing about glasses whose name Yuuji learns is Kei since they left. âOh do you not have any siblings?â Yuuji realizes heâs started a conversation he isnât ready to finish and his eyes get glassy. âYou know if you play with us we hangout outside of volleyball too. We have a poker night and go out drinking. Itâd be really cool if you join us.â Aki changes the subject and Teru smirks at him this time not missing the blush across his face. Maybe Akiteru does like guys? He didnât seem put off by Takeharu and Bobata. âSo I was wondering why it didnât look like you had tattoos if youâre a tattoo artist. Theyâre under your shirt huh?â Terushima is now aware that his shoulder and part of his chest are showing in this shirt revealing his tribal line work that cascaded down his pec. âYeah I prefer to keep âem hidden im already judged enough because of my piercings ya know? I have this one and a few smaller ones that I can keep hidden.â The Johzenji motto on his his hip bones still hidden by his shorts. Akiteru looks curious and Teru smirks. âThose are a little too low to show you in public. Youâll have to buy me dinner first to see those.â Teru says in a joking tone but Akiteru turns bright red and starts to stutter. Aki has never met someone so forward, or is he just messing with him? God heâs so hot. His biceps are amazing his smile is amazing. I bet his whole body is amazing. Akiteru internally gay panics. âIt was a joke. I didnât mean to make you uncomfortable.â Akiteru snaps out of it âNo no Iâm not uncomfortable honestly I was thinking about how cool itâs be to hangout with you more at volleyball and stuff.â They stop walking in front of the Tsukishima household and Akiteru can see Kei and Tadashi peeking through the blinds. He said he was going to be home hours ago. Theyâre definitely going to have questions. Akiteru thanks Yuuji for the game and gives him his number so they can talk volleyball and goes inside.
âWhere were you and why the hell are you walking home with that douche?â His younger brother seethes. Akiteru is taken aback did he say douche? Yuuji seems like a nice guy and Akiteru didnât even know they knew eachother. Tadashi elbows Kei in the ribs and hisses something about people changing. âWho? Yuuji? He seems cool what happened between you guys?â Akiteru is shocked what could he have done that his brother is angry at him just for talking to eachother? Kei starts talking about meeting him during his first year of highschool and how him and his friends were harassing their manager. âWait wait wait him and his friends? You mean the two guys I just met? Iâm pretty sure theyâre gay???â Tadashi is interested now âwait what? Is Terushima gay too?â Akiteru turns bright red âIâm not sureâŠmaybe?âŠor bi? I didnât ask.â Kei realizes what is happening âOH HELL NO AKITERU SERIOUSLY DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM?!â Akiteru grabs the back of his neck âNo no no heâs just gonna take your place on the team hopefully.â Kei looks angry âWell thatâs great! Iâm glad you guys were able to find a new wing spiker you all like. Afterall coach Ukai wouldnât be on board if it didnât feel right. RIGHT Kei?â Tadashi is glaring daggers into Keiâs eyes and Kei huffs and storms upstairs.
Akiteru looks shocked and turns to Tadashi. âTadashi be honest is he really that bad? He didnât seem anything like Kei was saying.â Tadashi gives a soft smile âYou know how Kei is Akiteru, he holds grudges. If Terushima was the same way he was back in highschool I would be shocked. People change and grow, trust your gut.â And follows Kei up the stairs. Thereâs no way heâs still like that. Itâs been almost 5 years since then people change and whether or not heâs a jerk doesnât affect his ability to play volleyball. Tadashi is right Iâm not going to make any snap decisions on Yuuji. *ding ding ding* New Message: Yuuji âThanks so much for playing with us today itâs nice to have a proper game going. Also I hope you werenât uncomfortable with them being so open, theyâre just really happy and forget some people donât take to it.â This doesnât seem like the message from someone who is no good. Whatever happened between them in the past is in the past Akiteru decides. âHey Yuuji of course I wasnât uncomfortable honestly Iâm a little jealous they seem to really love eachother and theyâre really good at volleyball too.â
Saturday morning rolls around and Yuuji is at the rec center waiting for the game to start. Glasses must not have given Akiteru a bad impression of him because Aki is acting the same as always. He sees Teru in the stands and waves; neither of them missing the daggers his younger brother is throwing. âYa know he really isnât that bad when you get to know him. Heâs just protective.â Terushima flinches not expecting anyone to speak to him from behind. âHeyyyy Captain cutie! I figured youâd be here to watch your manâs last game on the team. How are you?â Tadashi rolls his eyes âCaptain cutie? What kind of name is that? And he isnât my man.â Stepping over the bleacher seat to sit next to Terushima. âWell you were the captain your senior year right? And youâre a cutie so I think it fits. Also Iâm not sure how you can deny thatâs your man when he looks like heâs ready to jump over the rail and beat the shit out of me for talking to you.â They both look up to see Tsukishima Kei radiating anger at the sight of them together.
âHonestly Yamaguchi Iâm surprised anybody is talking to meâŠespecially Aki, I would have thought his brother would convince him not too.â Tadashi looks stunned âyou know my name? And Tsuki definitely tried but Aki knows how he is and I reminded him people change.â Why would he think I donât know his name? And so glasses did rat me out Teru thinks. âOf course I know your name that float serve you used to do was amazing. Plus like I said you were a cutie though I never did anything about it because glasses would kill me.â Yamaguchi blushes again and Teru smirks. âGuess glasses doesnât compliment you enough huh? He seems like the type to show how he feels more than say it though.â The game begins against another neighborhood team from a different prefecture. Something about a group of 20 and 30 somethings doing what they love brings a smile to everyoneâs face.
âI havenât told anyone yet but Iâm going to join the team. I had to quit in highschool for personal reasons and havenât played on a team since, my friends think it will be good for me.â Terushima isnt sure if heâs speaking to himself or Yamaguchi but saying it out loud helps. âYou know I also havenât played on a team since highschool, but I ended my short lived career feeling fulfilled so if playing again will do that for you I think you should go for it.â Terushima canât help but laugh why is everyone telling him to go for it lately; Yamaguchi looks confused. âAki played a game with my friends and I the day I walked him home and they told me to go for it too.â Yamaguchi raises an eyebrow and smirks, Aki huh? I donât think his friends were just talking about volleyball he thinks. âYa know Akiteru is a really sweet guy and thatâs why Tsuki is protective of him. He doesnât want him to be taken advantage of but Tsuki doesnât know whatâs best for everybody he has a hard time changing his opinions of people.â Yanaguchi gives Terushima a knowing look and continues âAkiteru is open to a lot of things and can easily get along with anyone. He likes to take care of people, if somebody would be willing to let him do that I think theyâd have something really beautiful.â Terushima knows what heâs implying and it makes his chest hurt. âHah. Thereâs nothing beautiful about having to help someone pick up the shattered pieces of themselves Yamaguchi. I know what youâre implying and he deserves so much more than that. I can tell and I barely know him; I donât even deserve to be his friend much less anything else.â
Terushima has gone through a lot since highschool that much is clear but Yamaguchi doesnât want to pry. âStart with volleyball then. Iâm not saying you have to be anything more or even that you have to change. Sometimes being the best version of yourself is still a little broken but thereâs nothing wrong with asking for help. People you think are perfect rarely are and you can end up helping eachother.â The Karasuno neighborhood association loses the game at the last second. Yanaguchi and Terushima go down to the court to talk to the guys and congratulate them on a good game. âLetâs go have a drink!â Keishin announces and Teru has to remind YĆ«suke he canât drink before the tattoo. âWell weâre gonna head to the shop you guys have a good time drinkingâ YĆ«suke and Yuuji start toward the door when they hear someone behind them. âCan I come watch you work?â Akiteru asks Yuuji as Yamaguchi pulls glasses in the opposite direction. âI donât mind as long as YĆ«suke doesnât, I mean we are teammates after all.â Terushima smirks. âWAIT SO YOULL DO IT?!â YĆ«suke and Akiteru yell at the same time.
When they get to sacred skin Yuuji is surprised to see Takeharu and Bobata standing outside. âHeyyyy Teruuuuuu and Akiteru too fancy that. We really wanted to see the volleyball tattoo youâve been working on so we came to see we hope thatâs alright.â They all enter the shop and get situated in a way that everyone can see. The volleyball tattoo is amazing they all agree. âMaybe I should get a volleyball tattoo. Do you guys have any tattoos?â Akiteru asks Takeharu and Bobata. âThe three of us have matching tattoos with our highschool motto we got for volleyballâ Bobata lifts up his for arm to show the kanji for simplicity and fortitude written vertically down his forearm and TakeHaru shows it written in smaller font on the underside of his wrists. YĆ«suke looks at Yuuji expecting him to show his next when Bobata laughs. âOh Teru canât show you his. Only he would decide to make a highschool motto slutty.âAkiteru blushes realizing this is the tattoo he mentioned before and YĆ«suke looks bewildered âWhere the hell is it?â He asks and Terushima smirks âYouâll have to buy me dinner if you wanna see it.â YĆ«suke huffs a laugh and Yuuji winks at Akiteru laughing as the other man looks away wide eyed.
Terushima finishes the tattoo and Amaya comes to do a final check but Teru knows sheâs really there to hit on YĆ«suke. âLetâs go get some foodâ Teru suggests and they all agree except YĆ«suke who says that heâs going to walk Amaya home since itâs dark. âRemember you canât get that thing wet so try not to sweat too much for a whileâ Amaya tells Yuuji to fuck off with her eyes and they leave. Akiteru says heâs going to use the bathroom and suddenly Teru can feel the atmosphere change and Takeharu tells him to sit. Bobata and him exchange a glance that makes Terushima very nervous. âBefore we say anything remember that weâre here for you and no matter what we will help youâŠ.Teru your dad has been looking for you. He got in contact with my parents since thatâs the last place he knows you were.â Takeharu says very carefully and Teruâs blood runs cold. âWhat does he want? What did they tell him? Does he know where I am?â Why would he be looking for him after all these years? His hands are shaking he feels like heâs going to barf. âTeru Teru breathe. They didnât tell him anything but he has an idea of where you are. Thereâs nothing to worry about right now but you need to be alert.â He canât find me. Iâm already so broken what more can he take from me. Things are finally looking up. Teru is spiraling he canât breathe he can barely see. Suddenly heâs holding a bottle, and a phone, and why is he holding a lamp?? His vision begins to clear and Akiteru is in front of him trying to coach his breathing. Behind him Takeharu and Bobata look worried and regretful. âHey youâre back. Why donât we skip going out and I help you home?â Takeharu and Bobata offer to help take Yuuji home but Aki insists on doing it himself.
When they get to his apartment Teru apologizes for it being small and tries his best to act normal. âYou donât have to fake it you know. I wonât ask if you donât want me to know but Iâm always here to listen.â Teru realizes heâs been standing in the doorway white knuckling his own shirt since they arrived. He offers Akiteru some tea and a seat with a heavy sigh. What does he really have to lose? âWhen I was in highschool my dad walked in on me kissing Takeharu. He had a crush on Bobata but wasnât sure if he was into guys so I offered to help him find out. My dad freaked out on me kicked Takeharu out and tried to beat out the gay all weekend. Technically Iâm bi I tried telling him I liked girls too but it didnât make a difference. He told me I was worthless, disgracing the family name. If I couldnât be smart or useful the least I could be is straight. He messed me up so bad I had several fractured ribs. I quit volleyball because I couldnât play with the physical pain. Told my friends I was focusing on school. Moved in with Takeharu til the end of the year and havenât seen my dad since. Takeharuâs parents told him that my dad called looking for me. I donât know what he wants butâŠIâmâŠIâm scared.â He covers his face with his hands and letâs put a shaker breathe.
Akiteru brushes away some tears Yuuji didnât realize had slipped from his eyes with his thumbs and pulls him in for a hug. Yuuji canât hold it in anymore and sobs harder than heâs ever done before. He clutches Akiteruâs shirt and cries into his shoulder while Akiteru makes small circles on my back. âLet it out. Itâs going to be okay. Anyone who treats their kids that way is the worthless one. Youâre useful. Youâre smart. Youâre such a good artist. Youâre a great volleyball player. Youâre everything anybody could ever want.â Both men tense up at that last statement and Teru raises his head to look at Aki whose eyes are as big as dinner plates. âWh- what did you say?â Aki is panicking he barely knows Yuuji and he just told him he was into him. âYou donât know anything about me. How can you say that? Iâm a disaster. Nobody would ever want me and my baggage. Even my ex who I was with for almost 2 years just wanted my body. Iâm a wreck.â Akiteru looks at Yuuji and smiles. âWeâre all a little broken. Nobodyâs life goes the way they want and sometimes youâre living your dream through someone else. All Iâm saying is despite your baggage which everyone has, you seem like a really good person.â The space between Akiteru and Yuuji got small very quickly, the air between them is heavy with something neither of them want to define right now. âI should go, Iâll see you at practice huh?â His eyes sparkle and Yuujiâs heart clenches. God his eyes are so pretty.
10. Practice makes perfect
Terushima shows up for his first day of practice the following week. 330 Tuesday afternoon before his shift at Sacred Skin. Heâs excited to play again but also nervous because heâs pretty rusty. YĆ«suke runs up to meet him. âGuys this this Terushima Yuuji heâs going to be joining as our wing spiker. He also did my bomb ass tattoo. Terushima you already know Keishin, Shimada, AkiteruâŠ.â YĆ«suke continues to introduce the other guys Yuuji not missing the smirk and side eye he gets when saying Akiteruâs name.Teru rubs his nape âIâm really looking forward to playing with you guys, itâs been a while so Iâm pretty rusty but Iâll do my best.â Several guys chuckle someone Teru isnât sure who yells ânot as rusty as my joints!â This seems like a good team, they donât take themselves too seriously they all just love volleyball.
Practice officially starts and Yuuji remembers why he was so captivated by captain cutie and his float serve. That shit is hard! His spikes are as good as they always are but his serves are just trash. âShit I donât know how freckles made this shit look easy in highschool!â Shimada laughs so hard he tears up âEasy?! That kid was at my store everyday for months working on that serve! He was more dedicated than anybody Iâve ever met. He wanted to catch up to Kei so bad.â Terushima is shocked, this guy taught Yamaguchi the float serve? Would he teach him too? Shimada must have seen the wonder in Yuujiâs eyes because he sighs and gestures for him to pass the ball. Shimada demonstrates the float serve effortlessly and breaks down the steps so Yuuji can try. âAre you a magician? This is crazy hard!â Yuuji laughs. The rest of practice is spent practicing his serves and stealing an occasional glance at Aki.
Keishin calls for the end of practice and reminds everyone about practice on Thursday. âWe have a game Saturday morning again I hope youâll be down to play but if you want more practice first we can make it work.â Yuuji smiles wide, a game! He hasnât played in a game in years. God he loveâs volleyball. âIâll be ready leave it to meâ YĆ«suke smiles and slaps him on the back âI knew I asked the right person to join. I mean look at this art you drew for me thatâs dedication. I could tell you give things your all.â The praise warms Yuujiâs heart over these last few weeks heâs grown to think of YĆ«suke like an older brother. Itâs a nice feeling to have someone besides Bobata and Takeharu want him around. Almost like he has a family again.
They clean up the gym and start to go their separate ways when Yuuji hears running behind him. âHey Yuuji did you want to practice my sets with me?â He turns around to meet the persons eyes and is once again speechless. Fuck these eyes are going to be the death of me, Yuuji smiles and nods at Akiteru. They practice for another hour just the two of them. Neither saying much but having fun all the same. Yuuji reaches for Akiteruâs wrist âLet me walk you homeâ. Again the air is thick between them. What is this feeling exactly? Terushima isnât sure he just know he wants to spend as much time as possible with the other man.
âIâm really glad you joined the team. I was worried you wouldnât because of me or rather because of Kei.â Terushima really doesnât want to talk about this but I guess theyâll have to eventually. âAki Iâm sorry I didnât tell you before. I wasnât trying to hide it but thereâs not really a good time to tell somebody by the way I used to be a jerk in highschool and your brother hates me.â He avoids Akiteruâs eyes he once again doesnât want to see the pity or disgust heâs sure is there. How can he not hate him. âI donât make decisions off of Keiâs feelings. I can tell youâre a good person thatâs enough for me.â The two linger outside the Tsukishima resident and smile, all too aware of the eyes staring daggers through the window.
At practice on Thursday things go smoothly. Yuujiâs serves are getting better and Shimada has noticed. Everyone is looking forward to Saturdays game itâs going to be a good one they can all feel it. After practice Yuuji is going to karaoke with Bobata and Takeharu, they havenât been since highschool snd decided to go to relax from real life. âInvite pretty eyes! Invite him!â They yelled at him the day before. *whistle* âAll right guys letâs wrap it up somebodyâs using the court after usâ Keishin yells at that moment a few guys carrying basketballs come in and wait around til the court is ready. Yuuji isnât paying much attention sweeping the court and horsing around with the other guys when out of the corner of his eye he sees somebody familiar holding a basketball. Shin. His ex, the ex he ran away from the ex who abused him and used him for his body. Yuuji quickly walks with the broom into the storage room before he can be seen.
Yuuji sits in the dark arms wrapped around his knees, breathing hard. Why is this happening here? Is he being punished for being a dick in highschool? He can barely hear the voices outside over his heart beat but he can hear Shinâs voice get louder, closer his breathing picks up and heâs just barely holding in the tears. In the dark he canât see well and someone reaches toward him, he instinctively covers his face with his hands and curls into a ball. He waits a moment but feels no pain, he blinks through tear filled eyes and sees Akiteru. His face is shocked and hurt âIâm sorry. I wasnât..I mean I didnât mean to scare you. The guys said you went to the bathroom so I waited behind for you. Did IâŠare youâŠDid somebody hurt you?â Yuuji chokes on his tears âNot today but thereâs somebody out there I really donât want to see.â
Akiteru gives Yuuji his hoodie and walks between him and the court. Once outside Yuuji can breathe a little easier and they start walking toward home. They pass the turn for Akiâs street and Yuuji raises an eyebrow. âIâll walk you home. I donât think you should be alone.â They arrive at the apartment and not soon after thereâs a knock at the door. Akiteru opens it for him because Yuuji seems frozen in place. âKARAOKE TIIIIIIME!â Takeharu yells with his hands in the air. âOh Tsukishima are you coming as well?â Akiteru looks over at Yuuji who gives a weak smile âYup Yuuji asked me after practice.â Bobata seems suspicious but doesnât mention it and they all head out. Akiteru and Takeharu are belting out their own rendition of part of your world from the little mermaid, both are a little more than drunk. Bobata smiles at Takeharu fondly then turns to Yuuji âso what happened? It was obvious you didnât really invite him here.â Yuuji doesnât want to talk about it but relents and tells him about seeing Shin âI didnât tell him who I saw or why I didnât want to see them. I donât want to unload my baggage on him, not that it matters he could do way better than me anyway.â Bobata flicks Yuuji in the forehead âyou moron. You clearly donât see how he looks at you, I know itâs scary and I know you havenât known eachother long but this could be good for you. HE could be good for you.â Yuuji looks over at the two preforming their duet and sighs. Maybe Akiteru would be good for him but Yuuji is almost certainly bad for Akiteru. He canât do that to him.
They sing and drink to their hearts content. Takeharu and Akiteru have really hit it off hugging eachother and finishing the final song. âBaaaaaabyyyyyy Iâm tired carry meeeeeeâ Takeharu makes grabby hands at Bobata who canât say no to that cute drunk face and crouches down to carry him on his back. âAre you guys good to get home yourselves?â Luckily for Yuuji heâs a good drinker the same cannot be said however for Akiteru whose arm is around Yuujiâs shoulders half asleep. âIâll take him back to mine itâs closer. Donât worry about us. You just make sure that koala on your back gets home safe.â Both men chuckle and start their slow walks home. The whole way Akiteru is putting his nose into Yuujiâs shoulder and mumbling nonsense into his neck. This guy is going to be the death of me I swear he thinks as a blush creeps up his cheeks. âYuujiâŠ.YuujiâŠâ Akiteru mumbles âso niceâŠ.so talentedâŠâ Yuuji laughs a little âyou think Iâm nice and talented huh?â He asked âHmmmmâŠso handsomeâŠ.so hotâ His mouth goes dry. What did he just say? Handsome? Hot? The blush creeps up to his face again as he unlocks the door.
He helps Akiteru out of his shoes and socks and puts him on the bed. âAki Aki Iâm gonna sleep on the futon okay donât step on me if you get upâ Suddenly with more energy than heâs had the whole walk home Akiteru stands up and starts to take off his pants, luckily a pair of basketball shorts were underneath and Yuuji can breathe again. âNo sleep here. Your house.â Akiteru makes those same damn grabby hands that got Takeharu a piggie back ride eariler. Terushima sighs and changes into his pjs laying next to Akiteru. Thank god he got an American sized king bed so they have plenty of space and he doesnât feel like a pervert. He wakes up the next morning alone in the bed. Akiteru must have left. Of course he did. He was probably freaked out waking up in bed with me. He probably wonât talk to me or my stupid baggage ever again. I should quit- his thoughts are cute short by the door opening. Akiteru comes in holding a bag and some coffee. âOh youâre up. I got breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Thanks for letting me stay here last night Iâm sure I was a hassle.â
Yuujiâs eyes start to blur with tears again. Dammit heâs cried more in front of Akiteru than heâs ever cried in his life. Why is he being so nice to him. Yuuji canât give him anything thereâs nothing to gain from being nice. Heâs useless why is Akiteru doing this. âYouâre not uselessâ Terushima looks up in horror. Did he say all that out loud? Akiteru sits on the bed next to him and reaches out to touch his hair. Terushima instinctively flinches away covering his face with his hands. Heâs usually so good at hiding his pain, at putting on a mask, why not with him? âIâd never hurt you.â Akiteru says gently âI know we donât know eachother that well but Iâm here to listen and Iâd never hurt you.â Yuuji wants to believe him he does but heâs so afraid. Afraid of being hurt. Afraid of being seen as weak. Afraid of being a disappointment. âCome on letâs get up and eat for nowâ
After some time eating in silence. Yuuji looks up at Akiteru and thinks maybe he can tell him. Maybe Aki wonât judge him. âWhat Iâm about to say. Nobody knows not even the guys. At least not all of it.â Akiteru stops eating and nods âI wonât tell anyone I swear.â Deep breathe. âThe person I didnât want to see yesturday was my ex. I basically ran away from him because he was beating me he threw me into a table and would mess me up good I always lied said I fell. The guys know that much. What they donât knowâŠâ Terushima sighs this is so embarrassing heâs a grown man. âWhat they donât know, what no one knows..is that he would force himself on me..not all the time but heâd come home from work and tell me since he was supporting me it was my job to make him feel good. Heâd get right to it. No prep. No lube not even spit. Heâd tell me I deserve it. Deserve it to hurt because thatâs all I was was a body. He didnât love me I was just a hole he could fuck in exchange for a place to live. No better than a whore. Then afterward heâd tell me he didnât mean it. He just had a bad day. He did love me he swears he didnât mean to hurt me then heâd clean me up and kiss my cheek but it never made me feel any better because I knew it wasnât a one time thing. Heâd do this constantly sometimes 3 times a week. I never told anybody because I didnât want them to worry. I didnât want to seem weak. I chose to leave home I chose to be with men despite also liking women. I chose to live with Shin. It was my fault, I was no good in highschool and Iâm worthless now. Only good for my body.â
Akiteru didnât know what to say how could somebody treat another person that way especially someone they claim to love. âCan I hug you?â He thinks to ask first since learning what he just did. Terushima nods and begins to cry. Akiteru canât do anything except pet his hair and wait for the sobs to stop. He wipes tears from Yuujiâs cheeks and cradles his face. âI wish I could make you see how amazing you are. Youâre so sweet and kind. You kick ass at spiking. Your art makes me feel every emotion at once itâs absolutely breath taking.â Yuuji looks up and their eyes meet. Akiteru wants to kiss him so bad but he knows Yuuji has to make the first move. He would never push himself on someone and heâd like to punch this ex who would dare hurt somebody as precious as Yuuji. If he was given the opportunity he would fucking worship him and his body the way he deserves. The way Akiteru
craves to do, his own pleasures be dammed. âIâve got a lot of baggageâ Yuuji says simply. âGood thing Iâm an athlete.â Akiteru flexes his biceps making both men laugh. âIâm not going to ask you out or anything but when youâre ready I hope youâll consider me.â Aki kisses the top of Yuujiâs head and sit down to finish eating not realizing the panic heâs left in the other manâs head.
Doing what you love isnât work
The only thing Terushima loves more than volleyball and his friends is art. He loves waking up to come to Sacred Skin, he loves sketching new tattoo ideas. He even loves putting cliche infinity symbols of newly adult girls because he loves how happy they are to have art on their bodies. *jingle jingle* âwelcome to sacred skinâ he yells because the receptionist stepped away. He comes around the corner to greet the client and is surprised to see YĆ«suke and Akiteru standing there. âWhat are you guys doing here? Amaya doesnât work today.â Yuuji smirks and YĆ«suke blushes. âHum actually weâre here for meâ Yuuji is surprised Akiteru doesnât seem like the type to get a tattoo. âYĆ«suke loves his tattoo so much and I thought maybe Iâd like one too? He said you had smaller volleyball designs.â
Yuujiâs heart jumps into his throat âyeah yeah Iâm not busy right now anyway you guys come to my station Iâll show youâ He pulls out his sketch book and starts flipping to the volleyball sketches when Akiteru stops him. âYou have so many can I see them all?â Yuuji isnât sure when but he realizes that YĆ«suke has left; he feels a little bad but has a feeling this was planned. âI canât believe you drew all these. These flowers are beautiful did you draw this for a tattoo?â The picture is of a group of flowers daisies and little violets inbetween all in black and white with detailed shading. âThat was something I saw on a walk when I was having a tough day. It gave me something beautiful to focus on.â Now itâs Akiteruâs turn for his heart to jump into his throat. Why is this man so fucking amazing. Heâs everything Akiteru wants but he doesnât see any of it himself. Patience he reminds himself patience. Yuujiâs been through so much. You donât want to scare him. âActually do you think you could do a flower tattoo for me? Maybe one for my upper arm?â
Terushima has only done one tattoo before and now somebody else likes his work enough to ask for something totally different. âOf course I can but I need to draw something up. I need to know size and what type of flowers and if you want color. Itâs your first tattoo so that placement is probably good.â Akiteru is still looking at the daisies and violets. âWould it be too much to ask for these flowers? I know they seem special to you so if not I can pick something else. I just feel really drawn to this sketchâ Terushima looks at the sketch and itâs boring. Thereâs no color no movement. Itâs nothing special sure itâs pretty but itâs not beautiful itâs not his best work. âAre you sure? I can make you a better one? These flowers are so still and lifeless. I can redraw them with more to offer.â Akiteru is running his hand along the edge of the sketch looking thoughtful. âNo these are perfect. Theyâre calm and inviting, looking at them makes me feel at ease.â
âThereâs a break in the schedule after Saturdays game so we should plan for that to allow time to heal.â *jingle jingle* âWhere the hell did you go?â Akiteru glares daggers into YĆ«sukes soul who just smirks and holds up a fast food bag. âGot hungry. Did you deside on one of the volleyball sketches theyâre amazing right?â He looks over their shoulders and his eyes fall on the flowers Yuuji is resizing on another page. âDamn flowers huh? Thatâll really suit you Akiteru. It would suit you too Yuuji, Iâm surprised you donât have any.â Flowers? He thinks flowers would suit me? Iâm much too rough and broken for something so delicate. âEh I donât think so man. They seem a little too delicate for me. I donât think I could pull it off.â Both other men look confused. âDelicate? I mean I guess they can be but flowers are so calming. They really give you an energy boost you know? You had a similar effect on the team and you havenât even been on it that long.â Terushima expected something cheesy like that from Akiteru but hearing it from YĆ«suke felt different. âThanks man. I wasnât expecting that but I appreciate it. I just really love volleyball and art.â
Today is the first official game with the Karasuno neighborhood association Yuuji will play in and heâs nervous. He doesnât want to let anybody down. He looks up into the stands and is surprised to see Yamaguchi sitting with Takeharu and Bobata. He didnât think they knew eachother, maybe they donât. Takeharu is the kind of person to talk to anyone. They see him smiling and wave, he gives them a thumbs up he can do this. Itâs volleyball, he loves volleyball and heâs pretty good at it. Somebody comes up along side him and he jumps too lost in his own head. âYou ready? Remember weâre not playing to get into the Olympics or anything so no pressure. I would like to win though.â Keishin puts his hand up for a high five which Yuuji returns with a smile.
They take the first set and Yuuji feels amazing. He forgot how it felt to play in a real game. The second set starts shaky but they come back from it. YĆ«suke seems to have a confidence boosts half way through; one look in the stands can tell you why Amaya senpai itâs sitting right next to Yamaguchi front and center cheering Yusukeâs name. Good for them Yuuji thinks theyâre both really good people. In the end the Karasuno Neighborhood association takes the game. The guys line up and shake the opposing teams hands. Everyone is in high spirits as friends and family join them on the court after the game to leave.
âLetâs go out and celebrate Yuujiâs first game!!â Shimada calls. YĆ«suke cheers throwing his arm around Amaya shoulders. Takeharu and Bobata high-five Yuuji and Akiteru on a game well played and everyone heads out to a local bbq place for drinks and meat. The energy in the restaurant is like electric everybody is high on the win, laughing and eating. Yamaguchi even convinced glasses to come and celebrate with the team despite the constant scowl on his face when looking at Yuuji he doesnât miss the soft smile he throws his best friend whenever he looks at him. âI wish he would just confess already. Theyâve been attached at the hip since they were kids.â Akiteru is sitting next to Yuuji looking at his brother and Tadashi. âHeâs just too stubborn and I know he thinks Tadashi is too good for him. Itâs frustrating because itâs like theyâre made for eachother.â Looking over at the two sitting across from them itâs obvious how much they mean to eachother. Freckles eyes sparkle every time he looks at glasses and glasses only smiles when he looks at freckles. âMaybe instead of convincing your brother you need to convince Yamaguchi. Since your brother doesnât think heâs good enough maybe he just needs to be shown how much Yamaguchi likes himâ
âIs that what I have to do with you?â Terushimas eyes get wide âwh-what-why-wait-huhâ he stutters and Akiteru laughs. âI was serious when I said I thought you were amazing. I hope I can gain your trust.â He smiles and walks away leaving Yuujiâs mouth agape. He really thought he was joking about that before. Was he serious? Takeharu and Bobata notice the shock on Yuujiâs face and send a message to their group chat. âStop fucking around and get your man!â It says. Yuuji orders another drink. About 5 drinks later almost everyone has left. The only people left are Yuuji, Akiteru, Shimada and Keishin. âDamn I donât know where he lives and his friends left already what do we do now?â Shimada asks âIâm not even that drunk I can walk myself homeâ Yuuji slurs and Keishin laughs âwell at least he had fun I guess I can take him home?â Akiteru puts his arm around Yuujiâs waist and holds him up. âActually I know where he lives. Itâs close Iâll take him.â Shimada and Keishin exchange a questioning glance and hand the baton over to Akiteru.
The home is fairly short and Akiteru canât help but wonder if it was this difficult for Yuuji when he was drunk. Heâs quite a bit taller than Yuuji is so he wonders how strong he must be to get him up the stairs. When they arrive at Yuujiâs house Akiteru grabs the keys from the others pocket. âHey there pretty eyes you gotta buy me dinner first if youâre gonna reach into my pants like that.â He helps him remove his shoes and socks and lays him on the bed. Aki isnât sure if he should help him out of his clothes or not. He doesnât want to overstep any boundaries. âPrettyâŠprettyâŠ.shirt offâŠheeeelpâŠshirtâŠ..pretty eyes..â Yuuji is trying and failing to take his shirt off so Akiteru helps him pull it over his head. Now he can see just how defined Yuujiâs body really is. His eyes scan down his body from the tattoo over his chest and shoulder over his abs covered in a few scars he can only imagine how they got there, down his happy trail which ends between a V that makes his mouth water right where his pants start he can see what looks like a tattoo peaking out from under the band of his boxers. God it should be illegal to be this fine. âLike what you see pretty eyes?â Yuuji is smirking up at Akiteru from the bed. Who is pretty eyes? Does Yuuji think heâs somebody else? Does he have a partner? âpretty eyes? Who would that be?â He asks.
âItâs you Aki! Your eyes are so pretty. They make me smile.â Yuuji then looks at Akiteru with a smile that could rival the sun and he swears his heart stops. This man is so fucking precious and other people had the balls to take advantage of him. âYour eyes are pretty too Yuuji you make me smile.â Suddenly Yuuji looks upset âThatâs all I am though is pretty. Just a trophy to fuck and dump, not worth a commitment, youâre a whole prize. If I had you Iâd never let you go.â Akiteruâs heart clenches, heâs flattered Yuuji thinks that but it breaks his heart to know what Yuuji thinks of himself. âYouâre drunk Yuuji letâs get some sleep okay? And for the record I think youâre a prize too Iâd never give you away and cherish you forever.â Yuuji laughs through the sadness âYou say that but youâd find someone better. Hell your brother would make sure of that. Besides I couldnât come between your family not when I know what it feels like to lose my own.â
Come between his family? What is he talking about? Did Kei say something to him? Why would he say that? âLetâs go to sleep Yuuji we can talk more in the morningâ Akiteru goes to lays on the futon when he feels motion besides him a very drunk Yuuji is stumbling from the bed and laying on the futon next to him. âjust for tonight letâs pretend this dream is realâ he mumbles and falls asleep wrapped around Akiâs body with his head on his chest. He runs his hands through the other manâs hair and covers them both with the blanket. Yuuji thinks heâs dreaming but Akiteru is pretty sure itâs him.
The sun shines through the window right into Yuujiâs eyes. âFuck my headâ he says out loud and turns over âwhy am I on the floor?â Next to his head he sees a glass and a few aspirin. âYuuji I forgot I had to work this morning sorry to run out. I hope youâre not too hungover I left some breakfast in the fridge for you. -Akiteruâ What the hell? Aki stayed here last night? Did we sleep on the futon together? Memories from last night come flooding back. âfuck I made an ass outta myself dinât I? I called him pretty eyes to his face. Heâs never going to talk to me again.â Then another memory comes to Yuuji but itâs pretty fuzzy âDid he call me a prize?â The whole night is a blur but he definitely told Akiteru that he was pretty and definitely said heâd treat him right. âJeez why not just drunkenly propose to the guy? Get a grip Yuuji!â He thinks to himself.
Akiteru drops by the office quickly to submit some before before heading home. He walks into the house to find Tadashi and Kei watching a dinosaur documentary in the living room. âWhere were you? Tadashi said everybody started leaving the resturant around 9 but you never came backâ he accuses. Akiteru thinks about what Yuuji said last night and gets PISSED. Where does his LITTLE brother get off asking HIM where heâs been?! Heâs an adult dammit. âYou know you arenât my fucking mother Kei where I go, what I do and who I do it with arenât any of your fucking business.â He bites back. Both of the other boys look surprised, theyâve never seen him genuinely mad. Tadashi steps in sensing a fight âAkiteru, Tsuki was just worried because you didnât come home. Next time just text us that youâre okay please.â He has a hand a Kei's shoulder who looks like heâs just been punched in the gut all the anger gone from his face. He looks hurt, shit Akiteru didnât mean to hurt his feelings he knows itâs just Keiâs way of caring.
âIâm sorry I didnât mean to yell. Youâre right I should have texted. Sorry I worried youâ Kei stands up and walks up to Akiteru wrapping him in a hug surprising everyone. âKei did youâŠsay something to Terushima?â Now Tadashi is looking at Kei accusingly as well. âSay something to him about what? I donât really make a habit of talking to people I donât like.â Akiteru pushes his brother off of him âLike that Kei! Did you say something to him like that!â Akiteru doesnât realizes heâs started to cry until Tadashi runs up to hug him leading him to the couch. Keiâs eyes are wide mouth agape he doesnât know whatâs going on why is his brother so upset? Heâs never yelled at him like this and barely ever cries always putting on a brave face. *sigh* âwe all went out after the game last night like you know and he got really drunk. I was the only one who knew where he lived so I took him home and he started rambling about how I make him smile and Iâm a prize but he would never do anything about it because he doesnât want to come between me and Kei since he knows Kei hates him. He said he doesnât have a family and so he doesnât want to come between me and mineâŠand I just really like him. I really really like him.â Akiteruâs head is in his hands and his breathing evens out. Tadashi is speaking to Kei through his eyes where he canât see. âI would never let something like that come between us. If you really like him and he treats you well Iâd be happy for you regardlessâŠ.Iâll talk to him I promise.â
Terushima is on his way to Sacred Skin carrying coffee for him Amaya and the desk staff. Today Akiteru comes in for his tattoo and heâs nervous. They havenât spoke in a few days not since he made a fool of himself. As heâs walking up he sees someone he never expected standing outside the shop. âHey glasses! Ya know your brothers appointment isnât until later?â Terushima says with a smile. He doesnât look happy to be there. âItâs Kei. And Iâm here to talk to you.â Well this is surprising. Is he here to tell me to stay away from his brother? He doesnât look angry but Yuuji is nervous. Heâs famous he wouldnât fight him in public right? âOh hum okay well let me give everybody their coffee and we can talk at my station, Aki is my first appointment.â
They go to his station and shut the door. âLook Terushima I guess maybe Iâve been too judgemental. Nobody should be judged their whole life on highschool. I just really worry about Akiteru, heâs so soft and kind hearted and I donât want anyone to take advantage of him.â Terushima is silent he doesnât really know where this is going. âHe came home the other day upset because he thought I told you to stay away from him. I guess you drunkenly told him you didnât want to come in between us and I just want you to know that as along as you treat him well that would never happen.â Shocked. Yuuji is shocked. He doesnât remember saying that to Akiteru. âI honestly donât remember saying any of that to him. Iâm sorry he got mad at you over it. Itâs true I do really like your brother but it isnât just you making me hesitate. Itâs me. I also think your brother deserves the world and I have so much baggage I donât want to drag him down with my shit. I appreciate you coming here to clear it all up though but he deserves better than me.â
Tsukishima Kei smiles. âYa know TeruâYuuji. I think Akiteru was right, I was wrong about you. Anybody who can say that honestly that they think my brother deserves the world even if it isnât them really is a good guy. And I can understand who you feel, I also have somebody I would give my life for but still want them to do better so I donât say anything. Maybe both of us just need to take the shot. Seeing how upset Akiteru was makes me wonder if Iâm also making this person upset like that.â They sit in silence for a second and Yuuji looks up to look at Kei. âIâll be sure to keep my feelings to myself until Iâm ready so I donât hurt him donât worry. As for you tho pretty sure Yamaguchiâs been in love with you since highschool so you better get on that before I swoop.â He gives a wink and smirk that to his surprise Kei reciprocates âYouâre right I should tell him.â
Kei gets up to leave feeling relieved that he isnât the reason his brothers love life is in shambles. âHey Kei. Iâll make sure he knows youâre not the reason I canât commit right now.â Tsukishima nods and heads out the door.
Terushima would love to have Akiteru all to himself. He wishes he could tell him that he wants nothing more than to be his partner. To hold him and kiss him but Teruâs issues wonât let him, not right now. *Jingle jingle* Akiteru walks into Sacred Skin with that damn smile that makes Teruâs knees go weak. Itâs going to be even harder to convince himself not to ask out Akiteru now that Kei is on board and he knows he wonât drive a wedge between them. âHey! Letâs go over the final sketch and put the stencil on make sure itâs how you like itâ Yuuji put the stencil over the top of Akiteruâs right arm extending down from his shoulder to just above his elbow so can can cover it for work.
âThis is perfect Yuuji Iâm so excited for this to be on me. Like Iâm a walking canvas.â Yuuji agrees Akiteru is like a walking work of art but he doesnât say it out loud. âIâm glad you like it. Get comfortable since weâre doing this in one session itâs going to take a while if itâs too much though we can do the shading on another day.â He begins outlining the flowers and making small talk to distract his client/friend from the pain. For his first tattoo Akiteru seems nearly unfazed which is a relief heâd hate to think itâs hurting him too much. âSo your brother came by earlier saying he wanted to talk to me.â Akiteru is silent eyes wide, guess he knew. âHe told me I said somethings to you while I was drunk that led you to believe he was the reason I was hesitant about getting close to you. And I just wanted you to know that while I was a little worried about that. Itâs really me holding myself back. I donât think Iâm good enough for you and I want you to have what you deserve.â Akiteru opens his mouth to protest but Yuuji stops him. âI know youâre going to disagree but I just donât think Iâll be what you deserve as long as I feel like that. Iâm working on myself and Iâd really like us to be better friends til then.â Akiteru nods not sure what to say.
Yuuji finished the tattoo and the shading to his surprise. He leads Akiteru over to the mirror to take a look at it. He really hopes he likes it, it doesnât have as much detail as he would like, he didnât improve it at all before hand. âYuuji do you know why I got the original sketch and didnât let you add anything or change it? Itâs because itâs perfect the way it is. The flowers are exactly like you saw them changing them to be ACTUALLY perfect would make them less real. I like them with the small flaws and fallen petals because it makes me smile to know that no matter how hard things get and if you feel broken you can survive.â Are we still talking about the tattoo? I feel like heâs implying something by that but I donât want to bring it up. Akiteru turns to Yuuji with a smile âI like it for the same reasons I like you, youâre real and I donât have to be anything but what I am with you.â
Terushima doesnât know what to say. He just stares at the tattoo on Akiteruâs arm. The tattoo he created. That he drew. He never saw any of that in the tattoo but he also canât see any of that in himself. âIâm not like a flower.â He says softly and looks at the wall. âMaybe not exactly but you make me feel the same way as when I see a flower. Makes my day just a little betterâ Again Yuuji is speechless. âWhen did you get so smooth huh? Werenât you a blushing mess when I told you about my hidden tattoos what happened?â Aki laughs âhonestly that went out the window when I heard how pretty you think my eyes areâ and winks. Now itâs Yuujiâs turn to blush âOh my god. What else did I say?â Silence. âYouâll just have to figure it out. Iâll see you at practice on Saturday.â Aki pays for his tattoo and leaves the shop. Yuujiâs mouth is dry.
âDude I donât understand why you arenât making a move? You like him right? Just do what you always do and seduce that man!â Bobata yells. The three of them are drinking at their house and Yuuji has been avoiding the topic of Akiteru all night. âBecause he hasnât said he likes me physically he just said he likes me what if heâs not ready for like anything physical and then what I just kiss him and ruin everything?â Takeharu flicks his forehead âidiot. He obviously wants to kiss you but is waiting for you to make the first move he literally TOLD YOU he was gonna wait for you to be ready.â Takeharu is right he forgot his told them that bit of information. Yuuji is afraid to tell his friends that he thinks he wonât be able to stop at a kiss. If he kisses Akiteru heâd let him do anything he wanted to him and that scares him. He always lets his partner do whatever they want no matter if it hurts him but Aki said he would never hurt him. Has Teru ever had sex he enjoyed? Thatâs a thought for another time.
âI justâŠdonât want him to think Iâm a whore..â Bobata is taken aback, they didnât know Teru worried about stuff like that. âTeru he doesnât seem like the kind of person who would think something like that even if it was true.â Heâs right Akiteru would never think that. He looks at him like heâs the sun and he doesnât want the truth so ruin that. They continue to eat and drink and watch a movie about something Teru doesnât know because heâs only thinking about Akiteru. He gets up to leave and fist bumps his friends. âJust kiss him already man.â And the door closes behind him.
The walk home is short but it feels long. He walks through the shopping district people on dates and out with friends. âTerushima!! Hey!!â He turns around to see Yamaguchi running up to him. âHey I was just on my way to meet Tsuki and Aki for did you wanna come with?â Teru isnât sure if he should accept it sounds like a family thing but he concedes and follows Yamaguchi to the ramen shop. He expects Kei to be upset at seeing him but instead he looks at him like he just solved a problem he was having. They sit down Yamaguchi next to Kei and Teru next to Aki. âI hope you guys donât mind me coming I ran into Yamaguchi on my way here and he invited meâ The bothers assure him that itâs fine and they eat and chat. Afterward Akiteru suggests a bar and Yamaguchi seems excited until Kei mumbles something about needing to run an errand with him and makes eye contact with Teru. Oh. OH SHIT. Heâs gonna confess and needs me to get his brother out of here. âActually I was hoping Aki would come with me to the tattoo shop I needed to check how itâs healing and wanted to show him some sketches.â
Akiteru jumps at the opportunity to be alone with Yuuji and Kei thanks him silently. They go their separate ways and once at the shop Yuuji reveals he doesnât have the keys with him, Akiteru is visibly confused so he explains âYour brother wanted to be alone to confess to Yamaguchi. He told me the other day he was gonna do it.â Akiteru cannot believe his ears âFINALLY!! OH MY GOD IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE WE WERE KIDS!â Making Terushima laugh at the outburst. âIf you want you can come over to my place we can drink and eat cake I got yesturday but only if you want too of course.â Before he can finish talking Aki is taking his hand and leading him to his own apartment. Teru needs to know what kind of relationship he really wants and interlaces his fingers, Akiâs shoulders tense a moment but he doesnât let go.
They enter the studio apartment and Yuuji puts on the tv, itâs playing a rerun of some anime he doesnât recognize and goes to the kitchenette. He bring out beer and a whole cake with 2 forks placing them on the card table in front of Aki who laughs. âA whole cake just for us? What do you think I am?â Teru smirks and takes the seat next to him so he can also watch the tv and they drink and chat about nothing. Yuuji gets a little past buzzed and he wants to kiss Aki so bad. At this point theyâre watching tv from his bed like a couple of teenagers after school. âHey pretty eyes. Why havenât you tried to kiss me even though you obviously want to?â Aki freezes and looks at him. âAfter everything you said to me I donât want to make you uncomfortable I donât want you to think I only like you for shallow reasons like those other guys. I donât want to do anything without asking.â Yuuji leans in their noses almost touching âso askâ he says with that smirk that makes Aki melt.
âCan I kiss you?â He breathes out. Yuuji smiles and leans in capturing Akiâs lips with his own. Itâs slow and sweet just like Yuuji knew Aki would be. Yuuji wants more, he needs more so he leans in and kisses Aki harder who gasps into his mouth. Yuuji threads his fingers into the hair at Akiâs neck to pull him closer as Aki pulls Yuujiâs hips toward him. âAki do you want to see the hidden tattoos?â Yuuji is so hot. So fucking hot and Aki wants nothing more than to pull his pants down and see the hidden tattoos. âI canât.â And Yuujiâs face falls, he looks like he was slapped âdonât get me wrong I want to. God I want to I want to see and touch all of you. I want it all but I donât want you to worry Iâm like those other guys so Iâll wait.â Yuuji canât believe what heâs hearing nobody has ever turned him down before. And definitely not for such a sweet reason. *chuckles* âGod you really are too good for me. Nobody has ever cared what I thought. Iâve always just used my body to prove a point. I donât even know what to do now.â
Akiteru runs his thumb over Teruâs bottom lip, mind clouded by alcohol. âYou can let me kiss you some more.â Yuuji smiles and straddles Akiâs lap bringing his arms back around his neck. He pulls Akiteru toward himself and the other man gasps giving Yuuji the opportunity to slip his tongue inside. His tongue piercing trailing the top of Akiâs mouth and pressing against his tongue is amazing. Akiteru has never been kissed this deeply or with this much passion before. God heâd marry Yuuji right now if that wasnât crazy. It has to be the alcohol talking, he likes Yuuji sure but thereâs no way a kiss would make him fall in loveâŠ.right? On the other side of the kiss Yuuji isnât holding it together much better. Can you become addicted to kissing another person? Because if you can Yuuji is. The way Aki moans and hums when he drags his tongue ring across the others mouth. The way Aki mindlessly draws patterns on his hips with his thumbs. Yuuji wants it all always.
Yuuji wants to grind his hips down onto Akiâs erection. He wants to ride him, wants him to fill him up. Aki is insistent on being a gentlemen tonight which is so sweet Yuuji canât even be mad. Nobody has ever cared about Yuujiâs feelings this much. âWe should stop Iâm gonna dieâ Aki moans out. Yuuji laughs so hard he almost bites Akiâs tongue in the process and unsaddles Akiâs lap. âGod it should be illegal for you to be so fucking gorgeous. Seriously youâre so pretty Iâm gonna lose my mind.â Aki groans and Yuuji goes silent. His partners have called him a lot of things. Sexy. Hot. Seductive. Tempting. Never pretty. And DEFINITELY never gorgeous. He leans forward and leaves a soft kiss on Akiâs lips, they break apart looking into each others eyes and breathing into each others mouths. âLetâs go to sleepâ Yuuji declares and Aki nods.
The next morning Yuuji opens his eyes and is greeted by the most precious thing heâs ever seen. Aki is snoring quietly and drooling a little nuzzling his face in the crook of Yuujiâs neck. âI could die like this and be happy about it.â He thinks. To avoid waking the man next to him Yuuji decides itâs best just to go back to sleep since heâs being held in a vice grip. An hour or so later Aki stirs and is also greeted by a precious sight Yuuji is latched onto his front like a baby monkey. He gentle strokes the manâs hair and kisses his forehead. Yuujiâs eyes flutter open âgood morningâ he smiles. âMorninâ Aki echos.
âDo you want to get breakfast?â He asks Yuuji. âAre you hungry? I can make somethingâ Yuuji goes to stand up and Akiteru pulls him down so heâs sitting back in his lap and wraps his arms around his front. âLet me get you something and then we can head to practice.â This man is amazing. Is this how people are supposed to act when they like you? âWe should probably talk too huh?â Akiteru kisses his forehead âonly if you want too no rushâ and heads out to go pick up food. Yuuji definitely wants to talk but heâs nervous. What if they want different things? What if Yuuji was too aggressive last night and he doesnât want to go any farther with him? Just as Yuujiâs internally screaming Aki comes back with breakfast. âI realized I didnât know what you like so I got one of everything and you can pickâ heâs holding two huge bags of food and has 4 different coffees. Man Yuujiâs an idiot this man definitely still likes him. They sit down to eat and Yuuji takes one randomly from the bag trying to judge if he accidentally took the one Aki wanted so he can give it to him.
âSo Iâm just gonna ask because I canât handle the uncertainty. What are we?â Yuuji says quickly and Aki smiles at him like the sun. âWhat do you want us to be? Iâll do whatever you want.â What. Does. That. MEAN?! âWell honestly Iâm scared I wonât be a good boyfriend but I really really want to be able to say that youâre mine. I just want to know that if you think Iâm not enough you wonât force yourself to be with me.â Heâs looking at the floor, like a coward what is wrong with him?! Akiteru puts a few fingers under Yuujiâs chin and raises his head to meet his eyes. âIâll spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me if thatâs what it takes.â Yuujiâs breath hitches in his throat, he doesnât know what to say. This man will be the death of him.
âWhat do you say Yuuji? Will you be my boyfriend? Will you let me show you how you should be treated and cherish you like the precious prize you are?â Yuujiâs eyes begin to water when did he get so easily taken by words. Actually heâs probably always been this way thatâs how Shin was able to trick him before. No no donât think about that asshole right now. He canât speak so he just nods and leans his forehead into Akiâs, who raises his chin and gives him a quick peck on the lips. âMy beautiful boyfriendâ Aki whispers with a smile. Yuuji is so happy and he really hopes he can live up to Akiâs expectations.
Do you have something to tell us?
Akiteru and Yuuji walk to practice together like anybody else would. Theyâre not holding hands or even looking at eachother much. Theyâre talking about volleyball and goofing around. When they step into the rec center YĆ«suke Iâd the first to comment on them arriving together. âSomething to share with the class?â He raises an eyebrow. Yuuji and Akiteru look at eachother confused just as Keishin smacks YĆ«suke upside the head. Shimada leans in to the boys and whispers âAkiteru youâre wearing the same exact workout clothes Yuuji wore last week. Theyâre obviously his clothesâ Akiteru turns bright red and Yuuji laughs while running toward the court âLetâs play volleyball!â And the other guys cheer as well. Shimada looks over at Akiteru whoâs smiling fondly at Yuuji. âHe really knows how to light up a room doesnât he?â Shimada states causing Aki to blush again. He really does though, I hope heâll continue to light up my life. They silently head toward the others to practice.
Yuuji and Akiteru walk toward the Tsukishima household together. âWanna come in for lunch? Iâm starving you probably are too.â Voices from the living room let them know Kei and Tadashi are home as well. Kei follows Akiteru into the kitchen to get lunch and Yuuji sits next to Tadashi on the couch taking note of some new bruises leaking out from the others shirt. âLooks like you had a good night huh cutie?â Teru teases. âHey you better watch it or my BOYFRIEND is gonna beat you up!â Terushima squeals like a teen girl and hugs Tadashi âyes! Finally! I knew heâd find the balls. Iâm surprised you guys went so far but I guess all those years of waiting will do thatâ Tadashi blushes and The brothers walk back into the room. âTurns out I could have been have crazy sex for the last 10 years of I had confessed in highschoolâ Kei says unexpectedly and Yuuji reaches out for a high five which he reciprocates. Akiteru looks disgusted he doesnât want to hear about his brothers sex life but he is glad the 2 are finally together.
âWhat about you two huh? Why is my brother wearing your clothes?â Kei asks accusingly. Yuuji laughs âWell our night wasnât as eventful as yours but I guess I can let MY boyfriend tell you about itâ now itâs Tadashi turn to squeal and hug Yuuji âYay!!! Iâm so happy for you guys.â All eyes turn to Akiteru who blushes âIâm not as shameless as Kei Iâm not going to tell you guys what happenedâ Yuuji laughs and Kei groans at his brother âyou didnât even kiss him did you you loser?â His brother opens his mouth to argue but Yuuji beats him to it âoh donât worry he kissed me but he was a gentleman.â Tadashi nods in agreement âof course he was Akiteru is a very respectful person.â All four of them eat lunch with smiles on their faces at their new relationships. Today has been one of the best days of Teruâs life he hopes itâll never end.
Kei has no idea how this happened. He was going to confess to Tadashi and somehow his brother is here? Great. Just great. Just when Kei lost all hope of confessing tonight Tadashi walks inâŠwith Terushima! This is the answer he just has to signal to Terushima to get his brother out of here. They eat and chat a while when Akiteru suggests a bar and to Keiâs horror Yamaguchi agrees. Heâs got to come up with a plan fast to get Tadashi alone and makes up nonsense about errands while making pleading eye contact with Terushima who takes the hint and whisks his brother away.
âIt seems weird that Yuuji wanted to check on your brothers tattoo right now didnât it? Unless he just wanted him alone?â Kei is sweating. Itâs cold outside and heâs sweating. How is he going to confess to his best friend of over a decade. What is he going to say? âKei are you alright? What errand did you need my help with anyway?â Shit. Kei forgot he used that excuse. âOh uhm I was hoping you could help me with my serve. I never mastered the float serve like you did.â Yamaguchi is suspicious. He hasnât played volleyball in almost 3 years and now his professional player best friend wants him to teach him something?
They go into Keiâs room to change into athletic clothes and Kei looks nervous. They find a ball in the shed and Yamaguchi starts to explain the float serve. As expected Kei gets the hang of it quickly. âOkay this obviously isnât what you wanted to do so whatâs going on?â Tadashi finally confronts him, the awkwardness is killing him. âOkay so the truth is after talking to Terushima about my brother the other day I realized him and I arenât that different. We both worry that weâre not good enough and people deserve more than us but after hearing him say all that I realized it was dumb. I can see how my brother feels about him and heâs still worried Akiteru deserves better. What Iâm trying to say isâŠ.. Iâve been in love with you since middle school. Would you be my boyfriend?â
Is Tadashi hearing him correctly? Did he just ask him out? His eyes fill with tears and and launches himself into Tsukiâs arms. He canât speak so he just nods and pulls the taller boy down into a kiss. Itâs rough and wet and full of years of want and desire. Tsuki pulls Tadashi up by his thighs and the smaller boy wraps his legs around his waist as Kei Carries him into the house. Now that he has him he isnât going to let him go, not unless he wants him too of course. âDo you know how long Iâve been waiting to hear that?â Tadashi gasps as Kei travels down his neck with his mouth lightly biting and sucking bruises into his skin. Both boys hands grabbing and squeezing anything they can find like starving animals and maybe they are. This has been a long time coming and neither can get enough.
Tsuki Carries Tadashi up the stairs and lays him on the bed, his lips never leaving Tadashiâs body. He leans over his best friend and pulls his shirt over his head kissing down his torso. Kei gentley touches the band of tadashiâs pants and looks up at him asking permission with his eyes. âGod yes Tsuki please.â With a smirk tsuki teases down Tadashis pants barely missing the head of his cock with his fingers as he slides them down leaving him in his boxers. âJesus Kei STOP TEASING ME!â Tadashi wraps his legs around Tsuki and changes their position so heâs straddling Keiâs waist. Wtf just happened? When did he learn how to do that? Fuck that was hot. Keiâs mind races as Tadashi Smirks down at him. âMy turn. Take your shirt off.â
Tsuki likes bossy Tadashi, itâs such a nice change from their usual dynamic. Before he realizes it heâs completely naked while Tadashi is still in his boxers. âYouâre so pretty Tsuki. Youâre so strong and you look so good underneath me. I bet youâll look even better inside me.â What. the. FUCK. Who is this person? Tsuki has never seen this side of Tadashi and heâs pretty sure heâs going to become addicted to it. âWhatâs wrong pretty boy? Just gonna keep staring at me with your mouth open or are you going to show me what you can do?â Tadashi grinds his ass down on Tsukiâs unclothed erection and he swears he forgot how to breathe. âPlease Tadashiâ and he grinds down again âPlease what baby? Tell me what you need.â And smirks at Kei leaning down to grazes his teeth over his ear palming his cock. âThis is going to look so good filling up my ass.â Kei groans he canât think straight.
Tadashi laughs a little and takes off his boxers. He cock slapping against his stomach. Kei has never seen anything so perfect the way tadashiâs tan skin looks hovering over his pale thighs. Heâs pretty sure his best friend/boyfriend is going to be the death of him. Tadashi reaches into Tsukiâs side table and pulls out the lube he knows Tsuki keeps there. And pours some onto Tsukiâs cock slowly stroking up and pressing his thumb gently over the head. His hips buck up into Tadashiâs hand and he pulls it away âpatience Tsuki. If youâre not a good boy youâre not going to get what you want.â Kei had NO fucking idea heâd be into this. The praise the teasing the evil look on Tadashiâs face. Holy shit itâs everything heâll ever need. âStroke us together Kei.â Tsuki puts his hand around both their cocks moving it slowly. âFuck Kei your hands are so big they feel so good on me.â Again Tsuki wonders who the FUCK is this and what have they done with the Tadashi he knows, not that heâs complaining.
Tsuki is watching Tadashi mesmerized as he raises on his thighs slightly and starts to open himself up in front of him. Slipping a finger then two into his hole as Tsuki continues to stroke them. âI like you like this Tsuki. Quiet and obedient. Watching me pleasure myself just waiting your turn to feel goodâ Thats it Kei canât take itâs anymore. He needs to be inside his best friend and he isnât above begging not anymore. âPlease Tadashi Please let me fuck you.â Tadashi raises an eyebrow âno I donât think so but you do deserve a reward so I think Iâm going to fuck myself on your cockâ He removes his fingers from himself and slowly slides onto Tsukiâs cock making eye contact with the boy under him the whole time. His hole is so tight and heâs making such amazing sounds Tsuki has to try to avoid cumming immediately at the sight of Tadashi becoming fully seated on his dick.
Tsuki moves his hands to grip Tadashi hips trying to urge him to move. âTsuki you make me feel so full. Your pretty cock is so big. It reaches so deep. It reaches all the way up here.â Tadashi gently pushes on the bulge under his belly button and Tsuki screams barely able to hold back his orgasm. Tadashi has never had this much fun. He had no idea he could make his level headed best friend come undone so easily. He leans down to kiss the whimpering mess beneath him. âDo you want me to ride you baby? Do you want to cum inside me?â Tsuki is gasping for air and nods his head aggressively âplease! please let me cum. You feel so good. Squeezing me so tight. I love you so much please let me cum.â
Tadashi is very satisfied with the begging. He definitely never thought heâd see the day. He braces himself up on Tsukiâs chest and pulls himself almost completely off his cock before dropping back down completely. The grip on his hips gets tighter heâll certainly have his boyfriends fingers bruised into his skin for a week after this. He rides Tsuki fast and hard grinding down on his cock with each thrust watching with a smirk as the other becomes undone beneath him. Tsuki canât take it anymore he needs more. Faster. Harder. He grabs Tadashiâs hips with all his strength and bucks up into the other mans ass. Slamming into his prostate. Tadashiâs eyes water. âFuck Tsuki that feels so good. You fuck me so good.â
Tsuki takes this moment of distraction and flips them over. He places his arms under Tadashiâs knees almost folding the other in half and continues to slam into his prostate. Tadashiâs eyes are watering his mouth hanging open eyes rolling into the back of his head. He looks just as wrecked as Kei feels and he canât get enough. Kei puts one leg over his shoulder and wrap his hand around Tadashi leaking erection pumping it in time with his thrusts. âKei Iâm almost..â Kei sucks a hickey into the side of Tadashiâs neck just below his ear and fucks into Tadashiâs ass harder and faster. âFUCK KEI RIGHT THERE.â One final blow to his prostate has Tadashi cumming all over both their stomachs and leaking down Keiâs hand. His insides tighten around Keiâs cock and he spills his load into Tadashiâs ass. Both seeing white unable to think or speak for a moment.
Kei pulls out of Tadashi and gently lays down next to the other man. Pulling him against his chest and burying his face against his neck. âKei can you do me a favor?â Kei would light himself on fire right now if it would make Tadashi happy. âAnything. Anything you want.â Tadashi giggles âkiss me.â He says sweetly. âIâll kiss you as much as you want for the rest of my life.â Kei cups Tadashiâs face in his hand and gives him a deep slow kiss. Heâs never been this happy he hopes heâll be this happy forever.
The next few weeks go by fast between work and volleyball Terushima doesnât have a lot of free time but when he does he spends it cuddled up in bed or on the coach with Akiteru. At practice the other guys can tell something is going on even though they rarely interact at practice but they always leave and arrive together. Akiteruâs tattoo is fully healed and some of the other guys mention going to Yuuji for tattoos as well. âNo! No more tattoos until after volleyball season! We have games every week!â Keishin yells Shimada and YĆ«suke laugh mumbling something about Keishin finally acting like the captain.
Practice goes as well as it always does. âAlright guys letâs clean up early the rec basketball team is using the court againâ Terushimaâs blood runs cold, he needs to get out of here before they show up. Before HE shows up, Akiteru can see the fear in Yuujiâs eyes and realizes whatâs happening. âHe go get changed and get your stuff weâll leave now Iâll tell Keishinâ Yuuji stares wide eyed at his boyfriend, heâs going to tell him? He canât nobody can know. Akiteru cups Yuujiâs face âIâm just going to tell him you arenât feeling well.â And walks to tell Keishin theyâre leaving. âSooooo what was thaaaat?â Yuuji jumps YĆ«suke is standing behind him smirking. âYou two are cute. Iâm glad you figured it out.â
Yuuji blushes âHey just donât say anything okay? I donât know if heâd want people to know heâs with meâŠâ YĆ«suke looks even more confused then normal. âWhat do you mean âwith youâ why wouldnât he?â Yuuji does not want to have this conversation. Why did he phrase it like that and why did YĆ«suke have to catch on. âHe just deserves more. Iâm a mess and donât have a lot to offer.â Akiteru is walking back to them and gives Yuuji a concerned smile. âWell I donât know exactly how he feels but that sounds like how you feel not him.â
âWeâre heading out YĆ«suke, Yuuji doesnât feel well. You ready?â Yuuji smiles and they head toward the door. Yuuji and Akiteru walk home from the rec center and arrive at Yuujiâs apartment. They cuddle up on Yuujiâs bed and watch tv. âIâm so happy right now.â Akiteru mumbles into Yuujiâs hair. âI agree this is absolute bliss. Itâs everything Iâve ever wanted.â
Are you done disappointing me?
The next game didnât go so well. A few of the guys were sick or hurt so Yuuji, Akiteru and YĆ«suke had to play the whole game without breaks so they were beat. The three of them, Keishin and Shimada are disappointed in the outcome and want a drink. They all go out along with Bobata, and Takeharu. Kei, Tadashi and Amaya join later. They go to a bar with Live music and unwind. The band is pretty good, theyâre singing a cover of some English rock song as well as some J rock.
Terushima goes out to smoke and Keishin follows. âSoooo you and Akiteru huh?â Teruâs eyes get wide for a moment âJesus are we that obvious? How does everyone keep figuring it out? Are we playing different?â Keishin snorts and chokes on smoke ânah you guys are playing same as always I guess itâs just like the aura around you guys? You both seem happier. Akiteru was kindof a downer sometimes before you came.â This is news to Yuuji, to him Akiteru was like the sun always bright and warm. Keishin and Yuuji are about to walk back inside when someone calls Yuujiâs name.
âDad?â Yuuji doesnât know what to do. He wants to run but he doesnât want to give his dad what he wants. All he knows is Keishin can NOT see whatâs definitely about to happen. âHey Iâll be in in a second. Ask the guys if they wanna do a shot?â The air is tense and Keishin can sense it but goes inside anyway Bobata and Takeharu will better know whatâs happening. âHey where did a Yuuji go?â Akiteru asks and Keishin looks confused. âHe saw his dad outside and told me to come in and order shots.â Takeharu, Bobata, and Akiteru all stand at once âWHAT?!â They look between eachother and take off running for the door.
Keishin doesnât know what reaction he expected but that was NOT it. Before he can think heâs running toward the door with Yusuke and Shimada not far behind while Amaya pays the bill. From the looks of that reaction they will not be coming back tonight. The 3 men run outside to see a slightly terrified Takeharu and VERY angry Bobata and Akiteru standing in front of a frozen wide eyed Yuuji. âMaybe everybody should just take a breath for a second.â Shimada tried to be the voice of reason. Itâs clear to him Keishin and Yusuke donât need to know what happened to by just as mad at the others.
âWhat did I do? Iâve just been looking for my son. My own flesh and blood, the biggest disgrace of my entire life. I thought maybe you grew up and stopped disappointing your family.but noooo you still a fucking faggot!â Bobata has had enough and takes a swing at Yuujiâs dad who pushes Takeharu âITS ALL YOUR FAULT HES LIKE THIS!â If Bobata was mad before now heâs FURIOUS. He kicks the older manâs feet out from under him and put his foot on his chest. âIf you EVER push him again. Nobody will ever find your body.â He says with his finger in his face.
Yusuke and Keishin pull Bobata off and get between Yuujiâs dad and the other boys. âI think itâs time for you to goâ they glare at the old man on the ground. âAll you fucking gays ruining my son. Heâs always been fucking useless but at least he wasnât disgusting!â Yuuji canât hear whatâs happening around him. Itâs all a mumbled blur as he falls to his knee. He isnât crying he isnât screaming. He just falls, he knew his happiness couldnât last long. Now everyone knows, they all know.
26. Let me show you how important you are
Knowing heâs out numbered Yuujiâs dad leaves followed closely by Keishin, Yusuke and Bobata who want to make sure he doesnât follow Akiteru and Yuuji. Once inside Yuujiâs house Akiteru is helping Yuuji change when Yuuji suddenly realizes what happened. âOh my god! Oh.my.god! They all saw you all saw. He found me! Did he come just to harass me? Are you okay? I didnât help at all!â Akiteru pulls Yuuji close to him and strokes his hair until he calms down. We needed to protect you not the other way around. And so what if the guys saw they wonât judge you for that.â
âIâm not worth all this trouble Aki. Donât let me drag you down.â Akiteru doesnât like where this is going. âHey hey hey. Donât say that itâs no trouble and youâre worth everything. Let me show you how much I cherish you? If thatâs okay. I want to worship you. Please.â Yuuji is bright red. How can he make something so dirty sound so fucking sweet and poetic. âYouâll finally get to see where Iâm hiding my other tattoos.â Yuuji straddles Akiâs hips and connects their lips together gentle wrapping his arms around him.
Akiteru reaches around and lifts Yuuji up by his thighs. The other man moans into his mouth wrapping his legs tightly around his waist. Akiteru has been holding back and he just canât take it anymore. He slides his hands back to squeezes Yuujiâs ass carrying him to the bed. âLet me treasure you. I want to do everything.â Yuuji has no idea what the fuck that means but Akiteru says it like promise so he nods and threads his fingers in Akiâs hair.
âYouâre so handsome Yuuji. You make me so happy, everyday with you is like laying in the sun. Your smile makes my knees go weak.â Aki praises as he slowly trails kisses across Yuujiâs jaw behind his ear down his throat stopping at the crook of Yuujiâs neck and softly sucking and nibbling a hickey there. He runs his fingers alone the hem of his shirt âCan I?â Yuuji nods and Aki slips the shirt over his head. Yuuji is gorgeous. Aki continues to kiss down Yuujiâs body making sure to kiss every inch of him, running his tongue over every scar. Yuujiâs mind is cloudy Aki is being so gentle and giving him so much praise heâs going insane.
âMy boyfriend is so pretty. I could look at him all dayâ Aki coos as he kisses the inside of Yuujiâs wrist. âTell me what you want beautiful. Iâll stop the second itâs too much.â Yuuji would give Aki everything if he asked for it. âI want you to see the hidden tattoos.â Yuuji smirks and bites his lip. Akiteruâs pants get tight. This isnât about me right now he thinks ignoring his erection. He pulls off Yuujiâs pants and boxers revealing that damned V that makes his mouth water. Two little kanji tattoos on either side of his boyfriends hips seemingly framing his cock. âFuck even your cock is pretty.â Akiteru gasps gentle running his thumb over the tip of Yuujiâs dick. Akiteru places himself between Yuujiâs thighs kissing from his ankles up his thighs biting small marks into his skin. âMine.â Yuuji has never been this turned on just from kissing. Akiteru really is worshiping his body like he promised. âAki shit more please.â
âTell me what you want beautiful.â Yuuji canât breathe this is so hot. âEverything. Aki show me what Iâve been missing.â Akiteru doesnât need to be told twice. He grabs Yuujiâs thighs and give them a squeeze kissing and biting avoiding his dick just to be a tease. Aki puts his face between Yuujiâs legs and gentle bites an ass cheek licking over it to soothe the pain. âHoly shit Aki!â Yuuji exclaims as Akiteru licks over his hole, past his balls stopping short of the head. He continues to tease the other manâs hole barely putting any pressure until he gently slips the tip of his tongue into Yuujiâs ass. The moaning from above him urges him on. He grips Yuujiâs ass tightly and pulls him closer toward his face pushing his entire tongue inside his boyfriends ass. He rolls his tongue and presses up trying to taste as much of him as possible.
Yuuji has never had anyone eat him out before and he definitely didnât expect his first time to be this amazing. âMore Aki please. Use your fingers please.â Aki will do whatever Yuuji wants whatever will make him feel good. Itâs all about him. Aki removes his tongue and leaves more kisses and bites along the curve of Yuujiâs ass and thighs. Bringing his finger up to Yuujiâs hole and slowly pressing inside while leaving love bites over the other manâs chest. Yuuji expects pain but it doesnât come, still unable to believe how gentle Aki is being with him. Aki presses up into Yuujiâs prostate and grinds into it.
Yuujiâs body arches up as his eyes roll back and his body bucks down farther into Akiâs hand. He canât believe the sounds coming out of his own mouth, heâd be embarrassed if it didnât feel so good. Suddenly he feels Aki take his Cock into his mouth as he adds a second finger. Aki is rolling his tongue around on his cock and humming as he sucks. It feels so fucking good, Yuuji feels his cock hit the back of Akiâs throat and he hums again, pressing both fingers into his prostate at the same time. âAki oh my god. Iâm not gonna last long like that.â He grips the hair on the back of Akiteruâs head tightly. This is all the encouragement Akiteru needs. He takes Yuujiâs cock as deep into his throat as he can humming, licking and sucking making the other man moan loud enough to wake the neighbors. Heâs close to put him over the edge Akiteru begins to thrust his fingers into Yuujiâs ass a little harder and a little faster, hitting his prostate with every thrust. The grip on his hair tightens and Yuujiâs hips jerk farther into his throat as the man moans Akiâs name like a prayer spilling down into his throat. Akiteru continues to thrust his fingers into Yuujiâs ass and drink his cum like itâs his last meal until Yuuji comes down from the high.
Akiteru pulls his fingers from Yuuji and smiles up at the mess in front of him. âDoes that mean you liked it?â Yuuji is breathing heavy and pulls Akiteru into a kiss. âI think I just saw god.â He whispers making the other laugh. Yuuji looks down at Akiâs erection and begins to reach for it. Akiteru stops him grabbing his hand and kissing his knuckles. âDonât worry about me letâs just go to sleep.â Now Yuuji is confused. Donât worry about him? Why not? Did he really mean it when he said tonight was all about him? Akiteru can see the confusion on Yuujiâs face and lifts his chin to kiss him gently. âMaking you feel good is more than I could ever want.â
The next morning Yuuji wakes up wrapped around his boyfriend. God he smells so good he thinks. I want to bottle it and smell it all the time. âGood morning baby.â Akiteru smiles into Yuujiâs neck kissing it softly. Fuck Yuuji loves him. Wait what? They just started going out what is he thinking? He shakes away the thought and smiles at Akiteru. âMorning pretty eyes.â He whispers. Akiteru is still leaving soft kisses on Yuujiâs face and neck. âYa know youâre gonna spoil me if you keep doing that.â He can feel Akiâs smile against his skin âGood. You deserve it youâre so beautiful so perfect. So sweet.â He says between kisses on Yuujiâs neck.
âHow can you say that when you didnât even get off last night?â Teru lifts his head a little giving Aki more access to his neck. âI did exactly what I wanted to do. I got to worship you like you deserve. Youâre so beautiful. Youâre so sweet so kind. Your hot body is the icing on the cake.â Both men chuckle and Yuuji bring Akiâs face up to his own. âYouâre killing me you know? I wanna make you feel good too.â If he keeps looking at Yuuji like he invented air, he might just jump him right now. âMaking you feel good does make me feel good.â Heâs tracing his thumb over the tattoo on Yuujiâs hip following the cut of his V up his torso drawing lazy circles over his stomach.
Yeah if Yuujiâs not careful heâll offer up his whole life to this man in a second. Heâd probably deserve that and more though Yuuji thinks. âDo you wanna get something to eat?â Akiteru squeezes his ass with a devilish grin. God this man is insatiable. âI can think of something Iâd like to eat firstâ Akiteru mumbles connecting his mouth to Yuujiâs and sliding his hand under the other manâs boxers cupping his bare ass. âAre you serious?â Yuuji is surprised to say the least nobody has ever WANTED to eat him out before and now Aki is staring at him like a starving animal and the only thing that will save him is Yuujiâs ass.
âWell who am I to deny my perfect boyfriend what he wants?â Yuuji smirks at Aki and pulls him into a kiss. He runs his hands up Akiâs abs and chest while slipping his tongue into his mouth teasing him with the metal ball in his mouth. âFuck I love that piercing it feels so good.â The other man breaths into his mouth. âImagine what itâll feel like on your cockâ Yuuji teases. Aki squeezes his ass hard, itâs going to bruise and Yuuji canât wait just another mark that he belongs to Akiteru. The other pulls his boxers down and immediately starts to tongue his hole. Heâs still a little loose from last night and Akiâs tongue slips in easily making Yuuji moan.
Akiteru rolls his tongue inside Yuujiâs ass spreading his cheeks with a bruising grip. How can somebodyâs ass taste so fucking sweet the sounds Yuujiâs is making are filling the room encouraging Aki to keep going. Heâs rolling his hips into Akiâs tongue yelling his name and threading his fingers in his hair. *âscar tissue that I wish you saw..â playing*
HiIs sex supposed to be this good?
Akiteru looks over and Yuuji pleads with him âignore it. Fuck me please fuck me. I need you inside me Aki please.â Akiteru sit up and runs his hands down Yuujiâs thighs. Theyâre so strong, all of Yuuji is strong inside and out. He could literally knock Akiteru out but here he is butt naked begging to be fucked. This is like a dream.
Akiteru strips himself of his clothes are begins to open Yuuji up. Gently fucking into him with his fingers barely grazing his prostate. Heâs three fingers deep spreading Yuujiâs beautiful hole open getting it ready for him. âAki please itâs good enough I need you.â âCondom?â Aki questions. âPlease no I want to feel youâ his mouth is dry heâs trying so hard not to lose himself and be gentle but when Yuuji says shit like that itâs not not to want to plow him into the sheets. He lines himself up and starts to push his cock into his boyfriend.
Heâs so warm and soft it feels like heaven. Akiteru groans Yuujiâs name gripping his hips with force. Once heâs fully inside his balls hitting Yuujiâs perfect ass. He stops moving waiting for Yuuji to adjust. He watchâs his boyfriends face expecting to see some discomfort but instead he sees confusion and fear. âWhyâd you stop?â He asks and now Akiteru is confused âI just put it in if I move now youâll be hurt.â He kisses Yuuji lightly tracing over the tattoos on his hips.
Sex hurts. This was something Yuuji thought as fact. It always hurt with Shin. Sex was for the other person. âIsnât it supposed to hurt?â Akiâs face falls and he kisses Yuuji again. âNo Handsome it isnât. And if I can help it it never will again.âHe kisses Yuuji hard and starts to slowly thrust into Yuuji watching his face intently for any signs of pain. To Yuujiâs surprise he feels no pain what he does feel is amazing and full. Akiteru is reaching so deep inside him and he wraps his legs around his waist wanting him deeper. âYouâre doing so good baby. You look so pretty with my cock inside you.â Yuujiâs arms are wrapped around his neck. Heâs fucking into him so steady and slow kissing him the entire time and whispering praise in his ears.
This is so slow and intimate, Yuuji had no idea sex could feel this good. He can feel every inch of Akiteru inside him. Heâs so close to the edge all he needs is a little push and- Aki hits hit prostate and grinds his hips down into him. He hits his prostate again and again. âCum for me my pretty baby. I want to feel you cum around my cock.â One last thrust into Yuujiâs prostate has him seeing white he cums all over their stomachs clenching around Akiteruâs cock. Heâs being squeezed so good âYuuji Iâm gonnaâŠâ Yuuji grabs him by the nape of his neck and looks into his eyes. âCum inside me pretty eyes. Make me yours.â Those words alone would have been enough to send him over the edge. Heâs filling Yuuji with his cum and Yuuji seems to be loving it. âFuck I can feel you filling me up. Itâs all mine. All for meâ Yuuji is chanting into the air eyes closed head thrown back looking absolutely wrecked.
After cleaning themselves up the two decide to head to the grocery store to buy things to make breakfastâŠlunch? Yuuji isnât sure and doesnât really care; heâs just had the best orgasm of his life. Akiteru is off grabbing eggs and bread while Yuuji decides what kinda of veggies he wants in his omelette. He isnât really paying attention and bumps into someone. âOh Iâm sorr-â Shin is standing in front of him a shit eating grin on his face that makes Yuuji sick.
âFancy seeing you here huh pet?â Yuuji canât move, heâs going to vomit. âDonât call me pet. Iâm not an animalâ Shin laughs in Yuuji face âI said pet to be nice but if you want me to call it like it is WHORE Then I will. You used me for a place to live and food in return I got to use your worthless self like a cock sleeve. I guess at least your ass wasnât worthless.â Yuuji is trying to walk away trying to leave but heâs frozen with fear. Akiteru is going to come back soon and he canât see Shin. He canât see first hand how low he used to be.
Akiteru can see Yuuji talking to somebody from the bread aisle and he looks..scared? He needs to get over there and stop whatever is happening. âYuuji are you ready to go?â He asks putting himself between his boyfriend and the other man. âOhhhh I see youâre this whores new ATM huh?â Akiteru had planned on grabbing Yuuji and leaving but if this joker wants a fight heâs got one.
âOhhh YOU must be Shin huh? Well itâs been fucking terrible to meet you so my boyfriend and I will be going.â He attempts to walk away with Yuuji. âWhen youâre tired of fucking him Iâll take him back no charge.â Shin yells after them. Akiteru really doesnât want to start a fight in the grocery store but heâs had enough. One look at Yuujiâs eyes filled with tears is all he needs to make the decision. Akiteru walks up to Shin and grabs him by the collar of his shirt. âYou know what you jackass, I donât know who you think you are but if you EVER talk to him or even LOOK at him again. I will beat you so bad theyâll have to identify you by your fucking teethâ Shinâs eyes are wide. âWh wh you you canât heâs just heâs notâŠâ Akiteru drops the other man, and walks toward the door taking Yuuji by the hand.
Yuuji has never seen Akiteru so madâŠor mad at all actually. Shit heâs probably so mad at Yuuji. Why isnât he saying anything? Is he going to breakup with him? âIm sorry..â Yuuji chokes out quietly. âI shouldnât have talked to him I should have walked away. Iâm sor-â âYuuji Yuuji Yuuji.â Akiteru cups his face in his hands and puts their foreheads together. âWhy are you apologizing baby? You did nothing wrong.â Akiteru looks worried, wasnât he just mad? âBut arenât you mad at me?â His lips are caught in Akiâs very gently and heâs stroking his cheeks wiping off the tears. âOf course not beautiful. Iâm not mad at you. Iâm mad that that asshole has the balls to come up to you in public and to say those things to you at all!â He looks into Yuujiâs eyes who is still crying. âCome on my love letâs go home.â Love? Akiteru loves him?
Akiteru sits on the bed and pulls Yuuji onto his lap wrapping his arms around him and laying his chin on his shoulder. Yuuji loves sitting like this, Aki is so warm against his back and he can rest his head on his shoulder. âYuuji I havenât been totally honest with you. I know you think Iâm this level headed calm person but the truth is Iâm not. I get stressed really easily and sometimes that turns into anger. Today when I saw you talking to him with that terrified look on your face I was so nervous then when I heard what he said I almost punched him right there in the store. When I told him Iâd beat him until he couldnât be recognized I meant it. I didnât want you to know that I can be like that. Iâm not perfect like you think.â Yuuji looks at his boyfriend who isnât meeting his eyes, he looks ashamed.
Yuuji kisses his cheek. âHonestly thatâs a relief. I was so worried youâd be put off by my past. Iâve also had my fair share of fights. I didnât want to lose you over something like this. Shin is right though I did basically use my body to keep him around. I thought if I gave him what he wanted heâd grow to love me but instead he just started being rougher and rougher with me and telling me it was love. Before you I had no idea that love shouldnât hurt.â Aki sighs âLove can be hard for sure but Iâll never hurt you Yuuji. Even if we break up which if itâs up to me we wonât ever happen, Iâll never treat you the way he did. I promise.â
âYou know seeing you get angry and stand up for me like that was pretty hot though. It was like seeing another side of you I didnât know existed.â Yuuji looks lost in thought and Akiteru canât help but think how cute he looks. He buried his face in Yuujiâs neck and laughs a little âDamn Yuuji you really walked into my life and wrapped me around your finger didnât you?â Yuuji is a little confused âI didnât do anything though?â He turns to look at his boyfriend. âActually you did everything. You stole my heart so fast. I donât think Iâve ever been this in love with someone before.â
âYouâre in love with me?â Theyâre face to face looking into eachother eyes now. Akiteru knows he has two choices either back track or own up to it. He chooses the latter âI am. Iâm actually so in love with you it scares me. I know love at first sight is a cliche but itâs true Iâve been in love with you since Yusuke introduced us. I know we havenât known eachother that long so itâs okay if you donât feel like that right now.â Heâs cut off by Yuuji tackling him onto the bed âI love you too. I love you so much I thought I was going crazy.â
Itâs finally December, this will be Yuujiâs first Christmas in almost 4 years celebrating with more than just Takeharu and Bobata. It needs to be perfect. Itâs his first Christmas with his boyfriend. He has a whole big date planned for them, he just hopes itâs enough. He made a reservation at Akiteruâs favorite restaurant and bought couples rings. The rings are silver with a diamond and an aquamarine next to each other to represent their birthstones. He had âPretty Eyesâ engraved into Akiâs in his handwriting. He really hopes he likes them, he even brought Yamaguchi with him to pick them out.
On Christmas Eve, Yuuji puts on a Navy blue suit with a black collared shirt and black tie. He also changes out all his piercing for black ones and adds a little black eyeliner. He knows he looks good but does he look good enough. He walks up to the tsukishima household to pickup Akiteru and Kei opens the door. âDamn he was right.â Kei says out loud before he can think and blushes. âWhoâs right about what?â Kei is still blushing and looking toward the stairs. âAkiteru was worried heâd be underdressed and when I asked why Tadashi said âbecause his boyfriend is a fucking smoke show kei keep upâ and then I said that you were hot but not THAT hot but youâve proven me wrong so congratulations.â
Yuuji canât believe his ears did he just call him hot? No a smoke show? âHum thank youâŠyouâre really hot too though. Youâre so tall.â Tsukiâs ears turn red and Tadashi comes down the stairs followed by Akiteru. âWhy are you two just standing in the doorway just telling each other how hot the other is?â He questions âNot that I disagree though. Iâd hit it.â Tadashi winks at Yuuji whose whole face turns red instantly. âAbsolutely not! Weâre going upstairs. Stay away from my boyfriend!â Tadashi giggles and Yuuji is speechless âI didnât do anything though!â He yells after Kei and Tadashi.
Yuuji is stunned. Heâs wearing an all black suit with a silver chain and silver cuff links and a red pocket hanky in his pocket. âI think Iâve seen an angel.â Akiteru giggles and Yuuji wants to skip the reservation and tear Akiâs clothes off right now but he has a plan for the night. They head out to the restaurant and enjoy each others company then Yuuji suggests a walk in the park to look at the lights. âCan I give you your gift now?â Akiteru gasps as Yuuji pulls out a ring box and opens it up to reveal 2 identical rings. He pulls out the one with the inscription and puts it on Akiteruâs hand kissing each knuckle and he looks into his lovers eyes. âAki I know this is going to seem crazy because weâve only been dating for 2 months but I promise Iâve never loved anyone the way I love you and when the time is right Iâd love to marry you.â Akiteru is speechless. Did Yuuji just propose or is he promising to propose eventually? It doesnât really matter either way he just told him heâd love him forever.
âYuuji I love you more than Iâve ever loved anyone and I want to be with you forever alsoâ Akiteru gets on one knee and also pulls out a ring box opening it to reveal two identical rings these also with a silver band but a single diamond in the middle of both with one inscribed âto my everything Iâll cherish you alwaysâ written in his own handwriting on the inside. Yuuji smiles âAre you proposing right now?â Akiteru nods and holds the ring out to Yuuji who allows him to slide it next to the other couples ring and then he slides Akiâs second ring next to the first as well. âOf course Iâll marry you. I love you so much.â Yuuji and Akiteru stand in the middle of the empty park in each others arms happier than either of them have ever been. This is the beginning of a beautiful life together.
First the Championship then the rest of our life
April rolls around and The Karasuno Neighborhood Association is in the finals. Yuuji and Akiteru havenât told the team about their engagement yet and if anyone has noticed their rings they havenât said anything. Kei and Tadashi shared that they also got engaged on Christmas Eve when they met for family dinner on Christmas Day. The brothers parents were ecstatic saying that both their boys picked partners that complemented them beautifully. Tadashiâs parents saying the same and while Yuuji was a little disappointed his family would never feel that way and might not ever know heâs engaged, he could feel the love from his fiancĂ©s parents and his friends and that was good enough. On new years Aki and Yuuji told Takeharu and Bobata who ALSO informed them they got engaged on Christmas Eve and Yuuji of course took the credit for getting them together.
Now with the first game of the championship in front of them Yuuji felt pumped. His life was like a dream. Perfect partner, good friends, a good job, an even better volleyball team. They play the first championship game like itâs the last game theyâll ever play and win making it into the second round the following week. âLetâs go out and celebrate!â Keishin shouts. The whole team goes out and Yuuji takes his usual spot between Yusuke and Akiteru. They drink and tell stories. Yusuke and Shimada tell a story about Keishin spiking the ball into his grandfathers head when they were in high school and his grandfather making him run home as punishment.
Akiteru looks at Yuuji who nods in agreement. âSo actually Yuuji and I have something to tell you guysâ the rest of the team goes silent and someone whisper yells âoh my god you guys arenât quitting the team are you?â They shake their heads no and light up their rings âYuuji and I are engaged and we just wanted you guys to knowâ thereâs a sigh of relief from several teammates. âWait engaged?? How long have you been together?!â Yuujiâs face gets hot they havenât been together very long. âSix months but weâve been engaged for four.â Shimada starts laughing âyou two owe me $50 each hand it overâ. Keishin and Yusuke hand over the money. âWhat the heck is happening?â Yuuji asks. âThese two bet me that youâd get engaged by summer and I told them you wouldnât make it through the new year without getting engaged. Turns out you didnât even make it through Christmas!â
âRegardless of losing money. Weâre happy for you guys, you both seem to be happier than before and itâs obvious you love eachother.â The rest of the team agrees and Yusuke smacks Akiteru on the back. âCheers to winning the game and to Akiteru and Yuuji finding eachother. First the championship next a wedding!â The whole team congratulates the two on their engagement and clinks their beers together. Akiteru and Yuuji walk back to the apartment and cuddle up in bed. âThat went really well. I was worried they wouldnât be on board.â Yuuji says out loud and Aki shushes him with a kiss. âI canât wait to spend the rest of my life with youâ he whispers in the dark, wrapped in each others arms as they both fall asleep dreaming of their future together.