Puddles
Okay, this is my first time writing anything for Asahi on my own. But here we go. Something soft and sweet with the most passive Ace out there. No Content warnings, it’s just fluff. 1133 words. She a smol piece while I dip my toes into writing for the gentle giant, okay? @the-angriestpineapple
The sun was hidden, dark grey clouds reflecting in the puddles that formed from the autumn rain. The red and yellow leaves that littered the ground now soggy and sad. But you refused to let that ruin your day. You had plans to go for a light jog through a local park, just something to hopefully pull you out of the funk that you had been in. Being in nature had always helped before, maybe it would help again. Nature didn't care that you dropped out of university. Nature didn't care that you were back in your hometown with no plans on what to do anymore. Nature always welcomed you back with open arms.
Unlike your parents. Dropping out brought them shame. They had told you that you weren't welcome back in their house. Not as a dropout with no job lined up. Which is how you ended up staying with an old friend. Michimiya Yui had always been one of your closest friends, making it no surprise when she accepted you into her apartment and started helping you hunt for a job. Three nights a week you now work at Sakanoshita Store. With Ukai Keishin as your manager. He was a kind gentleman, you remembered him as the coach that led the boys volleyball team to Nationals in your third year.
Somehow you had gotten so lost in your own thoughts that you missed someone stepping onto the walking path. Running into them and both of you toppling to the ground. You landing in a puddle, and him into a pile of soggy leaves. "My apologies! I am so, so sorry. I wasn't paying attention." You hadn't even looked at who you knocked over before you had started to apologize. Finally looking up from the feet of your unfortunate victim, you saw the most worried pair of chocolate brown eyes. His hair hadn't changed since highschool, still long and kept in a low bun. Only the headband changed, he didn't use one any more.
"S-sorry, Azumane-kun. I wasn't paying attention. Did I hurt you?" You slowly rose, realizing now that your entire rear was soaked thanks to landing ass first into a puddle. But still, Azumane didn't move. As if he was paralyzed by fear. He always had been a timid guy. "Um… Let me- let me help you up." Offering your much smaller hand out to him. It broke your heart the way his hand shook as he took it and pulled himself to his feet.
"Sorry. I need to remember to look before crossing the path. You aren't hurt, are you?" His hand still hadn't let go of yours. And you found yourself quite okay with that as you shook your head no. You hadn't been hurt, nothing other than your pride. Then again, how much pride did you really have at this point? Once it was confirmed you weren't hurt, you got the softest smile ever from him. One that just melted your heart and forced a soft blush to stain your cheeks.
"Oh. You must be getting cold. You fell into a puddle, and now your cheeks are pink. Let me lend you my jacket to tie around your waist. To hide the... To hide the wetness, you know. I'll give you- um, my number and you can um... You can return it whenever is best for you. Don't worry about cleaning it, I can do that." Already the taller male removed his jacket and held it out to you. The black sports jacket accepted with a soft bow of your head before you carefully tied it around your waist. The blush deepening as he kept his eyes on you. He looked as fascinated with you as you were with him.
He pulled out his phone, holding it to you so you could add your number into the contacts. Which you did and also sent yourself a text so you had his. With a soft wave the two of you split ways and you returned back to the small apartment you shared with Yui. Catching a look thrown your way, her eyebrow quirking at the jacket that was obviously too large for your frame.
"I ran into Azumane Asahi. Literally. And then I fell into a puddle and he offered me his jacket. He is still so pretty. And now I have to text him and arrange a time to return his jacket." You sounded so far off to your friend as you spoke. It was obvious that your crush on the former Ace hadn't disappeared. But that wasn't going to be a problem, because once you returned the jacket you wouldn't see him again. Which was totally okay, it wasn’t like you had been secretly crushing on him and keeping tabs on his newly developed fashionwear lines. You quickly went to your room to change, peeling the wet clothes off your body and tossing them into a basket to be cleaned. You would focus on that when you were less worried about how to convince Asahi to meet up later that night. The sooner you got the jacket gone, the sooner you didn’t have to see him again. No use holding a flame in the open rain. It wouldn’t survive that way. You easily pulled on an outfit that you would call comfortable chic. An oversized sweater and leggings. It looked really nice paired with the light grey scarf that you wore on autumn evenings. This way, if your idea for a date doesn’t blow up in your face you will at least look presentable. Texting Asahi wasn’t easy. You kept erasing your message. What if you came off as too forward and it frightened him. You always remembered him being a skittish man. And you doubted he had outgrown it. Finally, after nearly a dozen rewrites you had a first message that wasn’t terrible. <Azumane-San. I made it home safe, and am officially not soaked in puddle water. Did you want to meet up tonight to get your jacket back?” >Yea, that sounds good. I look forward to it, do you have a preference where we meet up? <Karasuno Eatery? Maybe we could grab a quick bite to eat. My roommate made herself dinner thinking I was going to be out longer than I was. >Oh. Sure. I can do that. See you at six? Is that enough time? >If it’s not we can meet up later. I don’t mind. Six just seemed like a good time. I’m free all night. <Six is perfect, Azumane-San. >Asahi. My friends call me Asahi. Friends. Well, that was something. You gave him permission to use your first name as well. Melting when he sent a blushing emoji in response. Maybe this wouldn’t blow up in your face after all.