synopsis: while watching kei’s match, the bond between you guys slowly starts to unravel. you confront your feelings of being overlooked and taken for granted, an you finally tell your friends what has been on your mind. meanwhile, kei is left unsettled and started to realise you’re presence meant more than he understood.
(w.c 1516)
after the match had ended the the screams erupted from the bleachers and the applause cutting the air it all becomes eerily quiet in your mind while you contemplate to why you actually here, why do you always make an effort to see and be there for him-it’s not like it’s even a question you’d asked yourself but just do out of instinct.
you and kei make eye contact-brief, quick. it was all done when noya starts clapping keis back as a congratulations for blocking the ball-which scored them a point. his eyes didn’t look like usual-soft and aware of your presence but rather calculated.
you feel a cold sweat on the back of you neck before yuki and fubuki look at you. they can’t let this go on-they need you to tell them what’s been going on with you since you haven’t been yourself fully for the past week.
“yo..are you okay, like seriously.” yuki asked before fubuki chimes in “you know you can tell us anything and everything, you haven’t been yourself- you’re more quiet than usual and i can’t help but notice..” she continues a bit more hushed but concerned, “..i’ve see the way you’re looking at him..did something happen?”
you look at her with a heavy heart and your eyes speaks for you.
you and your two best friends walk outside since fubuki wanted you to get fresh air. you look at them both taking in the fresh air, the sun begins to set while the people exit from the gym, and you three sit at a nearby bench on the school yard.
you begin explaining what happened at his house-how you felt as if something was different, charged with something you’re not familiar with. the incident of him texting you and walking off with another girl, how it made you feel. betrayal, replaced and something else you can’t control. they both look at you with understanding and worry as they hear you speak your heart out before-they see your eyes water up, tears welling in your eyes threatening to spill.
yuki looks at fubuki, since she doesn’t know how to necessarily comfort you-not because she doesn’t want to, because she doesn’t know how too. fubuki looks at her and with a nod she holds you hand while yuki rubs your back, comforting you.
you quickly wipe your eyes on your sleeves,feeling horrible with the way you pent this up and it all just releasing at once. you take some breaths to calm yourself down. yuki says “you don’t have to explain anything-just let it out, we’re here.always.” fubuki smiles softly at yuki feeling the genuine warmth behind her words, and you do too nodding your head.
after you’re calmed down you can’t let out a small laugh “this is so pathetic guys..”
you mutter referring you yourself-the emotions and the way you’re acting. “It felt like I mattered… and now I don’t know if I ever did.”
they both assure you it’s okay “your feelings are completely valid and honestly?..i’ve noticed he has been hanging out with this girl-“ before fubuki finishes her sentence yuki buts in “her name is hana, she’s in my biology class, and honestly i don’t like her, i don’t know…something about her just feels off. like she’s trying too hard. ‘t’s weird.” you look at fubuki and she hums in agreement, but keeping her focus on you, her thumb brushing gentle circles against your hand grounding you in a way that makes your chest ache a little less.
you stare out at the tiny flowers growing from the grass, watching how the ants walk on the concrete. your grip tightens slightly in fubuki’s hold before you let out a shaky breath, “it’s not even just her…” your voice comes out quieter than you expected, almost like saying it any louder would make it too real. “it’s him.”
the words sit heavy between the three of you.
“he looked at me like i was…nothing.” you laugh softly but there’s no humor in it, your gaze dropping to your lap as your fingers curl into the fabric of your sleeves. “like i wasn’t even there. and i—” you hesitate, your throat tightening before you force the rest out, “i hate that it bothered me that much.”
yuki’s hand pauses on your back for a second before she presses a little firmer, like she’s silently telling you to keep going.
“i didn’t even question coming today,” you continue, your voice trembling at the edges, “i just did. like i always do. and for what?” you shake your head, a small bitter smile forming, “to feel like i’m…replaceable?”
fubuki squeezes your hand gently, “you’re not replaceable.” you look at her, yuki crosses her arms feeling angry for you “you seriously not replaceable, you’re literally irreplaceable, and honestly i’m going to be brutally honest with you but don’t take it in the wrong way,” she looks at you and fubuki almost tells her to stop before she word vomits. “you’re such a good friend, like genuinely. but sometimes i think you give too much of yourself away-like you’re too available for him…but when it comes to you, you get so little and run off that.” fubuki nods as well as you feeling slightly hurt but understanding of what she means-it’s not the best feeling ever but she’s right, she’s actually spot on.
“you’re always there. like—no hesitation, no second thought. anyone calls, you go. anyone needs something, you’re already halfway there before they even finish asking.” she continues. fubuki nods softly, giving your hand a small squeeze. “it’s not a bad thing… it’s just—” she hesitates, choosing her words carefully, “people can start expecting it. and then…they stop appreciating it.”
the words hit harder than expected.
you look down at your hands, fidgeting with the hem of your shirt, “so what…i’m just supposed to stop caring?”
“no,” yuki says quickly, sitting up a little straighter. “just…care about yourself too. at least as much as you care about everyone else.”
you smile softly feeling slightly lighter “thank you guys..i needed this-to let it all out..” yuki chuckles softly trying to make the situation lighter “..you’re such a dummy,” she flicks your forehead and you let out a small ‘ow’ and let out a huff “we told you we always here so don’t get sappy on us-its unlike you, don’t make this weird.” fubuki barks out a laugh loud enough for people nearby to look at you three and you guys chuckle.
you let out a soft weary sigh before looking at them “guys i’m a bit hungry-“ yuki chimed in “oh please i’ve been starvin’ the snacks they sell barely can fill a person.” fubuki mutters “big back.” referring to yuki and they start bickering making you giggle to yourself. “okay okay but seriously guys im hungry, should we go to the cafe nearby?” they both nod and you three all stand up in unison and walk to the cafe.
meanwhile kei:
he sits in the locker room, drying off his sweat off his body before heading out taking his bag with. without even thinking he looks for you in the bleachers and was quickly interrupted his thought process when his friends come up to him-still he couldn’t help looking for you. you always waited for him to get out the locker room so you guys can talk and you would congratulate him if they won or comfort him if they had lost their match.
his heart drops slightly feeling heavy seeing that you went and not stayed. he gave a quick nod to his friends congratulating him and made his way quickly out the gymnasium. “she just left?..” he mutters to himself while he replays how the match had when down and realised that you hadn’t be cheering for him the way you normally do. he goes to the vending machine to buy himself a cold water and a black coffee in a can-something to relieve his thirst.
he walks outside and looks for where you could have gone, to see if he could get anything about your whereabouts, but unfortunately to his luck he wasn’t met with anything useful. he looks at his phone and your contact, feeling hesitant and unsure.
he thinks to himself :
can i text her? why do i feel so nervous about texting and asked where she is? why didn’t she wait? why didn’t she cheer for me like the way she use to-just a measly clap? what was that about?
he types.
where are you?
he stares at it.
then deletes it.
too blunt.
he tries again.
did you already leave?
delete.
his jaw clenches slightly.
his mind goes overdrive trying to find logical reasoning for all of this, yet he wasn’t able to find one.
he walks past the spot-your spot, familiar. where you guys had met before, during, after school. his chest feels slightly fuzzy before the reality of the state your relationship with each other sets in. it feels uncomfortable, suffocating even.
it doesn’t feel like a win without you watching.
a.n: ello, so i started school again pls can the holidays pls comeback i can’t 💔 this isn’t proofread 🥀
✿ Synopsis: The waves were always captivating, alluring, the swells of the white foam bringing people into the water deeper. Yet, sometimes the force of the unsteady seas is not the only danger that lurks about.
✿ Who: Koga Yudai / K (&Team) & Gender Neutral Reader
✿ Word Count: 14,267 Words
✿ Genre: Angst
✿ Warnings: Darker concepts, explicit language, death, drowning, bodily harm, forced kissing, parental death, strangers death, attempted self drowning, forced imprisonment, coercion, abduction, pet names, manipulation
✿ Request: Yes. Thank you for your request. It's not the best, but I hope you enjoy it.
✿ Not proofread.
The sea was a captivating thing. The swells of the white foamy spume slapping against the sides of the ship, was alluring to watch. The large waves would draw anyone in, like a siren luring sailors into the rocky spires to their deaths. The waves had you completely filled with aghast, they were large, shaking the ship all about, causing sea sickness in those who were not accustomed to the ways of the water, to those who had yet to acquire their own sealegs. Yet, the ship, she did her best to stay afloat throughout this torrential storm, the sailors and captain did their best to keep her steady.
The trip was one you had gone on many times before, being the child of the famed ship's captain and first mate, you were accustomed to this voyage. You were practically born on this ship, sailing and making long voyages before you were able to walk. Your parents' livelihood had become your childhood. Spending your days confined on this ship, wishing for the land, for the feeling of grass and dirt under your feet. A normal childhood was all you ever desired, instead you were stuck on this ship, as your parents sailed around, doing whatever it was they did for a price.
They always claimed you would learn to love the freedom, to love the sea, to love the joy that this path would bring. On land jobs would only make you a couple doubloons, but sailing, it was much more profitable. It was hard to undertake a voyage without the proper equipment and sailors, and many would rather pay a hefty sum to get someone else to do all the dirty work for them, rather than put in the effort and do it themselves. That is where your parents would come in, they would take anything anywhere and do anything for the right price.
Despite how general the job description was, they would do really anything. You had seen them being nothing more than self appointed vigilantes hunting down those who attempted to evade the law by going out to sea, oftentimes being paid quite heavily for those captures. They had also been nothing more than common thieves and parading pirates, breaking into the sailing ships of the wealthy and stealing their riches, all for their own cut on the gold and jewels. They had taken on common jobs, simply sailing items from point one to point two, moving things as simple as boxes of cloth to sailing things like boxes of swords. Each and everything had a price, and there was nothing they were not willing to do for a price, even reprehensible things. They had never said it for certain, but you had no doubts that at least one of your parents had probably taken another’s life, after all everything has a price, and that includes human lives.
Despite their joy and love of sailing, of what they did, you never found yourself enjoying it that much. Oftentimes your days were spent desiring the land, desiring to be in one place, desiring to be away from this. Days were spent within the confines of the ship, hiding within one of the cabins to avoid whatever the agenda was for your parents on that day. No longer did you enjoy sailing, and you soon grew to hate the sailing trips.
Your mother was always using the utmost care and caution when steering the ship. Despite how cutthroat and terrifying what they do might be, she would never attempt to sail through a storm, not wanting to possibly hurt you, her only children. Your father was honestly the same, rather would stay docked during the storms, than let things be risked. Despite their suspicious careers, and odd reactions towards certain things, they tried their best to be good parents, even with their wild lives and how they made money, not always being the most legal of things.
The amount of times you were sailing through a storm could be counted on one hand, that number being only twice. Once the storm hit while you were out at sea, unable to return to the shore before it started to rain, but that time it was only rain. The second time, being today, right now actually. The sky was a deep shade of grey, only illuminated by the random flashes of sharp lightening, and growing a deeper and darker shade with each growing second. The thunder was loud, easily overpowering the cries and screams of the children as they hid with the saloon, under the exposed deck.
Today was one of those days that your parents were on a job, transporting a large number of people across the sea, a trip projected to take only thirty days, and here you were already on day twenty-three. Only seven more days until you could be on land, you could escape this ship, you could escape from the close confines of being with your family, the sailors, and these complete strangers. The group of strangers were currently hiding under deck, the twenty people rushed in as the storm started, their children screaming out in terror and fear as the thunder started to crack and lightning started to make itself known across the previously clear sky.
Leaving the saloon, you took refuge on the exposed deck. The rain was a welcome feeling against your skin, it was like it was washing away all the stress and annoyance you felt towards being on this ship once again. Others would have run away, escaping into the warmth and cover of the saloon or cabins, wanting to get away from the rain. However, you just wanted to get away from that safety, desiring the feeling of freedom that temporarily filled your being, as the rain fell down upon your skin, soaking your clothing and you to the bone.
After a few moments, the coolness of the rain and the combined wind finally started to get to you. Walking around the deck, you found yourself seated under the overhang that shielded one of the doors from the onslaught of water, it kept the rain from falling against your skin, as you watched the rolling storm clouds filling the sky. It was only midafternoon, four in the afternoon at the latest, but the dark cover of the sky would easily have you believing it was at least nine at night during this late summer day. Storms like this were rare during the sweltering and overheated days of the summer, it was too the point of the summer that the storms were no longer forming, but you knew it would only be a matter of time until the cold waves took over, hitting the warm air and sparking massive storms. This seemed to be one of those days.
The massive storm swirled overheard, the deep dark grey turning to almost black. The visibility was so low, you were barely able to see a ship’s length out into the dark murky water. Oddly, your mother had even stopped forcing the ship to go forward, you could only assume that the lights from the sparse flashes of lightning were not bright enough to help her steer the ship with any certainty.
The white spume covered waves were now a shade of dark grey, the water no longer the clear reflective liquid it was only minutes ago. The storm was taking over, taking everything from the area, plunging everyone and everything in its path into darkness.
Oddly, the darkness was comforting. No longer were you hearing the loud cries of the children, the constant complaints of the men with a little bit too much money, and no longer experiencing something like clockwork. Shifting, you found yourself laying down the bench, the cold harsh wood was oddly comforting as the rain softly fell down onto your skin in light raindrops. Despite being splayed lightly by the raindrops as they fell askew instead of straight down, it was nice, it was a change from the doldrum day you usually experienced.
The storm was somehow even more captivating while at sea, as they were on land. The rolling clouds continued, painting the sky various shades of grey, what little bright blue sky that remained was soon covered with the overcast sky. The lightning seemed louder while at sea, almost like being in an echo chamber, but it oddly was not terrifying.
The scene was serene, oddly serene, almost to the point of being uncomfortably serene. Something was wrong, but at this point, you could not care what it was, who it was, or anything, just enjoying the storm, the sounds, and the change from the usual. The rain was a welcome change, maybe not to your parents or the guest, but to you it was. A change from the normal, a deviation that you loved, since you hated the basic everyday rhythm that encompassed everything around you.
As the rain soaked through your clothing, you felt the white muslin fabric sticking to your skin, reminding you that what you were wearing was not the best for being out in this horrid rainstorm. Yet, despite that, you found yourself unable to move. The rain pattering down with a steady beat, almost as though it was a musical instrument. The pitters and patters of it hitting the water all around the boat was soothing, it was not long before it was starting to lull you into slumber. The darkness surrounding you made your brain think it was already night, and the calm falls of the rain soon had you asleep on the bench where you laid.
You were unsure of how long you were asleep for. It may have been minutes or it may have been hours, or possibly even longer. Yet, upon waking up, you were welcomed with the sight of a completely black sky, it was even darker than it had been prior. You were left to assume that night had fallen during your slumber. Sitting up, the sound of rain continued, time may have changed, but the current weather condition had not.
Standing, you found yourself enjoying the fall on the raindrops upon your skin, it running down your face without a care, leaving your clothing rain stained, and your hair waterlogged. It was a comfortable feeling, the rain washing away all the stress and sleep remaining in your being. Looking around, you oddly saw others out on the deck, the sailors would usually be up in the wheelhouse or in their cabins sleeping at this time of night, but instead here they stood, aligning the banister of the deck. Their eyes were fixated forward, staring into the darkness. Vacant, unmoving, and unchanging. Just staring ahead with all their focus. They did not even move or sense your presence around them, just continuing to stare.
Venturing into their line of sight, they started just through you, almost as though you were not there. For a moment, you were in a state of turmoil, had you passed during that nap, were you now a ghost set to haunt the place you died for the rest of eternity. Seeing how none of them acknowledged you, that was the first thought on your mind. It was not until one of the sailors pushed you aside, moving to stand in front of you, getting so close to the bannister, they were in danger of falling, that you finally realized you were in fact alive.
It was an odd scene, the sailors pressed up against the bannister without a care in the world, staring out into the sea, the vacant and empty sea mirror the empty and vacant stares on their faces. Stepping back, you called out to a few of the sailors, calling their names, calling their ranks on the ship, and even calling them the nicknames they call one another. Not a single sailor moved, none spared a single look back at you, instead just continuing to stare without a care in the world.
The scene left an odd feeling in your stomach, it flooded into your brain, just nothing but red flags. It is repeated in your mind, this is not normal, this is not okay, this is not what usually happens. Usually you were all for things not being how they always are, but on this occasion, it was terrifying. The sailors knew not to be so close to the banisters. The sailors knew the risk that being too close brought. The sailors knew if they fell, it was certain death. Watching as they clamored for spots closer and closer to the edge, you knew it was only a matter of time.
One moment they were nine beings being illuminated by the dull lantern light that hung from the water free overhang on the wheelhouse. In the blink of an eye, there were only eight. The sailor made no noise as he fell, the only sound coming from the harsh sound of his body hitting the water, and the large clanks as his body hit the side of the ship on the way down. A scream slipped past your lips, hearing each and every noise over the rain, almost as though it was amplified.
Not a single sailor spared a glance at their fallen comrade. Not a single sailor spared a glance at you as you screamed. Their eyes wasted not a second staring on, just continuing to stare, like nothing existed except for the area in front of them that they were staring at.
Stepping back, you found yourself clutching to anything, for something, to help you stand up. The ship was never this rough, never this harsh on the waves, and it was not the storm that was making this ride so unbelievably horrible. Unable to believe what you just saw. A sailor fell overboard. No, a sailor was pushed overboard. But they did not scream, they did not cry, the sailors that pushed them overboard had no reaction, no screams for help, no cries of apologies, they did not even realize they had pushed one of their own off the ship in their desire to get closer to the banister.
Staring at the wooden floor planks, you tried to catch your breath, unable to understand what was going on, what they were doing, and why they were doing it. During your attempt to calm down a noise distracted you. It was a large sound of something hitting wood, followed by a splash. Looking up you saw only seven. Another sailor was overboard, but this time you were unable to scream, you were unable to cry, you were unable to beg and plead with the other sailors to get away from the edge. You were left unable to do anything more than watch, and as you stared at them, seven became six, it was only then that you broke your reverie.
Finally fighting to get to your feet, you found your way to the wheelhouse door, wrenching it open, you were met with an unlikely sight. Rather than your mother or father standing at the wheelhouse, they were pressed up against the windows, paying no mind to you in any way. Their eyes staring out into the way that they sailors were, captivated by something, unable to resist whatever it was. “MOM! DAD!” You called out in confusion, they however paid you no mind, nothing would distract them from whatever was out there.
Fighting through the door, unable to close it as the ship rolled from one side to another, you made your way to them, clinging to things on the walls, things that were unable to move with the roaring storm. Shaking them, they said nothing, instead just pressing their faces closer into the windows. As you looked out, trying to see what it was they were looking at, the sight shocked you.
The six sailors had become five in the time you were entering the wheelhouse. Yet those five had changed to twenty. At some point the fifteen adults accompanying you on this voyage had found their way up from the saloon, pressing themselves against the banister with the sailors. It was only then that you saw it, the lightning hit one after another, illuminating the sky brightly, showcasing nothing more than the rocky spires that your ship was headed towards. The storm was sending you right into death's arms. The spires were the kind you had heard about often, how sailors would lose it all by getting too close to them, how it would destroy your ship with ease, and destroy your life with ease.
A scream fell from your lips, grasping the wall, you attempted to get to the wheel, desiring to steer yourself away from this certain doom. You were unsure why everyone else seemed so captivated, so destined to let it end this way, to just go into the rocky spikes willingly. As you attempted to walk, you found yourself on the floor, crawling towards the helm. Finally clutching it with your hands, you pulled yourself up, barely able to stand as the ship rolled from side to side, the waves becoming more and more treacherous with each passing moment.
With the wheel within your hands, you attempted to steer the ship away from your certain rocky doom, turning it as far as it would go to the right, trying to divert the direction of the ship. This action however was not welcome. It was only at that moment that you noticed your parents had moved from by the window, and were standing right next to you.
In that moment, the wheel was ripped from your hands, your father’s arms wrapping around you as he picked you up with ease. You were moved away from the wheel, and your mother easily took the wheel undoing what you had done. Setting the boat back onto the rocks path.
After that, you were no longer kept in the wheelhouse. Your father picking you up and carrying you out of the wheelhouse, as your mother followed behind. Thrashing in his grasp, you tried to escape his grip, wanting freedom. The freedom to save this ship, to save yourself from whatever was going on, save yourself from whatever they were doing.
Your fighting was not welcome, your mother easily grabbing a rope as one of the four remaining sailors grabbed your feet, helping your father. Soon it was no longer just the sailors helping, the other voyagers joined in. The fifteen of them easily took over what the sailors were doing, the last thing you saw before turning around and held down to the bowsprit was the sailors opening the sails, letting the wind carrying the ship faster towards the rocks. The guest easily held you down, allowing your parents to tie you tightly against the bowsprit.
You were tied onto the spar above the figurehead, leaving you with only two places to look, down at the rippling water below, or at the rocky death that awaits you. Neither of which were desirable.
Screams continued to fall from your lips, until you were unable to scream any longer, voice so hoarse, no yells could slip past your rain soaked lips. At that point, all that could be heard was the falling of the rain, and soon the soft humming of the others surrounding you.
The first voice you heard was your mothers. “Don’t you hear it? The beautiful music.”
“Oh the beautiful music.” A guest, whose name you never learned, said immediately after.
Soon the air was filled with hums of approval, hums of joy, and hums of happiness. The music, all about the music, they kept saying. They must find the music. They will find the music. They will go to the music. They need the music. The music.
However, you heard nothing, no music, no noise other than the splattering of the rain upon the water. The sounds of the ship as it pushes through the rough waves. Tears started to fall from your lips as you neared the rocks, knowing it was over, it was all done, you were unable to save anyone, to save yourself most of all. The tears easily mixed with the rain, falling down your cheeks in fat drops, hitting the ocean water with no noise, just as your sobs were easily drowned out by the roaring thunder and cries about the music from the others.
Unbeknownst to you, there sat an individual out there, watching all this chaos from a distance. The chaos was not enough for them, but it would suffice. They preferred more drama and more screams and cries, but this would be good enough for now. It had been so long since a ship ventured into his territory, until he had this joy, until he had felt his heart fill with happiness like this. He enjoyed this a little too much, despite the fact it was not as theatrical as he usually liked it to be. Listening to the falling rain upon the roaring waves and the harsh rocks, he smiled, knowing it was only a matter of time before his dream would come true, before your ship would be too close to evade the rocks, before it would all be nothing more than destroyed planks of wood floating in the water, and blood that would lure in sharks to feast on what remained of those from your ship.
As the rocks got closer and closer, the thought of what you could have done to save yourself filled your mind. The obvious answer was to not go with your parents all those days ago. Had you never ventured onto this ship, you would not be tied to the bowsprit and hurtling towards your death. Had you not accompanied them on this voyage all those days ago, you would have not been about to die, along with all the others upon the boat.
Within a mere time of three hours, the usually steady and certain ship had turned to certain chaos. Sailors had jumped over the banister to their deaths, desiring to get closer and closer to some unknown thing. Your own mother had abandoned her moral code, steering the ship right into a patch of rocks. Your father had abandoned his own morality, opening the sails to full, allowing the wind to carry the ship into the rocks at an even faster rate. Your own parents had abandoned their love for you, tying you to the bowsprit with the assistance of the guest. The guest had even gone crazy, clamoring over each other, once again, wanting some unknown thing, like the sailors.
The frenzy the ship was in was something you had never seen. It was not just a thunderstorm that caused his chaos. It was not something as simple as a little storm, to have thrown so many people off their usual mental paths, into whatever chaos this was.
As the ship continued on, the cold salt water soaked your face, as the bow hit each and every wave. As you always thought, the sea was a captivating thing. The swells of the white foamy spume slapping against the sides of the ship, were alluring to watch. The large waves would draw anyone in, like a siren luring sailors into the rocky spires to their deaths. The waves had you completely filled with aghast, they were large, shaking the ship all about. The sea was captivating, however it was terrifying when seeing it this close. No longer were you observing from your usual spot on the deck, but instead being forced to stare at the white swells on facedown. The lightning from the storm illuminates the waves, allowing you to see as you get closer and closer to the rocky spires, as you get closer and closer to your doom. The waves were no longer comforting, no longer did they bring joy, instead you felt your being filled with fear, with terror, of what was to come.
Had you the ability to, you would have been screaming. Begging for someone to hear you. Pleading for someone to hear your cries of pain. Praying for someone to save you. However, your ability to scream faded a while ago, the adrenaline that filled your body in that moment leaving. Weak, you were only able to do your best to keep your face turned, trying to keep the salty sea water from entering your mouth. Yet, death by drowning might be more appealing and painless than whatever fate awaits you near the rocky shores.
Your consciousness was barely stable, eyes rolling back, trying to shut, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep as your brain beckoned you to allow it to take over. However, you fought it, trying your best to stay awake. Trying to keep yourself from falling under, to letting the deterioration of your current state take over.
However, fighting was worthless. The adrenaline leaving your system did nothing but make you fall from the energy high you were previously on. Your eyes were closing on their own accord, and you had no energy to fight them doing so.
Darkness was all you saw, it completely taking over, until all your figure was doing was shallowly breathing, just enough to keep you alive.
As you faded, the rocks were quickly approaching. The ship had been sailing towards these rocks for who knows how many minutes, and was even less from hitting it. This was supposed to be a normal voyage. Your parents would take the guest where they wanted to go, the guest would pay your parents, and then you would get to enjoy a week or so on the land, before the cycle would repeat again. But instead, you were here, extremely off course, hurtling towards your death. That certain doom is getting closer and closer.
Guests were jumping off the ship at that point, what was once thirty or so people on the ship had been reduced to only half of that. Sailors and guests alike were hitting the water with life taking force. Those remaining on the ship continued repeating what you had last heard them say, the music, the voices, the beautiful sounds, none of it made sense. What started out as a normal day during a normal voyage had descended into chaos and terror so quickly. It was terrifying, how things went from being so usual, to abnormal in the span of minutes.
What was abnormal to you, was completely fine and normal to him, however. He was accustomed to this. Ships would easily veer off their course for him. Ships would easily steer towards their own demise for him. Passengers on these ships would throw themselves off of all levels of these ships for him. Passengers would do extreme and crazy actions just for the possibility of hearing the melodic singing up close. People would dive from ships, falling to their deaths in the water below, just for the possible chance of getting a little bit closer to those melodic voices.
His amusement was interrupted however, the giggles from the nearby females bothering him to his core. They giggled and sung praises of him, compliments he did not need, nor did he want them, from them especially. These words however fell on deaf ears, he was too preoccupied with what was going on to pay attention to the wanton girls who were practically begging for his attention.
Usually ignoring the girls was fine, they would leave him alone, but these girls were determined to get him to pay attention to them. It was only moments later that he felt the first hand on his body, ignoring it thinking he was just imagining it, as it was joined by another and another, he knew he was not imagining it, despite how badly he wished he was. Standing with a sudden moment, the girls around him, who were attempting to cling onto him, fell to the ground. They were talking before he stood, their conversation coming to a stop as they fell. Soon, all he heard was their whining. The high pitched voices shrieking and calling him mean, they not losing their attempts at sounding cute and juvenile, as they whined. This did nothing but bother him more, unable to even enjoy the scene any longer, he was quick to start to walk away, leaving the whining girls to change back into their original voices, commenting on how much of an asshole he was.
Their words did not bother him, he was an asshole to them, and he knew it. The girls would follow him around, akin to fangirls, and would not respect his clearly set boundaries, so he had no sympathy for them. They had ruined so many things for him, sunbathing, swimming in general, and now had even ruined his favorite thing, watching as his siren song sent sailors to their demise.
Moving from the previous spot, sitting lowly on the rocks, allowing himself a better view of the pathetic humans as they fell from the boat, he easily climbed up the rock. Going up the rocks meant the vapid girls would not follow him, he had heard them complaining more than once about not wanting to break their nails, when he would do this before to escape them. Finally sitting upon the top of the rocks, he had an even better view. The ship was nearing rocky spires so many of them called home, yet, he knew it would never hit their rocks, the whirlpool situated right before the rocks would destroy the ship before it even had the chance to hit a single rock. This was his favorite spot for unleashing his siren song, the whirlpool was massive, but apparently unable to be seen from the boats. Watching the boat near the spot, he thought to himself that the stupid humans probably thought it was just a large wave, rather than being anything more than that. He loved how easily they would shift their paths, steering directly into his way, he had to do nothing more than sing a few lines, and they would all be under his spell; unable to stop themselves from doing anything and everything it takes to come to him.
The view allowed him to laugh, watching how the stupid passengers and sailors fought over getting closer and closer to the railing on the boat. It was amusing watching as a very extravagantly dressed man fell overboard, he was wearing a coat, that made him think to himself he needed to find it on the seafloor later, to take it for his own. Despite how amusing the scene at the railing was, he allowed his eyes to wander the ship, taking in the splendor and craftsmanship of the boat that was about to be destroyed into millions of tiny pieces. It was not often that he sees a ship of this caliber, whoever the poor owners of this ship must be, must have been professional sailors, otherwise they would have had decked out their ship to the extremes, building and designing such a massive feat.
A tinge of sadness fills his heart, the work and pain that had been put into this ship is going to waste, since it will never be seen again. But that sadness disappears just as quickly as it appears, as he sees the railing on the ship break, sending three people plummeting into the water.
It was all hilarious to him, how these people clamored and fought to get closer and closer, unknown to them, it was to their deaths, not the voice behind the voice they loved so dearly. Watching as the number of people on the ship decreased, he felt joy, it growing as the tip of the boat finally hit his dear whirlpool. That joy however was short lived, as he saw something shocking, something that left him confused.
Standing, he took a step forward, getting closer to the edge of the rocky platform where he previously sat. Something had caught his eye, better yet, someone. It was odd, there was a figure tied to the wooden pillar at the front of the ship. It took him a few moments to realize that it was not something, it was someone. As he gazed on, watching the ship starting to get sucked into the whirlpool, he finally fully saw who it was.
Without another thought, he found himself jumping off the rocky platform, landing in the water, swimming as quickly as he could towards the whirlpool. During this time his thoughts were filled with one thing and one thing only, save the life of the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He had never swam as fast as he was, looking around, seeing the other passengers and villager’s bodies floating through the water, he only had eyes for one person, the person wearing nothing but white muslin fabric. The angel like being that he saw savagely tied to the bowsprit, the first ever person he saw that took his breath away, the first ever person he felt the undeniable urge to save, the first ever person he felt the undeniable urge to covet, you.
Luckily for yourself, you were still unconscious as the boat hit a whirlpool, something that none of you could have seen coming. Your brain shutting down in those moments before impact was helpful, allowing you to keep from seeing the sheer terror around you, allowing you a peaceful and painless death. Unknown to you, that death would never come.
He swam through the swirling waters like they were nothing. Only one thing was on his mind, and kept him going through the blur of bodies and shards of wood. Dodging the fast moving broken wooden planks, his eyes finally caught sight of it. The large wooden pole, the one that you had been tied to only moments ago. Grasping at the wood, he swam towards the other end of the pole, luckily it had fallen off the ship, yet to get caught into the whirlpool, but he knew his time was limited. Humans could not survive underwater for very long, he may know little of the species, but that was one thing he was certain of.
The light white fabric caught his attention first, it billowed out from between where the rope was tied around your figure. If he thought you were angelic while above water, the flowing white fabric from the water made you look even more so. He quickly started to work at the knots, doing his best to untie you, wanting to get you above water before it was too late, before he was too late to save you.
He was rushing, but the ropes would not give up. The knots were tied entirely too tight for him to easily undo them. The wooden pillar you were tied onto was entirely too heavy for him to lift above water on his own. Looking around he was trying to hurry, the blue shade which was taking over your lips let him know he was running out of time. Eyes shifting around, staring at the wreckage floating around, he was unsure of what to do. Knowing he did not have much time left, he found himself pressing his lips against your own, breathing oxygen into your mouth, hoping that he would buy himself some time, some time to find an answer.
As he stared around something shimmering in the distance caught his attention, knowing that he only had moments to spare, he parted from your form, before immediately starting off in that direction. Obtaining the shiny metallic object, he was happy to see it was a knife, knowing that was just what he needed. Returning to where you were stuck, he swimmed with a speed unmatched by any others. He quickly made use of the knife once he was within reach of you, quickly making waste of the rope that bound you, wrapping his arms around your unmoving form, stabbing the knife into the wooden pillar, just as it started to be sucked into the whirlpool.
His lips found their way to yours once more, the coldness of your frame terrified him, it was too late, he must have been too late, however he would not give up. He moved as quickly as he could, holding your body close to his own, as he swam through the water, seeking the cave where he usually would seek refuge. As he found himself swimming up into the cave, it was isolated, as usual. Everyone knew it was his special spot, therefore they all knew better than to be in his cave.
Breaking the water, he separated his lips from yours, hoping that your head was now above the water, you would start to breathe. However, as he swam to the shore, he was quick to realize, you were still in a state of non breathing. Lips were turning a darker shade of blue, skin growing colder and colder. Attaching his lips to yours once more, he tried to breathe more air into your lungs, just to realize quickly that the idea of doing that was providing him with no results.
Trying again and again, he would not give up, he could not give up. He had never seen anyone he wanted so badly, and he would be damned if he was to lose you.
His hands were fast to be placed upon your chest, starting to do compressions, hoping maybe that he would be able to expel the water from your lungs quicker, get you breathing once more. As he was starting to give up hope, thinking he was too late, that he had ruined his chance, something stopped him. Pushing down on your chest, he watched as your mouth fell open, saltwater starting to fall from your parted lips. This caused him to do this action again and again, water slipping past your lips, falling onto the darked rock flooring of the cave.
His actions were helping it seemed, since before long, he started to hear strangling noises. You were trying to cough, he watched as a moment of consciousness hit you. You were quick to roll over from the constant hits on your chest, coughing up water, before launching into a coughing fit, unbeknownst to you of where you were.
His hand found itself laying on your back, almost like it was giving you some sort of support or help, he gently tapped your back, trying to replicate things he had seen humans do to others. As the water was finally gone from your lungs, you took a deep breath, much to his like. He was not too late, you were breathing, you were going to be fine, you were going to be his he was sure of it. However, things sometimes are not as simple as one might think. With a short cough, your frame slumped over, falling to the cave floor.
Watching as you fell over, face hitting the cold stone floor of the cave, he was quick to grab you, moving you over towards the inner part of the cave. His fears were returning, but as he watched the gentle rise and fall of your chest, he felt better, you were breathing, you were not dead, he had done it.
His back hit the harsh cold rocks on the cave floor, his breathing strained, his chest tightened. He had expended all his energy making sure that you were safe, that you were okay, that he saved the only thing he ever saw that he truly desired. As his eyes closed, he found himself drifting out of consciousness just as you had moments prior, finding himself in the same state in only minutes.
He was unsure how long he was out, however he was happily awoken to the sight of you still slumbering away. Your chest slight rise and fall enthralled him, he felt captivated, moving over towards your sleeping frame without much thought. His fingers found their way to your cold pale face, brushing the hair from your face, his fingertips grazing your cheek. The warmth of his hands contrasted with the frozen air around you, the coldness of your skin. His hand rested on your cheek, warming the skin up nicely.
He found his eyes gazing upon your body, the white muslin fabric sticking to your skin, it had for the most part dried by now. He could see the slight shivers coming from your cold frame, knowing that while the crisp weather does not affect him, it must be affecting you. Seeing how you start to shiver more and more, he looks around, there is nothing much in the cave other than a few clothing items he had brought to shore before. Standing, he found himself pulling on a pair of pants, before he started to grab these items. Laying them on top of your figure, hoping that they might provide some warmth for you. While he could leave to go find some items from the wreckage for you, at this moment, he decides it is best to stay with you until you wake, after all he fears what you might do if you woke up alone.
Leaning back against the wall of the cave, the unknown male stares at you, his eyes never leaving you as you sleep under his watchful eye. He is unsure how long you slept, the cave has very little natural light, and it quickly fades. Standing, the small amount of sunlight still remaining in the cave was quickly replaced by the dazzling moon. Walking back over towards you, the moonlight illuminated your beauty even more than the sunlight did, leaving him in awe of the angel like being in front of him. He had been captivated by your beauty as you laid tied against the bowsprit of the ship, but seeing you under the moonlight gave him a new sort of appreciation, a realization that he was absolutely correct in his desire to covet you.
Finding himself sitting back down beside you, his fingers brushing down the hair covering your face once more, he made the decision that if he was to keep you, he needed to provide you with a better cave. Looking around as he started to clutch your cold hand, he knew the cave was empty, and completely unequipped to keep him satisfied, let alone you. He was unsure what all the worldly needs of a human would be, however he felt that they could not be that bad. You would need some sort of light, the moonlight did not provide enough for you to be able to see in the small cave. You would possibly need some of the items littering the ocean floor from all the ships that have sunk. He was unsure what many of these items were, but he felt you would probably need some, yet, he would have to wait until you awoke to ask you what you needed exactly. He however, did not wait long.
Sitting up with a jerk, you screamed out, your lungs no longer begging for you to stop, no longer begging for the salty water to stop invading them, no longer constricted by the rope to the wooden pillar. Looking around in confusion you no longer felt as though you were standing on the ship. You were no longer bound to the ship. Suddenly the feeling started to come back to your limbs, that was when you felt it, his hand, grasping yours.
Jerking away, another scream left your lips as you finally noticed him, the man sitting next to you. The stranger sitting right next to you was wearing nothing but a pair of pants, sitting next to you trying to hold your hand. Yanking your hand from his, you stood, screaming. The shock of the situation made you scramble back, looking for a way out. In this rush, you fell to the cave floor, but still managed to scramble away, right into the water.
Water entered your mouth once more, the salty water infiltrating your lungs, pulling you under once again. This was it, you may have not died previously, but this was it, the end of you. At least, that was what you thought at that moment. Soon hands were wrapped around you, pulling you above water once more.
Feeling your body reach the cave ground again, you coughed, expelling all the salt water with ease this time. Body laying against the cave floor, chest rising and falling as you glance at the man next to you once more. Only this time you jerk back with a shocked gasp, where there was once a shirtless man wearing nothing but pants, there sat a shirtless man with a tail, a fishlike tail.
The shock froze you for a moment, thinking you must be dreaming or seeing things, you blinked your eyes rapidly, but no, he was still there. Sitting up immediately, the head rush started to make your head ache, but you paid that pain no mind. Scrambling away as quickly as you could, feet hitting the rocky ground, back scraping against the rocks as you scampered away to the wall of the cave. “Get away! Stay away!” You screamed, like you were in the process of being attacked, which in your mind you might as well have been. Here you were, alone in a cave with this strange man, no you were with this strange creature. His attempts to get near you, caused you to scamper back once more, wanting to stay as far away from him as you could. “Back!” You cried out. Clutching at the ground, all your hands found was an abandoned thin tree branch, grasping it you swung it with all your might, trying to keep whoever it was away. “Back! Stay away! Leave me alone!”
He quickly backed away, seeing how you were completely freaking out and panicking, acting crazed, like some sort of feral or rabid person or animal. “Hey, hey, hey.” He started, holding his hands out, trying to keep the stick from coming too close to his body. “Hey, calm down, I’m not going to hurt you.” He said, like he thought that the statement was helping.
Swinging the branch, you were lucky that the man did not try to breach your temporary shield, since he could have easily broken the branch with little effort. “Stay away from me!” Was cried out, each and every one of his words were ignored, your eyes instead shifting around the cave, looking for a way out, a way to escape, anyway to get away from him.
Yet, there were no escape routes, no gaps in the cave wall, no way out of the cave except for the watery entrance or the exposed skylight that was far too high to climb to. He had trapped you in this watery grave with him.
The branch was slowly falling from the high position in which you held it, your swinging becoming slower and slower. Fatigue started to set in, for the third time in a short span of time, the adrenaline was draining from your body. Fighting the signals from your brain to calm down, to lay down, you attempted to ignore it, trying to fight on. But that fight was dwindling quickly, allowing the man to easily gain access to you.
You were unable to stop him, the man easily grabbing the branch from your hand. Frozen in place, body starting to quiver, his hands were quickly on your frame. He kept you from fainting, as your body finally gave out, his strong arms lowering you to the ground, laying you down gently. Once you were on the floor, his voice met unhearing ears. “Rest my baby, rest.”
Again, you were unsure of how long you were out, how long it had been sense you were taken from the sinking ship. This time, you opened your eyes to see not only the man, but an assortment of items around you. Random clothing items that the people had brought onto the ship, the chest that once held these items, even a singular chair and soaking wet mattress had been brought up from the sea floor. Eyes casting around the previous vacant space, you saw familiar sealed boxes, knowing they held the fruit and vegetables that had been purchased before starting on this voyage. Clothing items were strewn about, hung on makeshift drying lines, there were even blankets you recognized from the ship.
The amount of time passed out must have been quite long, especially given that whoever this stranger was, had managed to have enough time to compile all these items. Dragging them through the ocean waters and up to this cave’s floor is no easy feat, and these items once belonged upon the once glorious ship your parents captained.
Staring at the items it finally hit you, your parents, they were on that ship, they had gone down with the ship. The material goods around you were nothing compared to that of your parents' lives, these items had been saved from their watery graves, while your parents were probably cast aside to their graves with no remorse, no second thoughts. Whoever this mysterious man, creature, whatever he was, is, had saved you, but left your parents to drown. He had left all the others upon the ship to drown, only saving you, no he had abducted you, taking you away from where you should have laid alongside your parents, and bringing you here, to this forsaken place.
Slowly standing, your feet felt odd upon the solid ground, but your stomach still felt the waves that you would once feel upon the ship. Moving from the middle of the cave, you found yourself rushing to stand against the side, in the dark, a spot not being illuminated by the sun overhead. It was moonlight hours ago when you had passed out, allowing you to know that it had been at least a large number of hours since you were last awake.
Breath was stilled as a noise was heard, a heaving noise broke your ear drums much to your displeasure. Staying hidden, it was a sight, watching this strange creature, as he hauled items from the water. It was a table, being placed on the top, the four legs hanging up in the air, before the thing disappeared underwater once more.
He was dragging things up here, things that you once used on the ship. Looking around, the fear started to set in. It looked like he was trying to form somewhat of a living situation, trying to turn this cave into a home to keep you in.
Once you were sure he was gone, you started to look for a way out. Swimming was out of the question, since you had no idea how long it would take to exit this forsaken underground cave. Climbing up to one of the holes overhead was the only option, but even that did not seem like a good idea, they were so high, and were going to be hard to reach.
These thoughts did not have long to stew however, as the sound of the water being broken once more met your ears. He was pulling another chest above the surface, it was filled with who knows what, making a loud sound as it met the cave floor. It was only them that you saw the being starting to look around, obviously looking for something specific, looking for you.
You could tell he was not happy upon realizing you were no longer in the spot sleeping, where he had left you all those hours again. Cowering as he exited the water, you just wanted to hide even more, wanting the wall to open up and envelope you, yet it did no such thing.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” His voice called out.
While that would usually be reassuring to others, it was not to you. You did not want to be here, you did not want to be near him, you did not trust him either. His false claims of not injuring you went in one ear and out the other, ignored just as easily as you would ignore the talkings of those that once occupied the ship. Had he really meant no harm, he would leave you alone, he would have left you to die alongside your parents, not dragged you into this unknown place with the desire to keep you here permanently as some sort of personal pet.
You were in shock, holding your hand over your trying your best to not make a single noise. Eyes were forcefully being held shut, trying your best to not see or alert the man of your location. Had you been watching however, you would have seen him rising from the water, tail turning into legs, he becoming the man wearing nothing more than a pair of pants you had seen hours ago. Yet, you did not want to see this, you did not want to see him in any capacity.
“Hey, I’m not going to hurt you.” He attempted again, starting to move around the cave. “I just want to help you. Please, don’t hide from me.”
His footsteps set you on edge as he walked around the cave. The items he had brought up from the ocean floor were arranged in a way that they provided no obstacles for his running. As he neared you, that part of your brain that controlled fight or flight kicked in, causing you to drop your hand, open your eyes, and start to run.
This cave was a confined space, not providing much room to move, so when unable to run from him, your brain made the decision to attempt to climb the wall. Trying to scale the rock wall, you only made it about two feet off the ground when his hands found you, pulling you against his chest.
“Stop that.” He was quick to say, holding your frame tightly against his chest. Pulling you from the wall, he attempted to still your movements, keep you from moving anymore. However, his attempts were for naught, as you kicked his leg at just the right angle, causing him to fall to the ground, dropping you along the way.
Once free from his grasp, you were quick to stand, your brain telling you to take the only other way out, the water. Running from his grasping hands, you found yourself in the water once more. Starting to swim, you were not even underwater for a minute, before hands were around you once more, pulling you back towards the surface of the cave.
As the man caught you, the adrenaline that was fueling your body gave out once again, this time causing you to crash worse than all the times before. Your body was getting to its physical limit, what you had been going through taking it out a little more each time. This time, you were not so quick to awake, your body losing consciousness just as you hit the fresh air, leaving you limp in his grasp.
Waking once more, you were unhappily met to the sight of the creature in front of you, sitting there with legs this time, seated in a chair across from you. Wanting to stand, you tried to jerk up, only to realize you were seated in a chair as well. Yet, you were not just seated, you were instead tied to the chair. Rope was holding your legs to the chair legs, it was also binding your arms to the chair arms, and your torso to the back of the chair. Despite the physical limitations, you attempted to tug yourself out of your binds, trying to fight against the ropes, to no avail.
The man offered no words or actions, he instead of staring, just watching. You knew within your heart he was enjoying this scene, enjoying watching you struggle against these binds, enjoying the fact that you were unable to escape, unable to gain freedom, unable to leave. This however did not stop you, tugging at your legs, your wrist, even trying to move your torso forward, you tried to find a way out, a place where you could gain your freedom. But in this moment you were weak, your previously failed escape attempts had left your body energy deprived, unable to provide you with the amount of strength you need.
The small amount of energy you had was easily consumed, leading to you finding yourself nodding off once more.
This time the dazzling moonlight awakened you. The man was still seated across from you, looking like he had not moved. This time you did not bother trying to fight against the ropes, knowing it was a losing battle, you would not gain freedom from these binds anytime soon.
A tisk was heard resounding through the silent cave, the man tilting his head to the side with interest. “Have we finally given up, my baby.”
The pet names slipped from his mouth with ease, filling your stomach with a new level of disgust. Gently tugging at the binds once more, you easily gave up, knowing you were not getting free now. Honestly, you were hoping that he would fall for the bait, seeing you unwilling to fight any longer and instead just free you. He didn’t.
“Don’t talk to me like that!” You were quick to snap back, starting to tug at your binds again, wanting freedom now. “Let me go!” tugging at the rope, you just wanted free, yet the way this man looked upon you, filled your heart with disgust, your mind with terror, and your veins with ice. His gaze held no warmth, even as his words tried to portray that. His actions, his behavior, even just his existence in this moment filled you with disdain and hatred.
Tugging against the binds, you were unable to break the rope. You were foolish for thinking you could, but wanting to gain your freedom overwhelmed those thoughts.
Looking up, the man was gone, but you knew he could not have gone far. Looking around, eyes ablaze as you glanced from corner to corner, everywhere your limited vision would allow. He was nowhere to be seen for you. However, he could not have gone far. The question of where he was was fresh on your mind, when you felt it, his hand around your throat. He tilted your head up, so you were staring at him.
“Calm down,” The man said, almost in the way one would say a command, demanding someone to stop doing something. “Once you calm down, we can see whether you deserve to be untied.” He said, this time his lips brushing against the outer part of your ear, letting you know that he was much closer to you than you would like him to be.
Jerking your head around, you attempted to free yourself from his grasp, but that only made him hold onto you tighter. His nails were digging into your throat, into the skin, soon it would have been tight enough to draw blood. Maybe you were hoping that he would end this all for you right then and there, take you out of your misery, out of the pain that he had brought into your life. But, that would be too benevolent of him, an act of kindness that he would not do to you or for you in any lifetime. You were his, and he made sure that no one ever hurt what was his, even himself.
His hand left your neck as quickly as it had been placed onto it, leaving nothing more than crescent shaped marks on the flesh of your neck. The desire for this nightmare to be over was overwhelming, but he did nothing to help save you from his terror. Instead, he was prolonging it for you, if anything.
However, in his mind you should be thankful. You should be thankful that the siren prince found you precious enough to save. You should be thankful that he got to you before you had drowned in the salty sea water of the ocean. You should be thankful that he pulled you away from the instant death of that whirlpool. You should be thankful to him. You were in his debt. He saved you from a cruel death. He saved you from those who did not truly care for you. He saved you from those who did not truly love you. In his mind, he was the one that truly cared for you, he truly loved you. You were his, and he would make sure no one, not even yourself, took you away from him.
As he walked away, you got a glimpse of the man, he wore a pair of plain black pants and a loose fitting grey shirt. Had you been meeting him in any other condition, you would have conceded that he was in fact rather attractive. His dark eyes caught yours, as you watched him walk away, a smirk coming across his face, as a scowl came onto yours.
“Let me go!” Was demanded, irritation marking your features, as you saw the man sit in front of you, almost like nothing was wrong.
Anger filled your being as he shook his head. “What did I tell you?” He asked almost mockingly. “You calm down and then we can talk about whether you deserve to be freed.”
Your resolution to fight was slowly draining from your body. A few more demands to be let go left your lips, followed by a few pleas to be freed. All of these were met with nothing more than a shaken head and a sharp no. Soon you were quiet, tugging at your ties every now and again, but all that energy that filled you previously was gone. Before long, you just sat still, eyes glossed over, staring at your captor, unable to fight anymore.
Despite your body sitting still, unmoving, for far too long, the man did not bother to approach or even check on your weakened figure. He instead sat there watching you, almost as thought he was enjoying the fact you were surrendering, giving up your fight. “Are we calm now?” He asked, nodding to himself as you did not respond. “Now that we are calm, I’m going to talk, and you’ll do as I say, or you won’t be getting untied.”
Sitting on the chair, you did not even bother nodding at the man, just wanting this nightmare to be over, as he started to speak once again.
“Now that you are listening, my name is Kei.” Kei started with, finally telling you his name after how many days you had been stuck here with him already. Standing, he walked until he was next to your chair. “There is no escaping from here, you need to stop, you are going to only end up hurting yourself.” He started to stroke your jaw and cheek as he spoke. “You will have everything you need here, there will be no reason for you to leave here, to leave me. I will provide you with everything you need, and if there is anything you need, you will tell me, there is no need for you to be trying to swim out of his cave again. You will stay here, you will learn to like it here, you will learn to love it here, to love me.”
Moving his hand from your cheek to your hair, you felt him tug your head back, so you were looking at him. “Maybe one day if you prove you can be trusted and you behave, I’ll take you outside of the cave to see the rest of the area. But until then, you will be stuck here, doing just as I say.”
Releasing your hair momentarily, your head fell back down, your chin meeting your collarbone. “I think we’ll keep you here for a bit longer, I don’t think you’ve exactly learned your lesson yet.” Kei was quick to say, with another jerk of your hair, he had you looking up once more. “I’ll get you some food, either you eat willingly or I’ll force you to. I’ll even compel you with my siren song if I have to, well find a way to.”
As he spoke all the puzzle pieces started to fall in place. Siren, siren song, compel, siren song. He is a siren that explains the tail and appears when he hits the water. He is a siren, singing his siren song, that explains why everyone was acting so erratic on the ship. He was singing, sending everyone to their deaths. But for some reason it did not affect you in that moment, maybe it would now, you were unsure. The only thing you were sure of, was that he was the sole reason for your parents deaths, their ship’s destruction, the deaths of everyone else on the ship, and your current imprisonment.
He had destroyed all you knew, your parents livelihood, what would one day become your livelihood, all for what, a temporary moment of joy. He had saved you from going down with the ship, like a true captain does, all for what, his own sense of want and greed. Everything that was happening right in this moment was his fault, you had been saved for his twisted sense of desire under the guise that he loved you.
Love at first sight, what a stupid farce, no one believes in it realistically. Yet, here he was, taking you from all you knew, for that foolish thing. Love? You would never fall in love with such a selfish and egotistical maniac. He seems to believe that coercion is the way to love, however you would rather jump right back into the swirling whirlpool, than accept or tolerate acts of affection from this man. He genuinely thought that you would be capable of learning to love it here, of learning to love him. What was explained within his words was nothing more than Stockholm syndrome, false feelings of love towards one’s captor, since you would never love the person who took everything from you.
Glaring at him as he walked over to the crates of fruit that he had saved from your parents destroyed ship, you kept the urge to start screaming within your mind. Starting to think up a plan within the expanses of your mind, knowing that you will be free, even if it is the last thing you ever do in your life.
Days had blended into nights. No longer were you sure how long you have been here. No longer were you sure how many days have passed since the ship sunk. No longer were you sure whether it was day or night at a certain time. Luckily no longer were you tied to the chair, finally having gained his favor, being released after getting to the point of being so weak you could have not fought him even if you wished.
The cave was lit with some lamps Kei had found somehow. Probably from sinking another ship, sending all the poor passengers to a watery grave. Somehow he even managed to get matches to light the lamps, however you never saw those. For them to have not gotten destroyed by water, he must have been on the ship while literally letting everyone go down with it.
The sheer amount of selfishness and carelessness towards human life he carried appalled you. He would brag about having saved you with such ease, but then he easily sends hundreds of others, men, women, and children hurling towards their deaths in the whirlpool near the rocky spires. He only saves things from these sinking ships he thinks might be able to purchase your favor, that might be able to make you love him.
But none of it will.
Being docile and submissive towards him was painful towards your soul, however, you were biding your time. When he released you from your binds you were too weak to attempt an escape, however the days had passed, your strength had come back, you were sure this time you would be able to get away.
Despite his desire to stay with you at all times, Kei was unable to do so, always saying some shit about his royal duties. He was not only a crazy maniac that abducted people for his own amusement, but also apparently somehow siren royalty, a prince he once said. Yet, this brought you no sense of security, it only made you want to leave even more. Royalty or not, you were not a toy or prize to be won, you were not a porcelain doll to put away and keep under lock and key, you would gain your freedom even if it meant being welcomed into a water grave alongside your parents on the seafloor.
You had realized he had a schedule, he would leave for hours at a time, with no way to track time, you would only assume it must be five or six hours at a time. Just enough time for you to be able to escape before he would be back, you would be gone before he returned, you would be gaining your freedom finally.
The morning went as it normally did. Kei digging fruit and vegetables from some crates he had stolen from a sinking ship, providing you the food, before he would start to see if he needed to sink another ship. Even when there was no need for anymore food, furniture, or clothing, he would sink one anyways for his own morbid joy of the scene.
You were unsure of when you would attempt to escape again, however overhearing his musing, you were sure that today was the day. He had started talking about what he needed, things like warmer clothing for you, more food, the usual items. But one thing he said stopped you in your thoughts, his mutterings about a child, finding a child on a ship, becoming a family. While you might be stuck here with him, you would be damned if he dragged anyone else into this hell with him.
The morning went as normal, eating the food, watching him walk around the cave, listening to his ramblings, fighting the urge to hit him when he kissed your cheek, fighting the urge to throw up as he called you his baby. Soon he was standing, arm wrapped around you, face buried into your neck, placing soft kisses along the flesh, while muttering about how he must go.
You said nothing, just watching and waiting.
Kei found himself jumping into the water, diving down underneath the glistening liquid, going to get more things he felt were necessary for you. Unbeknownst to you, while he was doing such a kind act of service for your comfort, you were biding your time. Waiting until you deemed the time appropriate to escape.
Jumping into the water was a stupid decision. However it had been at least ten minutes since Kei left the cave, so you thought you were safe. You thought that maybe you could either escape this water home, or that you would be welcomed into a watery grave. Maybe you should have heeded his warning, his words should have lived in your mind. They should have let you know that you would never be free of him, you would never be allowed to leave here, be allowed to leave him.
Once you breached the water, you had only been swimming a minute or two when you saw the first one. A flurry of long flowing hair caught your eye, the female siren turning to you, making momentary eye contact, before swimming away at a high speed. Paralyzed at the sight of another one of them, you found yourself unable to swim any further, stuck in place, starting to sink. Your breath was running out, and you hoped that maybe this was it, maybe you were going to finally be free on your own terms.
However, you should know that things are not that easy.
His hands were felt before his body was seen. The hands were rougher than Kei’s and they were stronger. The arms wrapped around you with little force, however, they bound you like a vise. “You shouldn’t be here.” The male siren said as you were starting to struggle only making his arms tighten before starting to swim up, starting to take you back where you started.
Wiggling, attempting to get free, but it was no use. The male siren just held you tighter and tighter, wordlessly swimming back into the cave, before bringing you up above the surface. As your body found the ground, you passed out, the lack of oxygen finally taking action.
Unsure how long you were on the ground, you awoke to the strong armed siren standing near you. They were keeping you away from the water, their position being one that would easily allow them to stop you if you tried to pull that stunt again, if you tried to run again. Looking around the once bright sky had faded, allowing you to know that this little escapade had taken you unconscious for many hours.
As you attempted to judge how far from the water you were, it was when you heard him, Kei. Those sirens had gotten him and he returned to the cave as quickly as he could. It was only then that you realized, the female siren and male siren being here was not just a coincidence, he had told them to watch you. He had his underlings doing the dirty work, keeping you from escaping, keeping you captive in this hell.
You thought maybe you had a chance to make a break for it, he was too distracted at this moment to notice you, at least you thought.
Kei’s attention had never left you for even a moment, even when you thought he was deep in conversation, he was a skilled multitasker when it came to you. “I thought I’d lost you.” He simply said, had he cried it out you might have been more convinced of his overwhelming feelings towards you being unconscious for so long, yet in the end his voice conveying an emotion you knew was not genuine.
You simply shrugged, moving away from the man as he neared you, his arms outstretched, trying to grab you. Standing you simply moved to the farthest edge of the cave, putting as much distance as you could between yourself and Kei.
The stress on his face was evident in the moment, watching you with an incredulous look. He had risked his life to rescue you from the sinking ship, he had rescued you from the water the first time you jumped in, along with the second time, the third time, and he or his subjects would each time you jumped into the glistening pool of liquid. Seeing the blasé expression you wore, he was hurt, brought aback by how you seemed to ignore him with such ease. “So you don’t regret it at all?”
Shrugging your shoulders once more, you were unsure how to display your dislike of him and this situation any more. “Leave me alone.” Came from your lips with ease, turning your body so you were practically facing the wall, back towards him.
A sharp laugh left the male’s mouth, watching the display that was akin to a toddler throwing a tantrum. “Is that really what you want?”
“Just go, leave me alone. Go be with your little mermaids or whatever.” You said, hoping that maybe he would leave you, let you live however many days you may have left in peace, without him being here hovering or bothering you.
“I don’t want them. I want you.” Was all he said, quickly crossing the give, his arms pulling you from the wall to look at him. “And I always get what I want.” He said, hand coming up to grab at your face.
Turning away, you found yourself unable to move from his clutch, stuck in his arms, in his grasp. He restricted your movements with ease, keeping you right where he wanted you, right here.
Kei’s hand clutched your chin, pulling your face closer to his, pressing his nose gently against your forehead at that moment. His lips found your nose, pressing a kiss gently against the tip of it. Before his nose was soon pressed against yours, his eyes staring into yours with a vacant empty stare. “You may have evaded my siren song once, but don’t think I won’t find a way to use it to keep you here.” He advised you, his lips finding yours in a forced kiss.
Struggling against his arm, you felt his hand moving from your chin to your back, securely keeping you in between his arms. He was so strong, you were unable to escape his grasp, instead stuck wriggling in his hold. Unable to escape.
“I won’t warn you again. You will be staying here.” Kei spoke, his words harsh, as his lips parted from yours momentarily. “You will be staying with me, whether it’s willingly or by force, you are mine.” He said, his lips meeting yours in a clash of teeth.
Unable to move, you had attempted to bite his lip, however that did not deter him, he instead kissed you even more passionately. This act of violence was welcome to him, as Kei’s hands moved from behind your back to your thighs, picking you up with ease. He was too strong, since soon your back met the rough rocks of the cave walls harshly. Kei’s tongue invades your mouth, swirling around your own, he licks at each and every part of your mouth, memorizing your taste, how you feel. Despite your attempts to break the kiss, you are unable to part from him, his grasp on you being too harsh, too strong, too rough. As his tongue moved around your mouth, his hands gripping your skin, you felt the tears start falling, crying out against his mouth.
He was not going to let you go now that he finally got you, nothing would stop him at this point from doing everything in his power to make sure you remained his. He would hurt anyone that attempted to steal you from him. He would kill anyone that attempted to take you away from him permanently. You were his, and he would go through hell and back to keep it that way, to keep you where you belong, to keep you as his.
Kei may have easily been able to overpower you, however you found yourself fighting despite his tight grasp, wanting freedom, wanting to be away from this man. His arms however were too strong, tightening as he pushed you further into the rocks, they easily pierced the delicate skin on your back. Unbeknownst to you, the once dazzling white fabric was slightly becoming stained with the crimson fluid dripping from the fresh cuts adorning your back.
His tongue left your mouth, leaving you to now cry out in pain. However, those sounds went unheard to Kei, he instead started to kiss up your cheeks, starting to lick the tears as they fell from your eyes. The pain you were experiencing was nothing to him, he instead focused on the joy he felt from the position he had you in. His mind consumed with the joy of finally having something no one else had for himself.
None of the others were confident to keep a human as a pet, even if he told himself you were not his pet, the others would still refer to you as such. The siren songs of the royalty was enough to compel any human, so even if they had found a human immune to their song, the human would not be immune to his or the other royals songs. You however were special, you were immune to his song, the song of the siren prince. In all his years, he had yet to see someone evade his song, but here you were, you evaded his song, you invaded his heart, consuming his mind, and all that was left was thoughts of you.
“I always get what I want, and you will not be leaving now or ever.” Kei muttered, his lips having shifted from your cheeks to your neck, he was lavishing the flesh with his tongue and plush lips. The once dry flesh now glistened with moisture, his lips starting to suck and nibble along your neck. Sucking the skin into his awaiting mouth, he marked your neck, the tingling skin was soon to bruise, a sign of his efforts put in. His teeth marked your neck with ease, the canines scratching across the flesh, luckily not cutting through the skin though.
Despite the desire to vacate his arms, to run away, leave this place, leave him behind, you found yourself parting your lips, yet it was not a cry slipping past them at this point.
A guttural moan left your lips, despite your needs to not show any pleasure from his man’s actions. As Kei sucked at a specific spot along your neck, you felt all that tension, that anger, flooding from your body, instead being replaced by a slight bit of release, trying to relax as he continued his ministrations. For once he finally heard the noises you were making, and made it his goal to hear that again. The pain coming from your back faded, instead being temporarily replaced by the feeling of pleasure coming from his actions, and Kei focused even further on the spot on your neck, no longer just sucking it, but instead licking it and grazing it with his teeth.
The action was one that brought you dread, knowing that whatever he had been rambling on about was true, that you were stuck here. Looking aside, making eye contact with the siren that pulled you from the water and subdued you until Kei had arrived, it was fleeting. The siren looked away, maybe ashamed at his actions, maybe feeling pity for you, however, whichever it was, you would remain in the dark, as he slipped into the water, evading your sight.
It was only then that Kei’s voice met your ears. “If you try another little stunt like that again, you’ll end up tied to that damn again for the rest of your life.” He said harshly, his word being marked with his arms tightening around your figure. “If you do anything like that again, you’ll be saying goodbye to the little bit of freedom you have.”
With that his lips were pressed against yours once more, harshly pressed against them in a bruising display of affection. You however remained still, unmoving to his harsh actions. Only then did you feel his hand clutching your hair, pulling the strands with a quick tug, causing you to open your mouth in pain. You felt his tongue slipping into your mouth, the kiss continued for too long, so long that you started to reciprocate the rough action, much to his pleasure.
Kei detached himself from you with a sharp movement, his hand however never leaving your hair. Tears started to fall as he jerked your hair once more, walking, leading you by your hair around the cave. He was quick to push you down into a chair, before leaning over, making eye contact with you once more. His hand found your chin, holding it harshly as he forced you to look at him. “Now, you’ll stay there and be good won’t you?” He asked mockingly, before standing up. “Since if you don’t, next time it’ll be chains holding you down.” He added, his eyes drifting over to the rusty pile of chains that he had pulled up from the sea floor.
You barely had time to look at the brown pile of metal before he was on his way towards the water again. The whole scene was giving you whiplash, how quickly he went from attempting to sweetly kiss you, to him holding your hair tightly in his grasp pulling you around like a doll.
Kei was quick to be on the water's edge. “Fuma watch them.” being the last thing he said before disappearing underwater.
Watching as he disappeared under the water, the tears started to fall even worse. A few stray tears turned into full on sobbing, not even the forlonging looks from Fuma would stop them. You knew you were stuck here, stuck here with him, and there would be no freedom for you.
As he swam away, Kei could hear your sobbing, however he honestly did not care. Nothing more than a smirk crossed his features, knowing he had broken part of you. Now, all he needed to do was break the rest of you. Soon you would be nothing more than a plaything in his hand, a toy for all his needs and desires. Soon you would never want to be apart from him. Soon you would only know that being by his side is where you belong. Soon you would never want to leave him and he would be happy, since after all, he always gets everything he wants and that includes you.
synopsis: you promised you’d always be there to watch him play. but when someone else cheers for him the way you used to— louder, easier, like it belongs— you realize some things don’t need to be said to feel like a loss.
(w.c 1629)
you keep all this bubbling up emotions to yourself not wanting to burden others with your heavy heart. the past days become a blur and yuki and fubuki had noticed but they know better than to pry the information out of you- they know how that goes so they rather let you tell them what's been bothering you yourself.
you three walk through the hallways of your school and yuki is chatting to you while fubuki looks on the wall, "UPCOMING MATCHES" it reads. she looks over her shoulder at the two of you before stopping in front of it and you and yuki notice. you are the first one to speak up "whatcha looking for on the board?.." your eyes and yuki's eyes follow her gaze before she replies "you didn't tell me your races are in two days-" she points to the poster and lets out a silent huff "that's my fault- i actually forgot to tell you, are you guys coming to watch me?" they both roll their eyes at you in unison like that question was so obvious that it was somewhat stupid. "we always do and this time is going to be no different." yuki adds tenderly, "yeah and our cheering is going to be the loudest- just you wait and see." you chuckle softly, feeling a surge of belonging and appreciation in your friend group. as you laugh you see the other posters then one- bright orange.
you think to yourself that kei didn't even bother in mentioning that he had a match so earlier on like he always does and ask you to watch him, you swallow you strawberry milk slowly while trying to process this and the incident before this. what came to this? you had promised him to always come to his games, matches, whenever he needed you, you will be there. empty words and no actions kill hope, and you did not want to do that to him-ever.
time skip to day of the keis match.
the gym was louder than you had remembered it or maybe it wasn’t. maybe it was just you and your emotions telling this.
the overlapping of voices, shoes squeaked sharply against the shiny, polished floor, the echo of the ball striking hands cutting clean though the air.
you look around and your senses tell you this is familiar-too familiar-like something you would have gotten used to now.
you tightened your grip on the strap of your bag as you stepped inside. a voice cuts through your thoughts “-hey you can’t just stop in the doorway,” yuki flicked the back of your head slightly causing you to wince, as she slips past you with ease before ruffling your hair “you’re blocking traffic you silly.” before she lets out a small chuckle. you mutter a quick “‘m sorry.” fubuki followed behind her greeting you with a hug and you hugging her back.
“you came earlier than usual.” she noted.
you hummed in acknowledgement “practice was cut short today because of the volley match.” that wasn’t a lie- but certainly wasn’t the main reason.
“hm mhm.” yuki glances back at you before meeting your gaze with a smile grin. “or maybe you just came quickly before you didn’t want to miss his match?” she adds before wiggling her eyebrows. you rolled your eyes amused even by her boldness and annoyed by how much she teases you over this boy-kei.
“it’s just a match.” you simply reply. yuki looks at you deadpanned and says “you say that all the time, don’t you think that excuse is getting old?” she teases.
fubuki chimes in “and yet you drag us here every time.” her tone gentle not teasing unlike yuki, that troublemaker.
you give a grunt in acknowledgment before all of the three of you move up the bleachers, settling into seats that overlooked the court perfectly. not the very front, not the very back-somewhere in between. the same spot you always sat in. you don’t even think about it as much because this was like a second nature to you about how many times you chose to watch him- chose to sit here, and certainly don’t even think about how easy it is to spot him from this angle.
your gaze drifted taking in the court and the players warming up, jerseys moving in flashes of black and yellow and a split of white because of their numbers- before subconsciously shifted towards the side and then, you found him.
kei stood in his position near the net, tall as ever. one hand loosely holding a volleyball as someone beside him starts chatting to him, his expression seemed calm, slightly bored, like nothing was on his mind and if there was he wasn’t wearing it on his face. it was familiar-comfortably so. the way the sun hits his now-dirty blonde hair and his eyes gleaming like honey and amber.
for a second you felt away ease but then you remember-
“there.” yuki blurts out following your line of sight. “number eleven,right?”
you nodded. fubuki leans forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. “he’s gotten better.” “he’s always been good.”you replied automatically knowing you saw how he progressed through volleyball over the years you watched him.
yuki lets out a snort “you’re so biased.”
you don’t deny it- you don’t have too.
your gaze stayed on him,watching the way he moved.
it felt normal..like that incident in his room and day before didn’t occur. or at least close to it.
before-
someone stepped into your peripheral.
a small shift—barely anything—but enough to pull your attention.
a girl. standing a little too close. close enough to speak without raising her voice.
close enough to not feel like just another person in the crowd.
your eyes lingered for a second.
then another.recognition came quietly.
you’d seen her before.that day.
the one you hadn’t let yourself think about too much.
your grip on your bag tightened slightly.
“…you good?” yuki’s voice cut in, softer this time.
you blinked, tearing your gaze away. “yeah.”
“you sure?” she tilted her head, studying you.
“yeah,” you repeated, a little firmer. “i’m fine.”
fubuki didn’t say anything.
but you could feel her glance.
you looked back toward the court.
kei was still there.
of course he was. talking. listening.
existing in a space that didn’t feel as familiar anymore.
the whistle blew sharply, cutting through the noise.
players began moving into position.
the match was about to start.
“finally,” yuki stretched her arms slightly. “i was getting bored.”
“you were just talking the whole time,” you muttered letting a small huff of laughter. “exactly.”
fubuki let out a small breath beside you, eyes already on the court.
the game began.
the sound of the first serve echoed through the gym, followed by a burst of noise from the stands.
you leaned forward slightly. out of habit. out of instinct.
out of something you didn’t question.
your eyes followed the ball—quick passes, sharp movements, the rhythm of the game building steadily. you open your mouthe to call out to him-
and then,
her voice gets to him first
“tsukki!”
the voice rang out, clear and bright.
too familiar.
your body reacted before your mind did. you stilled. just for a second. your gaze shifted.
not to him.
but to her.
that same girl.
standing a few rows down.
leaning forward slightly, hands cupped around her mouth.
“nice receive!”
your fingers curled slightly against your bag.
you’d said that before.
same tone.
same timing.
same—
your thoughts cut off as movement on the court caught your attention again.
kei.
he adjusted his position, glancing briefly toward the stands.
not searching.
not really.
just a glance.
but it landed in the same direction. in her direction.
and then he looked away. like it was nothing.
like it meant nothing. your chest felt… tight.
not sharp.
not overwhelming.
just—
uncomfortable.
like something sitting where it shouldn’t be.
“hey, aren’t you gonna say something?” yuki nudged you lightly, eyes still on the game. “you’re always yelling during his matches.”
you opened your mouth.
paused.
for a second, you weren’t sure what you were going to say.
the words felt there.
familiar.
practiced.
but—
“they’ve got it,” you said instead, quieter than you intended. his friend group cheers him on and makes you feel like your cheer is just some other background noise.
yuki glanced at you briefly. “since when do you stay quiet?”
you shrugged, eyes fixed on the court.
“just watching.”
fubuki’s gaze shifted.
not to the game.
but to you.
you could feel it.
you didn’t look back.
another point was scored.
cheers rose again.
that same voice among them.
clear.
easy.
belonging.
your hands came together in a small clap.
once.
twice.
measured.
controlled.
not the way it used to be.
not the way it should’ve been.
your eyes stayed on the court.
on him.
but for the first time—
it felt like you were watching from somewhere further away.
like there was space now.
space that hadn’t been there before.
and no matter how much you told yourself it didn’t matter—
you noticed it.
every second of it.
when did i stop being the person who did that for you?..
a.n: it’s me again, i’m posting quite fast because i’m on break 😅, but i’ve made a playlist of what kei would probably listen to that’s in the first picture, and yes i too made the poster, it’s kinda ugly the more i stare at it😭.
synopsis: after being paired with hinata for a school project, you expect nothing but stress and exhaustion. instead, between library sessions, volleyball practices, and nonstop teasing from your friends, spending time with him becomes easier than you expected. meanwhile, giving kageyama yuki’s number for “project purposes” creates chaos of its own.
the bell rings.
sharp. sudden. loud enough to snap the class out of its scattered conversations—but not loud enough to settle what’s been building underneath.
chairs scrape back. voices rise. the usual chaos.
you close your book slowly, fingers lingering on the edge of the page for a second longer than necessary before you finally let it shut.
“okay—so,” hinata starts immediately, like he’s been waiting for the sound of that bell, already half-standing beside your desk. “when do you wanna work on it? we could do lunch? or after school? or both—actually both might be better—”
you blink up at him, caught slightly off guard by how fast he’s moving.
“uh—after practice is fine,” you say, adjusting your bag strap as you stand. “we can at least figure out what we’re doing then.”
“yeah, yeah—perfect,” he nods quickly, grin already back like nothing in the world could complicate this. “we’ll get ahead of everyone.”
you hum softly in response, slinging your bag over your shoulder ready to get out of class to meet your friends.
you walk to the usual spot where you guys have always met up at and see they are sitting there already. a soft smile appears on you face almost automatically, you walk and-
before you can sit down you, you already regret it. you don’t even get a full second to breathe before—
“i got paired up with kageyama..i can’t even lie, his kinda cute-too nonchalant for me-“ she blurts out with a soft smile. you and fubuki make brief eye contact knowing that yuki thinks that kageyama is MORE than cute to her. she has liked him for a few years but been to scared to say anything. “sounds like you got paired with your soulmate-“ you say before fubuki pokes the side of your rib, “wait the kageyama tobio? the one you like-“ yuki quickly covers fubukis mouth even though it’s just you guys in the area. “STOP SPREADING PROAGANDA!” she shouts and you and fubuki both laugh.
“so. enough about me-“ she says with her face and ears blushed.
yuki’s voice.
dangerous. you know your teasing is definitely going to back fire.
you pause mid-motion, slowly setting your bag down letting out a soft sigh, preparing for whatever she’s going to spit out.
“…what.”
fubuki is sitting across from you, already suspiciously quiet, which somehow makes it worse.
yuki leans forward, elbows on the table, chin resting on her hands like she’s about to interrogate you.
“how was your partner?” she asks, dragging the word out just enough to be annoying.
you stare at her.
“…normal.”
“normal,” she repeats flatly, like she doesn’t believe you for a second. “that’s crazy. because from what i saw—”
“you saw nothing,” you cut in quickly.
“—i saw a very energetic orange problem sitting way too close to you,” she continues over you, completely ignoring your interruption.
fubuki snorts, covering her mouth slightly.
you shoot her a look.
“don’t encourage her.”
“i’m not,” she says, but she’s already smiling. “i’m just observing.”
“you’re both insufferable,” you mutter, reaching for your food.
yuki gasps softly like you’ve offended her deeply.
“no, no—listen,” she says, sitting up straighter now, eyes lighting up like she just had the best idea of her life. “it makes sense.”
you don’t like that tone.
“…what makes sense.”
she points between you and absolutely nothing, like she’s visualizing it.
“black cat girl,” she says, pointing at you.
you blink.
“…i’m going to need you to stop right there—”
“and—” she continues, ignoring you completely, “golden retriever boy.”
fubuki lets out a quiet laugh this time, shoulders shaking slightly.
you stare at both of them.
“…you’re not serious.”
yuki leans back, crossing her arms with a satisfied nod.
“i ship.”
“you ship what,” you deadpan.
“you and hinata,” she says immediately, like it’s obvious.
you choke slightly on your drink.
“what—no, you— we literally just got paired for a project.”
“exactly,” she says, like that proves her point.
“that proves nothing.”
“it proves everything,” yuki counters.
fubuki rests her chin on her hand, tilting her head slightly as she looks at you.
“…i mean,” she says casually, “the dynamic is kind of there.”
you look at her like she just betrayed you.
“not you too.”
she shrugs lightly. “i’m just saying. you’re… quieter. he’s not.”
“that doesn’t mean anything.”
“it means balance,” yuki cuts in.
“it means you both need to mind your business,” you snap, but there’s no real heat behind it.
yuki grins.
“oh, we are. your business is just entertaining.”
you roll your eyes, looking away, trying to ignore the way your ears feel slightly warmer from embarrassment.
“it’s not like that.”
“mmhm,” yuki hums, completely unconvinced.
a pause.
then—
“so when are you seeing him again?”
you hesitate.
just for a second.
too quick for you to stop.
but not quick enough to go unnoticed.
yuki’s grin widens.
“oh my god—you are seeing him again.”
“it’s for the project,” you say immediately.
“after school?” fubuki asks.
“…yeah.”
“at the gym?” yuki adds.
you don’t answer.
you don’t need to.
“OH MY GOD,” she whisper-yells, grabbing fubuki’s arm. “it’s literally black cat girl x golden retriever boy.”
“stop calling it that,” you mutter, rubbing your temple.
“i’m invested now,” she continues.
“please don’t be.”
“too late.”
fubuki smiles softly, glancing at you.
“…just don’t overthink it,” she says, a little quieter than yuki. “it’s just a project, right?”
you nod.
“yeah.”
you reply nonchalantly, with a slight shrug.
the bell rang, you quickly get up putting your bag again on your back. you all three grumble “this school calls that a break? this is utterly ridiculous-“ you mutter.
you head back to your classes and the day goes on.
after school- meaning you and hinata have to met up for this project. you sigh softly making your way to the gymnasium to not met him, but rather hinata.
you enter the gym and the sound of the volleyball being hit, bounced and the shoes squeaking on the floor surrounded you. you look around and see the orange haired boy, well it’s super easy to spot him-especially when his jumping so high. he walks to the bench where his bag has been placed and you guys make eye contact. i give a nod in acknowledgment before you walk towards the bench where hinata and kageyama are sitting.
“hello..hinata.” you say neutrally before turning to kageyama- you knew about him, it was the boy kei likes to argue with and call him the “king of the court” just to piss him off. he surprisingly give you a nod in acknowledgment before hinata puts down his water bottle. “oh hi there y/n- wait i mean l/n.” he chuckles softly and you do too “it’s okay if you call me by my name..i’m not necessarily strict when it comes to formality.” he nods and kageyama speaks up “are you guys going to the library after this?..for the project i mean?” you guys both nod. “yeah..sir is really strict about the project this term..kinda scary.” hinata replies and you nod “i got paired up with sato, yuki.” kageyama says and your eyes widen slightly before looking away.
they don’t notice your reaction because of how quickly you had turn your head but you look back at him. “you’re friends with her..right?” he questions. you nod of course “yes..she’s been my friend since forever to think about it..she might be a bit loud but she’s really smart. you’re in good hands.” you say speaking fondly of one of your best friends. “this is a weird request” he blurts out rubbing the back of his neck with his phone in his hand and gently raises it “i hadn’t gotten her number- for the project i mean, so could you please put her number in and save her contact?”
you and your little match making scheme is finally coming to play-
“sure. i’ll give you her number.” you say nonchalantly but you know deep down how you’re going to tell her and fubuki later. you put her number in his phone and hand it back to him “just say that l/n y/n gave it if she questions anything, yeah?” he nods and him and hinata greet each other goodbye.
timeskip.
you and hinata are sitting together in the library discussing the project, what needs to be done and the requirements. it wasn’t bad at all, you’re actually glad that you got partnered up with him because he is actually interested in his marks. you nod and listen to what his saying then you look at the time 5 p.m.
the session had came to an end but you guys made a lot of progress on the planning now it’s just the content. thank the heavens. you sigh softly and bag your bag before hinata speaks up again-
“hey,” hinata says suddenly before you can fully stand.
you glance at him, pausing mid-motion with your bag half-zipped.
he’s leaning back slightly in his chair, one hand behind his head while the other taps absentmindedly against the notebook between you two. despite the hours that had passed, he somehow still looked annoyingly energetic.
“you’re free tomorrow too, right?” he asks. “we could finish the research part faster if we do it together again.”
you blink once. “…you make it sound like we’re cramming for finals.”
“because we kinda are,” he says dramatically. “our teacher scares me.”
a quiet laugh leaves you before you can stop it.
small. brief.
but enough to make his expression brighten instantly like he’d won something.
“see!” he points at you accusingly. “you do laugh.”
you narrow your eyes slightly. “…what is that supposed to mean.”
“nothing!” he says quickly, grinning anyway. “you just always look super serious.”
“maybe because i am serious.”
“nah,” he shakes his head immediately. “i don’t think so.”
you stare at him for a second. he says things so casually sometimes that it catches you off guard before you can properly react.
“so library tomorrow?” you give nod “i don’t like projects..all the requirements all the work” he lets out a dramatic sigh “-it’s all to much.” i look at him “you know we can have a day one and off, we will still have a good pace-“ he shakes his head
“after all,you’re the one who wanted to get ahead of everyone,” you remind him flatly.
“yeah but i didn’t realize getting ahead involved actual effort.”
you stare at him for a second before shaking your head slightly.
“…that makes no sense.”
he laughs loudly at that, earning a quiet “shhh” from somewhere deeper in the library.
“sorry,” he whisper-shouts back before looking at you again with a grin. “see? this is why working with you is useful. you actually understand what’s happening.”
you roll your eyes playfully “you’re distracting the others hinata.” you let out a quiet laugh.
that evening after the meet up in the library when you start to walk home, you feelings of this day was easier than the most you’ve been having emotionally. you can’t help but smile softly while walking home the sunset creating a orange hue that makes your skin glow in such a soft way. you feel warm. your mind not even lingering near kei right now. just focusing on you.
that night after you bathed you finally got to lay on your bed and be on your phone and then-
your group chat with yuki and fubuki starts blowing up, your eye twitches slightly from exhaustion.
without even opening the app properly, you already know who’s responsible.
yuki: soooo how was library time 🤨
you: normal
yuki: boring answer. try again
you: we worked on the project
fubuki: did he survive
you: barely
yuki: HELP 😭
another message immediately appears.
yuki: WAIT HOLD ON
yuki: WHY IS KAGEYAMA TEXTING ME
you pause.
then slowly sit up straighter in bed.
fubuki: OH?
yuki: WHY DOES HE HAVE MY NUMBER
you: project purposes
the typing bubble appears instantly.
yuki: YOU DID NOT
you: i literally did
yuki: Y/N???
fubuki: matchmaker allegations growing stronger every day
you: you’re all insane
yuki: HE SAID “hello sato. this is kageyama regarding the project.”
yuki: WHY DOES HE TEXT LIKE AN EMAIL
you snort quietly to yourself.
fubuki: that actually sounds exactly like him
yuki: I’M GOING TO THROW MY PHONE
you: dramatic
yuki: THIS IS YOUR FAULT
you: and yet you’re smiling
three dots appear. disappear. appear again.
then—
yuki: shut up FUBUKI AND Y/N IM GOING TO KILL YOUW AHT DO I SAY PMGOMGOGM
for the first time all day, you laugh properly.
a.n: bro skl is kicking butttttt ugh its ruins my creativity so bad like can i live can i live, this is kinda a filler y/n js been going through it #freeourgirl
synopsis: after that match day it was still a school week and unfortunately the day of the project partners going to be picked-double homicide. you make you way to school not so optimistic but, you realise maybe..just maybe it’s not that bad.
(w.c 2921)
unfortunately after the day of the match it was a week day, thursday, meaning a school day. you swear these past weeks had been slowly dragging. you groan softly hearing your alarm clock blaring in your ears, you then slowly sit up trying to prolong the process of leaving your lovely, amazing, warm and soft bed before sitting on those hard chairs for hours. you put on your slippers before getting ready for school like some robot who has a routine. you go to wash yourself, brush your teeth, brush your hair and do your skincare, before putting on your uniform: button up shirt, tie, stockings, skirt and lastly your school shoes. your bag was already packed with the books for each co-ordained subject.
you put that heavy bag on you back before heading downstairs, something you're always grateful for is that your mother just loves to cook or bake. shes always making breakfast which honestly makes your life easier. your parents greet you and you greet back before placing your bag on the couch, ready to grab when you're on your way to school. you sit down at the kitchen island with your place of pancakes and apple slices, your mother and father talk amongst eachother- they are such morning people its surprising that wasnt pasted down to you.
you eat your apple slices before induling with pancake your mom had freshly made, you were in your own world until you dad speaks to you, “hey sweets, how was the match yesterday?” he ask casually “and did you go out after the match?, you came home a bit later” you meet your fathere gaze before swallowing the left over food in your mouth “-oh..sorry i forgot to text you that i was going out but yes i was with yuki and fubuki, we went to a nearby cafe-you know the one that i asked to go to?” you take a sip of your water “and the match..yeah it was fine honestly..”
your dad hums softly, leaning back slightly against the counter, arms loosely crossed.
“just fine, huh?” he says, a small smile tugging at his lips—but there’s something more observant behind it.
you pause for a second, picking at the edge of your pancake.
“yeah… it was a good game,” you add, a little more carefully this time slightly confused to what his implying.
he watches you for a moment longer than necessary.
not intense. just… noticing.
“you’ve been going to a lot of his matches lately,” he says casually, like it’s just an observation. your fingers still for a split second.
“supporting a friend isn’t a crime,” you reply, a little too quick.
he lets out a quiet chuckle.
“didn’t say it was.”
a small pause settles between you.
your mom moves around the kitchen, the soft clinking of utensils filling the space. before she glances over her shoulder to gauge your reaction.
your dad leans forward slightly now, resting his elbows on the counter.
“you know,” he starts, voice a little softer, “sometimes ‘fine’ just means you don’t feel like explaining things.”
your grip tightens slightly around your fork.
he doesn’t push further.
doesn’t ask another question.
instead, he just reaches over and taps your plate lightly.
“just make sure you’re not keeping everything up here,” he says, gently tapping his temple, “all the time.”
you glance up at him.
his expression is easy, warm—but there’s that quiet understanding sitting underneath it. the kind that makes it harder to lie. you never been the type to talk about your feelings with your parents but that doesn’t change the fact they don’t see you.
you look back down at your plate.
“…i’m not,” you murmur.
he doesn’t call you out.
just nods once.
“alright.”
but the way he says it?
he doesn’t fully believe you and you know that. your mom slides a plate a little closer to you, adding another pancake without asking.
“eat a bit more,” she says absentmindedly. “you’ll complain about being hungry later.”
you let out a small breath through your nose.
“i won’t.”
“you always say that,” she replies, not even looking at you.
a small pause.
then—
“was it crowded after the match?” she asks, tone light, like she’s just making conversation.
you shrug slightly. “a bit… we didn’t stay long though.”
she nods, finally glancing at you.
“mm.”
another pause
“you always talk about the match in full detail..” she says, tone light, almost casual.
you pause.
“…but not this one?”
it’s such a small question.
but it feels bigger than it should.
“there’s not much to say,” you shrug, keeping your eyes on your plate. “they won. that’s it.”
they both look at each other discreetly before they let out a slight ‘hm’ of acknowledgement.
you finish your pancake lost in thought and you realise you’re eating faster than usual so you can quickly get out of this awkward situation. i put your plate in the sink and say thank you to your mother and greet them both before walking to school.
you walk to school with one earphone in your ear with the other one dangling, you normally walk alone to school- you preferred it that way, it allowed you to think and feel on your own timing without having to worry that people will see through you.
you look around you and see how the sunset is rising, and how the wind is slightly blowing in a different direction making your hair flow with it. you sigh softly before closing your eyes quickly to just feel like you’re here- who are you kidding it’s another school day and the impending doom of a project was your destination, yeah, let not. after walking for 14 minutes before reaching hell on earth, a.k.a school.
you finally enter the school gates and grip your bag strap tighter. you step inside and scan the crowds for your best friends- yuki and fubuki. they’re not there.
your brows knit slightly. they’re always here this time.
where—
suddenly, a weight crashes onto your back.
you let out a strangled noise.
“what the hell—!”
you twist your head over your shoulder and there she is.
yuki.
with the biggest, most obnoxious shit-eating grin, barely holding in her laughter.
fubuki stands a few steps away, already wincing.
“yuki, don’t—“
too late.
“surpriiise!” yuki laughs, clinging onto you like this was the best idea she’s ever had.
“oh my fu— yuki, you know you shouldn’t do that to me,” you snap, trying to pry her off, “what if i actually body slammed you?!”
“you wouldn’t,” she shoots back instantly, still laughing. “you love me too much.”
you manage to shove her off—surprisingly easily since she’s too busy laughing at her own chaos.
she stumbles back, holding her stomach.
“okay—okay—worth it,” she breathes out.
you adjust your bag with a groan.
“well… good morning to you guys.”
fubuki snorts softly.
“good morning,” she says, giving you an apologetic look before glancing at yuki. “i tried to stop her.”
“no you didn’t,” yuki points at her, offended. “you hesitated.”
“because i knew you wouldn’t listen,” fubuki shrugs.
you sigh, rubbing the back of your neck.
“one day i am going to drop you, yuki. and i won’t feel bad about it.”
yuki grins again—just as smug.
“yeah, yeah. you say that every time.”
she slings an arm over your shoulder like nothing happened.
“anyway,” she adds, suddenly way too cheerful, “ready to meet your soulmate today?”
you blink.
“…what?”
fubuki winces.
“she means the project.”
“oh,” you deadpan.
a beat.
“no—wait… what do you even mean by soulmate, yuki? please, it’s so early, i can’t even—” you pinch the bridge of your nose, jaw tightening slightly. “and my neck hurts like hell because of you,” you add, glaring at her. “ohh, i’m so getting you back, yuki. watch out.”
you flick her forehead.
“ow—!” she recoils, rubbing the spot dramatically. “violence? this early in the morning? wow.”
“deserved,” fubuki mutters under her breath.
you exhale, rolling your shoulders before glancing between the two of them.
“…and speaking of ‘soulmates,’” you say, putting air quotes around the word, “are you guys excited to meet the‘soulmates’?”
yuki groans immediately, dragging her hands down her face.
“no. absolutely not. i rebuke it.”
fubuki sighs.
“i’m actually nervous,” she admits. “what if i get someone who doesn’t do anything?”
“then you suffer,” you reply flatly.
“wow, thanks for the support,” she shoots you a look.
“i’m being realistic,” you shrug.
yuki perks up suddenly, eyes narrowing slightly—like she just had a thought.
“wait…” she leans closer to you.
“what if you get someone interesting?”
you give her a blank look.
“define interesting.” she grins.
“like… someone unexpected.”
you stare at her for a second longer.
“…i don’t like the way you said that. you’re making me more uncomfortable than scared are you planning something?”
fubuki snorts.
“yeah, that sounded like foreshadowing.”
yuki just shrugs, that same mischievous smile creeping back.
“i’m just saying—today might not be as boring as you think.”
you sigh, already feeling a headache forming.
“great. can’t wait.”
the classroom feels louder than usual.
chairs scraping, voices overlapping, the low hum of students already complaining before anything’s even started.
you sit in your seat, chin resting lightly on your palm, half-listening to yuki and fubuki whispering beside you.
“i’m telling you, it’s going to be bad,” yuki mutters.
“you’re giving anxiety and you know my stomach doesn’t work well with that-“
you whisper
“stop manifesting it,” fubuki hisses back.
you don’t say anything.
your eyes drift toward the front of the class.
right on cue—the door slides open.
mr. suzuki walks in, his presence oozing controlled, precise, and hard to challenge.
and just like that, the room quiets. the quiet authority speaking volumes.
he sets his books down neatly on the desk, adjusting his glasses before scanning the class.
“good morning.”
a weak chorus of good morning, sir follows. he nods once.
“as you are all aware, we will be starting your english project today.” collective groans. he ignores them.
“this will be a paired assignment. you will be analyzing a piece of literature and presenting your interpretation to the class.”
you already don’t like where this is going.
“to ensure fairness—” he continues, tone flat, “partners will be assigned randomly.”
yuki grabs your sleeve.
“i told you,” she whispers dramatically.
you close your eyes for a second.
of course.
mr. suzuki reaches into a small box on his desk and pulls it forward.
thin wooden sticks.
names written on each.
“you will each come forward and draw one stick,” he explains. “whoever shares the same mark as you will be your partner.”
he pauses.
“no exchanges.”
yuki makes a strangled noise.
fubuki looks like she’s about to pass out.
you just stare at the sticks.
expression blank.
one by one, names are called.
students walk up, pick a stick, reactions ranging from relief to immediate regret.
your turn comes sooner than you’d like.
you stand, adjusting your uniform slightly before walking up to the front.
the box sits there.
waiting.
you reach in without hesitation, pulling out a stick.
a small marking etched at the end.
you glance at it once—
then step back.
no reaction.
of course.
you return to your seat, resting the stick against your desk.
yuki leans over immediately.
“what did you get?”
you tilt it slightly so she can see.
“…i don’t even know what that means,” she whispers.
“same.”
fubuki groans softly.
“this is actually torture.”
a few more names are called.
then—
an orange haired boys gets up.
there’s a small shuffle of movement from across the room.
you don’t look up immediately.
but you hear it.
light footsteps.
a stick being pulled.
a pause.
“…oh.”
your fingers still slightly against your desk.
something about that tone—
you glance up.
bright.
easy to spot.
he’s looking down at his stick, then around the room like he’s trying to match it.
your eyes flick down to yours.
same marking.
you blink once.
…of course.
mr. suzuki looks up.
“partners, find each other.”
there’s movement all around you.
chairs scraping again, voices picking up.
you stay seated.
watching as hinata scans the room—
until his eyes land on you.
there’s a brief moment of recognition.
then his face lights up slightly.
he walks over quickly.
“uh—hey!” he says, stopping just beside your desk, holding up his stick. “i think we’re partners.”
you glance at it.
same marking.
you nod once, rubbing the back of your neck.
“looks like it.”
he grins—easy, unfiltered.
“nice.”
you don’t miss how different that feels.
light. simple. not complicated.
you sit up a little straighter, pulling your book closer.
“guess we should start figuring out what we’re doing,” you say.
“yeah—yeah, for sure,” he nods quickly, already pulling his chair closer without hesitation.
“sorry i think this is our first time interacting..so i hope you don’t mind if i ask your name?” you ask slightly cringing at how awkward your feeling and hope he doesn’t realise the tension in yourself.
he smiles “oh!- i found about that,” he chuckles “i have seen you around though mostly at the matches?..if im not mistaken.” he thinks, scratching like the back of his head like that’s going to tell him the answer. “oh sorry- my name is shoyo hinata..and yours?” he ask and you smile softly feeling the tension in your body relax slightly. “my name is l/n y/n.”
maybe this isn’t going to be that bad after all?..it’s tolerable.
he beams at that “oh okay then! l/n you’re officially stuck with me and this project, we can do this!” he says enthusiastically
and you can’t help but chuckle softly shaking your head slightly.
no awkward pause.
no expectation that you’ll do everything.
just… natural.
your eyes flick briefly across the room—
and for a second to see who your friends are partnered with. subconsciously your eyes land on him. kei.
you don’t hold it long enough to read his expression.
you look away first.
but something about the air feels different.
because across the room—
kei’s grip tightens slightly around his own stick.
his gaze fixed.
on you.
and him.
kei :
kei leans back in his chair, his attention only half on the conversation happening in front of him.
his partner is talking—something about the project, ideas, how they should split the work—but kei just nods occasionally, giving short responses when needed. enough to seem like he’s listening.
he isn’t.
his focus keeps drifting across the room.
he didn’t mean to notice at first. it just… happened.
the moment hinata walked over to your desk, all bright and easy like he always is, kei felt something in his chest tighten slightly.
out of everyone.
he exhales quietly through his nose, resting his chin against his hand as if
nothing’s wrong.
it shouldn’t matter.
it’s just a project.
just a partner.
still—
his eyes flick up again before he can stop himself.
you’re sitting a little straighter now, your book open as you talk to hinata. your tone is calm, like always, but there’s something lighter in it. something he doesn’t hear as often.
the voices around him muffle into background noise and he strained his ears while trying to listen to the conversation between you and hinata.
“sorry… i think this is our first time interacting,” you say.
kei’s fingers pause slightly against his desk.
he watches as hinata laughs, scratching the back of his head.
“i’ve seen you around though—mostly at the matches?”
kei’s jaw tightens just a fraction.
of course he has, of course. hinata probably noticed how you were there watching matches, even came after to school to walk with kei.
he knows exactly where his eyes want to go, and he knows he shouldn’t look—but he does anyway. you’re sitting with hinata, already talking like it’s easy.
of course it is.
he looks down at his desk again, tapping his pen once before stilling it.
he shouldn’t be paying this much attention.
but he does. his attention keeps drifting, it’s irritating. he knows exactly where his eyes want to go, and he knows he shouldn’t look—but he does anyway.
his partner’s voice pulls him back for a second. he looks up, already slightly annoyed. “what?”
“i was asking if you’re okay with doing the analysis part—”
“yeah, whatever,” kei cuts in, not even letting them finish properly. his tone is sharper than usual, but he doesn’t bother correcting it.
his partner tries speaking again, something about meeting after school, but kei barely listens.
“we’ll figure it out later,” he says flatly, cutting them off before they can continue.
there’s a short silence after that, his tone making it clear the conversation is over.
kei exhales through his nose, running a hand through his hair as he stares down at his desk.
this is stupid.
it’s just a project.
just a partner.
hinata’s like that with everyone—loud, friendly, easy to talk to. of course you’d respond.
so why—
his eyes lift without thinking.
you’re talking to hinata like you guys have been friends for a while despite just this is your guys first interaction.
like it’s normal.
kei’s jaw tightens. you saw his story. you were there at the match. and you didn’t say anything.
but here you are, talking with someone else(let alone his teammate) like none of it mattered.
kei looks away again, this time more deliberately, forcing his attention back to his work.
it doesn’t help.
a.n i’m flopping so bad im ah, im so scared for my biology test you don’t even want to know 🥹✌🏼 .
synopsis: after a lighthearted afternoon with your best friends, you return home feeling lighter-but not completely at ease. that night you come across kei’s instagram story, though it’s just a story it’s more than that. you recognise it as his way of expressing his emotions, but you choose to ignore it, choosing yourself, pushing aside thoughts you don’t want to confront.
(w.c 1838)
after the cafe with your two favourite people, eating, having your favourite matcha with a pump of vanilla-just the way you like it, and a lovely time overall with your best friends way better time you had than at the match you were watching.
you guys decide to walk to walk home, you living in a different neighbourhood-1 block down from thier neighbourhood saying goodbye feels like eternity until you guys see another again. it’s an established plan set up, they drop you off by your house and they walk home together.
you continue to listen to yuki and fubuki talking feeling at ease, feeling lighter-physically and emotionally. they look over at you and smile softly seeing that weight has been lifted off your shoulders,maybe not fully but they can sense that he helped a bit.
the topic of a project for english and partners come up and you can’t help but let a soft groan slip from your mouth, you didn’t like projects with people-especially when it’s assigned it’s like hell on earth.
being introverted and having assigned parents was a humbling experience-you’d get partnered up with someone and they just expect you to do all the work or they just don’t try at all, so of course you’d just do it all yourself, defeating the purpose of ‘group projects’.
fubuki continues “mister suzuki does not play when to comes to this projects im so annoyed like why can’t we just pick our own partner-“ she’s abruptly cut off my yuki with a small gasp “i heard he does it infront of the class with sticks and you pick one and then he says something stupid like,” she tries to make her voice deeper but fails miserably “well you guys technically picked your partners no take backs-“ you look at fubuki and see that you guys are both biting back a laugh but then unfortunately you couldn’t keep it in and start laughing.
yuki pouts slightly “you guys are laughing but i’m being dead serious, you won’t be laughing when you’re standing up in that class with someone random.” you and fubuki calm down from the little laugh fit you guys had before you speak up “oh trust me my face is going to be so blank-“
fubuki says “your face always looks expressionless most times, why do they call it again?..resting bitch face so-“ you gently flick the back of her head “hey-“ you say, yuki chimes in “she’s lowkey right i’m not even going to lie,” she puts her hands behind her head while walking “you do have this little ‘ice queen’ vibe going- wait you’re literally ayanokoji.” yuki and fubuki hold their stomachs while their knees buck while laughing at that joke, you try to not laugh but their laughs are infectious and you can’t hold back from laughing anymore.
you and the two girls take the last turn into your neighbourhood and you look at them before greeting them goodbye-this feels more of a solider farewell, the hugs and the over exaggerated comments on how you guys are going to miss each other, it not fake but definitely over the top for people who live a few minutes away.
“text in the group chat when you guys get home yeah?..” you say softly while hugging them and they nod before throwing you with a smile and a wave before turning around to walk.
you enter your house, taking off your shoes at the door before placing them on the shoe rack. your mom is cooking, and the smell fills your nose. you go into the kitchen to make your presence known and your mom knows when kei has a match, kei’s mother always tells her, and she knows you always there to watch, to support. “how was the match?..” she asks looking over her shoulder and you stiffen slightly but she doesn’t fully notice since her back is turn towards you.
“it was fine..i mean they had a good competition with the other team so to say.” you say being sitting down on the couch.
“and who won?..” she asks again, “our school, basically our volleyball team.” you reply casually- almost too casually. your mothers eyes narrow slightly trying to study you, but knows better than not to mention it because you’ll just deny it.
she gives a simple hum in acknowledgment.
later that night
after you ate your mothers delicious food, you felt sleepy-and rightfully so. you take a seat on the edge of your bed and sigh before taking out your pjs for the night.
you decide to take a shower, and get ready to relax in your bed.
as you’re in the shower you can’t help but think about the match, the distance, and something else you cannot quite grasp yet. you snap out of your thoughts feeling the hot water fog up the glass on the shower and apparently your mind too.
you get out the shower, dry yourself and then lotion yourself. you sit down at your vanity and do your skincare while you show your fake youtube channel step-by-step tutorials on it.
after all of that you get up and lay face first on the bed, nuzzling the fluffy blanket slightly. you lay on your stomach and get your phone off the side table and read the messages yuki and fubuki are sending. mostly memes and silly little inside jokes.
you reply to most of them because, honestly, they love to spam. you log on into your instagram account and look at the stories. one stands out in particular. it’s keis. your thumb hovers over the screen longer than necessary. you don’t even realise you’ve stopped scrolling and actually saw what you were seeing. it’s just a picture of the court—empty now, lights dimmed, the net still standing like it’s waiting for something.
one thing about kei is that he communicates through songs, his not necessarily good with talking about his emotions that’s why he chooses to drain it out with music that speaks to him.
you hear the song in the background of this picture:
the neighbourhood, reflections, 1:17-1:57
your lips press into a thin line.
you don’t know why that bothers you.
maybe because you were there. maybe because you saw him play. maybe because—
you lock your phone before you can finish that thought.
you put your phone on do-not-disturb feeling agitated, why are you looking into this so deeply?..is it because you want to believe or?
you fall asleep refusing your brain to overwork itself again.
meanwhile kei:
he had posted that because he knows that you know him better than everyone else. a song isn’t just a song. it’s his feelings. he had hoped this would spark a reaction.
his been looking at his story nonstop since he had posted it- his friends commenting on the fact he post once in a blue moon, he wasn’t the type to necessarily post and when he does it’s barely about him, mostly places.
he fidgets with his hands while sitting on the couch and akiteru notices him being on edge-totally not normal behaviour after just scoring your team the winning point, and kei isn’t the type to be nervous and when he is, and well unfortunately for him that was not that case. before akiteru gets a chance to speak keis mother speaks to him. “how was the match my son- i’ve seen the clips of it and you were..what do they call it again?..MVP? ah yes- MVP, i’m so proud of you.” she claps her hands together smiling softly “did your friends watch you?” she ask again “-was y/n there?” she ask and keis breath slightly hitches.
his mother doesn’t notice but akiteru who has been studying kei and his mannerisms caught it. kei replies to his mother with a slight huff “yes mom..it’s call the mvp- and thank you..and for my friends yes they were watching me.” he reply’s too calmly clearly trying to force this narrative but akiteru calls nonsense but waits for ther mom to get out the room. “and y/n?..speaking of i haven’t see her in a while has she been okay?” kei looks down at his lap his hands clenching slightly then unclenched. one thing kei hated was questions he didn’t know the answers to, and the distance between you guys.
he replies gruffly, “she’s been fine mom..busy like the usual.” keis mothers eyes narrow slightly but give a slow nod and exits the room sensing the odd tension when your name was brought up. akiteru finally lays it out. “..you don’t seem happy- you’ve been more sulky and even throwing a fit when mom asks you about her?..yeah you’re not exactly discreet.”
kei rolls his eyes “you literally don’t know anything-“ he says a bit defensively, akiteru smirks slightly, it was so easy to see through keis lies when you know him for so long.
“you don’t have to lie,” akiteru “clearly something happened between you and her-what did you do?” he ask, leaning in his hand that’s on his lap. kei shoots him a look of ‘shut up’ but he doesn’t care “whatever you did you better fix it-she’s technically the sister i never had and im not going to let you destroy that.” he says half serious and half heartedly before he genuinely looks at how worked up kei is.
he stops his teasing and kei sits there, phone in his lap, looking at his notifications for the 50th..no..67th time actually- no he lost count.
he storms off to his room and groans into his pillow feeling conflicted and confused to what is happening.
kei stares at his phone a second longer.
that small green dot next to your name feels louder than it should.
you’re online. you saw it. you didn’t say anything.
his jaw tightens slightly.
“…seriously?” he mutters under his breath.
his thumb hovers over your chat. he opens it. blank.
the last message you had sent sitting there like it’s mocking him.
he clicks the text bar.
types—
did you see it
did you notice ?
he stares at the words.
his grip tightens around his phone. it sounds stupid. too obvious. too… him.
he deletes it.
tries again.
you were there
pause.
delete.
his chest feels tight—annoyingly so.
he exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair.
“forget it.”
he locks his phone and tosses it onto his bed a little harder than necessary.
but it buzzes almost instantly.
his heart jumps—
he grabs it quickly.
not you.
just another teammate.
his expression drops just as fast.
“…tch.”
he throws the phone back onto the bed, this time not even looking where it lands.
he leans back, staring at the ceiling.
the silence in his room feels too similar to the court.
empty.
unfinished.
his brows furrow slightly.
“…you saw everything,” he mutters quietly, almost to himself.
“so why does it feel like you didn’t?”
he turns his head, looking at his phone again.
it stays silent.
and that somehow bothers him more than anything.
a.n : school has been kicking butt lately, we just arrived and we already writing tests. this is so ridonkulous!! i’m so #pmoed. i didn’t know which pictures to use for this story really, and thank you guys so much for the reblogs, likes and following me it means a lot :)
