AN: I'M TRYING TO FIX THE FORMATTING STUFF SORRY.

Tadashi froze on the volleyball court like someone had hit him in the chest with a mallet. Actually, the mallet was more a beautiful, delicious-smelling morning-star, piercing his nerves and shattering his senses. The sheer force of this figurative blunt-force object probably belonged to some god in some temple somewhere adorned with flowers and sweets.

Dizziness overwhelmed him, head buzzing like he had sniffed too much paint thinner and body thrumming like he had left a good bath. Where was it coming from? What in this world could be so goo-

Tadashi received a spike from Daichi with his face, the more-than-figurative blunt object jerking him from his daydream. He didn't feel too guilty for abruptly ending the three-on-three game of which he'd been part, his head still fuzzy. Though the fuzziness may be a result of head trauma. Physical, not emotional.

There were a few yelps and the sound of shoes squeaking. Oddly, Tadashi was okay being on the ground. The fall hadn't hurt much. He flopped his arms spread-eagle in acceptance for his new position. The smell was like an opiate, and if being the receiver of physical and probably emotional trauma was this wonderful, Tadashi would never complain.

A cluster of panicked faces appeared in Tadashi's vision.

"Are you okay?" Daichi flustered. Tadashi, still in a weird, hazy state of bliss refrained from commenting that the pink flush on Daichi's handsome face was very attractive. Maybe Tadashi got hit harder than anticipated.

"Nice." Nishinoya grinned.

"Whoa-ho!" Hinata appeared next to Nishinoya.

Tadashi tried to respond with "I'm fine" but his nose was bleeding and draining down his throat. Instead he gurgled - but his worried comrades were distracted when there was a commotion on the other side of the gym. Tadashi turned his head toward the sound, the sweet smell suddenly mingling with his nosebleed. He vaguely hoped drowning in his own nosebleed wouldn't be a budding kink.

Yachi-san had slumped to the floor, Shimizu kneeling with Yachi's head in her lap. Tadashi's vision blurred and he tried to sit, the urge to run to Yachi overwhelming the buzz in his head.

A tug on the back of his shirt kept him from moving. Tadashi swung his head around and Tsukishima was kneeling by him, glaring at the others. Half were leaving to help their precious manager, and half hesitated to help their bleeding teammate. Tadashi deliriously noted who was to be trusted. Daichi was not one of the trusted. Nishinoya was bouncing from foot to foot, looking between Yachi and Yamaguchi like he couldn't decide if a fainted girl or bleeding teammate was more important. Good ol' Nishinoya. Tadashi would bake him a cake when he wasn't trying to strangle himself with his shirt in attempt to get closer to Yachi and away from Tsukishima.

"I have him." Tsukishima told the others, and without fanfare, Tadashi's traitorous teammates were running to Yachi, unable to ignore a damsel in need. Tadashi was a damsel, dammit. At least now.

Tadashi was dizzy, but spared Tsukki a glare, "My hero." He said in a deadpan, inexplicably irritated.

Tsukishima arched an eyebrow, tugging on Tadashi's shirt to drag him to his feet, "You need to leave."

Tadashi let himself be dragged but looked over his shoulder to see Asahi hoisting tiny Yachi into his arms, presumably to take her to the infirmary. Tsukishima tugged on Tadashi's shirt again, dragging him out the other exit of the gym.

"What did I do?" Tadashi complained. He tripped slightly, "I'm the one who's bleeding."

Tsukishima didn't spare him a glance, "You are." He confirmed. "All over your shirt as a matter of fact, which is ruined now. You're not worried about Yachi-san." He explained calmly, "She presented."

Oh. That made more sense. Tadashi looked down and indeed his shirt was bordering drenched. He had failed to notice his nosebleed hadn't congealed yet. Tadashi forced himself to calm and followed Tsukishima to their locker room and into the bathroom.

Tsukishima made Tadashi sit on a toilet and pinch his own nose, while the taller boy got a washcloth for Tadashi to press on his nose. When Tadashi felt like he could talk again without being snappish, he said petulantly, "I'm a little worried about Yachi-san."

Tsukishima stared at him a beat before a smirky grin spread across his face, "Ah yes," He lilted, "Practically crawling across the gym, blood-soaked to get at our newly-presented omega out of concern. I've underestimated you, Tadashi."

Tadashi laughed, wincing when the action pulled at his face. Tsukishima reached for the bloody rag, "Let me see." He demanded.

Tadashi displayed his face. Nothing happened for a moment before a thin trickle of blood ran down his lip. Dammit.

Tsukishima barked a laugh and turned to rinse the rag. Tadashi snickered, pinching his nose again. Strangely, he was happy - Tsukki could be downright doting when they were alone.

"You know, for a moment I thought Daichi-san was doing it on purpose." Tsukishima commented with his back turned. He ran the rag under a faucet, "It seemed to hit everyone at once." He turned, grinning shallowly and handed Tadashi the rag. "You clearly had to be taken out. Thin the competition. Your alpha presence is enough to make anyone swoon."

Tadashi rolled his eyes, "Shut up." His voice muffled by the rag.

Tsukishima snickered, watching him, "You did a good job of receiving that spike. It was much more intimidating as you tried to cross the gym to aggressively take Yachi-san."

Tadashi's face flared and he covered his eyes, trying and failing to not laugh.

"Good thing Yachi-san was unconscious. She would have fainted anyway. Your face is terrifying right now."

Tadashi grinned behind his hand, peering at Tsukishima who was still smirking. Tadashi asked, "And why weren't you worked into a frenzy at the presentation of Yachi-san?" He knew perfectly well the reason why.

The corner of Tsukishima's lip turned up, and he looked away thoughtfully. "Because Yachi-san smells like a fart to me."

Tadashi snorted, spraying blood everywhere, including Tsukishima. Their white practice shirts were ruined. Tsukishima looked down at himself blandly, visually accepting his ruined apparel with grace. "That's okay." He drawled, seeing Tadashi's mortified expression, "This one rubbed my nipples weird anyway."

Tadashi fell into a fit of giggles, until Daichi came to check on him. Daichi's shoulders relaxed when he saw that Tadashi hadn't passed out from blood loss. Tsukishima leaned against the sinks while Daichi inspected Tadashi's nose.

"I'm so sorry." Daichi fretted, crouching to talk at Tadashi's height, "I blanked for a moment, and when I came back you were on the floor."

"It's okay." Tadashi tried to pacify, "I was spacing out. Seems like we all were." He glanced at Tsukishima who rolled his eyes behind Daichi's back.

Over half the team would have been affected by Yachi's presentation, including Daichi and Shimizu-san who were alphas with Tadashi and Tsukishima. Tadashi couldn't be mad at Daichi, who was back to his senses and highly apologetic. The entire team (and most of the school) was still learning how to deal with their volatile biology.

Tadashi and Tsukishima had presented during middle school. Tadashi, when he became overwhelmed by omega pheromones, and punched a sizable hole in the plywood cubbies where they stored their outdoor shoes. Tsukishima had a less traditional presentation.

At the time, the scent of an omega in heat made Tsukishima physically ill, like he had eaten too many sweets. Tadashi had to catch Tsukishima in mid fall, before Tsukki proceeded to puke in the hallway. In retrospect, Tadashi wasn't surprised since Tsukki hadn't shown attraction or interest in anyone like most of the other kids. The most Tadashi could get Tsukki to talk about it was that Tsukishima didn't find touching anyone else's genitals an attractive prospect. Tadashi suspected Tsukishima had yet to share all his thoughts on the subject. Tsukki seemed fine as he was, and that was good enough for Tadashi.

So no, Tadashi couldn't be mad at Daichi for being seventeen and distracted. If anything, the incident reminded Tadashi that his captain was human and subject to faults. Anyway, Daichi looked younger when he was worrying, which was sort of cute.

Tadashi waved a hand as if trying to wave Daichi's worries away. "Daichi-san, it's fine. Is Yachi-san okay?"

Daichi rubbed the back of his neck, "She'll be fine. It took me and Asahi to drag Shimizu-san away from the infirmary door, but they've got emergency suppressants."

Tadashi nodded, wondering where Daichi got his self-control when everyone else was losing their damn minds.

"Are you good to go back to practice? You're welcome to go home. Actually," Daichi cringed and gestured to Tadashi's blood-soaked practice shirt, "Go home." He stood and nodded to Tsukishima, "You can go too. Make sure he doesn't go into a surprise rut. I'll tell sensei what happened."

Tadashi didn't appreciate the suggestion that he couldn't look after himself, though he felt better with Tsukki nearby. Wanting reassurance was besides the point, Tadashi was perfectly capable of walking himself home. On the other hand, going home early would get him out of cleaning duties. Score one for emotional and physical trauma.

By the time Tsukishima and Tadashi had changed and gathered their things, practice was ending anyway and the others were scampering around with cleaning supplies. Hinata and Nishinoya were jogging around the gym building, racing to see who could gather the most stray trash for their weekly outdoor scouring.

"OI!" Nishinoya called, "Nice receive!" He gave Tadashi a thumbs up even in the middle of his race with Hinata, who was puffing close behind.

Embarrassment flooded him, and Tadashi waved sheepishly before ducking his head and scuttling after Tsukishima. He thought he could still smell Yachi-san's scent permeating around the gym, sweet like vanilla, or flowers.

"Well, that was a mortifying experience." Tadashi groaned. "Must be nice being immune."

When Tsukishima didn't respond immediately, Tadashi glanced up to see him pursing his lips and squinting at him in a way that looked more like a scowl. It was unnerving.

"Tsu-Tsukki?"

Tsukishima grunted and looked ahead as they made their way to their road. "It can be." He said, reaching for the headphones around his neck and pulling them to his ears.

Tadashi straightened his posture and put his eyes forward. "I'm fine, ya know?"

"Hmm." Tsukishima never turned the music too loud if he actually wanted to hear Tadashi speaking. Tadashi could have rolled his eyes when he realized Tsukki was actually worrying about him going into a rut. Tsukki would never say so. Never, ever.

Ruts were the worst because unlike heats, there were no warnings and were usually triggered by an omega. Tadashi had been lucky to only have had one after he initially presented. What had followed was the most embarrassing and semen-drenched week of his life. He'd refused to let his mother do his laundry. He didn't care if she eye-rolled him, he didn't want to live with the shame that his mother had knowingly touched his splooge sauce.

Having his mother look him dead in the eye and say, "Sweetie. I'm forty-three and you're fourteen. I know why you're in the toilet for twenty minutes at a time." Didn't make going into a rut any less mortifying.

He parted ways with Tsukishima, thinking he could put off homework for another night. This whole evening had been exhausting and dramatic. He wanted dinner and bed.

He was fine.

He wasn't fine.

Tadashi had bathed, eaten and got a scolding from his mother for being tetchy, for which he hung his head and apologized. He went over some flash cards for fifteen minutes before he decided he couldn't focus and went to bed.

He woke with his face in his pillow, sweating and clawing at his sheets - the cool fabric too itchy, too malleable, not human enough. His waking was so sudden, Tadashi almost panicked until he gained consciousness of his hips thrusting hard into his mattress and the little shocks of pleasure that were warming his body. He moaned, arousal prickling over his cheeks and down his neck, feet digging into the mattress to give himself leverage to fuck into his his poor mattress that had certainly done nothing to deserve the hole being driven into it from a horny teenage boy.

Tadashi realized what he was doing and abruptly stopped, flipping onto his back and grabbing frantically at the sides of his bed to steady himself. The darkened room was spinning - his whole body was alert, skin tingly and breath shuddering hard past his lips. His heartbeat drummed in his ears in time with his ragged breathing, and he chewed his lower lip out of nerves, groaning quietly when that felt good too.

There was no stopping this.

He reached into his boxers, flinching when his hand was immediately damp from the sheer amount of precum dribbling down his cock. He arched his hips, balls tightening and pelvis flexing. Running a thumb over the head of his dick he whimpered because the stroke was too much - he was too wound up - the shock of pleasure was laced with a nerve teetering on pain. He gripped lower, pushing his foreskin up, and moaned in relief. His shoulders shook as he arched again, knees trying to spread but caught in his boxers. The restraint made his legs tense, the rigidity pulling in a gratifying way that made it feel like he could come just from stretching.

Tadashi's breath hitched and he pulled at himself quickly. The slick sound was almost embarrassing but then he was coming, heat like a flood and hips pulsing upwards, desperately wanting to fuck into something, someone. He huffed when he felt his warm cum splatter up to his chest, arching as his entire body pulsed with the release.

The dissipating heat had him relaxing, at least until Tadashi cooled, and so did the mess on his belly. He lay still for a moment until the shaking and shivering started, a different, more desperate brand of post-orgasm tremors. His cock twitched in his hand, still semi-hard and readying for another round.

His fingers felt cold and he fumbled to pull his phone off his charger. He was panicking again, now that his head had cleared. He needed to talk, figure out what to do, even though it was two in the morning and he was pretty sure the last thing he wanted to do was say "Hey Tsukki! I have the most awesome boner right now, can you tell me how to deal with it?"

Tsukki was at the top of his recent contacts list. Shivering and curling into himself, Tadashi dialed.

There was no answer the first time, but the second time there was a disorderly scuffling and Tsukki's irritated, groggy voice, "Do you know what fuckin' time it is?"

"Tsukki." Tamaguchi whispered, "I went into a rut. I don't know what to do. This is horrible, I don't wanna-"

"Shut up." Tsukishima snapped, more sleepy than annoyed. Tadashi heard him shuffling, and figured he was sitting up in bed.

"Sorry, Tsukki."

Tsukishima groaned into the phone, waking slowly. Tadashi imagined him pinching his eyes and the bridge of his nose. "Go jerk off."

Tadashi whined, "I did. It didn't help."

Tsukishima went silent for a moment, "Isn't your mom a beta?"

All sorts of weird ideas jumbled through Tadashi's foggy brain, "What? That's gross. Why would-"

"Shut up. Listen."

Tadashi snapped his jaw shut.

Tsukishima took a breath, voice rumbling and sounding like he could fall asleep sitting, "Betas mediate. Betas calm alphas and omegas, even if alphas and omegas rile up betas. With her being your mom, neither of you should exacerbate the other. So go talk to your damn mother and let me sleep."

Tadashi curled and pressed his face into his pillow, clutching his phone like it was Tsukishima's hand. His smile was watery and he mumbled, "Thanks Tsukki. You know a lot. Thanks."

Tsukishima grunted and hung up on him.

Tadashi lay still for a long time, erection pressing into his belly. He was unwilling to move for fear of making it worse. Omega-triggered ruts were supposed to take care of themselves without a presence of a potential mate, and he'd rather not alert his mother to what happened. More because it was extraordinarily embarrassing, and less because he didn't think she'd understand. This was only his second. He'd be done by morning. Tired, but done.

Of course he wasn't done. While considerably less intense than when it started, Tadashi spend most of the night in a fitful half-sleep. By the time he was asleep it was too late, and he didn't wake for his alarm.

His mother came into his room and immediately recoiled, hand flying to her nose, "Tadashi!" She called from the doorway. "Tadashi!"

He shivered awake, groaning from having slept in the fetal position. Belatedly he realized he was still a mess, still horny, but at least under his covers where his mother couldn't see but could certainly smell.

"Are you okay?" Tadashi's mother fretted, before her face settled sternly, "No, you're fine. You're not going to school today. I'll let them know."

"No." Tadashi protested as he started to sit upright. He stopped when she tutted at him.

"Absolutely not! You'll only be trouble for the others. Lay down. I'll get your father so you don't have to deal with me." Mrs. Yamaguchi grinned with a glint.

He sunk into his blankets at that.

"And I'll ask the teachers to give your assignments to Kei-kun today. You'll be fine."

Tadashi sulked for about ten minutes before he was interrupted from his half-doze by his door creaking open. He startled when his father poked his head inside, face stern and scowling. Tadashi knew that expression wasn't anything to worry about; His father always looked like something unpleasant was under his nose.

Mr. Yamaguchi grunted, "It's nothing to be ashamed of." And pushed an unopened three-pack of tissue boxes across the floor, then quickly disappeared and shut the door.

Tadashi pulled the covers over his head and screamed into his pillow.

After he slept until 1 p.m., Tadashi jerked off twice more. Following the second orgasm, he felt recovered. Still tired, but like he could function normally after a shower.

Tsukishima arrived with his homework, but didn't deliver it himself. Mrs. Yamaguchi came into Tadashi's room with a manila envelope that had been neatly sealed. She smiled gently at Tadashi, who sat reading on his bed.

"Kei-kun said he'd rather not come up, that he could smell you downstairs."

Tadashi rolled his eyes, moving to receive his homework, "Thanks, Mom." He mumbled as he took the envelope.

She pressed a kiss to the top of his head and pat his shoulder. She wasn't tall, but she was freckled from her cheeks to her shoulders. Tadashi's height came from his father.

He tensed when she sat beside him, "Do you mind me asking who it was? That started everything?"

"Ah." Tadashi looked at the envelope in his hands and tried to feel embarrassed. "Our manager presented omega."

"Hmm." Mrs. Yamaguchi nodded thoughtfully, "Now you know ... don't give me that look. Presentation is much different than heat. I'm a little worried you reacted so strongly. Maybe it's just youth." Mrs. Yamaguchi ignored her son hiding in his hands, and cupped her chin thoughtfully, "But smelling an omega in heat will be much more powerful. Without suppressants, of course."

Tadashi stayed hiding in his hands, but nodded to let her know he was listening.

Mrs. Yamaguchi laughed and patted his shoulder, "You can do it! Just be responsible and don't ignore your body. An actual rut won't go away so easily."

"Yes, Mom."

Mrs. Yamaguchi left the room chortling, and Tadashi chose to aggressively ignore his homework in favor of texting Tsukishima that he hoped he got sick from the upstairs smell.

Tsukishima sent back a smiley.

Suppressants were essentially a dose of hormones, based on whatever beta hormones made betas more impervious to volatile alpha and omega hormones. Betas weren't immune to heats and ruts, just less affected by them. Generally speaking, of course. There were plenty of deviations from the norm, Tsukishima being a prime example.

Tadashi was mostly normal as far as physiology went for alphas, but for one point: The suppressants weren't as effective as they should have been.

When Tadashi walked into the gym he was hit with that sweet smell from the day before, though considerably more muted and tolerable. He swung his head around, instinctively knowing Yachi-san's location. Arousal was a fuzzy presence instead of a overwhelming force, reminding Tadashi with tiny clenches of his belly and the occasional pulse. It was distracting but not intolerable.

Yachi-san didn't notice him immediately, having been kept busy by Shimizu-san. Tadashi realized he was probably bordering on creepy when he found himself finding every reason to harass poor Yachi. She didn't react initially because asking for a different water bottle was completely reasonable. Requesting a towel was also within the norm.

Crouching nearby and staring dreamily wasn't so usual. Also, wanting to crawl to her on his knees and kiss her feet, and her cute little ankles up her cute, skinny legs, probably wasn't normal. Maybe. Did omegas develop mind reading powers? He certainly hoped not. Mind reading was looking like a possibility when he accidentally met Yachi's eyes. She flustered and scampered away.

Wow, he was a creep.

Tadashi pinched his cheeks in mortification, trying to snap himself out of his daze. Tsukki was in the middle of a three-on-three practice match but Tadashi could see him smirking at him from the court. That little shithead. Tadashi hoped he got beaned by the ball and broke his glasses.

He didn't mean that. At least not the glasses part.

Tadashi nearly shrieked when Nishinoya suddenly appeared out of nowhere beside him with a thump. Where did he even jump from?

"Hey there buddy," Nishinoya greeted gently. Tadashi was immediately suspicious. "You alright?"

"Uh. Y-yeah. Nishinoya-san. Just taking a break."

Nishinoya nodded in understanding, mimicking Tadashi's squat and twirling his towel between his knees. Tadashi tensed, recalling many snapped towels in the locker room. Nishinoya and Tanaka usually headed the towel-snapping battles.

"Just wanted to be sure you're alright. You've been sorta flighty since yesterday." Nishinoya's hawk-like eyes were trained on Tadashi, sending nervous chills down his spine. He sure knew how to make a guy nervous, despite being the size of a sixth-grader. Tadashi wondered if Nishinoya could be intimidated out of making a scene. Size certainly wasn't going to do it, and Tadashi felt smaller than Nishinoya most of the time anyway. Noya would probably just climb him and sit on his head like a noisy, angry bird, if Tadashi tried to intimidate him.

"O-oh. Yes." Tadashi stuttered, unsure of how to respond.

"Listen." Nishinoya slapped Tadashi's shoulder, nearly toppling him. The libero never seemed to realize how hard he could hit. "I like you. You know that right?" He didn't give Tadashi a chance to respond, "Gotta look out for my kohai." Nishinoya pinned Tadashi with a bright stare. "All my kohai."

Tadashi jumped when he felt another hand on his shoulder and a slightly deeper voice in his ear, "Back off Yachi-san."

Tanaka was looming over him with that stupid sneer of his. The less vigilant part of Tadashi wanted to ask Tanaka if all betas looked constipated, or if it was just him. The part that valued his spine staying correctly aligned wondered how plausible it was for him to fling Nishinoya at Tanaka and run to safety.

Sugawara came to save him. Bless Sugawara and his Suga-sense. Spiderman didn't have shit on the neighborhood Sugawara.

"Guys." Suga knelt into a crouch so he could grab both Nishinoya and Tanaka's shoulders. Tadashi was now surrounded by the other three and Sugawara's face was a little too close to his for comfort. At least Suga was smiling instead of turning his lip at him. The smile was a little strained. Maybe that was the Sugawara-equivalent of a snarl. "Having a friendly chat?"

Nishinoya grinned, "Super friendly!"

"Yamaguchi here's been bothering Yachi-san!" Tanaka bristled.

"Oh?" Sugawara beamed, not seeming bothered in the slightest. Tadashi heard a pained noise and looked over to see Sugawara was squeezing Tanaka's shoulder just a tad too tight. "I'll take over then. Tanaka, why don't you give Noya-san some spikes to receive?"

Never mind they needed a setter. As soon as Suga released their shoulders they fled. Behind Sugawara's back, Tanaka made a "I'm watching you" gesture with his fingers. Tadashi put a fist to his mouth to hide his laugh.

Sugawara's smile softened into something more earnest, "No but, you need to lay off Yachi-san."

Tadashi nodded, his smirk fading quickly. He looked between his knees at the flooring, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was doing it until right before they said something. And uh. I realized Yachi-san was running away from me."

"You're on suppressants?" Suga asked kindly.

Tadashi's face flushed, "Yes. It's still distracting though."

"Hmm." Sugawara nodded, standing. Tadashi followed, stretching his legs. "Yachi-san is taking them too. I'm sure everything will settle, it usually does. Just." Suga glanced upwards as he visibly groped for the right words, "Take care of yourself."

Tanaka nodded and Sugawara left him to his own devices. He was pretty sure that was Suga-speak for "Get your shit together however you need to because you're becoming an inconvenience." Only much kinder because Sugawara would never say something like that, or think in those words. Probably. Sugawara probably thought a lot of things he wouldn't share out of consideration.

Tadashi sighed and hung his head. He felt like a bother.

Tadashi and Tsukishima walked with the rest of the team to get meatbuns that evening. Chatter was the usual kind, and even Tanaka and Nishinoya kept their hovering to a minimum. Tsukishima was doing enough hovering for the whole team, enough to make Tadashi feel on edge but not enough that he would complain. Instead, he distracted himself by watching Hinata and Kageyama try to see who could eat their buns the fastest, egged on by Nishinoya and Tanaka. The display was disgusting and made Tadashi's stomach hurt, but he smiled anyway as he nibbled on his bun and talked quietly with Asashi.

The night was clear and smelled of summer flowers. He was tired, but everyone loitering to spend a last few minutes of the evening together had him in a good mood.

Tsukishima finished and turned to leave, unannounced. Tadashi startled and said goodbye to Asahi and chased after Tsukki. As soon as Tadashi caught up and they fell into step, Tsukishima nudged Tadashi's arm with his elbow, a touch that could have been accidental.

"I'm coming over tonight." He announced.

It was a school night. Tadashi nodded, "Okay, Tsukki." He sensed Tsukishima had something else to say, but they fell into silence after a few awkward glances. Tsukishima had spare clothes at Tadashi's house, and Tadashi at Tsukishima's - Tadashi would just need to tell his mother of their extra guest. He pulled out his phone and texted her.

Mrs. Yamaguchi greeted Tsukishima like she usually did, and with extra rice for their dinner. She knew Tsukishima didn't eat a lot.

"What brings the surprise visit?" Mr. Yamaguchi asked at the table. His tone implied he was displeased with the development, but his family (And Tsukishima) knew better, "You don't have any major tests, do you?"

Tadashi's parents pinned him with glares at the possibility of withheld test dates and he flustered, but Tsukishima was there to smile charmingly and sooth their parental worries, "No particular reason. I'm sure Tadashi-kun needs help with his English."

Mr. Yamaguchi smiled, which was about the equivalent of a laugh, "Yes! His pronunciation is terrible."

Tadashi watched Tsukishima's face silently, curious but not concerned. Tsukishima seemed just a smidgen too tense, an fraction too insincere. Pushing Tsukki for a clear answer would make him snippier, and Tadashi knew he would talk when he needed. He glanced at his mother while Tsukishima and Mr. Yamaguchi talked.

Her eyes were analyzing Tsukishima the way Tadashi's were, until she sensed Tadashi staring and snapped, "Stop chewing on your chopsticks, Ta-chan!"

"Sorry."

When they made it back to Tadashi's room, Tsukishima's face had resumed its normal less-than-charming demeanor. He flopped on Tadashi's bed, spreading over the whole thing and stared at the ceiling.

Tadashi pulled out his desk chair and started rifling through his book bag, "I'm going to do homework. Did you need help with anything?" Tsukishima never needed help with homework.

"No. I'll wait for you to finish. Mine's done."

Tadashi's eyebrows raised, "You can use the bath first, then. Mom and Dad won't mind." He otherwise left Tsukki alone and turned his back to focus. He was absently aware of Tsukishima quietly bustling around to gather his sleep clothes.

By the time Tadashi was finished, Tsukishima had already returned and was asleep on his bed, with his legs hanging over the side. Tadashi stood and raised his arms for a stretch, thinking about his own bath, when something felt off-kilter.

He looked at Tsukki and tilted his head to the side curiously. There was the scent of static in the air, almost metallic. He lowered his arms and inched closer to Tsukishima, sniffing carefully. The smell was definitely Tsukki, mixed with the fresher scent of Tadashi's soap and shampoo. The smell wasn't unpleasant, just made the hairs on the back of Tadashi's neck stand on end.

When he left to take his bath, his mother caught him in the hallway.

"Is Kei-kun alright?" She asked quietly.

Tadashi gave her a baffled look, "Of course. He's asleep. Why?"

"Hmm." Mrs. Yamaguchi shrugged and hugged her arms to herself, half-frowning in thought, "No reason, then. If you boys need anything, let me know."

Tadashi shook his head and took his bath. When he returned, Tsukishima was awake and messing with Tadashi's phone. Tadashi frowned.

"The hell?"

Tsukishima looked at him blankly, "You have zero interesting pictures." He declared.

"Give me that." Tadashi made a half-hearted attempt to reach for his phone, only to have it moved out of his reach. He pouted at Tsukishima who was not moved.

"Your games suck too."

"What's with you tonight?" Tadashi complained, finally acknowledging Tsukishima was acting strange. He crawled onto his bed, and poked Tsukishima's ticklish ribs until he scooted over.

Tsukishima's face went blank as he stared at Tadashi's face. Tadashi looked back, not sure for what Tsukishima was looking. He was reminded of when he had a similar staring contest with his old cat and the cat shoved its paw into his eye because she was trying to catch his eyelashes. Cheap win.

He was pretty sure Tsukishima wouldn't try to shove anything into his eye.

Tsukishima seemed to belatedly realize they were having a staring match, because he sighed and rolled his eyes in a dismissive way that was not as smooth as it should have been. "Here." Tsukishima ordered, sitting. "You're going to bed soon, right?"

"Um." Tadashi hesitated when Tsukishima grabbed his wrist and started maneuvering him like a doll. When Tadashi didn't budge immediately, Tsukishima tugged insistently and Tadashi followed. He didn't protest as Tsukki rearranged him to be laying on his pillows, a little off-center from how he would normally sleep. He didn't protest either, when Tsukishima crawled onto the bed with him, flung an arm around Tadashi's waist and lay his head on Tadashi's belly, settling onto his side and closing his eyes, though his glasses were still on his face.

The lights were still lit. Tadashi gave a downward glance at his strange friend, who seemed satisfied to be half-curled against him. They had never done this before.

Tadashi's muscles were stiff from confusion. Leave it to Tsukishima to not actually talk about this first, "Ah. Tsukki?" He paused, waiting for any response, but Tsukishima stayed quiet, cheek pressed against Tadashi's belly. "Are you okay?"

Tsukishima grumbled, hand twitching against Tadashi's side, "Is this not okay?" He asked.

Tadashi sighed and propped himself on his elbows, careful not to jostle Tsukishima too much, "It's not that. I just want to know why."

Tsukishima turned his head, and for a moment Tadashi thought he was kissing his stomach, panic fluttering in his gut. Instead, Tsukishima was saying something into his belly, hiding as he spoke.

"Tsu-Tsukki. I can't hear you." He tried, and reached down to lay his fingers on Tsukishima's hair, not quite petting him.

Tsukishima cleared his throat and spoke louder, "I said, I went into a rut."

Tadashi tensed, pulling his hand away and Tsukishima's arm clutched more firmly but not insistently. He kept his face buried in Tadashi's stomach. "I-isn't this weird?" Tadashi blustered. "Shouldn't you be at home? W-why ..."

Tsukishima shook his head, "It's not like it should be." He pulled away to prop himself on his elbow and turned to meet Tadashi's confused face. "It's just this weird urge to..." His nose wrinkled, "Be close. It's not ..."

Tadashi nodded, comprehending what Tsukishima was trying to say. Tsukishima's expression changed minutely, relaxing. Tadashi didn't think the relief was entirely voluntary. He sighed and lay down, accepting his role as a pillow. Now that he knew what was happening, it was easier to let Tsukishima lay on him, almost comfortable.

Except the lights were still on and Tsukki's glasses were pinching his skin through his shirt.

"Hey. I'm turning off the lights." Tadashi nudged Tsukishima away. Darkness engulfed the room and Tadashi rearranged the blankets to be slept under. He hesitated before climbing into bed. Maybe Tsukki could answer him in the darkness. "Why this way?" He asked quietly. He was really asking 'why me?' Although Tadashi knew the reason. He didn't want to let Tsukki dodge easily, this brilliant boy who didn't know how to handle direct confrontation.

He heard Tsukishima shuffling uncomfortably behind him. "I dunno." Tsukishima muttered sheepishly, "I can tolerate your scent the most."

Tadashi smiled, glad Tsukishima couldn't see his pleased grin lest he be chastised for being gushy. He responded by climbing into bed and getting comfortable so Tsukishima could lay on him. They slept, Tsukishima's head on Tadashi's lap, and Tadashi's fingers brushing through Tsukishima's hair.