There would be six of them.
He wasn't sure when each of them had crept into his heart, but he couldn't say he was upset they were there.
Even if they were trouble.
Akashi Seijuro was the first to come inside.
It was their first year. Murasakibara had reached just good enough to be on the first string. The boy's height had been a crucial factor being the height of a third year. His defense was impressive, nothing unstoppable but had the potential to give some of the regulars trouble.
Practice was hard, he had never truly pushed his body before and while he wasn't as bedraggled as some of the others who had moved up, it was no walk in the park.
Murasakibara was thankful when practice was over. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a bottle of water. He didn't believe he had eaten all his candy today, but based on the fact there didn't seem to be any left in his bag, it was the only conclusion. A red haired boy walked over.
This was new, not many intentionally walked towards him. The violet haired boy decided to pay it no mind.
"My name's Akashi Seijuro" he introduced, with a slight bow.
"Murasakibara Atushi" he replied absentmindedly.
"Why do you limit yourself?" he asked.
That caught Murasakibara's attention. It didn't really count as limiting himself did it? Just because he wasn't launching himself at the basketball hoop, did that truly count as a "limit"?
He stared at him, eyes no longer lazy.
Red eyes.
"There's no way you've never considered going on the offense" he continued. "I've seen you jump, you can easily dunk".
"It's better" he replied before grabbing his bag and leaving.
However he still felt those red eyes, and would continue to throughout the school day.
He was being observed.
Akashi didn't approach him again until two practices later. Once again he cornered him at the end of practice.
"Let's just play one game" proposed the shorter.
"Too tiring" he denied.
A box was placed before him.
He automatically knew what it was, Wasanbon. The chance of him getting some of this again was highly unlikely. It was an opportunity he doubted he would receive again.
Murasakibara got up with a fire in his eyes. The manner of care he used to place the treat in his bag was almost comical. A newborn baby would've been handled with the same level of care.
The giant launched himself towards the newest basketball and passed it to Akashi, crouching into a defensive position.
There was no hint of laziness now.
"First to ten" the red head instructed.
Akashi took a step back and attempted to cross over Murasakibara only to find himself blocked. In which he proceeded to cross back over and shoot.
The giant's hand slammed down like a hammer. The ball bounced high, taller than Murasakibara himself, in which the fore mentioned had jumped and stormed to the other side of the court to perform a layup.
Akashi stayed in his original spot, his eyes slightly widened. He knew the boy hadn't been using his full potential but this was something else, especially for a first year.
They reset positions. Akashi once again had the ball. He dribbled between his legs and faked to the left, before passing by Murasakibara with a drive and his own lay up. Akashi smirked at his string mate who almost tripped at his feint. Long limbs could be a double edged sword if used incorrectly after all.
Murasakibara stood at half court, dribbling slowly. He had never gone directly against someone his age before. Memories were starting to flash throughout his mind of children screaming.
He didn't mean to.
They were just all so weak.
He didn't want to hurt them.
Akashi noticed the taller boy's heistance and stole the ball and casually did another layup.
The heir passed the ball and went back into a defensive stance.
There it was, that same hesitation. Akashi needed to break that.
Murasakibara increased his point pace, but Akashi wasn't letting him get any closer than the three point line. It wasn't like Murasakibara would physically pressure him though.
Yes, Akashi had noticed how the human tower would never initiate assertive contact.
"The deal was if you went with all you had. Are you saying you wish to break the agreement ?" He asked in an airy tone. It was clear to anyone by the sharpness in his eyes the true weight of what he meant.
Murasakibara was getting in his own head, and Akashi was almost offended by how out of focus the boy was. He may be a mammoth but his moves were becoming even more predictable. Stealing the basketball from him was almost too easy.
Akashi jogged towards the other goal to the free throw line. It seemed it was now Murasakibara's turn to watch him from the other side of the court. Only this wasn't from appreciation or surprise at the other's skills, this felt like almost mockery.
Swish.
Akashi didn't say it out loud. He didn't need to, and the boy would never throw such disrespect audibly. The meaning was clear as they began a stare off.
Is this really all you can do?
Murasakibara felt the accusation pierce him. He wasn't the small one. It wasn't like he couldn't handle intensity, like he was the one who couldn't handle someone's strength. He wasn't weak.
He would prove it.
They ended up in the same position for the third time. It was different, no longer was it like an elephant trying not to hurt antelope: now it was just one player against the other.
Murasakibara didn't hold back. Akashi was a weaker basketball player at that moment, and neither of them cared. It wasn't like Akashi was fragile. It's unknown who won to this day, while Murasakibara had an advantage in physical ability, Akashi was no slouch and had a lead.
They stood as equals by the end.
After the match when Akashi was drinking water, and Murasakibara had eaten the expensive treat with devastating precision, the red head gave one question.
"Why?"
"People are weak and loud. It's easier to not to touch. They break easily" the mammoth drawled out, any hint of former intensity gone.
Akashi could easily read through the lines.
People are weak and loud.
They yelled at you for your strength.
It's easier not to touch. They break easily
Every time you made contact or tried it went wrong, so you hold back
Akashi took another swing of his water bottle.
"Then you'll just have to have more control". He stated.
Murasakibara gave him a blank look.
"I'll help" he continued as he got up to leave the gym.
A shock went throughout Murasakibara's system. Akashi wasn't fragile. He had proven that much throughout the game, and he was reaching out? It wasn't like he was one of his siblings, this was different. Was it friendship?
The next practice Murasakibara made his way to Akashi during a break. Sweat dripped down the other boy's face as the coach was particularly harsh that day. Some boys were being punished for arriving late, and no one was particularly envious to be in their shoes.
"Murasakibara-Kun " he acknowledged.
"Aka-chin the other muttered back, more focused on keeping the fact he was keeping a bag of chips hidden than anything. Any crunch of chips was drowned out by the sound of basketballs.
Dribbling.
Shooting.
Catching.
Murasakibara's eye was caught by a dark blue haired boy dunking. The amount of energy radiating from him was almost annoying. He soon focused again on the person next to him.
"That's Aomine-kun, a first year student as well." Akashi explained. The Akashi heir started using a towel to wipe the sweat off his face, covering his eyes.
A stray ball sped towards Akashi's head and Murasakibara's eyes narrowed. He reached out his hand to intercept.
Smack.
Murasakibara palmed the ball before tossing it back to its original owner, a second year.
"Arigatō" Akashi said, looking at him. There was something in his gaze.
Murasakibara gave it no mind, proceeding to continue with his chips.
Author note: I write this in two sittings... which I never do. One chapter is normally just written at once so I hope this works. I had an original intention to just be protective Murasakibara but I don't know what's happened. I have not read the magma.