Day 5

After their volleyball match ended the next day, the two walked together back to Sakusa's dorm room as planned. Their conversation was focused on the match, which they lost. They were both pretty disappointed in the outcome and both men were going over their own mistakes and vowing to do better next time.

When they reached Sakusa's dorm room, the mood suddenly changed. It was as if the anticipation of what was to come had overshadowed everything they had been discussing. Kiyoomi unlocked the door and turned on the light and invited Atsumu in. He took off his shoes and put them next to his gym bag. Atsumu did the same as he looked around to take in the small room.

It was very tidy, unsurprisingly. A bed neatly made with a blue blanket on top, a desk with nothing on top except a lamp, and dresser also clear of debris. The closet door was closed, there were no clothes or food items anywhere to be seen. A few volleyball posters adorned the walls. Not so much your typical dorm room, thought Atsumu, but typical of Omi-kun.

It finally dawned on Atsumu that Omi-kun had a single dorm room so there would not be any chance of a roommate coming in during one of their sessions. That was a good thing.

"So," said Atsumu brightly, "Want to start right away?"

"Sure," replied Kiyoomi. "Should we um, sit down?"

At that moment they both seemed to realize that the only place for two people to sit down in the small room was on the bed. Atsumu didn't seem to think much of it. It was more just a fact to him, but Sakusa was panicking. Now not only did he have his crush in his dorm room, alone, but they were going to (gulp) sit on the bed?

He tried not to show his desperation to avoid that situation and said, "Let's stand." He must have sounded normal enough because Atsumu nodded.

Atsumu came to stand directly in front of Sakusa. They began again with hands but this time, Atsumu grabbed both of Kiyoomi's hands at once.

"Is this okay?" he asked?

Sakusa nodded. It felt okay, even nice. Now that he was getting used to the idea of touching someone, he was starting to see how nice it could feel to hold someone's hand, especially if that person was blonde with beautiful brown eyes and a mischievous smile. He looked up at Atsumu's face and thought again, I should just tell him. Now is a good time. But like before, he couldn't seem to find the words or the courage so he just stood there, enjoying the warmth of Miya's hands in his.

After a couple of minutes, Atsumu suggested they move onto wrists and forearms. Atsumu gently grasped both Sakusa's wrists at once, sending a shiver up the spiker's spine. Oh, yeah. This was nice if Atsumu was doing it. He wasn't sure he wanted anyone else ever touching him, but pushed the thought aside and tried to concentrate on the sensations and the warmth that radiated up his arms. If he could have sighed without looking like a weirdo, he would have.

Next, Atsumu suggested they switch so he let go and offered his wrists out to his friend. Sakusa grabbed them both, causing another spark of electricity that Kiyoomi was not expecting. He realized that he wasn't merely comfortable holding Atsumu's wrists, he was … turned on? What the hell? Images came to his mind unbidden. He realized with an acute ache that he wanted to hold Miya like this and kiss him. But he couldn't, could he? He was filled with self-doubt and pushed the entire line of thought away. He looked away, hoping his feelings were not on display for Atsumu to see and possibly mock.

Atsumu was having a similar reaction to having both wrists grabbed like that. He was also feeling a little confused at having these feelings about his friend. I mean, Omi-kun was super hot, but they were friends and teammates and he should not be thinking about him in a sexual way. Right? Maybe it was just having his wrists held that was turning him on. He always did like things a little rough. So he cleared his throat and suggested they moved onto arms.

Kiyoomi moved both hands up Atsumu's forearms and up to his biceps. Nope, thought Atsumu, not just the wrists. Fuck. Am I attracted to him? I mean what the hell is happening? I never thought about it before but man, this feels too good. He chanced a look into Omi-kun's eyes and thought he saw something … maybe wanting? What the actual fuck was going on here? He was starting to get nervous so he pulled away.

Sakusa was concerned, "Are you okay? I'm sorry if…"

"No, I'm fine. I just … can we take a break so I can have a drink of water?" Sakusa let go and Miya went to get a water bottle out of his bag. He took a drink as Kiyoomi watched, wondering if something was wrong. He could swear Atsumu looked scared just a moment ago. But why? Why would Atsumu be scared of him?

He didn't have an answer so decided to worry about it later. After a minute, Atsumu came back, "Sorry about that, Omi-kun. Ready to pick up again?"

"Yes, but only if you're sure you're okay."

Atsumu smiled his cheeky grin, "Yep, I'm good. What next? Are ya ready to move to shoulders?"

"That's fine," said Kiyoomi.

Atsumu paused slightly. "Should probably take our shirts off for that." Sakusa winced a little. That was true, but was he ready for that?

He didn't answer right away, so Atsumu asked, "Will that make ya uncomfortable?" Kiyoomi looked up and saw concern in Atsumu's eyes. That was nice. Atsumu really was a good person under all those jokes and insults. That was one reason Kiyoomi liked him so much.

"We don't have to," continued Atsumu. But Sakusa came to a decision.

"No, it's fine. You're right." He reached down to the hem of his t-shirt and shucked it over his head with one quick motion. He neatly folded it and set it on top of the dresser. When he looked over, Atsumu had also taken off his t-shirt and tossed it on the bed.

Sakusa was now super nervous because damn Atsumu looked hot. He was a bit more lanky than Sakusa, but his abs were fantastic and damn, he couldn't help but look at that v-line disappearing beneath the hem of his pants. Sakusa swallowed hard and hoped his thoughts weren't plastered over his face.

Atsumu walked closer to the spiker and again stood in front of him. All Atsumu could think was Hot Damn. Sakusa was really a prime specimen now that he really took a good look. All muscles and hard lines. Abs to die for. Shit. Now I'm being creepy when I'm just supposed to be helping him. I'm the freak now.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he lifted his hands and cleared his throat, "Um, so if yer dating someone, at some point they'll want to, ya know, touch yer shoulders sort of like this." He ran his hands up up Sakusa's triceps and up to his shoulders where he stopped. "Er, is this okay?"

Oh, yeah, more than okay, thought Sakusa, but instead of speaking, just nodded. Damn, wherever Atsumu's hands went his skin felt like it was on fire. This was getting bad. He had to tell him. He would tell him, soon. Just not now because now this felt really nice. They stayed that way for a minute, then Miya asked, "Do you want to try now?"

"Okay," replied Kiyoomi raising his hands up as the setter lowered his. Imitating Atsumu's motions, he started just about the elbows and slowly moved his hands up over Miya's triceps and to his shoulders. He held his hands there and avoided Miya's eyes. Sakusa really, really wanted to tell him how he felt. Did he have the courage to do that now? A heartbeat passed, then two, then three. He couldn't decide. He was a coward and he didn't want to ruin … this.

Atsumu was confused again at the tingling sensations throughout his body and the feel of the spiker's strong hands on his shoulder. Sakusa appeared to be avoiding his gaze, and that was okay because Atsumu was afraid of what his eyes might reveal. He was enjoying things way too much and suddenly realized he should get away from this situation so he could think. Thinking was just too difficult with Sakusa's body on display right here in front of him.

So when Atsumu thought he could take no more, he broke the silence. "That was really good, Omi-kun," he said, trying to sound as cheery as possible.

Sakusa removed his hands and finally dared to look into the setter's eyes. Why did he like it so much when Atsumu praised him? It was strange, wasn't it?

"Um, thanks."

Atsumu took a step back and moved toward the bed to retrieve his shirt. He was trying to sound calm but in reality, his thoughts were racing. These feelings were disconcerting and he needed to think. Sakusa also put his shirt back on, saying nothing even though his brain was screaming at him to confess.

"Miya…" he said at the exact time Atsumu said "I should be going." Then Miya said, "What?"

A few tense seconds passed. The words were running on repeat through Sakusa's head "I like you. I like you. I like you." He just had to say them. Three words. He opened his mouth and nothing came out at first. He was practically yelling at himself now, Just say it! But in the end, he couldn't get the words out, so instead he said, "Thank you. For this."

Atsumu smiled his half smile and said, "Of course, Omi-kun! It's goin' great. Yer gonna be ready for dating someone special really soon."

Sakusa nodded and walked Atsumu to the door. "Are you going to be all right getting back?"

"Oh, yeah. No worries. Tomorrow's Sunday. There's no practice or games. Do ya still want to meet?"

"Yes. Please. If you are free."

"Sure. I do have some homework though. Can we say after dinner? Maybe seven o'clock?"

"Yes, that's great. Thanks again, Miya-san. See you tomorrow."

After Atsumu left, Sakusa closed the door and again berated himself for his cowardice. He resolved to tell Atsumu tomorrow. No excuses.