Much like the rest of Daichi's house, the captain's room was a neat and comfortable space, a low futon in the corner, a soft grey rug in the center of the floor. Below the window that stretched the expanse of one wall was a very plain and organized desk that him and Suga often sat at for not only volleyball strategizing, but study sessions as well. The silver haired setter had teased his friend more than once about the lack of personality, to which Daichi shrugged and insisted he had no need for trinkets and clutter, he found it easier to focus when things were simple and in their place. The only thing that kept someone from mistaking his bedroom for the guest room were two framed photos on the stand beside his bed, and a volleyball next to the door.
Looking at them as Daichi finished dressing and toweling off his hair, Suga couldn't help but give a cat's grin at the younger versions of themselves. In one frame was a photo from their first year, the whole club gathered for the team picture, the other their second year. Both pictures were a birthday gift from Suga, the third currently in the works as the setter quietly collected signatures from his teammates, wishing to commemorate their final year with Karasuno.
Pulling the damp towel from his head as he finished roughing up his short brown hair, Daichi draped it over his desk chair and then went to his bed to collect the blow dryer. Looking up, with doubt clear in his eyes, Sugawara hummed suspiciously.
"Have you ever even used a blow dryer?"
"I'm a guy, what reason would I have to use a blow dryer?" Daichi deadpanned.
"I've used one!" Suga huffed, looking to the side as he muttered.
"I guess you don't have to worry about that sort of thing when you cut all your hair off…"
Brow raising, Daichi put a hand to his ear and leaned closer.
"What's that? I didn't catch what you said over the sound of all your complaining."
Sticking his little tongue out, the soggy cat made his way over to the captain's pillow and walked all over it.
"This feels pretty soft, maybe I'll take a nap here and make it nice and damp."
Laughing, Daichi reached out a hand and scooped his friend up before he could get comfortable.
"Oh no you don't, I don't need my pillow to smell like cheap strawberry shampoo."
Swatting the brunette's cheek angrily as he chuckled, Suga yelled at him in a hushed voice.
"You're awful! The absolute worst!"
Trying to stifle his snickering, Daichi carried him to the rug in the center of the room.
"Considering Noya was your other option, I'd say I'm not that bad."
Sugawara's once fluffy tail whipped back and forth irritably as the captain set him down and grabbed a comb off his desk.
"You wait, Daichi. If you turn into a cat, I'm letting Hinata take you home for his little sister to play with, you won't get any sympathy from me."
Grinning at the setter, Daichi plugged the hair dryer in and took a seat on the rug with Suga.
"No you wouldn't. You'd take care of me too."
Giving the captain a sulking glare, he turned his nose away unable to contradict what they both knew was true.
"I'd do a far better job."
Daichi chuckled.
"That's probably true. Your more suited to the caretaker role, I just keep them alive."
"I wouldn't even go that far, I've been bitten by a dog, almost drowned, and beat with a broom, how exactly are you keeping me alive?" Suga retorted, limping his way over and inviting himself to sit in his friend's lap.
Scratching at the back of his neck as he allowed the setter to make himself comfortable, Daichi's brows pulled together in guilt.
"Well, you're not dead, are you?"
"Wow, you're a horrible pet owner." Suga laughed, shaking his head.
"You're never allowed to acquire an animal, not even a goldfish."
Scoffing, Daichi sighed a tired noise, eyeing up the blow dryer and contemplating which button to press.
"No problem there, I've already got a flock of crows and they're more than enough to look after."
Suga had to snicker at that, he might be a poor pet owner, but Daichi certainly was an adept Captain. From dealing with Tanaka's need to pick fights and Tsukki's attitude, to Asahi's attempts to flee and Noya's incomparable energy, the brunette truly had his hands full.
Deciding to press the large red button on the handle, Daichi turned on the blow dryer and aimed it at Suga. Letting out a shiver, the grey and cream cat hunched down in the middle of his friend's crossed legs and squinted as his damp fur blew about. At first it felt kind of good, the air comforting as it warmed his bones, but as Daichi kept it pointed at one spot on his back, it quickly turned hot. Biting the calf closest to him, the captain yelped and turned the dryer another direction.
"What was that for?!"
"You were burning me! Don't hold it so close and move it back and forth, are you trying to catch me on fire?"
Daichi grumbled exasperated but complied with Suga's requests and held it further away as he waved it up and down the cat.
"You wouldn't catch on fire, drama queen…"
"Says the guy whose never used a blow dryer."
Rolling his eyes, the captain picked up the black comb he'd retrieved and began brushing gently as he worked to dry his friend. Every once in a while, Daichi would hit a snag and Suga would grunt a pained noise to voice his discomfort. Slowly the silver haired setter grew fluffy once more, and Daichi had to admit his little sister was right, Suga's fur was ridiculously soft and feathery after being washed with her shampoo. It made him wonder, would his hair remain so soft when he returned to his human form? He'd have to test the theory.
When the top of Suga was dry, the brunette tapped the cat with the comb gently.
"Roll ever, let me get your belly."
"I'm not a dog, don't just tell me to roll over." Suga pouted to which Daichi snorted softly.
"You're right, you're a cat. Come on, don't give me a hard time."
Scowling halfhearted at the other teen, Suga was reluctant, but did as he was told, gingerly rolling to his back on top of Daichi's legs.
"What are you, my Dad?"
"Dad, captain, sometimes I'm not sure there's much of a difference with you guys. Especially with Noya, Tanaka, Kageyama, and Hinata. If I get grey hair this year, it'll be their fault."
Beginning to dry the peachy cream fur on his stomach, Daichi shook his head with a sigh as Suga sniggered.
"Maybe you need some parenting lessons to get your kids under control."
"More like I need my vice-captain to back me up more often, how's anyone supposed to take me seriously if you're behind me encouraging them?"
"And let you scare everyone off? No way, I'm good cop, you're bad cop. We can't change up our dynamic now, it'd throw everyone off!" Suga insisted, making Daichi's brows pinch together in an exasperated way, a small wrinkle forming above the bridge of his nose.
"I don't want to be bad cop, that means I'm the asshole."
Suga gave his usual lighthearted laugh, eyes twinkling as he smiled amused.
"Don't think of it like that, Daichi, you're more like… Well, a Dad. They all look up to you and respect you, but also fear your wrath. It's a good thing, it prevents them from doing anything too stupid."
"And you?"
"Me?"
Daichi raised a brow unimpressed.
"You don't fear my wrath?"
Laughing again, Suga wiggled innocently on his back as he looked up at his friend.
"Oh, I know better than to fear someone who sleeps with a little stuffed bear under his pillow."
Flushing lightly, it was the captain's turn to scowl, nostrils flaring as his face scrunched.
" was a gift from my Gran, leave him out of this, you imp."
Grinning a Cheshire cat's smile, Suga enjoyed his friend's embarrassment.
"I didn't say it was a bad thing, I think it's kind of cute. Big strong Daichi has a soft side too."
Rolling his eyes, the brunette grunted in response.
"You're one to talk, I'm not the guy who got caught singing Barbie Girl in the locker room showers. Not to mention your comforter has flowers all over it, who's the soft one?"
Laughter cutting off, Suga pulled himself into a sitting position as he pawed angrily at Daichi's leg.
"You said you wouldn't tell anyone about that! And they're not flowers, they're succulents! If you opened your horticulture textbook occasionally, maybe you'd be able to tell the difference." Suga snapped, glaring at the captain who had his eyes narrowed at him in return.
For a moment, the only sound was the blow dryer, the two of them in a stare down challenge until… In unison, they burst into laughter.
Flopping down onto Daichi's legs, Suga's small body shook with his laughter as the other third year's head fell back, thumbing the button on the dryer to shut it off as he did so. Even pretending to be upset with each other felt so out of character, it was obvious neither of them could ever speak poorly of the other, they were best friends.
As the two tried to stifle their laughter, Daichi's Mother could be heard calling up the stairs.
"Daichi, lunch is ready! Come down and eat. Bring Button, Kokoro got him some food."
Quickly looking to the captain, Suga looked concerned.
"Think there's any chance it's spicy curry or meat buns from Sakanoshita's?" He asked doubtfully.
Daichi shook his head with an apologetic smile, reaching out to pet his friend to comfort him.
"Afraid not buddy."