Asahi's phone felt heavier in his pocket than usual and it made him wonder if texts had a discernible weight if the volume of one's texts messages were to, say, quadruple within a two day period. He sighed as he glanced at the clock on the wall of his class, nibbling on the cap of his pen lightly. The ticking was too far away to hear, but each jerk of the second hand made Asahi twitch as if the sound of it was worming its way into his brain anyway.
He jumped a little in the seat when his phone buzzed, making the bar holding it up screech loudly. Asahi slid down further in his seat when he got a couple glances from his classmates before they returned to listening to the professor's passionate but boring lecture. With their eyes off him, Asahi licked his lips and slid his phone out of his pocket to peer down at the screen.
"Asahiii, I'm really bored in class! :3 entertain me please!" Noya had sent, followed by another, more complex emoji in his next text.
"I'm not sure what I could do to entertain, since I'm in class right now too." Asahi typed with a slightly raised eyebrow.
Asahi pocketed his phone again and tried desperately to pay attention to the lecture, scribbling some notes down before getting distracted by another buzz in his pocket. He slid his dark eyes over to the clock again, deciding that he had to wait at least five minutes before responding the Noya's message. He looked at the professor again, tuning back in as he talked about insurance law. Asahi immediately tuned back out. His hand slid into his pocket again and he glanced at the wall clock, a little annoyed that it seemed to have been exactly two minutes since he'd last turned his gaze that way.
"Good point I guess. what class are you in? I'm in OChem and I'm probably going to D I E." was followed again by another elaborate emoji, making Asahi wonder if Noya's phone had come pre-loaded with them.
"Business Law. I feel your pain."
Asahi went back to fiddling with his pen and wondering how he was going to survive the last half an hour of class that stood between Tuesday volleyball practice and himself. He found his legs bouncing up and down as he tried to focus. His shoulders were tense. He kept twitching at every silent tick of the clock. It was unbearable, he decided. Being excited was far more work than it was worth and was absolutely murder on Asahi's already strained heart.
His phone buzzed again and Asahi's heart leapt in his chest. He felt as if he was proving his own point as he took out his phone again. He took care to glance around to room to make sure he wasn't bothering other students before looking at the screen.
"Eww, I think that might be worse, Asahi! At least Organic Chemistry is interesting sometimes. D;"
Asahi pondered the logic of a winking distressed face as he responded: "Well, I actually like it usually. We're talking about insurance today though, and it's absolutely the most boring class I've ever had to sit through."
"You like it usually?" Was the almost instant response from Noya.
"Yeah, its pretty interesting, in a weird way I guess. At least when we're talking about agency and contracts at least. Apparently we're both weird nerds though, if you find OChem interesting sometimes. You couldn't pay me to sit through a chemistry class." Asahi typed back as he fought to keep the smile on his face small. He glanced up at the professor, glad he had decided to sit at the back of the class.
Finally, the class ended in a flutter of bags opening and books closing. Asahi hurried to pack his things and bolt from the room before the worst of the human traffic made its way into the halls. Asahi sighed in relief as he got through the doors of the old building and walked down the stairs, pulling to the left of the sidewalk to check his phone.
"Stay right there!" Asahi frowned at the message, scratching his head and looking up at the sea of people. Then something slammed into his back, making him yelp in surprise and nearly drop his phone. Asahi looked over his shoulder with his eyes as wide as they could go.
Noya grinned back at him, "Surprise!"
"S-Surprise indeed." Asahi said, putting his hand over his heart, "I didn't realize your class was close by…"
"It isn't really that close but you're uh. Hard to miss." Noya winked at Asahi, making the taller man flush as he shoved his phone back into his pocket.
"Thank you?" He wasn't sure if it was a compliment.
"You're welcome! We've got an hour before practice. Want to grab something quick to eat?" Noya said with a smile still dancing across his face. Asahi nodded meekly, wondering if his heart was going to slow its erratic beating at any point.
"Would you like to get a teriyaki bowl? Or perhaps we could get some pork buns." Asahi offered, stomach rumbling at the thought.
"Ooh! Teriyaki!" Noya said a they started heading towards the small take out place in the main building. They both talked a little about their respective classes again as they made their way there, descending a flight of stairs to get into the open foyer of the university center.
The pair quieted as they weaved through the people going to and from class, the groups standing in the middle of the open foyer, and the other students on their way to one place or another. Asahi glanced at Noya, leading them both through the door of the little takeout place. He smiled a little, glancing away quickly as Noya turned his head. They placed their orders, and Asahi held up a hand as Noya started to dig in his bag for his wallet.
"I can get the food this time." Asahi said softly, making Noya blink.
"Oh, awesome! I'll have to make sure to get us both next time, then."
"Wh- but…" Asahi frowned, bringing his eyebrows together as Noya waved him off.
"Don't worry so much, Asahi." He winked and Asahi fumbled getting his debit card into the machine, face bright red. The shorter man laughed, stepping around Asahi and grabbing the plastic bowls that were placed on the counter for them.
"You're going to be the death of me at this rate." Asahi muttered, making Noya throw his head back and laugh.
"Probably! Let's hurry up and eat so we go play ball with the kids." He said fondly as they slipped out into the mild autumn air, finding a bench and sitting near the gym with their rice bowls. They settled into their meal amicably, watching other students scurry past the bright orange trees and browning grass.
Asahi found himself glancing at Noya when he felt the other wasn't looking, taking in the slope of his nose and cheek. The cool air had raised a hint of pink to his skin and Asahi made himself look away. His stomach fluttered and he fidgeted a little, glancing at Noya as the other glanced up. They made eye contact for a second, then Asahi looked down again quickly, shoving food into his mouth.
"So… did you still want to get drinks after practice?" Noya ventured after a moment of consideration. Asahi just nodded, chewing his mouthful of rice and beef. Asahi forced himself to swallow and started to say something before and orange head thrust itself between them.
"Hey guys!" Hinata chirped, leaning over the back of the bench the pair had been sitting on and making them both jerk back in surprise. He blinked at their faces, looking between the two of them until Noya laughed affectionately.
"Hey Hinata. Where's Kageyama?"
"Oh, I left a bit earlier than him! He was working on some dumb thing or whatever for some class. Probably." Hinata rolled his eyes, shoving his hands in his pockets, "Also it's not like we're always together or anything. I can hardly stand the guy."
Noya and Asahi glanced at each other knowingly, before Noya stood up, shrugging, "Yeah, I guess so. You heading in to change?"
"Yeah! I figured the gym would be empty anyway. We should get set up for everyone else!"
The three of them piled into the change rooms together, and Asahi let himself get lost in the familiar rhythms of set up. The rest of the team had burst in on him giving Hinata spiking tips, then the symphony of squeaking shoes and calls for passes and serves washed over him.
After practice the team cleaned up and hit the showers, all of them breathing a sigh of relief when hot water hit their shoulders. Asahi found himself standing under the spray, keeping his head tilted back and breathing softly through his nose. He felt all of the tension that had built up in his shoulders from the day melt off him from the hard exercise of practice and hot water.
Asahi lingered longer than he'd intended, jumping as he heard the chatter of Noya and Tanaka as they exited their respective showers. He jolted and hurried to shut off the water and towel himself off, slinking out of the stall with it wrapped around his waist.
Noya was just pulling on his shirt as Asahi slipped over to the locker they'd ended up sharing again. He blinked and turned a little red, eyes drifting downward before snapping back up to Asahi's face.
"Quick showers huh?" He teased, quirking an eyebrow up.
"There's a lot of me to wash." Asahi said offhandedly, shrugging and trying to ignore the sputtering of his heart as Noya's eyes traced the curve of Asahi's shoulders.
"Right…" He trailed off a little, then blinked and turned around quickly, "A-Anyway! Ryu said he still wants to come so we'll uh, be waiting just outside when you're ready!"
"Yuu, I'm not… ready to go yet." Tanaka objected, still buttoning his shirt. The pile of sweaty gym clothes sat beside him and Noya laughed a bit, rubbing his neck.
"Man, both you AND Asahi dragging your heels tonight, huh…"
Tanaka blinked a little at the tone in Noya's voice, raising his eyebrows at his roommate questioningly but getting nothing but an eyeroll in return. Asahi had taken the opportunity to dress quickly.
"Well, I've just got to brush my hair, then I'm ready to go." He said softly, rubbing the towel on his damp hair.
"Oh good! I was thinking we could walk to wherever we go, if everyone's into that?" Noya asked, receiving twin nods from how companions.
"That sounds like a good fucking time." Tanaka said, nodding enthusiastically, "I haven't gotten my drink on in like two weeks."
"That's your own fault for not getting things done ahead of time." Noya snorted, drawing Tanaka's glaring eyes.
"Like you're any better, short stack."
"That's low, Ryu." The two of them glared affectionately at each other and Asahi looked on pulling his hair into a low ponytail.
"You're not setting a very good example for us first years you know." The three older students jumped in surprise, turning to the bored Tsukki and grinning Yamaguchi.
"I feel like you'd be a shit no matter what I did." Noya shot back, earning a laugh from Tanaka and Yamaguchi.
Tsukki shrugged as he walked past with his freckled companion, "Maybe, but I think you're rubbing off on the weird duo." He said over his shoulder, then departed without a proper goodbye.
"I'm not sure I'd call Hinata and Kageyama the odd duo in their case…" Asahi said sheepishly, making Noya and Tanaka laugh and the other two first years peer around the corner of the lockers.
"Yeah! Tsukkishima is the weird one." Hinata grumbled, pulling a sweater over his damp head and huffing loudly.
Kageyama grunted in agreement, crossing his arms across his chest as the older students pulled on their jackets. Asahi smiled at the two of them. Despite the vastly different personalities, he found that the two of them reminded him a little of Suga and Daichi. With a yawn from Tanaka, the five of them walked outside into the chilly air. The first year pair started heading back to the dorms with a wave, leaving Asahi, Tanaka and Noya alone.
Noya kept glancing at Tanaka, squinting slightly, "So where are we gonna go?"
"There's the student bar place down the street. It's kinda grungy but it will be empty tonight." Tanaka said and Noya wrinkled his nose.
"Yeah, alright."
"I don't mind that," Asahi ventured, "It's not far from my house too so… Yeah, that works for me."
The three of them started down the street, Noya planted between the two taller men and still glancing at Tanaka. Asahi frowned a little, glancing between the two but keeping silent as the roommates chattered at each other.
They arrived at the student bar, sitting at a dark wood table. Rings had been worn into the varnish, leaving light circles on the surface as if they were the echoes of the long graduated students that had once filled the tables. The old-house-turned-bar had two main rooms, one running the length of the building with the bar on one side, and an exit to the patio which sat empty in the cold autumn air. The other room was wide, sporting a dance floor surrounded with similarly run down tables and chairs. Only one bartender and a handful of people sat in the establishment, clinking glasses and engaging in low conversations.
"Do they serve food here?" Asahi asked, reaching for the menu, "I'm kind of hungry after all that running."
"Yeah, but I dunno if that kitchen is still-" Tanaka started, before a server seemed to materialize at his elbow.
"We serve food for another hour." The pretty girl said flatly, flicking open a little notebook.
"O-Oh!" Asahi stammered, grabbing at the menu and looking at it. Tanaka inhaled quickly from beside him, making the long haired man took. The starry eyed look on the spiker's face almost made Asahi laugh, but he bit his tongue to keep it in.
"I-I'll just have a hamburger please…" Asahi said softly, offering the menu to her. She accepted it and turned her eyes to Noya, who looked a little pink.
"Same…"
"I want chicken wings please!" Tanaka blurted, and the server just nodded, writing down the food orders, then taking the drink orders as well. She vanished just as quietly as she'd arrived and Tanaka stared at her retreating back.
"Holy fuck she's so beautiful." He breathed. Asahi hummed in agreement, and Noya turned to his roommate with wide eyes.
"How have we never seen her before? She's got to be a model or something."
Asahi shook his head a little, "Ah, um, she knows Suga and Daichi, I think. She's worked here for a while. I don't… really come here ever so I've only heard about her but that must be who they've talked about."
"I'll have to ask her her name!" Tanaka said, pressing a hand over his heart, "I feel like I've seen an angel…"
Noya laughed, "If you can get her number I'll pay for all your drinks tonight."
"Challenge accepted!" Tanaka clenched his fist, eyes blazing.
"I don't… think that's a good idea." Asahi said slowly, drawing the attention of the other two, "W-well um. She's at work so… it's kind of… rude…" He struggled to get out and the roommates let out two identical "ohh"s and frowned.
"Good call Asahi, good call." Tanaka said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. The server appeared again with their drinks and they all jumped.
"Did you need anything else?" She said softly, adjusting her glasses.
"Ah, um… I was just wondering…" Tanaka swallowed, "May I ask your name?"
She blinked twice then said "Shimizu."
"Oh, you are the one Suga and Daichi know." Asahi said, mostly to himself. She looked at him with a little smile.
"You're Asahi?"
Asahi froze, looking at her with wide eyes. She laughed softly at his expression, shaking her head slightly. Tanaka's stare felt as if it burning holes in the side of his head, so Asahi made himself nod a little.
"Hm. It's nice to meet you. Your food will be here shortly." She said after a moment of thought, and retreated into the kitchen. There was a moment of stunned silence as Asahi put his hands on the table and stared at the wood intensely.
"What did Daichi say about me…" He breathed out in horror, making the other two explode with laughter, "It's not funny! I legitimately have no idea!"
"I-I'm sorry Asahi, but the look on your face is so good." Noya laughed, wiping his eye and looking at Asahi with a warmth that made something flutter in Asahi's chest.
The conversation moved away from Asahi after the laughter settled, and he was grateful to talk training strategies and possible formations for the upcoming intramural competition. The idea of stepping onto the court with another team made Asahi's heart speed up, but he found himself not worrying about palpitations for once. He shifted in his seat and smiled at the thought, remembering his high school volleyball team as Noya complained about the work ahead of them.
Their food arrived and Shimizu flashed Asahi a secretive smile and he wondered just how bad her idea of him was. Asahi took a few long drinks of his rum and coke, then got up from the table with a shaky smile.
"Be back in a few moments." The other two waved him off and he slinked into the bathroom, going to the sink to splash water on his face and release a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
After another few steadying breaths, Asahi dried his face and headed back to the table, sliding back in across from a smiling Noya. Tanaka looked a little sullen, prompting Asahi to raise his eyebrow a little, looking between the two of them.
"I can't stay too much longer, Asahi. I uh… have an assignment I forgot about tomorrow so I'm going after I finish my food." The bald headed man grumbled.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Tanaka. I hope you can get it done on time."
"Yeah, me too…" He muttered, then looked up at Asahi, "Are you going to come to practice on Thursday?"
Asahi blinked a little as Noya's eyes snapped to his, making him swallow nervously. He scratched his face, looking down at the sweating glass sitting beside his burger.
"Y-yes. I will be there. And Sunday too."
"So you want to join the team officially?!" Noya asked, leaning forward with shining eyes.
"Yes?" Both of the younger men whooped at the unsteady answer, punching the air in delight. Asahi covered his face with his hands, feeling his cheeks get hot.
"Don't make a scene…" He muttered, embarrassed.
"But it's cause for celebration! you're our official ace from now on!" Noya said, puffing out his chest and taking a swig of his beer.
"A-Ace?! what?!"
"You have so much POWER to your spike, dude! Of course it'll be you!" Tanaka said, slapping Asahi on the back and making him choke on the sip of his drink he'd tried to take.
"Yeah, Asahi! As team captain, I make it so." Noya said, voice edged in authority. Authority that he immediately undermined by shoving a handful of fries into his mouth.
"Th-that… I mean… um…" Asahi stammered, before giving up and finishing off his drink.
"Aw, you finished off your drink before I could toast you." Noya said, turning and looking for Shimizu. She spotted him and came over, "Miss. Shimizu, could you get Asahi another drink on my bill?"
She'd nodded and walked over to the bar before Asahi could stammer out an objection, "Noya…"
"It's a celebration drink! don't worry about it." The shorter man said with a wink. Asahi sighed, smiling a little at the mischievous grin that danced across Noya's slightly pink face.
"Alright, alright but… I'll get it next time." He relented, making Noya's face somehow light up further. Asahi wondered idly if it was possible to go blind from looking at a one thousand watt smile.
"Of course!"
Shimizu put the rum and coke on the table beside Asahi's hand with another smile, taking the empty glass away and going to tend to her other patrons.
"Now that everyone has a sufficient amount of alcohol in front of them, a toast!" Noya and Tanaka thrust their glasses into the air, and Asahi tentatively raised his as well, "To our new ace! may your spikes be as powerful as your jawline."
Tanaka had started to drink as he processed Noya's words and choked, bellowing with laughter the second he stopped coughing. Noya grinned and finished up the rest of his beer as Asahi took the first sip of his drink, watching the two of them.
"Th… thank you?" Tanaka laughed harder, and Noya joined him, making Asahi shake his head a little.
Asahi sat back a little, tucking into his food as the other two talked a mile a minute, grateful to have a moment to collect himself as the other two made up for his lack of conversation. He found himself wondering how it was possible to eat as quickly as Tanaka was and still talk so much.
Tanaka pushed his plate away and grinned, wiping his hands, "Alright, I should probably hit the ol' dusty trail, eh? Don't keep my little Noya out too late, Asahi."
"Yeah, okay dad." Noya said, rolling his eyes.
"I don't like your tone, young man."
"Oh my god you're like six months older than me, get out of here, you procrastinator." Noya laughed, shoving Tanaka's shoulder. He just scoffed and fixed Noya with a look before heading over to the bar to pay his tab.
"See you on Thursday Asahi!" He said, waving and pushing his way through the door of the bar.
"You two seem really close." Asahi commented, taking a sip of his drink. The shorter man smiled, looking fondly at the door.
"He's my best friend."
Asahi nodded, smiling a little and tracing a pattern on the table. Noya leaned back a bit and yawned, taking another sip of his beer and turning his dark eyes to Asahi. They made eye contact for a moment before Asahi turned away, embarrassed to be caught staring.
"It's nice to see. Um… close friendships are… good…" Asahi cringed a little, and Noya laughed lightly.
"Yeah they're alright."
"I um… have a bit of trouble in that department, unfortunately." He confessed, mentally tearing his hair out the second the words were out of his mouth.
"Yeah?" Noya leaned his elbows on the table, tilting his head just enough to have the bleached bit of his hair slide across his forehead. The long haired man felt his face heat up as he licked his lips.
"Ah, um… yeah… I'm… only really friends with Suga and Daichi- well, Daichi kind of. I'm not actually sure what he thinks of me?" Asahi kept his eyes on his drink, rubbing the scruff on his cheek lightly.
"Nah, you've got more friends than that." Noya said, grinning as Asahi looked up at him questioningly, "Well I'm your friend. And I'd say Ryu and Hinata both think of you as a friend now too. Tsukki doesn't count; that guy is probably only really friends with Yamaguchi."
"You think so…?" Asahi looked down again, smiling a little, "That… maybe."
"Well you're on the team so like, I dunno even if you're not friend friends yet, you will be soon enough. May as well count them as friends now 'cause its gonna happen like gwouah."
"Like gwouah, huh." Asahi said with a teasing edge to his voice.
"Yeah! Just like gwouah!" Noya said, eyes sparkling with excitement. Asahi laughed, covering his mouth.
"I've suddenly got the feeling you're making fun of me, Asahi." Asahi couldn't help but laugh harder, cheeks getting flushed as Noya pouted at him.
The pair shared another couple drinks, glancing at each other and laughing, leaned over the table towards each other. Asahi felt almost as if he was a plant drawn toward sunlight, unable to keep his eyes from Noya's face for long.
"Noya, I have a confession to make." Asahi said seriously, putting his empty glass down. The shorter man looked up at Asahi's suddenly serious face, and his beer-flushed seemed to get a touch redder.
"Sup."
"I…" Asahi started, glancing down then back up to Noya's warm eyes, "I can't hold my alcohol at all."
Noya looked confused for a split second, then burst out laughing, slamming fist into the table, "Oh my god, Asahi, are you telling me you're drunk off like, four rum and cokes? a guy as big as you?!"
"Yes. That is what I am telling you. Well, I haven't stood up yet but I think so."
Noya leaned over the table more, snickering loudly, "Oh my god. Okay you're cut off then. I'll be your designated walking home buddy."
"I don't need to be cut off! I'm not having anymore, and… I don't drink much you know… I've got no tolerance." Asahi said a little sullenly, and Noya calmed a little but couldn't keep all the laughter out of his voice.
"Well, at least you look cute with a red nose." Noya said, then blinked when Asahi looked up at him.
"You think so?"
The shorter boy sputtered, rubbing the back of his neck, "Yeah I guess! Anyway, we should probably head out. If I have to drag you down the street it'll take way longer to get you home and I've got a long bus ride you know." Noya spoke fast, making Asahi blink as he processed the information.
"Hmm... Okay." He said, nodding as he got up. Asahi nodded again and walked over to the bar, only a little unsteady on his feet as he pulled out his wallet to square up. Noya trailed after him, leaning on the bar as Asahi thanked Shimizu for her patience.
Finally the two of them stepped into the night and inhaled the crisp air. Asahi took a few steps, pleased that he wasn't wobbling too much and Noya laughed a bit. With much he was giggling, Asahi started to suspect that Noya was just as tipsy.
They walked a block together in relative peace before their hands brushed, making Asahi jump a bit. Noya looked at him questioningly and Asahi smiled, looking down and putting his other hand in his pocket.
Noya hummed, then grabbed Asahi's hand, making his heart sputter and seem to stop for a moment, "Hey Asahi are you sure you're alright? I don't want you to fall over." Asahi's face felt as if it were on fire and he just nodded, squeezing Noya's hand lightly. It seemed so small in his own.
"Thank you…" He mumbled, keeping his eyes on his feet as Noya started to pull him along. It was only another two blocks before they stopped in front of Asahi's building, and Noya released his hand.
"Alright, I'll text you when I get home."
"O-Okay! Yes! P-please do!" Asahi said loudly as he shoved his hand into his pocket as hard as he wished he could shove his foot into his own mouth. A cold breeze picked up and he could hardly feel it with how hot his cheeks were. Noya just smiled, patting Asahi's arm briefly and starting his walk down the street.
The tall man watched him go for a moment, biting his lip nervously and then pushing open the door and making his way up the rickety stairs. He paused in front of his apartment's door, looking down at the hand Noya had held and smiling. Then, with a shake of his head, Asahi let himself into his apartment and let the door click shut behind him. His phone buzzed as he took off his shoes, and Asahi paused, pulling it out of his pocket.
"Don't forget to have some water before bed. See you soon ;)"
Asahi shoved his phone in his pocket again, then covered his face with his hands. He leaned heavily on the wall and tipped his head back.
"Oh, oh no." He whispered as his heartbeat pounded in his ears.