Getting out of bed in the morning is hard. No matter how much Tetsurou has to look forward to in his day, no matter how excited he is for the day and no matter how much he wants to simply get started he just can't. Bed is comfortable, bed is warm. Why can't all the happy and exciting things come to him? Why can't all the good things in his life be here in bed with him all day?

With a lengthy dramatic groan Tetsurou practically rolls himself from under the pillow and covers and onto the floor. It's cold and uncomfortable. Well, his grey carpet's not so bad but it's definitely not his bed. Now that is comfort.

His muscles protest the effort it takes to rise from the floor and he stretches them lazily. Tetsurou rubs at his eyes in an unsuccessful attempt to remove the blur across his vision as he saunters into the spacious bathroom across the hall. Routinely he locks the door, takes off his clothes and steps under the warm spray of water. The warmth reminds him of his bed and he feels his body sag with relaxation again. How he does this every morning without falling asleep, falling over and breaking his neck he will never know. He doesn't spend long in the shower, forcing himself to turn the hot faucet off and hissing at the cold that suddenly assaults his tan skin. This is how he wakes up, the only thing – aside from caffeine – that makes him function like a normal human being in the morning.

Awake from the cold water jump start that went straight to his brain Tetsurou towel dries and dresses into his school uniform with renewed vigour. His hair remains an indomitable mess that he, many years ago, gave up on attempting to subdue. No matter how he blow dries, towel dries, brushes, styles or – at his laziest – rolls out of bed it stubbornly remains a dense black bedhead of doom. Though these days he's less frustrated by it as girls often comment that it adds to his 'devilish charm' which is definitely not something he wants to take away from.

With his books packed away neatly and his bag slung over his shoulder he bounces down the stairs and into the kitchen where his mother is eating breakfast at the kitchen table.

"Morning mom," Tetsurou smiles cheerfully at her.

"Good morning honey. You have an extra spring in your step, something exciting happening today?"

"Hells yes," he enthuses, sitting in the seat next to her and digging into the eggs and bacon on toast she made him. "Today's tryouts! I finally get to be all bossy and Captain-y, recruiting new troops to the cause and all that."

His mother laughs affectionately. "I bet you'll be great and whip those boys into shape. How's the team looking this year?"

"Well we have me and Kou so we're definitely going to win states," Tetsurou grins around his fork. "And of course we have Keiji as the best possible replacement for point guard, honestly I thought he was better than Thompson last year but it was his last year… If it were up to me I would have chosen Keiji anyway though."

"He's very good," his mother agrees, she's well versed in the sport, impossible not to be when it's practically Tetsurou's entire life. She's dependably encouraging; the greatest source of support he could ask for. "What about shooting guard and small forward?"

Tetsurou hums in thought, pushing at an egg yolk with his fork. "Well we have Lev and Yaku, they're good. But Lev's shooting isn't the best, I'd prefer him to play centre but he obviously can't because I'm the best choice for centre."

"Maybe you'll get some promises new recruits that you can polish into tier one players?"

"That would be ideal," he mutters and glances up at the clock on the wall. "I gotta go get Ken. Thanks for breakfast mom. See you tomorrow."

"Have a good day honey," she smiles warmly at him as he kisses her on the head and jogs to the front door.

His mother works late shifts and usually doesn't get home until after Tetsurou's gone to bed so apart from these mornings they share breakfast he only really sees her on weekends. She loves her new job so Tetsurou attempts not to complain about how little he gets to see her now. He loves his mother but he's a grown arse man, he can allow his mother this happiness and time away from her clingy son.

Closing his front door firmly behind him he walks around to the house next door. Pulling a set of keys from his pocket, selecting the one shaped like a cat and sliding it into the lock. Once he's inside, door closed behind him he listens for movement and rolls his eyes when he hears none. Of course he's not up yet… he thinks while stalking over to Kenma's closed bedroom door.

"You better not be jerking off," Tetsurou says after knocking.

With that as sufficient warning he opens the door to find the bedroom dark and with his eyes adjusted to the early morning light he narrows his eyes but can't see anything. Huffing in annoying Tetsurou flicks the light switch on and hears a mewling groan from under a pile of blankets. No, not a pile, a wrapped bunch. Bed-socked feet stick out one end while a head of blond hair with dark regrowth sticks out the other.

Instantly Tetsurou chuckles and retrieves his phone from his pocket and shamelessly takes a photo of his half asleep best friend. Tagging the photo 'breakfast burrito anyone?' he sends it to the group chat he has perpetually open with his friends, snickering at his own incredible sense of humour.

"Hey, Ken, get up," Tetsurou orders, sliding his phone back in his pocket. "We're going to be late."

The wrap of blankets moves ever so slightly, groaning. "Why are you so energetic…?"

"It's tryouts today!"

More groaning. "You're the worst."

"If you don't get out of bed now I'm not driving you to school, you can walk."

Grumbling something about 'not my father' and 'too early' Kenma unrolls himself from the blankets and ambles – like a zombie – across the room to his dresser. Allowing his friend some privacy – though they get changed in front of each other in the locker rooms all the time – Tetsurou leaves Kenma to get dressed and checks his phone in the hallway, leaning against the wall.

[06:57] KouBro – sorry bro, ona strictly brunet diet
[06:59] Keiji – don't be disgusting Koutarou you won't be on it for long if you keep that up
[06:59] Keiji – and Tetsurou stop making fun of Kenma
[07:00] MoriYaku – that doesn't look like a safe way to sleep
[07:01] Tetsu – technically he IS a brunet bro :P n hes fine keij if not a lil annoyin

"You know I'm a part of this chat right?" Kenma questions as he exits his room messily dressed in his uniform, his voice still heavy with sleep.

"Only makes it more fun," Tetsurou winks at the smaller boy and then shows him his phone with Koutarou's flustered response. "See."

[07:01] KouBro – shit he is too srry ken ur just not my type keijs the only burrito i wanna eat
[07:01] Keiji – Koutarou shut up!

"Sometimes I think you're pure evil," Kenma murmurs before walking away.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, having fucked with Koutarou enough for one morning, Tetsurou follows Kenma into his kitchen. The blond boy is rifling through the cupboard and retrieves a chocolate coated pop-tart which he promptly unwraps and puts in his mouth.

"Ken, you need to eat healthier than that," Tetsurou lectures him about his diet for the umpteenth time, if only he would actually listen. "You'll be playing today, you need more nutrients than the absolute zero you get from a pop-tart."

"Yes dad," Kenma deadpans on his way back to his room to retrieve his bag. "I'll eat a better lunch."

"Yeah, you better," he says, they have different lunch periods which is annoying as he can't keep an eye on Kenma. "I really wish at least Keij or Mori had lunch with you to make sure. Does Freckles have lunch with you?"

"I'm not incapable of feeding myself."

Tetsurou raises an eyebrow at him as they walk out the front door. "Yes, you are."

"…I'm not."

"You are."

Silence follows as they make their way to the car, Tetsurou's mouth is curled waiting for Kenma's eventual – adorable – quietly petulant response. The lights blink of his red Volkswagen Jetta flash as he presses the unlock button on the key and they get in. Kenma mumbles a barely audible 'I'm not' as Tetsurou starts the engine.

The first time Tetsurou met Kenma is a vague memory from too long ago to remember, more than what his parents tell him about the event that is. Kenma, ever shy, had been reluctant, hiding behind his mother's leg as Tetsurou, naturally inquisitive and confident, grinned at him and tried to get the smaller boy to play with him. Or so he'd been told. Tetsurou honestly doesn't remember a time when they weren't comfortable with each other, when Kenma wasn't like family. Growing up as only children they were the sibling each other never had.

"You really aren't excited about tryouts at all Ken?" Tetsurou asks curiously.

Kenma hums distractedly as he fishes his 3DS from his backpack. "I already know what you'll do with the teams."

"Really? Let me guess, you think the first string team will be Kuroo, Bokuto, Akaashi, Haiba, Yaku?"

"Not quite," he responds, gazing down at the machine between his fingers.

"Oho? What then do you think will happen my little genius?"

Sharp yellow brown eyes glance up at him, the knowing glint in them informing Tetsurou that Kenma knows more than he's letting on. He doesn't say anything though, his eyes move back to the game in his hands and all attention is drawn to it. Knowing he won't get an answer Tetsurou focuses on the busy roads. He's not sure why his friend won't disclose whatever information he's holding onto, he tells Tetsurou everything. Unless they're not his secrets to tell…

As they pull up in a parking space in Nekodani's parking lot Koutarou bounces over to them with far too much energy at this hour in the morning, even for Tetsurou who's excited for the day. As annoying as the Ace can be Tetsurou has always found him oddly endearing when most people find him… Well, annoying.

"Broooo," Koutarou all but yells as Tetsurou gets out of the car, jumping on his shoulders. "It's the big day!"

"Yeah bro. We're gunna smash it this year," he grins, bumping fists with his less quiet best friend. "We're going to show Davis how to Captain a nationals winning team!"

In the distance Keiji waves a greeting to Tetsurou as Kenma approaches and the two make their way into the school leaving Tetsurou to pacify the overly enthusiastic Ace. Tetsurou met Koutarou in middle school and they immediately bonded over their beloved basketball, playing and winning for the school together. They've played one-on-one against each other for so long and played so many games together that their awareness of each other's presence on court is borderline supernatural.

"You think the new recruits will replace any of us on court?" Koutarou asks, quietening as his mind sets to work contemplating team dynamics.

"Mm, maybe the Shrimp we met yesterday," Tetsurou contemplates as they slowly make their way into school. "If the rest of his skills are anywhere near as good as his vertical leap then he's sure to take Mori's place."

"What about the Glasses guy? You gave him that weird look, you know, that impressed one."

"Tsukki."

"God bless you…?"

"Ah, it's his nickname. Ken and I ran into him on our way home yesterday, he lives near us," he explains, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm not sure about him though. His pass was powerful, as good as Keij's and left handed… Could be promising. Not sure where he'd play though. Centre?"

"Must be, he's so tall!"

"He's not very solid though. And obviously he wouldn't take my place," Tetsurou puffs out his chest.

"Nah bro, no one's as good as you!"

He chuckles, patting Koutarou on the back. "Damn straight."

Tetsurou's classes pass in a customary haze of information he somehow manages to absorb even though his mind is thoroughly busy contemplating the basketball team. It's his responsibility now. With Coach Ukai's help it's his job to get the team to nationals. That's the least he has to do – which in and of itself is monstrous even though the team is known for it – and the most he can do… Win nationals; which Nekodani hasn't done in fifteen years. It's his last year so Tetsurou has set himself the big goal of claiming the national title for his team. Why not?

At lunch Tetsurou stretches his long arms above his head as he enters the cafeteria, the muscles in his back aching restlessly after sitting at a desk for such a long period of time. God, I cannot wait to get on the damn basketball court, he thinks as his eyes roam over the large room of noisy students. Koutarou's giant horned-owl shaped head of white and silver hair is difficult to miss and Tetsurou casually wanders over to the table where he and Keiji are sitting with his tray of food.

"Bro," his friend greets him customarily.

"Bro. Hey Keij," Tetsurou says, sitting across from them, then his eyes narrow on them. "So how are you guys dealin' with this? It's still secret right?"

Keiji's dark green eyes glance at Koutarou who's slumped far too relaxed in the chair beside him. "Yes, and we're going to keep it that way until someone accidently stumbles across us making out or something and spreads it around the entire school."

There is an almost indiscernible tightness in the dark haired boy's voice, if you didn't know him you wouldn't recognise it. His relationship with Koutarou – new as of summer one month ago though with Koutarou's over affectionate personality you'd swear it has been longer – stresses him. Keiji's worried about people discovering them and ridiculing them. Even with gay marriage legal in this country and a much broader acceptance than a few years ago it's still a daunting thing. Especially at high school where pretty much the majority of people are arseholes who are happy to make other people feel bad to make themselves feel better. It's wonderful, a lovely place to be sure. Also being athlete's, nationally ranked in Koutarou's case, it's not exactly unwarranted stress.

Tetsurou feels bad for them. They're his closest friends – along with Kenma – and he only wants them to be happy. Honestly he's mostly just incredibly happy that, after a year of pining, Koutarou is finally with Keiji. That was a mope-fest he does not want to endure ever again. But if anyone ever does anything bad to them because of their sexuality – or for any reason really – Tetsurou cannot guarantee he won't lose his shit. He loves them like family. He will do anything to protect them.

"It'll be fine Keij," Koutarou reassure him, hand twitching with a need to rub his boyfriend on the back comfortingly, but he manages to restrain himself.

"No, Koutarou, it won't. You know what you're like. We're going to get caught."

"Maybe it's better if people find out now?" Tetsurou proposes and Keiji looks at him as if he's stupid, which isn't all that different from his perpetual expression of indifference. "Like, so they know and get over it before school and basketball start getting hectic."

Keiji sighs, the expression on his far too pretty face unchanging. "Maybe."

With how all over each other they've been – or rather how all over Keiji Koutarou's been –over summer it's a wonder the whole school doesn't know already. They must have gotten lucky. Whenever it happens, their "coming out" is going to be big; the entire school knows Koutarou due to his prowess in basketball. Tetsurou just hopes that it's not negative. Probably wishful thinking.

"Excited to play in the firsts this year Keij?" Tetsurou questions, changing the subject in an attempt to distract him.

He nods, albeit solemnly. "It'll be a good year with the three of us. Kenma might out-skill me this year though."

Tetsurou scoffs. "I think you're safe. The kid has his head too far in his games to actually reach his full potential. Though I'm not convinced he'd be better than you even then. You're too modest Keij."

"You're really amazing ba-" Koutarou stops halfway through calling him 'babe' to which Keiji narrows his eyes in warning. "You should have more confidence in your ability, Keiji."

Smooth.

Grinning around his apple Tetsurou watches as they stare at each other; Keiji looking practically murderous – which is little more than a minor narrowing of his eyes and some tension in his jaw – and Koutarou giving him a sheepish smile. Slowly, and after many awkwardly silent seconds, Keiji turns his attention back to Tetsurou.

"Who does Kenma have lunch with?" Tetsurou asks, once again offering a welcome subject change.

"Lev, Kei and Tadashi," Keiji answers, picking at his food.

"Oh thank fuck for Freckles. At least someone will be there to look after—Wait, Kei…?" His dark brow furrows, he knows that name. "You know Tsukki?"

"I have Health with him."

"Oh… Cool. What's he like?"

Keiji's smoky green eyes glance up at him and his head tilts almost imperceptibly. "He's quiet and tall. How do you know him…?"

The way the question trials off suggests hidden meaning that Tetsurou can't quite understand. Why is he being so weird about Kei Tsukishima?

"Tsukki lives near Tets and Ken," Koutarou answers while Tetsurou finds himself busy mulling everyone's weirdness. "Also we met Tsukki and this Shrimpy kid with an incredible jump yesterday morning. Tets thinks they both have potential for the team."

Keiji's eyes never leave Tetsurou's face as the Ace explains and he feels like he's being studied and scrutinised for some science project. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Keiji straightens and whatever micro expression was marginally changing his attractive features disappears. "Like what?"

Everyone is being weird today. Except Koutarou who looks as baffled by the interaction as Tetsurou feels. Bless his best friend's childlike obliviousness; it makes him feel slightly more at ease with this peculiar situation. Tetsurou knows better than to continue on this bleak path of questioning Keiji that will only twist through an eternal maze of deadpanned answers of 'I don't know what you're talking about'. So he doesn't.

"What's going on…?" Koutarou questions, glancing between them with his face scrunched in confusion.

"Dunno bro. How's English going?"

With a loud groan he bows his head on the table and complains about his school work, the odd interaction between his boyfriend and best friend completely forgotten. "I am so screwed," Koutarou whines. "Keijiiii, lend me some of your brains!"

Tetsurou chuckles. "Good thing you have a smart… Partner, to help you out Kou."

"I do hope you're talking about yourself Tetsurou," Keiji says flatly. "You do realise I'm in the year below you therefore am not studying what you are."

"That's true bro," Koutarou affirms and then turns to his boyfriend. "You're so smart Keij."

"That's not intelligence Koutarou, that's simple logic."

"It's the best compliment I can give you in public… It's not like I can just say how beautiful you are."

Queue angry you're-going-to-get-us-caught-you-big-idiot glaring from Keiji and remorseful I'm-sorry-babe-I-can't-help-myself smile from Koutarou. It's incredibly adorable.

Tetsurou's attention is drawn away from the hopeless lovebirds when a figure approaches and leans against their table with a not-so-subtle suggestive smile curling her full lips that Tetsurou gladly returns.

"Hello Ana," Tetsurou practically purrs.

"Hey Tetsu," she says, tilting her head so that her long dark hair falls over her shoulder and pushing her chest out. "I was wondering if maybe I could call you later in the week, I'm having some trouble with some Biology work."

"Sure thing, you still have my number from last time right? Feel free to give me a call any time."

"Thanks Tetsu, you're so generous," she straightens and a victorious perfect pearly white smile spreads across her soft attractive face. "I'll see you later."

"Yes you will…" Tetsurou murmurs, eyes lingering on her narrow waist as she saunters away.

"That is the lamest thing I have ever heard," Keiji comments.

Koutarou groans, shaking his head with exasperation. "Seriously dude can you not? Can't you at least find a decent girl? Ana's… She's the worst! Like a freaking wet blanket, talking to her is like talking to a brick wall."

"I don't have to talk to her," he winks, smirking at his disgusted friends.

"You are foul Tetsurou."

He shrugs because there's not much point denying it. Tetsurou's never been in a relationship and doesn't want to be in one. He doesn't need distractions from the most important thing in his life, his committed relationship with basketball. With so many willing participants what's the harm in getting his satisfaction in pleasant little occurrences of casual sex? 'It's not good for you Kuro. You're better than this and you deserve more,' Kenma had once said with concern in his voice that Tetsurou didn't understand.

Moving the conversation away from his 'foulness' Tetsurou brings up basketball and Koutarou runs away with the subject enthusiastically, explaining a move his favourite player completed with rather loud sound effects. Tetsurou chuckles at his friends as Keiji scolds his boyfriend.

The rest of the school day moves by slowly as Tetsurou practically watches the seconds tick by, which of course only makes it feel slower. Finally though – finally – he's on his way over to the gym with an ecstatic grin on his face and practically floating with happiness. He practically ran off after the last bell and is fifteen minutes early so he's not surprised to have beat everyone to the change rooms.

Halfway through changing he hears a shuffle outside and when he looks towards the door he finds Tadashi standing there with a clipboard in hand. Tetsurou's always like the quiet club manager, he does his job well and supports the team passionately; he's also remarkably easy to get along with even though he's shy. His brown hair rivals Tetsurou's for mess but lacks the sheer refusal to follow the laws of physics and the freckles that cover his face suit his innocent cheerful smile. Though right now he looks like he's seen a ghost.

"O-Oh, ah, s-sorry Tetsu."

He raises a questioning eyebrow. "What are you sorry for?" Tadashi gestures to Tetsurou's body, averting his warm brown eyes and the Captain chuckles, shrugging his bare shoulders. "I play skins most summers Freckles, you see me shirtless often enough."

"Yes b-but you're getting changed, it's rude."

"Don't worry about it," Tetsurou smiles at him but pulls on his t-shirt anyway to make the other more comfortable. "Did ya make sure Tsukki's coming for me Freckles?"

"Um, yes, he should be here soon."

"Good man. You're here early," he remarks.

"Coach Ukai wanted me and Hitoka to get some paperwork together for him but it's not really a two person job so I volunteered."

"Oh? Still have a thing for Sparkles then?"

Tadashi's eyes widen and his grip on the clipboard tightens. "N-No, of course n-not!"

Hitoka is a pretty little blonde junior and the other basketball club manager. The two of them work well together since they're both adorable angels that are eager to help out in any way possible. It's been obvious that Tadashi has a crush on Hitoka and vice versa for a while; honestly Tetsurou has no idea how neither of them have noticed. If it goes on much longer he may have to smash their heads together or lock them in a closet until they're making out.

Grinning broadly Tetsurou approaches him and pats him on the shoulder. "It's alright Freckles, I've known for a while. Surprised you haven't made a move yet though."

"I can't…" his face drops, dejected.

"Of course you can, just tell her how you feel."

"You are in no position to give life advice Kuro. Especially not relationship advice."

Tadashi almost jumps out of his skin – nearly head-butting Tetsurou in the process – as he whirls to see Kenma and Kei approaching. Kenma's not even looking where he's going, eyes glued to the screen of his 3DS. Tetsurou's learned over time that the way he manages not to walk into objects is by following the movements of people he's walking with from the corner of his eye, meaning whoever he's walking with becomes like a guide dog. Kenma has incredible peripheral vision, it's the reason he's such a good point guard.

After sticking his tongue out at his best friend Tetsurou's gaze moves to the tall, stoic form of Kei Tsukishima and he studies him with an expert eye. Even under his neatly adorned school uniform Tetsurou can tell just how long his limbs are, perfectly proportioned to his body. The muscles in his forearms are defined – congruent with the power of his left-handed pass that Tetsurou almost dropped with surprise yesterday – but lean and neither is bigger than the other making it difficult to discern whether Kei is left or right handed. Likely left handed, considering the pass. His fingers are long and, from what Tetsurou can determine, the strongest part of him. Perfect for ball handling. He's still baffled by what to position to play him in though.

"Tsukki, you came!" Tetsurou enthuses, leaning against the door frame casually.

"I told you I would," Kei responds flatly, fingers curling around the strap of his bag.

No wonder he gets along with Kenma, Tetsurou thinks with amusement. And probably Keiji.

"I'm glad, always good to get skilled new recruits."

From behind black rimmed glasses gold eyes narrow. "You don't know that I'm skilled."

"Passes like that aren't something you come across every day," Tetsurou asserts, fingers running through the mess of his black hair. "They come from hours and hours of practice. Unless all you ever did was practise passes at Karasuno I somehow doubt that you're not skilled."

Kei's expression doesn't even flinch as Tetsurou smiles at him triumphantly, he knows he's right. After being best friends with Kenma since childhood, and more recently Keiji, one would think Tetsurou would know how to read those blank expressions by now. Alas anything going through Kei's mind in that silent moment is hidden from him behind that icy exterior.

"Are you going to move out of the doorway or are we not having tryouts today?" Kei questions and the corner of his mouth curls cunningly.

Tetsurou's eyes widen in astonishment at the smartarse remark before a broad grin spreads across his face. Okay so maybe not as much like Kenma and Keiji as I thought, he thinks, pleasantly surprised that the tall blond isn't afraid to snark back at him.

Straightening he moves out of their way. "After you."

Without lifting his gaze from the 3DS Kenma successfully walks through the door shortly followed by Kei who doesn't even spare the smirking Captain a glance. Tadashi mumbles something about paperwork and scurries away – probably so he doesn't have to discuss his crush anymore which is smart because others will be showing up soon.

Leaving the others to get changed Tetsurou opens up the doors to the main gym and walks out onto the freshly polished timber floor, that his black and red Nike's squeak softly on, with a blissful smile on his face. This is where he belongs, on a basketball court.

Nekodani's basketball team earns the school a fair bit of money so they give the nationally ranked team all the best equipment and facilities. They have two full sized courts, one for the first string and one for the second string. Nekodani have two coaches, one for each string. Keishin Ukai coach of the first string and Yasufumi Nekomata, who trained Keishin and has only stepped down to second string coach due to age.

"Yo Tetsu," a yawning voice greets him.

Tetsurou turns to see a solidly built man with dyed blond hair pulled back with a headband approaching, his mouth is wide in a yawn and he's scratching the back of his head. Keishin is a seemingly lazy man but when it comes to basketball he puts in the effort of a hundred men. He loves basketball and is willing to do just about anything for the team. His coaching style is very laid-back, it doesn't suit those who need to be pushed to play at their best but for those who are self-motivated he offers the best possible support and coaching you can get. He's like that parent that's more like a friend; which makes sense considering he's only in his mid-twenties.

"Afternoon Keish."

"Ugh, sorry I'm late-ish, had an impromptu staff meeting. Have you seen Dashi?"

"Yeah, said something about getting paperwork for you. Knowing him he won't be long."

Keishin nods before ambling over to unlock the equipment room. "True that, he's a good kid."

"We doing the same thing as last year?" Tetsurou asks, grabbing a ball and turning it between his hands. "Sufficient fitness testing then a practise match?"

"Mm, best way to weed out the ones who can't keep up."

Tetsurou chuckles. "Careful Keish, you're starting to sound just like old man Nekomata."

He groans as he rubs at his face. "Don't say that, it's insulting."

Laughing harder Tetsurou starts bouncing the ball, the satisfying thuds echoing around the large room, and he makes his way to one of the half court hoops that's pulled down. Crouching his stance lower he starts dribbling faster, the muscles in his arm flexing as he pushes greater strength behind the ball. The sound gets louder as he shifts his weight back and forth between his legs, the muscles growing taut in preparation.

Pushing off his right leg Tetsurou storms towards the hoop and jumps. Without being warmed up he doesn't exert the full extent of his power – good way to get injured – so he completes a simple layup. His fingers barely brush the hoop as the ball swishes through the net and gravity pulls him back down to the polished floor.

"Woah!" A loud voice calls, and if it wasn't for the higher pitch he'd swear it was Koutarou. "That was awesome!"

After landing steadily he turns to see the short redheaded kid gaping at him in amazement with wide sunset orange eyes. The intensity of his expression corresponding with the utter awe in his voice. Well, the kid knows how to give a compliment. He's short, can't be much more than 160cm, and his messy wavy hair is the same bright orange as his eyes, framing his small round face.

"Yo Shrimpy," Tetsurou grins casually, playing it cool even though, if his theory is correct, this will be their new first string small forward. "Glad you could make it."

His cheeks puff out in annoyance and he folds his arms across his chest. "My name is Shouyou."

"Kuro doesn't call anyone by their name," Kenma's voice is quiet but makes them both turn nonetheless.

Kenma's expression, usually emotionless, is brighter, happier, as he stares with marginally wider yellow eyes at Shouyou. Tetsurou frowns initially, because in the sixteen years they've known each other, he has never seen his best friend make this expression, but when he sees the faint pink dusted across his high cheekbones Tetsurou abruptly understands what Kenma is feeling when looking at the animated little redhead. Attraction.

"Shrimpy, meet one of our skilled point guards, Kenma-"

"Kozume," Shouyou finishes for Tetsurou who is now frowning once again. "I watched you play so many times in middle school. You're an amazing point guard, I can't believe I might actually get a chance to play with you!"

Kenma's silent for a few seconds, awestruck, and all Tetsurou can do is watch on with amusement because the exchange is doing such adorable things to his best friend slash little brother he never had's face. The blush, the slight curly of his mouth, the crinkle at the corners of his slightly widened eyes. Adorable.

"A-Ah, thank you…" Kenma says quietly.

Shouyou doesn't miss a beat beaming gleefully in response, probably – definitely – oblivious to Kenma's shy-heart-in-eyes-completely-smitten reaction. Which, to be fair, is probably easy to miss if you don't know him. Kenma he's saved from responding, but not from embarrassment, as Lev enters the gym and lifts the dyed blond off the ground like a rag doll and spins him around singsonging his name. Kenma looks mortified.

"Lev, put him down," Tetsurou growls because it's his duty to save his best friend from Lev's idiocy.

"Aww, but he's so fun to play with," Lev whines.

As he obediently does as he's told, knowing better than to incur Tetsurou's wrath, his bright green eyes light up when they land on Shouyou. Tetsurou snickers, internally wishing the redhead kid good luck with the future torture about his stature. Shouyou's eyes are also incredibly wide as he stares up at Lev with his mouth hanging open. Not an uncommon reaction to the 194cm tall half Russian basketball player.

"So small!" Lev so unintelligently points out. "Do you really play basketball?"

Shouyou's face becomes something rather terrifying for someone so small and bubbly, emotion fades from his features and he cocks his head. If Tetsurou weren't as confident in his own ability to defend himself the kid's expression might actually startle him. Like it does Lev, who tenses and waves his hands in front of himself in surrender.

"Ahh, no—Sorry, I didn't mean… You're not that short. I mean you're still taller than Mori."

Which is possibly the worst thing the dim-witted Lev could have said considering the person who just entered the gym. Tetsurou watches with a grin as Morisuke practically roundhouse kicks Lev in the thigh. The taller boy let's out a startled cry and drops to his knees, gripping the affected area.

"Ow, Mori, that hurt!"

Morisuke simply stands with his hands on his hips glaring down at him.

"You probably deserved that one," Tetsurou comments, the smirk never leaving his face. His eyes move over the gathering group of basketballers. "Right, let's get started."

Through their twenty minute warm up session the rest of the team arrives, as well as the freshman and transfers trying out for the team. The fitness testing they push everyone through – even current members – does in fact weed out the weaker players, the ones who can't keep up. It sounds harsh but Nekodani have high standards and everyone present is aware of this. They don't complain. At least not out loud.

The first round of testing is a simple still standing vertical leap for which Bokuto holds the Nekodani record for at 75cm, above even NBA average. Unsurprisingly – to Tetsurou at least – Shouyou's vertical is impressively set at 64cm which is only a few below Tetsurou's. The second test is a three quarter court sprint, then an agility test and shuttle runs, all of which Shouyou also does very well in. Tetsurou's starting to feel very pleased with himself for his speculation about the short boy's potential.

They take a drinks break after the shuttle test while Tetsurou, Koutarou and Keishin discuss the teams for the practise match. Balancing the teams in skill while testing those they want to know the skill level of; mostly Shouyou and Tsukishima – the latter of which was the second best new recruit in testing after the former.

"So the teams for the practise match will be as follows," Keishin announces after everyone's gathered. "Team one: Tetsurou centre, Akaashi point guard, Morisuke small forward, Taketora power forward and Akinori shooting guard. Team two: Koutarou power forward, Kenma point guard, Lev shooting guard, Shouyou small forward and Tsukishima centre."

When they all set up on court – team two wearing red numbers to distinguish between the teams – Tetsurou faces off in the centre with an expressionless Kei Tsukishima. For a boy who's about to play against the Captain of the state champion basketball team he seems rather unfazed. For a reason he can't quite understand – perhaps it's merely because he's about to play a game of basketball – Tetsurou's rather excited about his match up. He wants to see what the cold, snarky blond boy can do with the athletic ability he possess.

Just as Keishin's about to throw the ball up Tetsurou notices Kei's eyes dart about the court, taking note of everyone's position.

Awareness, good.

Tetsurou has the blond on vertical leap – only by a few centimetres – and experience as he's jumped for the tip-off too many times to count. Even with these advantages Kei manages to time his jump well and gets his hand to the ball but Tetsurou's a millisecond faster and stronger. He knocks it down but of course Koutarou knows him too well and manages to intercept the ball. Playing against Koutarou is always a pain.

The players of each team move across the court, Tetsurou's to defend and Koutarou's to attack. The Ace takes the ball halfway to the hoop and passes back to Kenma to set up their attack. Tetsurou marks Kei, keeping himself between the blond and the hoop, and the rest of his team sets up a solid man to man defence. When Kei doesn't work to push his way into the field goal area Tetsurou frowns with confusion and disappointment at the boys relaxed stance.

Realising he can lower his defence due to Kei's lack of effort Tetsurou glances at Kenma to see where the point guard is going to set up their attack from. Koutarou's calling for it as loudly as ever, running circles around Taketora, and is the obvious choice in Tetsurou's opinion. So to say that he's surprised when Kenma's perceptive yellow eyes flicker tellingly to Kei is a vast understatement.

Heh, you won't get anywhere with that Ken, Tetsurou thinks though his eyes move back to Kei instinctively. Protect the goal first, laugh at best friend's idiocy later.

Kei receives Kenma's fast pass with ease and dribbles the ball almost lazily. He's two feet off the three point line, there is no way he's ever going to get past Tetsurou.

"Shouldn't you have at least gotten in the field goal zone?" Tetsurou questions smugly, hunched low and ready to step in front of the blond as soon as he even flinches to take off.

"Why would I do that?" Kei enquires, his voice unnervingly calm.

The roguish smile that curls at the corner of Kei's mouth as he crouches lower and then swiftly straightens will forever be burned into Tetsurou's memory. Kei lifts the ball above his head as his body straightens into a flawless shooting form, the lean muscles in his arms flex and he pushes the ball up into the air before Tetsurou can even react.

Instead of turning to watch the arc of the ball – like everyone around him is doing – Tetsurou cannot take his eyes off Kei. The blond boy lands comfortably, arms slowly relaxing, and his brilliant gold eyes, shining behind his black rimmed glasses, move from the ball to Tetsurou. Everything about his form for the jump shot was utterly perfect and he's assured of it when he hears nothing but the net swish after the undoubtedly perfect arc of the perfect shot.

Silence fills the gym, all that can be heard is the ball bouncing in the aftermath. And all Tetsurou can do is stare at Kei Tsukishima, mesmerised.

A/N: That description of Kei sounded SO sexual "long fingers" and "strong forearms" and "perfect for ball handling"… I was smiling the entire time I wrote it. It's not supposed to be sexual because at this point Tetsu's not interested but it sort of is because he's subconsciously interested. Tetsurou is perceptive and scrutinises every player he meets. I feel like he's a little more intrigued by Kei though ^_^

Oh Tetsu, Tetsu, Tetsu, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into.

They probably don't have student sport club managers in America but eh, whatcha gunna do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯