Chapter Text
Now that nationals were over, coach Washijō had started directing most of his efforts towards the second and first years, without a doubt already preparing for next year’s Interhigh. The third years, all of them still attending practice for various reasons, were now mostly used as an opposing team in practice matches.
Of course, Goshiki wasted no opportunities to ask his admired senpai for advice. He had all but ran up to Ushijima the second he'd entered the gym, bombarding their starplayer with as much questions as his mind could come up with.
Tendou popped up behind the ace, just in time to watch the first year scurry off, and let out a low whistle, “Wowie, mister popular, soon enough you will have to start slapping the fans off of you”. Ushijima turned to his teammate, stoïc as ever. “I wouldn’t hurt someone, you shouldn’t either.”
“Are you ever not serious, Wakatoshi?”, the sentence was spoken with an astonishing amount of endearment. Tendou, for example, was just here to have a little more fun. Teasing his teammates was one of his most favourite endeavours after all. Humming a cheerful tune, the redhead sauntered off to go and grab his own volleyball.
As practice proceeded, Tendou found himself at the sideline next to Semi. He pouted, bending over backwards, before letting out a dramatic sigh.
“I’m feeling awfully neglected.”
Good thing he was great at entertaining himself and others of course. He slung an arm around the other in question’s shoulder with new vigour.
“Sooo, Semi-Semi pooh, any big plans for your future huh?”.
Semi pushed Tendou’s arm off of him with a dissatisfied grunt, “Don’t talk to me and stop with the Semi-Semi crap already!”.
The redhead cocked his head sideways, not discouraged in the slightest. After a short moment of contemplation, his lips curled into the iconic Cheshire grin that never failed to make their opponents shudder.
“It’s not like we have anything to do while the children practice their spikes.” A long pale limb swung towards the court before them as per means of illustration.
The third years had been asked to sit this one out, so the sole focus could be on Shiratorizawa’s brand new line-up, currently spiking away on the court. That is per exception of starplayer Ushijima Wakatoshi of course. No one in their right mind would keep that powerhouse off the field.
Coach Washijō himself was absent at the moment, taking an important phone call so it seemed. So there was no one to keep Tendou in line.
“Go annoy someone else”, Semi huffed. Why couldn’t this guy ever leave him alone?
“But you’re one of my favourites”, was the sugar sweet response immediately thrown back at him. Tendou beamed, Semi frowned. The redhead never seemed to skip a beat, almost as if he knew what you were going to say before the words even formed in your mouth. It was creepy as hell.
“Tsssk, idiot!” Done with this conversation, Semi stomped away from him.
“Semi-semi pooh, don’t be embarrassed, you’re cute when you’re all shy.” Tendou’s singsong voice ran all over the court, trailing after him. Semi quickened his pace, Tendou, all long-limbed grace, followed effortlessly.
Oblivious to the fuming setter, the redhead didn't ease his chatter. That's it. Semi halted mid step, spinning around to face the most infuriating person on the planet and fully intending to give him a piece of his mind.
The words however, died in his throat, as he was just in time to see a ball crash right into the side of Tendou’s face. One second, he was staring at those round eyes, slightly widened in surprise at his sudden stop. The next, he could only watch frozen as the redhead himself crashed to the floor in a heap off limbs, his head landing with a dull thud.
That’s what you get for messing around all the time, Semi wasn't exactly proud of that first thought filling his smug mind.
A handful of people near them had paused after witnessing Tendou’s quite ungraceful drop to the floor. With most of them being used to his weird antics, no one immediately made a move to go and help him or see if he was alright.
Most younger years agreed that he was about as hard to approach and intimidating as Ushijima, albeit in another way. After all, you never knew what the eccentric redhead was going to do.
Tendou still wasn’t getting up though, even after a few seconds off lying motionless on the floor. Semi too, was convinced without a doubt that his infuriating teammate was creating a drama again, solely for his own sheer enjoyment.
A low groan echoed across the gym as red spiky hair finally popped up again.
“Well that hurt.” Tendou blinked the stars out of his eyes.
“Do you always have to be so dramatic?”, the disapprove in Semi’s voice was clear. Although, if you listened a little closer, some slight notes of relief just might have been discernible as well.
“You’re no fun, Semi-Semi.” Acting as if everything was right as rain, Tendou jumped back to his feet... and Semi got his first good look at the other's face. Well shit.
“Oh”, the surprised sound left Tendou's lips as he watched deep red liquid drip onto his hands.
“Your mouth is bleeding, are you-“, but for the second time that day, Semi’s words died in his throat as Tendou’s body swayed dangerously.
Black spots were dancing across his vision. Somewhere in the back of his mind Tendou realised that that couldn't be a particularly good sign. He tried to hold onto something to steady himself, but his hands came up empty, and then his head was empty as well.
“Fuck”, the curse left Semi’s mouth involuntary, watching his teammate crumple to the floor for the second time around. His senses dulled as he failed to reach the redhead in time.
Time seemed to slow and then suddenly, someone was running past him. It took him only a second to recognise Ushijima’s familiar broad shoulders and cropped hair. Watching the ace lean over Tendou finally snapped him out of his own stupor, and he too found himself joining their teammate’s side.
“What happened?” Semi hadn't even realised that Reon was beside him until he spoke up. Where had he come from?
The setter started talking before he could even think his words through. “A ball hit him in the side of his face, he was awake, he got up, it didn’t seem too bad.”
Tendou had seemed fine, he was acting like his usual perky self, but then... “But when we realised his mouth was bleeding, he just... collapsed.”
That wasn’t panic in Semi’s voice, was it? Tendou’s face did seem paler than usual, a stark contrast to his red hair and the blood pooling at the corner of his mouth, trailing down his chin.
Reon handed Ushijima a sweat shirt, the latter placing it under Tendou’s head carefully. He’d never seen the ace acting so gentle before, even brushing a vibrant red strand of hair out of his face.
“Yo, is he okay?” Yamagata joined their little huddle on the floor, the other players still wearily keeping their distance.
“Shit, he’s actually unconscious?” No one bothered to answer him, it was quite obvious looking at the redhead’s relaxed face. He seemed almost asleep, were it not for the big red mark covering his cheek and jaw and the blood marks. That would definitely leave a bruise.
Ushijima checked his vitals. His usually monotone voice had a slight edge of unease in it when he announced that Tendou's breathing was stable. Well, at least he wasn't dead.
“He might have gotten up too quickly, I’m not sure. The idiot immediately jumped back to his feet." Semi didn’t enjoy the slight ache spreading through his chest, easily recognisable as guilt. After all, he had been the one who all but implied Tendou was making a fuss over nothing. He should have checked more carefully if his teammate was alright.
Behind them the muttering and hushed whispers of the rest of the team could be heard, wondering what was going on, but none of them daring to approach. Tendou still hadn't budged.
When Ushijima was just about to put him in the recovery position, his brows scrunched up.
It took a few seconds, but then the redhead lazily blinked his eyes open and... found himself face to face with their ace leaning over him, uncomfortably close might he add, his stare unwavering.
“Woa big boy”, he coughed, blinking a few times. He wasn't still dreaming, was he? “I appreciate the overbearingness and all, but...” He trailed off as his is eyes jumped from Reon, to Semi, and then to Yamagata, also at his side, though at a more respectable distance. Ushijima didn’t seem to care about social norms though or personal space for that matter.
Not to mention all of them were looking at him like he might spontaneously combust any second now.
“What’s going on?”, and why is his face aching so much?
He tried to right himself, but multiple voices called out for him to “STAY DOWN!" "Don't move!" "How much of an idiot are you?!”. Additionally, two firm hands put a soft pressure on his shoulders, keeping him down. Well then... He couldn't help but wince as the noises rung through his head, seemingly vibrating across his skull.
Ah that’s right, he'd had a quite unfortunate encounter with a volleyball.
When his head calmed down enough after a few seconds, he spoke up. “I’m fine, just a little spin off the head, nothing yer miracle boy can’t handle.” he points his thumb at himself for extra effect, waving the hands around him away.
It was obviously not the first time Tendou got a volleyball to the face. Evading the ones his teammates deliberately aimed at him when he was younger had been his first reason to start guess blocking.
As he got the hang of it, it quickly became a fun little game of revenge. His opponents' exasperated faces spurring him on in his sadistic enjoyment.
But Tendou must admit, this particular spike had been much stronger than those of his former "teammates".
Righting himself a bit more and at the same time having the others back off a little, he placed his feet on the floor with conviction. However, his legs immediately folded under him like accordions as he "attempted" to push himself off.
His balance appeared to be off by a mile.
Instead of going down a third time however, he finds himself securely cradled against Ushijima Wakatoshi’s iron chest. Definitely wasn't expecting that today. Good thing the ace had remained hovering close, as he was now a quite handy support in keeping Tendou upright.
“You absolute idiot! Stay down will ya!”
Semi’s insults aren’t laced with the usual annoyance and lack of patience. This time his voice resonated with agitated worry and a slight tinge of frustration. Unfortunately, Tendou was to occupied by his pounding head to notice it.
“Whoops, seems like someone replaced my legs with jello. I bet it was you Semi-semi.”
Humour was a coping mechanism after all and Tendou wasn't going to let any opportunity to tease his teammates pass. The joy Semi's aggravated face brought, did wonders to soothe him.
Like an owner would his pet, he pats Ushijima’s chest affectionally. Rewarding him with a beaming smile that made his jaw ache even more. “Thanks Wakatoshi, always steady and reliable, aren’t ya?”.
Ushijima’s warmth was seeping into his exposed skin, and Tendou wouldn't be lying if he said it was quite comfortable.
Now that he was up and standing, he could also see that everyone in the gym had stopped their activities to gawk at them. Had he forgotten today was his birthday or something? What else could he have done to deserve all this attention? Tendou would be able to enjoy it some more if his face wasn’t aching so much.
“You’re hurt”, poor, socially unaware Ushijima was stating the obvious.
“Here”, Reon handed him what seemed to be a tissue. “Your mouth is bleeding”, he explained at the redhead's raised brow.
“Oh my, thank you, thank you, I feel so cared for.” A warm feeling spread through his chest. It did feel nice, knowing his teammates and unofficial friends did mind him getting hurt.
He did his best to blindly and messily wipe away the blood, using his tongue to tentatively prob at the responsible wound inside his mouth. His teeth must have ripped his cheek open and it stung unpleasantly. He was also very much aware of all the eyes closely following his actions. If this continued some more he would really start to feel like a celebrity.
The squeak of sports shoes on gym floors broke the short lived silence.
“SENPAI, I’m so sorry! I... I didn’t mean to!”
Tendou cringed at the sharp yelling, worsening the pounding in his head. It seemed the culprit had been found.
“Goshiki, stop yelling, will you? His head must be hurting.”
Shirabu’s voice joined the cacophony of sounds around him and Tendou’s head felt like it was about to scatter to pieces. He turned his face around, trying to hide away from the noise in Ushijima’s rock solid chest.
“Now, now, quiet down children”, his strained voice muffled against the cotton of the captain's shirt.
A hand appeared on his forehead, slightly warm, very comforting. Tendou opened his eyes into slits, lifting his head enough to, once again, meet Ushijima’s unmoving stare.
Olive eyes looked straight into his, as if trying to uncover his every secret. It was making Tendou feel oddly vulnerable, though not in a particularly unpleasant way. As dizzy as he might have been at that moment, those eyes were enough to steady anyone.
Goshiki hadn't meant to hit him, he felt horrified watching his tall, invincible, cheery senpai thud to the floor. He couldn't think, couldn't move, couldn't breathe. His relief watching Tendou get up easily was only short-lived when the redhead went down for the second time. Had he... had he just killed someone?
He had just all but lost the feeling in his fingers, being on the verge of bursting into tears, when Shirabu had snapped him out of it. Seeing the redhead with his eyes open, breathing, talking and even smiling, Goshiki's body had started moving on his own. Suddendly he'd found himself sprinting towards the other side of the gym, Shirabu going after him with a drained sigh and what might have been an eye-roll.
“Are you alright, Tendou?"
With the effort of a thousand suns, Tendou managed to turn his head in time to see coach Saitō approaching them as well. He sure felt popular today, getting hit in the face certainly wasn't as unattractive as it used to be.
As Ushijima made no move to let go of him, Tendou saw no problem in enjoying the comfort of his arms for a little while longer. He leaned back slightly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to be lounging in the ace's embrace. "Yes, I-", before he could even answer properly, the ace in question butted in.
“I’ll take him to the infirmary.”
He wasted no time wrapping Tendou’s arm around his shoulder, and placing his own arm securely around the redhead’s waist, still supporting him but now in a more walkable position. In mere seconds Tendou found himself snuggly pressed against Ushijima's side. Quick and efficient, as expected of the number one ace in the Miyagi Prefecture.
The coach nodded in agreement. “Yes, that might be for the best. Thank you, Ushijima. Will you two be able to manage alone?”
After confirming they’d be fine, the pair made their way out of the gym, the order to “take it easy” ringing out behind them. Tendou gave his teammates a wave as he let Ushijima lead him away.
Yamagata spoke up just as the door closed behind them. “Do you think he’ll be alright?”
“Tendou? He’ll be fine, I’d be more concerned if he wasn’t able to joke around like that.” Shirabu didn’t seem too worried. Reon hummed in agreement, “Yeah, he did seem like his usual self. Just... more blood”.
“And physical contact”, Shirabu added with a pensive expression on his face. “Honestly, I’m more concerned about Ushijima.”
“What?! What do you mean?” Goshiki was starting to panic again, why would Shirabu say such a thing? The ace hadn't seemed injured.
“Didn’t any of you see?”
Shirabu sighed as he was met with the blank, confused faces of his teammates.
“The second Ushijima realised Tendou had dropped down, he ran, ran over here. He usually has quite an expressionless face, but I’m pretty sure he was concerned just now. Not to mention his refusal to let go of Tendou." He setter pointedly adds. "He was holding onto him like that guy might have just shattered if he didn't.”
Now that Shirabu mentioned it, Semi had noticed Ushijima’s uncanny gentleness in handling Tendou. Could there be... He stopped himself. None of my business, absolutely none of my business.
For only a second longer he stared at the door the odd duo had just disappeared through, before sauntering off shaking his head. In fact I don't even want to know. He just hoped that weirdo would be okay. After all, he might be a pain to have around, but still, Semi figured it would probably be kinda quiet if he wasn't there.
Still highly aware of the ball of nerves next to him, Yamagata slapped a comforting hand on Goshiki's shoulder. “Don’t worry Goshiki, Tendou will be fine, and he’s not one to get angry about this sort of thing, it was an accident.”
“Yes. Right!” The first year’s body tensed, as he straightened himself. Yamagata half expected him to salute. Shaking his head, he too walked off, briefly contemplating if he should have mentioned something about the first years bangs as Tendou often did. That did seem to cheer him up most of the time.
Coach Washijō chose that moment to re-enter the gym, immediately yelling at all the remaining players to stop pottering around and get back to practice, effectively making Goshiki and Shirabu scurry back into position as well.
Meanwhile the unassuming pair was making their way towards the nurse’s office.
Not being able to help himself, Tendou leaned into Ushjima’s shoulder smiling teasingly. “This is great service you’re offering, Wakatoshi”.
“I’m glad I'm able to help”, was the simple reply he got in return. Silence surrounded them once more, none of them compelled to break it. Tendou was more than content having his weight supported by Ushijima's sturdy built.
They make it a couple of meters before he has to stop them, clutching his head with one hand. “Just a second, miracle boy, my head’s spinning”.
“You’re dizzy, I can carry you.” Tendou wasn’t even going to try stopping the laughter bubbling from his mouth.
The sole idea of THE Ushijima Wakatoshi carrying him through the school hallways, like he was some kind of damsel in distress, was too much of a visual to bear. Especially imagining him shirtless, like on the cover of those lewd books his mother liked to read. The same strong jaw and expressionless face, eyes focused straight ahead of him, like he was doing right now.
“Did I say something humorous?” Ushijima’s brows pinched together in concern, “you might have a concussion”. Tendou was close to tears now, “You’re hilarious Wakatoshi-kun, I didn’t think you had it in you”.
Ushijima must have thought he was really losing it, because he suddenly found himself actually lifted in the arms of their highly valued starplayer.
It should have been more awkward, given their only small height difference, but instead Tendou found himself being cradled comfortably. It was almost... nice, being close taken care of like this.
“You better be careful Ushiwaka, I might just get used to this.”
“I don’t mind if you do”, was his immediate, monotone answer. Normally Tendou's flirty tone would at least elicit some slight flustering, but Ushijima (in true Ushijima fashion) didn't waver.
“My ears must have been hit as well”, the redhead joked.
“I don’t mind carrying you, so it’s no problem if you get used to it”, as if his previous words needed any clarification.
Carrying the tall middle blocker didn't even make him break a sweat, his breathing steady, his pace brisk, but his hold stable. Ushijima really was a beast, a gentle one though, at least when he wasn't on the volleyball field.
Tendou trailed his fingers over the arm currently cradling him, “These are valuable arms, you shouldn’t lend them out so easily”.
Still he was going to enjoy ever second, leaning his head back against Ushijima’s shoulder and closing his eyes until the nausea passed. Those harsh TL-lights were definitely doing a number on him, better to rest for a second and enjoy the ride.
They made it to the nurse’s office without any further incidents and much to Tendou’s surprise Ushijima stayed throughout his whole check-up, not budging from his spot by the wall. Also not averting his hawklike stare. Tendou suspected it was the cause of the nurse's slightly stumbling actions.
The damage ended up being nothing more than a small concussion. With plenty of rest he should (figuratively and literally) be back on his feet in no time. As the nurse finished up and left to go get him some painkillers for his headache, Ushijima approached him once more.
“Don’t get hit again."
Tendou almost choked on his laugh at the order thrown at him, Ushijima of course was a 100% serious.
“I myself don’t particularly enjoy getting hit in the face, so I’ll see what I can do." He weakly pokes Ushijima in the stomach from his position on the exam table.
“You should be more careful." Were Tendou's ears deceiving him or was that some concern he detected in his voice. Ushijima, who usually behaved almost robotically, was showing a lot of emotions today. Later, when his head wasn't killing him, Tendou would take the time to contemplate all of that. It was pretty thrilling after all.
"I didn't purposely jump in front of that ball, Wakatoshi."
"It is important to stay alert around a volleyball field", was the textbook answer thrown back at him.
"It's not only my fault ya know, I'm not the one who actually spiked that ball straight to my face." Tendou was having the time of his life batting his eyelashes at the ace.
Poor Ushijima, of course didn't catch on to his teasing, sarcastic tone and seriously retributed, "I'll educate Goshiki on the dangers of cross-shots." He nodded to himself with the seriousness of a father about to have a word with his child.
Once again, Tendou found himself cackling, Ushiwaka really was on fire today. Still, did this guy ever relax just a little? It was almost endearing.
"He might just faint if you talk to him like that", he managed to wheeze out. Ushijima looked at him puzzled, the gears in his head almost visibly turning. Scratch that, it was endearing. "You should take a sufficient amount of rest, Satori. You're the only one who lost consciousness."
Yeah, Ushijima was definitely still convinced something was wrong with his head, oh well.
His chest was a more pressing concern at the moment. Tendou's heart always made an involuntary little dance hearing his name come out of the ace's mouth.
The redhead had been quick to declare them best friends, happily calling Ushijima by his first name, without any need for permission. Noticing this, the ace had sincerely asked him if, "I should call you by your first name too, then?".
Tendou's reply had been instant, leaning into the ace like a cat seeking affection.
"That's right Wakatoshi-kun, that's what best friends do."
"I see."
Ever since then Tendou had been Satori to him and he very much enjoyed it that way.
"You didn't have to stay, ya know", Tendou perked up at him. "I mean don't get me wrong", he swung his feet, currently dangling from the exam table, narrowly avoiding kicking Ushijima. They ace hadn't moved a muscle. "I'm very grateful for the lift, with the whole: 'spinny head thing', but I'd imagine the volleyball field is calling for you".
Tendou carefully chose his words, since Ushijima had a little trouble understanding his often colourful wordplays and metaphors, correctly that is.
"I wanted to stay."
Ushijima frowns at the wall behind him, "I don't like seeing you hurt".
Out of all the unexpected things that had happened today, those words coming out of Wakatoshi-I barely blink, let alone feel- Ushijima's mouth, might have just been the most jaw-dropping.
Tendou is unfamiliar with the feelings his words evoke in him, although he's quick to hide his surprise behind a witty retort.
"Well congratulations Wakatoshi-kun, the feeling you're experiencing right now is called empathy, which means you're an actual human being instead of a machine. I'm honoured that I was the one to bring it out of you. It almost makes that ball to the face worth it".
But Ushijima doesn't smile, not that Tendou had expected him too, his deadpan stare unrelenting, olive eyes unwavering. He was being so typically Ushijima, while at the same time not being like Ushijima at all. It was horribly confusing, as if there were two different people behind the curtain, pulling his strings at the same time.
“Are you worried about me?” He leaned forward, voice dripping with his usual playfulness, though hiding underlying curiosity.
In true Ushijima fashion however, he didn’t skip a beat as he plainly answered, “Yes”.
Oh...
That is...
Well...
Tendou looked at the tall, strong, intimidating, seemingly unshakable, but also simple and all too often oblivious ace in front of him and found himself wondering if those eyes had always had that uncharacteristic warmth in them, when staring right back at him.
Not much happened after that, although it very much felt like it. Like his world had permanently shifted, just a slight little bit, barely noticeable, but still.
Ushijima silently walked him back to the dorms, after announcing Tendou wasn't going alone and he was coming with. Not that the patient in question put up much of a fight. He did however insist on using his own two feet to get there.
Tendou craned his sore head back, pausing to look at the bright sky and sighed. Ah, what a strange day this was.
He looked at the ace walking a few steps ahead of him and quickened his own pace to catch up, his pounding face all but forgotten.
It might not be such a bad one though. Not if THE Ushijima Wakatoshi had just all but admitted he cared for him. Tendou wouldn’t mind if that same Ushijima kept looking at him like that, like he mattered... a whole lot... to him.
That might just make him feel a little bit wonderful.