Insomnia (A TsukiKage FF) ✔

9 - Peace

Around halfway through the practise, both first years had finished their note taking and were sitting quietly, watching the practise match in peace. But, the day had finally caught up to the setter. He lay his head on his knees and tried to keep his eyes open, but he was tired and his body ached for sleep even though he knew he would get none. He sighed with frustration and rubbed at his eyes before running a hand through his hair.

"Do you have earphones?" he was suddenly asked by the middle blocker.

"Um, I think so." Kageyama replied, putting a hand into his right pocket and pulling out a pair of earphones.

"Good." was all the older said.

"Why?"

He watched as Tsukishima pulled out his phone and opened up the YouTube app, scrolling through one of his playlists before motioning Kageyama to get closer without looking up from his device. Kageyama hesitated for a second before shuffling up next to the middle blocker so that their shoulders were touching. He wanted to look at what the older was looking at but he was given a dual adapter instead.

"Plug them in here."

"Why?" he asked again.

"I have an idea."

"An idea?"

"Are you a parrot?"

"No. But you're a jerk."

"Yeah yeah, just plug them in."

Kageyama plugged in his earphones, watching Tsukishima do the same before he pressed play on one of the songs. At first it was quiet, allowing the setter to hear what the older was saying.

"If I'm struggling to sleep then I listen to music. Not a whole playlist but one song on repeat for an hour or so until I fall asleep. It helps if the song has a chill vibe and repetitive melody. Get it?"

"Yeah."

"So, even though it's unlikely you'll fall asleep, listen to the song and see if it helps you relax. We still have," Tsuki paused to look at the time on his phone, "two and a half hours until the end of practise."

"Why... why are you helping me?"

"I told you, I don't know yet."

"You said yet." noted the younger.

"You really are a parrot."

Kageyama huffed and told Tsuki to shut up before leaning back against the wall, looking up and outside the windows, seeing the blue sky and green-leaved trees beyond. They swayed gently in the afternoon breeze; it was calming to look at. Tsukishima noticed that the setter was more relaxed so turned the volume up slightly, trying to block out all other noise from the match but not loud enough to be painful.

"What song is this?" Kageyama asked, turning to the middle blocker as he spoke.

"Flower by Johnny Stimson. Is it alright?"

"I like it."

"I'm glad this song pleases Your Majesty." he teased, but there was no malice in his voice.

"Saltyshima." Kageyama retorted, a small smile playing on his lips.

The setter closed his eyes and allowed himself to solely focus on the music, emptying his head of all stressful thoughts. He just focused on the lyrics and the melody, breathing in and out at a steady pace. The longer this went on the more relaxed he felt; it was a pleasant feeling. He hadn't felt anywhere near relaxed, well, for a very long time.