𝑺𝑾𝑬𝑬𝑻 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬 𝑪𝑰𝑮𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑺 ➣Keishin Ukai

proud

You sigh, wrapping Hinata's knee. "I wish you wouldn't fall to your knees so hard. You should get some knee pads, Hinata. Those will really help."

He smiles. "Sorry, Y/n. I have some but I didn't put them on today."

You tsk, shaking your head as you cut the wrap and stand.

"Thank you," he says shyly, his hand reaching up the rub the back of his neck. The action reminds you of Ukai and you softly smile how much he copies his movements.

"Of course. Take it easy out there, okay?" You smile at him, one hand placed on your hip.

He quickly nods before he's rushing back out to the court, begging Kageyama to set to him so he can practice. You smile at the two bickering back and forth before getting to your knees to put your equipment away. You carry a backpack with lots of pockets to keep the supplies in. As you're finishing up, you see Ukai's sneakers pop into you view, so you smile and look up at him.

"How is he?" he asks.

"Just a bruised knee. He'll be okay. I told him he needs to wear his knee pads especially if he keeps planning to dive like that." Crossing your arms over your chest, you huff.

Ukai merely laughs, one hand going up to drag through his hair that's not held back by his headband. He wears an orange short sleeved shirt, the fabric tugging at his muscles, and black sweats accompanied with his white sneakers. He's got dog tags around his neck with his same old piercings in his ears. Dear god, he's attractive. You hate the way your mind wanders. And it's not that it's necessarily bad. It's just things like comparing the height difference and imagining where your head would be if he were to hug you. Or how rough his hands might feel against the palm of your hand or when cupping your face. Even how he would brush your hair back or massage your head during a headache. Thoughts like that. But just as quick as they come, they vanish with a new feeling of guilt.

With all the therapist appointments, and late-night terrors, you'd feel guilty putting that weight on his shoulders. Which is a main reason you've refused dating. These are your problems, not his. So no reason to give them over to him.

"Do you think they're ready for the practice match next week?" you ask, accepting his offered hand to help you stand.

He snorts, shaking his head, his grip keeping you steady. "No way. They're good, but I went to watch Nekoma practice the other day and we're way behind. But the loss will be beneficial."

You frown from confusion, removing your hand to brush a stray piece of hair behind you ear. "What do you mean?"

"Nobody likes losing, sweetheart," he laughs. "The loss will push them to practice more and be better. Pain is a strong motivator. Whether that be physical or mental."

Nodding, your lips break out into a smile. "I never knew you could be such a poet, Ukai."

His eyes snap to yours playfully, your heart jumping as his lips tilt up into a smirk that makes you smile. "No? Don't I look like a poet?"

A laugh escapes your closed lips, your hands flying up to touch you lips as you laugh. "Oh, of course. How did I not see it? Your piercings scream poetry."

His chest shakes with a short burst of laughter, making your smile wider as you bounce on your tiptoes for a moment. "That's why I got em, sweetheart."

You feel the blood rush to your cheeks and in an attempt to hide your smile from him, you look down at your shoes, shaking you head. "Such a comedic," you tease shyly.

"The only thing I'm good at," he says softly, a short chuckle caught in his throat.

You lift your eyes back up to his, your smiling faltering nervously. "What do you mean? You're good at plenty of things."

"Yeah?" he asks, but his tone sounds forced.

"Yeah," you say reassuringly, softly. "You're good at running a convenience store. And coaching a team of emotional teenage boys." He chuckles softly at that. "You're good at making me laugh," you say softly, your fingers entwined down in front of you.

Now that makes his smile widen. He arches his brow at you, licking his lips as he takes a small step forward. "Oh yeah?"

"Mhm," is all you can say to him to keep your voice calm and level.

"Mhm," he repeats, stretching his jaw as he runs his tongue along the inside of his teeth. The action leaving you to admire his rugged looks once again. The rugged looks you'll never tire of. "Wait for me after practice?" he asks as he back steps to the boys.

"Sure," you say, shrugging, forcing your voice to be normal.

With that, he returns to coaching, his stern voice coming out. His soft shoulders tensing to teach spikes, his soft smile turning into a focused frown. It makes you laugh. He looks so perfect standing there, showing the boys where and how hard to hit the ball. The fact that he felt like he couldn't compare to his grandfather is ludicrous. Because seeing him teach the boys just reminds you of Ikkei. Almost exactly. He's just as harsh with the same touch of loving and compassion for the sport. He knows what he's doing. He fits. He really does just fit.

What really makes you laugh, is the phone call from Ikkei that rings from your phone. You smile, answering with a cheery hello as you softly skip to a corner of the gym to talk to him and continue to watch the boys practice.

"Y/n!" his voice booms over the line. Your smile immediately brightens at that. "So? How's he doing? Is he as good as you thought?"

You cock your head to the side, furrowing your eyebrows with a playful smile. "How did you know he said yes?"

His laugh echoes in your ear and you can practically picture him leaning back with his eyes sealed shut as he shakes his head. "He's my grandson! I call him every now and then!"

You nod in understanding, murmuring a soft, "Ah, I see." One finger reaches up to twirl your hair, your eyes stuck on Ukai's strong back as he spikes a ball. "He's doing great, Ikkei. I think the boys really like him and he reminds me of you. He's tough, but understanding in ways. And he seems to enjoy it. It's all he talks about now."

"Oh, once that kid gets into something he likes, that's all he'll talk about. He never stopped talking as a kid." You smile at the thought of kid Ukai running around and talking his grandfather's ear off about something he was passionate about. It's cute.

"I'm proud of him," Ikkei says.

"Have you told him that?"

"He won't believe me," he mutter coldly.

You sigh. "I'm sure he will if you looked him in the eyes and said so yourself. It's hard to believe someone when they get other people to say for them. Don't you agree?"

The line is silent, and you worry you've overstepped your bound for a moment, but his reply soon comes. "I agree," he says. "The problem is the stinker won't visit anymore! He came for an hour or so each day after surgery to bring dinner but that was about it."

"You know, I don't have a car, and Takeda usually takes me to bring you your dumplings. I'm sure if I asked, Ukai wouldn't mind."

"Really? You think so?" Ikkei asks, his voice so excited it nearly breaks your heart.

"Of course. I'll talk to him after practice and let you know."

"Hey," he says, his voice serious now, just as Ukai looks back at you. "I think Ukai would really like you." Just as Ukai smiles softly at you. "You're sweet, and I think he needs that." Just as you smile back. "You'd bring out the best in him." Just as he throws a teasing wink your way. "You're a good kid, Y/n. I'm proud of you. Both of you."  

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