Perfect Hit || Childe x Reader || Volleyball AU

Chapter 1 - Meet 'n Greet

              "There they are! How nice of you to come on such short notice." Venti spoke, standing up from the table the entire team was eating at. Y/n smiled and shook his hand, "of course. Not like I have much to do anyways." Y/n giggled before sitting down where Venti had pointed to, sitting in his seat.

               Y/n took a look around the table. Y/n was able to point out quite a few faces. There was kaeya, a senior setter. Usually, he was an outside hitter, and Diluc was a right hitter. Xiao, the libero of the group, Chongyun, and Qinxiu, were both swaps for back, and both played well over the entire court. They were freshmen, though. And then there was Childe. He was the middle. What y/n had seen online suggested that he was the face of the group. The captain, the "heartthrob," "best player there has been in years!" whatever you could say to boost one person's ego.
                 Personally, y/n was more interested in seeing his hits, not his looks. That could've just been their overall fascination with the adrenaline of watching a hitter jump up higher than the net. Slam the ball with such force it sounds like a shotgun firing before hitting the ground and bouncing to the bleachers.

             "Team! This is y/n l/n. I'm sure many of you recognize their name from a few years ago. The K'anrehians setter is one of the best setters from the female births side of the game. They're the best setter I've seen, period. And, Kaeya's new coach!" Venti introduced, making everyone stare in awe. This effectively made y/ns face rush with heat as they shook their head.
             "You flatter me, Venti. I'm not all that. But I will be helping kaeya with his setting at your practices." Y/n spoke as they laid their hands in their lap, smiling bashfully.

              Suddenly Chongyun burst into a gasp and started to poke Qinxiu, "that's who the coach was on a "business" call with! Oh my gosh! I recognize them too! Their sets are impeccable. Perfect aim, speed, power, everything!!" Zhongyun said in a hushed whisper as Qinxiu nodded, smiling as he leaned forward.
                 Kaeya leaned forward, "so you're the one that coach said was going to save our careers? How lovely. Well, I'm Kaeya, but feel free to call me the hot boy." he spoke, a wink following. Only to have a scoff returned to him by Diluc.
               "Greetings. I'm Diluc, a right-side hitter." He said, nodding at y/n with a straight face. Xiao nodded before speaking, "I'm xiao. Libero." He spoke short and to the point. His personality was directly parallel to his looks.

              Then, Childe spoke up, with a loud 'ahem' "I'm Childe! The captain. The best middle you'd ever meet!" He declared, stretching his arms forward before sliding them behind his head. Y/n smiles and shakes their head.
                 "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm excited to work with you and help you guys grow." y/n smiled as they clapped their hands together with excitement. They really were ecstatic to meet and play with a new team. They may not be playing games. It would still be nice to be on par with who they were playing with and not watch as little kids struggled to take an extra step to the ball. Reckon, they were nervous about stepping up and being with these people.

                   Would they make a fool of themself? Y/n couldn't help their beating heart grow in pace with their thoughts. Y/ns mind traveled at the speed of light as they struggled to get it under control. The team fell into a conversation with each other. y/ns chest felt tight, and their stomach felt like it was being shoved in a blender. Y/ns hands started to fidget as their breathing became shallow. They were going to make a fool of themself, weren't they? They felt their heart beat faster and faster. Suddenly, it felt like there were just too many people in this restaurant and around the table.

            A plate being slid in front of them caught their attention and turned their brains' emotions toward it. It had food. They had ordered it. y/n took a shaky breath closing their eyes for a second or two before lifting up a fork and taking a bite. y/n needed to calm themself, and they knew it. Y/n focused on eating and trying to join small talk with team members.