Spray-paint and Skateboards (SakuAtsu Dancer AU)

Chapter 32: Heart-to-heart

After they'd finished off the music on Komori's laptop, they went through the steps of the dance break for the music video.

When that was done, they changed into their outfits for the dance break and recorded it. It's safe to say that Sakusa was absolutely speechless by the time they had finished.

"Not gonna lie, I didn't peg ya as someone who'd skate," Atsumu said as he came to stand next to Sakusa.

It was a few hours later, nearing midnight, and they were still at the Manic Hideout. Komori and Akagi were lying on one of the couches in the seating area and Yaku was scrolling through YouTube not too far away next to the volleyball net where Bokuto and Kuroo were messing around. Sakusa and Atsumu were looking up at the rack on the wall that held all of their skateboards. Sakusa had just been admiring the different art on the bottom of each deck when Atsumu had come to stand next to him.

"Not gonna lie, I didn't think you'd ever be the one to strike up a conversation with me," Sakusa taunted.

Atsumu huffed a humorless laugh, "Yer tryna befriend me, so it's only fair that I actually put in effort too," he justified.

Sakusa hummed and let the thought sit for a bit before he spoke up, "I don't really do it anymore... Skating, I mean," he added.

"Huh?" Atsumu frowned.

Sakusa rolled his eyes, "Your question, or, I guess, statement from earlier... I don't really skate much anymore," he explained.

"Ah... Why not?" Atsumu asked.

Sakusa shrugged, "I kinda lost the hobby back in my first year of high school," he answered vaguely, "Right before volleyball took over my life."

Atsumu hummed, "I don't think I could ever stop skatin'," he stated.

Sakusa raised an eyebrow, "What makes you say that?"

Atsumu looked away, "I like how freein' it feels... The wind rushin' through yer hair, the slight bumps of the road beneath the wheels... I don't think I could ever give it up," he took a breath before adding softly, "Especially since it was sorta like an escape for me..."

Sakusa's eyes widened briefly, barely noticeably, as he looked down at the way Atsumu gripped onto his right forearm with his left hand, the sleeves of his hoodie rolled up to his elbows.

He'd then noticed something that he'd never seen before – feint discoloration that ran up Atsumu's arms, barely darker than his naturally pale skin tone.

Osamu's words hit Sakusa like a truck, "Fuck... I'm sorry, guys... It's jus'- The things he did to Tsumu for havin' hobbies an' a sense of style that were considered as 'feminine'... Tsumu still has the fuckin' scars for cryin' out loud!"

Scars. Sakusa finally saw them – feint as they were, they were there, and they were very real.

Sakusa's facial expression softened, as it rarely ever did, and he reached out to gentle take hold of Atsumu's wrist, ignoring the sting in his chest when Atsumu flinched at his touch.

However, Atsumu didn't pull away, so Sakusa took the opportunity to pull Atsumu into his arms. He wrapped his arms gently around Atsumu, one arm around his lower back and a hand in his hair, pushing him protectively into the crook of Sakusa's neck.

Sakusa breathed in the feint apple scent of Atsumu's shampoo and laid his chin on his head, smiling softly as Atsumu relaxed into his hold, "Look... I know I'm not the best with words, but if you ever need someone to talk to? Whatever you want to talk about, I'm here," he promised.

Atsumu nodded quickly and breathed in a sharp inhale as his grip on the front of Sakusa's t-shirt tightened, "Thank you," he whispered.

Sakusa bit his lower lip and said nothing – just cradled Atsumu closer instead.

After he thought Atsumu had calmed down enough, Sakusa put some space between them, just before Yaku called out to everyone.

"Is it just me who feels like skating right now?" He asked.

Atsumu snorted and Sakusa smiled, amused, "Definitely not just you," he answered.

Atsumu suppressed a smile, "I can't believe I'm sayin' this, but I agree with the tattoo canvas."

Sakusa looked offended and was about snap back with something along the lines of, "You also have tattoos," but he was cut off by a loud cackle from Komori.

"Yes, Tsumu!!" He cheered, Akagi snickering next to him, "Anyway, I would love to go skating right now."

Akagi nodded in agreement, "Oh, hell, yeah!"

Bokuto and Kuroo were busy making their way over, "Did I hear someone mention skating?" Bokuto asked and Yaku nodded, grinning.

Kuroo's face lit up, "Yes!!! I can even record some clips for your music video!" He suggested.

Komori had stars in his eyes as he nodded his head wildly, "Yeah! Good idea!!"

Yaku grinned, "So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!!" He shouted and, just like that, the Hideout descended into chaos as the Manic crew along with Sakusa rushed around to grab their things and then their skateboards.

They switched off all the lights in the Hideout before they ran through the fields as WILDSIDE by Aewon Wolf played softly through the Bluetooth speaker in the side of Atsumu's backpack.

They climbed through the hole in the fence and ran through the long grass along it, giggling like teenagers who just snuck out of their parents' house for the first time to hang out with their friends and cause some major trouble by toilet-papering and egging people's houses – well, it wasn't like that description wasn't accurate. Bokuto, Kuroo, Yaku and Atsumu had done that back in Atsumu's first year of high school at Fukurodani Academy.

They walked down the pathway towards the willow trees that concealed it, talking and laughing, teasing one another.

Sakusa walked behind them, next to Atsumu – whose gaze was trained on the ground – and knocked him with his elbow, "Tattoo canvas? Seriously??" He asked with an amused smirk on his face.

Atsumu looked up and shrugged, feigning innocence and failing because of the mischievous grin on his face, "I'd take it as a compliment if I was ya," he stated matter-of-factly.

Sakusa furrowed his brows, "Okay, but, tell me... How is 'tattoo canvas' a compliment?"

Atsumu grinned and Sakusa found it slightly unsettling, "Tattoos suit ya."

Sakusa narrowed his eyes, sensing that there was more to Atsumu's answer, "And...?"

Atsumu's grin widened into a smirk, "An' they're hot," he said, not breaking eye-contact with Sakusa, "Especially the dragon."

Sakusa froze in place and Atsumu giggled, his smirk falling into a small smile, "Ya should see yer face," he stated before he grabbed a flustered Sakusa's wrist and pulled him along.

"Did you just flirt with me?" Sakusa said, feeling slightly dazed, as if his head was spinning.

Atsumu giggled, "C'mon, Omi-kun, we're gonna get left behind."

Sakusa blinked, "'Omi-kun'??" He echoed, only to receive no answer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mehhh

Anygays, byee!
-CrackshotReaper

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -