PSL with takenwithhim

[yellowcopycat]

[continued from this TFLN thread]

The train ride to Iwatobi from Yokohama was a pretty long ride. A little more than six hours, with a line change at Okayama station. Kise was feeling tired and hungry when he got off the train at the Iwatobi station around noon. He was used to being up early for practice, but he was used to actually doing things instead of just sitting around watching the scenery go by. Actually, now that he thought about it, that sounded like class, and he sometimes dozed off during lectures. So maybe it wasn't so different.

The trip had been nice. He came down early so he could spend the rest of the afternoon with Yamazaki before retiring to his hotel for the evening for an even earlier start for tomorrows shoot, and then hopefully spend that afternoon with Yamazaki as well before getting back on the train to be back in Yokohama on Monday morning. Thankfully it was a teachers' conference that day because other he might have seriously considered skipping. He wouldn't because that would make Kasamatsu mad, and Kise had the current policy of trying to keep his captain happy. It didn't always work.

He cast his eyes about. Looking for Yamazaki. It had been awhile since he had seen him. And, ah, there he was. He was taller than last time they saw each other two years ago, but now Kise had a couple centimeters on him. He was still as broad shouldered as ever, broader now. It was a good look on him. He took off the sunglasses and knit cap he was wearing to disguise himself and waved before making his way over to him. "Yamazakicchi!" He chirped happily. "Long time no see!"

Comments

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke lifted his shoulders in a light shrug. He'd grown, but yeah, it wasn't like he'd completely changed; he was still easily recognizable even from when he was a kid. “Can't say you've changed much yourself. You've filled out though.” He could tell, from the way Kise's shoulders moved and how he held his body as he walked out of the elevator and into the hall.

Soft footsteps, odd for someone his size, followed after the other athlete, keeping a casual distance so he wasn't walking all over him. But as the hotel room door opened and closed behind him, he knew Kise wasn't going to let the topic drop. Even if he dodged it.

For a few moments, he was silent, letting Kise's words linger in his ears. Even if he'd had to face the issue thanks to Rin and the rest of his teammates, it wasn't something he enjoyed talking about. Because of what it meant. But... Kise would only keep asking and it wasn't fair to keep him in the dark over something he was obviously concerned about.

Sousuke let a quiet sigh drift past his lips. “My shoulder broke down from over-training,” he murmured, looking towards the window. “But I never really gave it time to heal.”

Sorry for the delay, rough week

[yellowcopycat]

"Yamazakicchi," Kise said quietly. He looked at his friend for a moment. With a sigh he sat down on the bed and gave him a sharp look and patted the spot next to him. "Sit," he ordered.

He wasn't as hungry now. Food could wait.

"Sit and tell me who let you do something so stupid and why you thought it was a good idea."

Because Yamazaki should have known better. And who ever was his coach was should have kept a better eye on him. There were many, many times that Kise and the other Miracles had wanted to push themselves in training, only to be told to cut back before they damaged their bodies. Both their coach and Akashi had been on them about not going to far until their bodies matured. Kise had pushed himself too far in his games against Fukuda Sougou and Seirin. Haizaki had hurt him, and he played through through both games, it was why he wasn't allowed to play Midorima and Shuutoku.

He was pretty sure he knew why Yamazaki over trained. Matsuoka. He had never pried too much into the nature of the relationship between the two swimmers, but he figured it was something like his and Aomine's, where there was tension. Though he didn't know if Yamazaki's was as one-sided as his. (He's mostly over Aomine. Mostly. Just like he's mostly over Kuroko.) He hoped it wasn't.

S'all good~ Going through the same myself.

[takenwithhim]

The name made him feel a little worse, considering he knew the other athlete had obviously been watching for him. But even if he was facing the window, he saw that sharp look from those golden eyes and his own teal narrowed a bit. Even now, Sousuke wasn't someone to let people order him around (only Rin got away with that kind of thing). But eventually, he lowered his head, offered a soft sigh of relent, and turned to head over as Kise wanted.

The bed shifted a little as he sat beside him. “You know as well as I do no one “lets” me do something. I go my own way and do my own things.” To be responsible for himself was his way of thinking, to share neither the glory of winning or the burden of defeat with anyone but himself. Yes, it was stupid and yes, he'd seen the error of that thinking earlier in the semester. But old habits die hard and he still had to struggle to push through those feelings sometimes.

“My coach and therapist worked with me, but every time the doctor said I could take the brace off, I threw myself back into swimming as hard as I could to make up for all the time I'd lost.” He leaned back, slid his hands behind his head, and settled on his back on the bed, eyes gazing up at the ceiling. “My best friend was trying his best over in Australia; we both dreamed of going to the Olympics together. I couldn't let myself break that promise and fall behind. So I fought. Even if it was stupid.”

He should have known better. And his coach did everything he could to stop him, bar chaining him up. But he was as stubborn as a glacier and found his way back to the water or the gym regardless of what happened. Even after everything broke and he watched his teammates get further and further ahead, leaving him behind, he still fought. Miserable. Hurting. Therapy. Rehabilitation. Breakdown. Therapy. Rehabilitation. Breakdown. Over and over. Until he finally realized that his dream would never come true. And he decided to give up swimming forever.

Until he watched Rin swim in last semster's regional race. To see him going from failing alone in his heat to dominating the competition in the relay with his friends, Sousuke found one more flare, a tiny spark of a dream that fueled his body once more.

Kise wasn't stupid. The swimmer knew the basketball player could guess what the real reason was for his intentions. A friend. Sure, Sousuke was the first to tell anyone that Rin was his rival, that he swam against or alongside him, but never “with” him. But in reality, he simply had been denying the very real reality that Rin was his best friend. The one who introduced him to swimming and nurtured that raw, amazing talent as both coach and rival. Rin gave him his dream. And Sousuke sacrificed everything, his sport, his dreams, even his future, for the chance to swim with him one more time.

All of that, he quietly explained to the other athlete. Until it was left out in the open, said and done. And he fell silent once again.

I am so sorry

[yellowcopycat]

For a beat Kise was silent. Then he let out a small sigh and wrapped his arms around Yamazaki's shoulders. He was tearing up a bit. For multiple reasons. He felt sad for Yamazaki loosing his dream, for why he lost it, for the fact that Matsuoka didn't seem realize just how much he meant to Yamazaki. Also because, ever since suffering injuries from Haizaki that he was afraid of becoming to the Miracles what Kiyoshi was to the Uncrowned Kings- the one who wouldn't be able to forward with their dream.

"Sousuke," he said quietly, hoping the other boy didn't mind that he was using his given name. "Did you ever tell Matsuoka how you felt?"

It's all good~

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke tensed up the second arms wrapped around his shoulders. One, because he wasn't really a person that let or had people invading his personal space so easily (then again, this was Kise). Two, even if he wasn't swimming at the moment, it still didn't mean his shoulder had recovered immediately. The sensitivity and instinctive guarding were still there. But he didn't push the other boy off, simply let him have his moment. Kise had always been a more tender person than people gave him credit for. He could already guess where some of the other athlete's thoughts were going.

Teal eyes shifted to the side for a second. Kise went for the one question he'd rather not talk about. Fitting. Then lowered his gaze, eyes closing again. “Only after he pieced things together at regionals.” The unspoken truth of If I had my way, he'd never have known wasn't hard to pick up on.

[yellowcopycat]

"You know if you don't tell people what you want you'll never get them," Kise said in response the unsaid statement and pulled back from Yamazaki, looking at the older boy.

He thought for a moment. Wondering exactly what Yamazaki wanted from Matsuoka. He had assumed Yamazaki was in love with Matsuoka... but he might have been projecting his own feelings on the matter. "Did you only want to swim with him?" he asked gently. "Or did you want more?"

He shook his head. "You don't need to answer that, sorry that was a really personal question."

[takenwithhim]

“Some people are content not getting everything they want, Kise,” Sousuke responded, his voice lowering. He no longer had the chance at the future he wanted so desperately. The last thing he wanted was to drag Rin down with him because of his blind drive forward.

He settled his elbows on his knee and propped his chin on interlaced fingers, gazing ahead of him with the normal stoicism he'd grown into. Kise was a smart guy; he could read somewhat between Sousuke's lines, probably due to his own experiences and knowledge on athletes. But Sousuke was a stubborn person even if he was sometimes an idiot about them. The question Kise posed next... well...

Sousuke offered a little “heh” of slight embarrassment, slight incredulous. Really, Kise? “I could ask the same about you and your captain,” he countered, glancing to the side at the other athlete. Besides, Kise was like Rin, a romanticist. “What do you think?”

[yellowcopycat]

What about Kise and his captain? He let out a sigh. "What I think is that just because you're content with not getting what you want doesn't mean you shouldn't try."

He stood. "Knowing you won't succeed, but trying anyways, you sorta did that. But you..." He paused, and then went ahead and said what meant. "You did it in a stupid way. You got yourself hurt worse than before, didn't you?" He looked down at Yamazaki. "Sousuke, that makes me very worried for you."

And as for his captain. "We're.. it's complicated, but I've talked to him about it."

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke didn't reply to that one immediately. It'd be the furthest thing from the truth to say he hadn't tried. As far as achieve his goal. But if Kise really was talking about his feelings for Rin, that was a completely different topic altogether. There were things that Rin needed to focus on... things that didn't need to be compounded by his best friend admitting to some feelings for him. But...

He glanced up when Kise stood. Only to sigh and lean back when the other athlete lowered the proverbial boom on him. Stupid. He'd hurt himself worse than he had already. Even if his intentions had been noble, his dream to swim at the top with his best friend, his methods hadn't helped him get there. Despite all his strength and power.

“Aa.” It was all he could say. He'd told Kise the truth and the other athlete could see the entire thing straight through. From his feelings for Rin to the real reason he'd put himself through such rigors. Lying to him would only get him in worse trouble. “You're not the only one worried,” he admitted quietly. After regionals, he'd been back in a shoulder brace with only meager allowances into the pool, always under Rin's watchful eye. There would be no more swimming for him this semester.

“If the time's right, I'll tell him too. But I don't want to burden him with something he doesn't need.”

[yellowcopycat]

"When will be the right time?" Kise challenged, but after a moment of studying Yamazaki for a moment and then put a hand gently on his shoulder. "Never mind, let's... go get lunch and talk about fun things. We can hit the beach afterwards and we can wade out a bit. We can talk about feelings later."

Because feelings were annoying really. His own for Kasamatsu were... not getting him where he wanted. But they could talk about that later.

"Please? I can tell I'm only making you feel bad and that's not what I wanted."

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke had just been about to answer, already having at least that ready to go on his tongue. But Kise, like a true basketball athlete, passed the ball elsewhere and left him with open air to speak of. The right time... He knew the right time. When Rin wouldn't be burdened by knowing it. When he wouldn't be held back by Sousuke. Rin had a dream to accomplish, unfortunately a dream he'd have to accomplish without him.

Even though he said he'd wait for him...

A soft sigh was Kise's only answer instead and he pushed himself up with a silent motion in spite of his large body. “Don't feel bad, Kise. Rin already laid into me when he found out about my shoulder.” A bittersweet smile appeared, gentle at the memory. “I'm not really a team player, Kise. I always thought that swimming was a solo sport. You dive in the water and you're alone.”

But his growth over the years, his friendship and separation from Rin, the breakdown of his shoulder and wreckage of his dreams, his reunion with his best friend... They'd changed all of that. Though, old habits and thoughts die hard even still. “I was wrong. I know that now.”

But lunch and the ocean were good options to leave this behind.

[yellowcopycat]

"Well, yeah," Kise said, "But I'm just as guilty. You at least have the excuse of solo events to let you think that."

Because at the beginning he had thought he could win on his own, that his teammates would only be there to pass him the ball. He was good, he was exceptional, and his skills would only keep growing. He had thought that the only opponents that would give him trouble were the other members of the Generation of Miracles. He was wrong, even more wrong than Yamazaki was.

Looked like they had more in common than he had originally thought.

"You know, you can call me Ryouta if you want. I've decided that's okay." Then after dropping that he turned to the door, a spring in his step. "C'mon I'm hungry. Let me pack a bag and let's go. I'm a growing boy and I need food."

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke shrugged, not about to get into some kind of competition over who's guiltier. They both have their own burdens from the past; it's simply a matter of whether or not their special someone's are going to be able to knock it off their stubborn shoulders.

He was one of the top ten in Japan, had been in a period of time where no one could beat him in his entire nation. But he swam not for them, but for his own dream and for the future he was going to share with Rin. That'd been his goal... that was why he loved swimming. Life wasn't always fair though and as he slid his hands into his pockets, he tried his best to let the topic roll away. They could deal with things later.

Food sounded good about now anyways. “Hn, you've decided?” he echoed with a small smile, one that said he'd decide for himself what he'd call Kise. Mostly just to be a bit of a dick about it. Sousuke wasn't one to have others tell him or “permit” him to do things. Still, he appreciated the gesture was was only teasing him. “Aa. Grab a towel or two.” Passing by, he went close enough to offer over Kise's shoulder--

“Swimsuit's optional.”

[yellowcopycat]

Blinking, Kise blushed and turned to look at Yamazaki.

"Optional?" he asked. Then smiled.

"So you're taking me to a secret spot then?" The thought of that was pretty exciting. He grabbed two towels from his suitcase and shoved them into his messenger bag. He didn't bother with a swimsuit. Probably they would just play around the surf in their underwear, but ... well, no need to let his imagination run away on him.

"Ready when you are," he chirped. "Take me someplace with good food~ I'm starving!"

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke carried on by without missing a step. “Aa.” That was the only response to the little hint. Iwatobi, being a coastal town for fishing, had a lot of little places, coves and such. And having a best friend like Rin, a romantic swimming maniac, Sousuke had gone on more than a lot of adventures up and down the coast, swimming and running along the beach to find secret places. Nostalgia was still there and of course there were some places that would remain between himself and Rin. But he knew one where it'd be nice to spend time with just himself and Ryota.

A light glance over his shoulder told him there was an extra towel. Good. He didn't want to have to go back to his dorm and grab one for himself. “There's a seafood place right on the piers. If you like things fresh,” he offered as he headed out of the room and stepped to the side to let the other boy clear out and lock up. He did take a look to see if they were going to have... company. Bodyguard wise.

[yellowcopycat]

"No bodyguards," Ryouta said when he saw Sousuke looking around. "I'm not in danger, plus I have you." He smiled and lead Sousuke out of the room. "Fresh sounds good. Lead the way!"

He's really excited about this. It's been forever since they've hung out. And it's been a long time since he's eaten out with a friend who wasn't on his basketball team. Current or past.

"So, uh, tell me what's good at place we're going." He pauses, remembering. "I bet it's squid. Iwatobi is famous for its squid isn't it?"

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke nods, inwardly glad people won't shadow them while they're out. He isn't a very groupy person anyways and he'd rather have his alone time with his friend. Though the comment about having him does earn a faint smirk. “What makes you think I'll jump in front of you?” he hums as Ryouta falls in step beside him.

It really does feel like forever since they've spoken. Last time was two years or so in Tokyo. They've done some growing since then. Puberty's done some good work for both of them. Exiting the building, he skims off to the side to head for the sidewalk. At least Iwatobi's small enough they're not going to have a gaggle of fans mobbing them.

“Aa. Dried squid, but the fresh kind and baked dishes are just as good.” Along with various other treats that hone the culture here. “The place is on the water so once you're done with your food, you and throw any remaining food into the bay for the catfish. They gather around the piers for that reason.”

[yellowcopycat]

"I was thinking more about your resting bitch face," Ryouta answers cheerfully. "It would keep me safe." He's teasing, Sousuke's face isn't scary. It's actually nice. There's a reason Ryouta tried to recruit him after all. He'd be a good runway model, as they typically don't smile unless directed to.

They do draw some attention while walking together. They're tall, good looking, athletic boys, after all. Thankfully it's usually not more than a double take and there's a trio of junior high girls that stop talking and just watch them walk by until they're passed and then they burst into giggles. But Ryouta's used to being followed and being begged for an autograph.

"Fresh sushi does sound good," he's trying to think if he's had squid outside of sushi before. He tends to eat western foods now that he really thinks about it. His favorite dish is French for example. Well, here's a chance to try something new. He smiles at the idea of feeding the cat fish. "Sounds kinda wasteful, but fun. I bet those catfish are really fat."

[takenwithhim]

“If it can counteract your general magnetism,” Sousuke replies calmly, not at all ruffled by the comment about his RBF. Not the first time someone's pointed that out either. It's a protocol; keeps him from having to deal with people who he doesn't want to deal with in the first place. But honestly he'd be surprised if Ryouta ever lets it slip that's actually one of the reasons he thinks the swimmer'd be a good model.

Not that he's blind to the attention. He's had his time in the spotlight as well, magazines and reports and stuff when he stood at the top of Japan's butterfly swimming population. To say nothing of both of their looks, separately attractive in their own right, but together, like day and night, extremely alluring. At least it's doesn't interrupt them as they walk. Sousuke'd simply rather not mess with the press of a crowd. It's not his scene if he can help it.

“Then we've got a plan.” A little shrug lifts his shoulders at the wasteful comment. “Some people don't like leftovers, so they'll throw their food away. Better the cat fish get it than the trashcan.” He does make a wry face. “You'll be surprised; those things can be vicious.” The water'd be calm one second, then alive with open mouths and slapping bodies, tearing away at the surface and food in a flash. Keep your hand away from the railing.

[yellowcopycat]

"I don't know, I think it can. The Bitch Face is strong in you." He laughs lightly. "I think you could give Kasamatsu-senpai a run for his money when it comes to it." Though Sousuke's icy anger versus Kasamatsu's fiery temper would be a terrifying sight. Good thing they probably won't meet each other any time soon. He'd like them to meet, all his favorite people being friends with each other would be great.

Except he's not even sure he's friends with some of his favorite people. Like Midorimacchi for example. Ugh. He makes a face just thinking about him, but quickly schools back into a pleasant smile. Not hard at all considering he's with a good friend.

"Don't like leftovers?" The idea foreign to him, and it shows on his face. It's such a waste! What about snacks for later? What about lunch for the next day when the dinner portions are too much for his mother or sisters? "But, why? I mean, okay, feeding the fish, that's fun. But not at all? It seems like such a waste."

[takenwithhim]

“I heard he likes to kick you for running your mouth,” Sousuke hums, the faint hint of a smirk licking around his tone. Just a bit of a warning there too. Half-teasing. He's really not heard too much about the other athlete, but he knows Kise holds him in high regards. While he's not really got any intention of comparing personalities with Kasamatsu, if they ever do meet, he doubts either of them are going to set sparks flying. Mostly because the notions of respect and “don't care” would mute any steam between fire and ice.

Who knows; maybe the meeting would end up being the worse for their mutual unmutable model. Sousuke catches the face out the corner of his eye, but doesn't bring any attention to it. Probably a memory in passing he doesn't need to inquire of. He's got his own friends-that-might-not-be-so-but-for-Rin.

He slips both hands into his pockets and turns the corner, leading them towards a nice-looking building overlooking one of the piers. An ocean breeze wanders by, carrying salt, water, and a lingering thread of grilling food. “You've got me; I don't know either. Personal preference maybe.” He's not a ravenous eater or a glutton, but he can definitely pack down a lot to keep himself going. Leftovers still happen though. Sometimes it's a completely perfect way for Rin or him to mock each other at lunch. What are best friends for?

[yellowcopycat]

"Hey! I don't run my mouth! I'm just myself!" Ryouta pouted. He knew Sousuke was messing with him, so he was being a little dramatic.

And it's not the idea of them going against each other, and the idea of them teaming up against him! He's sure he would die if they did.

As they turn the corner Ryouta pauses to take in the view. He didn't get the chance to see the sea that much. And it was nice view. He took a deep breath, smelling the sea breeze and enjoying the grilled food smell. Then his stomach rumbled loudly, causing him to pink slightly with embarrassment. "Almost there?"

[takenwithhim]

“We know,” Sousuke retorts without missing a beat. If Ryouta wants to be dramatic, that's fine with him; he's got experience in overly-emphatic people (thanks, Rin). But really, it's those kinds of people, the loud ones that shine the brightest, that balance out the stern ones that are quiet and sometimes overly-serious.

The sea before them is rather calm today despite the gentle breeze; ships float in the harbor and some fishermen are gathered to inspect sails and nets for tomorrow's work. “Aa, it's right up there.” Sousuke extends his arm to point, effortlessly flowing with that growling stomach beside him. A fair-sized restaurant made of brown wood and metal, looking sturdy and natural among the backdrop of beach lines and town greenery, sits alongside a wharf. It's rimmed with a wide deck, chair-lined tables and grills resting here and there on the wood, and a shorter dock that curves from it and wraps around back to extend into the sea. Windows are dark from the sun light and shade overhead, but closer approach reveals lights inside, natural from skylights and lanterns as well as electric for a combination feeling.

“This place has been here even before I was a kid.”

[yellowcopycat]

"Rude," Ryouta complains. But no one hits him, so it's pretty good as far as he's concerned.

He follows Sousuke to the resteraunt, studying it with open curiousity. He's been to similar resteraunts before, though those ones were usually geared toward the upper class with other priced meals that didn't really fill up an athleltic teenage boy. Because of that Ryouta always preferred to eat "lower brow" places. The meals might not be as fancy, and probably fattier, but they filled him up and tasted good.

"I can tell," he said as they walked in. "It's full of history. Hey, do you think we can sit on the deck?"

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke’s not going to defend that tease at all; Ryouta earns it. It’s not too much longer before the two of them are in front of the restaurant, which is a little larger up close than the farther shot. The scent of the salt air mixes eagerly with grills, spices, and a tang of citrus. It definitely wasn’t a high-class establishment, going for the rustic, homey feeling of a comfortable wharf. Iwatobi has its fancy places, but Sousuke and his ilk normally don’t frequent them; high school and all.

“Two,” the swimmer intones to the hostess, before giving a little tilt of his head. “Can we get a table on the deck?” Neither were a problem and soon enough, they’re out there on the strong wood, the coastal breeze tugging at dark and yellow hair alike. There’s a host of food on the menu too, ranging anywhere from catch of the day (fried, broiled, or baked), the famous squid dishes Iwatobi’s known for, shellfish boils, rice plates with pork sides, traditional Japanese soups, and of course sushi options, though that’s not the main attraction here.

“The portions are pretty large so it’ll fill you up.” Probably because of the fishing industry and academia around the town.