Sending a second request if no interest in the first ship: Tanaka x Hanamaki and anything soft, fluffy and romantic? (I just want some fluff rn) XD
Thank you so much for this request!! You know ever since you brought them up I’ve been dying to try them out. I’m holding onto your first request just in case I need a bit of inspiration later on in between my WIP’s! I hope you enjoy your fluff!! :D
Don’t Look Away
Rating: Teen
Energy thrummed through Tanaka’s veins as he watched the new crop of first years try out for his university team. He was thrilled to finally be a senpai once again; it was difficult the previous year joining a team as the youngest and most inexperienced player when he had just left Karasuno as the Ace and vice-captain. Thankfully his upperclassmen were kind and encouraging, never belittling him just because he was new. There were a couple familiar faces as well from Miyagi, though both had been from rival teams.
He was surprised that Semi Eita, the gifted setter and pinch server from Shiratorizawa, would have taken to him so quickly. He was reliable and mild-tempered and had a carefree way of correcting any mistakes. Their friendship was simple and clear-cut, unlike his other senpai…
“Good job, Uno!” Tanaka shouted, praising a good spike from a first year. The young man was all long limbs and a big dopey smile which was stretched to the limit from being praised.
“Thanks, Tanaka-senpai!” He spouted and loped back to the end of the line, waiting for his chance to spike again. Tanaka beamed, feeling the surge of warmth spread in his chest at being called senpai once again. He couldn’t wait to see their skills improve and buy them meat buns after a hard practice.
An arm slid over his shoulder and hooked around his neck, jarring him from his thoughts.
“Mmmm, Tanaka-senpai. It has a nice ring to it,” Hanamaki’s voice murmured in his ear. Tanaka felt the heat from his chest press into his back and shivered from his breath tickling down his neck. He turned his head slightly to glimpse up at Hanamaki, whose bored eyes were watching the drills though his lips were quirked up in the corner.
Tanaka narrowed his eyes at him; he knew Hanamaki was just trying to get a rise out of him as usual. Despite the frequent provocation by the ex-Seijoh player, they maintained a good rapport, especially on the court. They played the same position, but Hanamaki never seemed threatened by Tanaka’s skills and was always quick to give him a high-five after a good spike.
“You think so, Makki-san?” Tanaka answered, keeping a close eye on Hanamaki’s expression. The changes were usually subtle, and they were usually his only hint to what his senpai was thinking. All he received was an arched eyebrow and Hanamaki’s dark eyes meeting his.
“I do, though I have to admit I’m a little jealous.”
“What would you have to be jealous about?”
“I want you to be my senpai too! Mine were always too harsh, but you’re spoiling them rotten already.”
“I’m not spoiling them, it’s just a little encouragement!” Tanaka huffed, crossing his arms and lifting his chin in defiance. He let his gaze wander back to the first years going through their drills, yet he could see Hanamaki’s grin widen in his peripheral vision.
“Why don’t you encourage me?”
“I praise you when you do well.”
“It’s not the same though,” Hanamaki groaned, dropping his chin onto Tanaka’s shoulder. Across the court, Semi spotted them just after tossing a ball to the next freshmen. He rolled his eyes, but his attention was snatched away when the next ball came sailing toward his head. Tanaka wished he could have said something so Hanamaki would move away.
It was strange because Tanaka was always an incredibly affectionate person and was never put off by a little skinship. It was confusing why the regular temperature of Hanamaki’s body pressed into his would raise his internal temperature to volcanic levels. Or why he avoided glancing at his face from that close a distance, otherwise his eyes would linger too long as he counted the light dusting of freckles across his nose. He wished those slender fingers wouldn’t press into his chest where he could probably feel the quickening of his heart beneath his fingertips.
No, Tanaka wasn’t an idiot, he knew exactly why he was feeling those things. He just preferred to avoid it. He treasured every single one of his teammates and having such a massive crush on one could fracture the good vibes they’ve cultivated among them. It was best to just treat Hanamaki like any other upperclassmen; if only Hanamaki would treat him like any other kohai.
“Hey! I’ve got an idea,” Hanamaki said, his chin still resting on his shoulder. “Let’s play a little roleplay game, where all day you’ll be my upperclassmen for once and treat me as good as these little minions of ours. What do you say?”
Read the rest on AO3!
