Chapter 5: Friends uh?

"You still owe me ice cream," I reminded him as we came towards our homes.

"I know, after lunch okay."

He sort of glared at his house. Making me ask, "Lunch at your place again?" I've been eating lunch with him all week. Making sure I'm eating enough to build muscles of whatever.

He sighed, "Not today. Mrs. Ito told me this morning I can stay for lunch and dinner."

"So you planned to spend the whole day with me?" I questioned.

Finally that serious look cracked, he smiled at me saying, "I planned to spend the whole day not home."

"Why's that?"

He turned with me up the Mr. and Mrs. Ito's house. He opened the door saying quietly, "I'll tell you later."

He smiled bright now, thanking Mrs. Ito for having him and thanking her for the food. She suggested we take it out back and enjoy the weather. In my moments away from Bokuto, I have grown to like the back yard. It's small, with a little garden in the corner, up along the high wooden face. It's just seemed peaceful. I grabbed the blanket I typically lay out, and headed out the back sliding door with Bokuto trailing behind me. He carried both our plates while I spread the blanket out.

He handed me my plate and sat down. Before I could even ask again he said, "My dad's home. And he's not the nicest man. I'd rather you stay away from him."

"Oh," I said, he seemed calm as he talked, so I stayed calm, matching him, "Where has he been?"

"He travels for work. Home for about a week out of every month then gone again." His eyes were low looking down at his plate.

"I'm sorry," I try.

A single chuckle left his month, "Don't be. If he were around any longer I'd probably kill him."

I looked at the lean muscles along his body, thought about the damage they can do to a ball. I'd imagine he could do it if he wanted to. But what is so bad that he would want to? He seemed kind, sweet, even understanding at times. This guy wouldn't kill a man for being, not so nice. Akaashi's not so nice and he's Bokuto's best friend. At least if you ask Bokuto that.

"Yeah," Bokuto breathed, "So I usually come over here when he's home, but you kinda stole my room so."

"Sorry," I said, smiling a little this time.

He shrugged, "Don't worry about it. He doesn't mess with me anymore anyways."

He looked over the fence towards his house and it clicked for me. That's it. It's his mom. She seems so nice. Maybe too nice, too forgiving. If Bokuto says to stay away from him, then I will do just that. Stay away. Bokuto probably feels protective over his mom already. Don't need him worrying about me too.

We ate our lunch as Bokuto talked about nutrition times for building muscles. I've never been that interested in building muscle but he seems keen on getting my leg strength to get a higher jump.

"It won't matter how high I jump if no one will set to me up there," I bring up.

"Oh this has nothing to do with you," He said through a full mouth, he swallowed before adding, "I just want someone to block for me that won't chicken out."

I shook my head, aggressively, right away. "Nope, bok bok, I'm chickening out right now."

"Nope." He smiled.

"Yes, you will literally break my arms."

"I won't," He smiled again.

"I'm not blocking for you."

"Fine, then I won't set for you and neither will Akaashi."

Low blow. How does he always win these things?

"You're a middle blocker Baby Bird," He placed his empty plate down on the blanket, "You gotta practice your blocks."

"I can't block if I don't have arms."

He laughed laying back on the blanket, "You'll be fine."

"I won't."

"Just think," he chuckled, "if you can stop me. You can stop any of those girls."

I let him have his fantasy, laying back looking up to the afternoon sky. I finished my plate and took his in the house, letting him know I'll be right back out. I went inside, taking the plates to the kitchen to wash them.

Mrs. Ito was in the kitchen. As well. She always seems to be in the kitchen. She handed me two tall glasses of lemonade smiling, "Here, take these out for you and your friend."

I nod smiling, "Yes, thank you Mrs. Ito."

Her smile deepened, "I didn't expect you and Bokuto to be so close so fast. You guys have been spending quite a bit of time together."

"We're friends, Mrs. Ito." I said backing to the backdoor.

She nodded still with the deep grin and I went back outside. Joining Bokuto on the blanket, I kicked his calf lightly, causing him to sit up. I handed him a glass, and he smiled, thanking me. He pulled his knees up, before taking a sip.

I sat down as well, using his bent knees to lean against as I sipped my lemonade. He didn't seem to mind, so I stayed put, turning my eyes to the sky as he did. It was quiet, but not awkward. Just, peaceful.

His glass emptied quicker than mine. He set it down, then laid back down again placing his arms behind his head. He kept his legs up for me to continue to lean on, but I sat up anyway. Allowing him to stretch his body out. He looked so comfy, breathing slowly, eyes closed.

Once I emptied my own glass, I laid beside him as well. Feeling all my muscles relax, for the first time, feeling today practice. The pulsing of my calves, the tension in my spin. It all seemed to smooth over as I laid there. I closed my eyes, just feeling the sun and breathing deep and slow.

I told myself I was only going to have my eyes closed for a moment, but then another moment past, and they didn't open. Another moment, still closed. My eyelids seemed as worn down as the rest of my muscles.

Maybe I should just let the relax.

...

...

"Bokuto, Zara!"

I heard someone calling, "Bokuto, Zara!"

Ugh, what is up with people today, why can't they just let me sleep.

"Zara! Bokuto!"

Wait... Did he say Bokuto?

My eyes snapped open, as my body shot up, holding myself up on one elbow. I must have turned from my back to my side in my sleep. Turned to face Bokuto. He was still on his back, now just one hand behind his head, with his face now towards me. He seemed so calm, still sitting with a smile on his face. So peaceful.

Unlike Mr. Ito, standing in the doorway, leaning on his cane, "Good!" He huffed, "Wake him up. Dinner will be ready soon."

He turned heading back inside, closing the door behind him. Such a small man, yet he can still scare me.

I leaned up a little more, placing my weight on my left hand. Leaning over Bokuto a bit. I placed my right hand on his chest, shaking him a bit. "Bokuto, wake up."

He moved a bit. But not awake. I shook him more, a little harder. His free arm flew up, grabbing hold of me and pulling me towards him.

I collapsed onto his chest. He groaned now, wrapping that free arm around me more. Even though I was trying to push away. He wasn't making it easy. I placed my right hand on the other side of his body, pushing up, body still leaning over his, his arm still around my waist. He was waking up now. Blinking slowly. Moving his arm from behind his head to rub his eyes. As though he didn't have another arm that he could pull off of my body to do that. A touch so strong, yet so gentle, all at once.

"I'm guessing we fell asleep?" He grumbled.

His arm getting tighter around my waist trying to pull me closer as if my face wasn't just hovering inches from his face.

"I'm guessing you're a cuddler," I huffed before pushing myself up, free myself.

"Oh yeah," He admitted, laughing now as he sat up, "Akaashi won't sit next to me on long bus rides anymore."

"I can imagine why."

He reached his hand out to me, pulling me into him, wrapping both his arms around me as I fell into his chest. "It's not that bad," he said, sinking his head to rest on my shoulder. He's right. It's not that bad. I typically don't like being touched but this.. This felt fine. It felt good. Warm, and strong and soft, and comfortable. As if I fit perfectly in this spot, in his space.

But no.

I stood up saying, "Dinner's probably ready now."

He dropped his head, "Slept the whole afternoon away."

"That's what happens when you start your day at 6AM," I rolled my eyes.

Keep it light. Don't acknowledge the lingering feeling of his touches on my body. You came here for volleyball, not this. Besides the guy already said he wasn't flirting with you. He's overly friendly. That's it.

He put a hand out to me, and I took it, tugging him from the ground with all my strength, and some of his. He grabbed the glasses from our lemonade, I grabbed the blanket, folding it and we went back inside.

"I still owe you that ice cream," he smiled.

Mrs. Ito rushed us to get ready for dinner, and Bokuto did all of the talking. All they had to do was ask, "How's volleyball going?" And he didn't stop. Even while Mrs. Ito and I did dishes, he stood beside me, leaning on the counter talking about both himself, his team and me. He's not self-centered. He truly is proud of everyone around him.

And he kept his promise of ice cream. After dinner and cleaning, we were both back in our hoodies, but still in shorts, walking the streets of Tokyo aimlessly, with ice cream cones in hand. Not like either of us were tired anymore. We didn't really keep track of the time. At least not until Mrs. Ito called Bokuto saying he'd better get me home because it was getting late.

And I remembered. We have practice again tomorrow. Me, double practice. Great! I would complain about not really getting a day off because of this morning's practice with Bokuto. But today was a good day. I really did enjoy myself with Bokuto and his smile pulling me into everything on his mind. But as we got closer to our homes, his footsteps slowed, dragging. And remembered why he was with me from sunrise to sunfall. He didn't want to go home. And now he has to.

"We can do this again, right?" He questioned, his eyes filling with sorrow once more.

"Of course we can," I said cheerfully. Actually cheerful, not just trying to make him feel better. "I had a lot of fun with you today."

His smile came back, bold and cocky, "Of course you did. You were with me."

"That I was," I chuckled, stopping in front of the Ito home.

He stood there before me. He stepped closer, and my heart stopped as he began to stoop, lowering himself a bit. What is he doing? I can't read him, I can't read this. His amber eyes were closing, he was coming in closer. What is he doing?

"What are you doing," I asked.

He smiled, opening his arms wide, "A hug." He chuckled, "I could use one before heading in there." His head nudged towards his house.

His smile seemed to spread to me, "I think I can do that."

I threw my arms around his neck, letting him wrap those strong, yet gentle arms around me. I could go for another round of this. This comfort in him. He squeezed me tight, letting his head fall to my shoulder. His tall hair tickled my ear but I didn't pull back. At least until he said, "I'm waking you up easier tomorrow."

I pulled back muttering, "Go home Bokuto."

"Fine," he grunted,before smiling, "Can't wait to see you tomorrow."

He walked to his house, and I walked to mine, whispering to myself, "Me either."