Work Text:
Miyuki needs coffee. It's two in the morning, he has a paper due in seven hours and he's going to skip breakfast with his team for the sake of finishing this assignment. He does not procrastinate. He simply spends extra time at practice with good reason. They practice year-round, despite the fact that they only actually play games in the spring and the fall because it prepares them for the future official league games (that is if they make it, but Miyuki knows they will, he's confident enough in his current team). Kuramochi may or may not spam text him about the assignment and breakfast in a few hours or maybe when Miyuki ignores his worried texts like always, he'll come knocking at his door.
The point is, if he does not get coffee into his system he will collapse from exhaustion and it will not entirely be his fault. It's definitely not an exaggeration. Miyuki rubs his eyes in a futile attempt to push the idea of sleep from his mind, gets up from where he is sitting and puts his Waseda University sweater on. He doesn't bother changing out of the plain white t-shirt and grey sweatpants he wore the day before. He is that tired, and anyways, it isn't like there's anyone he'll bump into at this ungodly hour. It isn't like he has ever cared about his fashion sense either.
As he leaves his room, he accidentally knocks over a few papers (just a bit of data he had gathered from some rival schools) along with a small photo from his last days at Seido and it briefly comes as a mystery because he doesn't remember keeping that one—in the photo Miyuki has his arm around Sawamura's shoulder and Sawamura is busy trying to pry Miyuki's arm off while glaring daggers at him. Kuramochi is casually leaning his arm on Sawamura's other shoulder and is making a peace sign at the camera. Miyuki softly chuckles at it because he remembers the day perfectly and he swears he doesn't even bother to wonder how the photo got in his papers anymore because he knows Kuramochi probably snuck it in there—how Kuramochi even finds the time to be crafty when he's not looking is beyond him. Maybe that's why they still have this strange friendship going on.
Sawamura acts awkward that same day of the photo, even when Kuramochi asks to take a picture of them to keep as something to laugh at from time to time. So of course Miyuki riles Sawamura up to get him to stop being so stiff and weird with his cat-like expression because they need a decent looking one, or at least that's what Kuramochi argues with. Miyuki also knows that Kuramochi always has a roundabout way of admitting he'd miss them—little did either of them know they'd end up going to the same university, which Miyuki has great pleasure in teasing him with.
Miyuki's never really been one for keeping too many photos anyway, especially because he has a cellphone now (and he doesn't even keep many photos in there either, they're mostly just baseball related or stray animals he stumbles upon) but he keeps one particular picture in his phone that he never bothers to delete as a reminder of something he left behind, courtesy of Kuramochi—he really does hate the guy's perceptiveness when it's used against him. His asshole of a teammate snuck a picture of Miyuki ruffling Sawamura's hair as the poor guy cries his eyes out bidding Miyuki a heartfelt farewell which Miyuki of course does not allow because a second later he responds by flicking Sawamura's forehead. It is such an easy and comfortable game of tug of war with him Miyuki could never resist starting it especially when he gets a pouty angry look in response.
While the picture is a sweet memory, what comes minutes after gives him a bitter aftertaste. He remembers cherry blossoms falling from the nearby trees, clear skies, and the warmth of the sun on his skin. He remembers being pulled away from peoples' hushed goodbyes and promises of reconciliations by an eager yet shy Sawamura. The whisper of a confession, determined stare, and rosy cheeks that comes after should not take him by surprise but it does. Mostly because while he cannot deny that they have a one of a kind chemistry as a battery, he can't see the same thing being possible outside of baseball. Miyuki lastly recalls slowly croaking out a rejection and the southpaw's only response of shimmering gold droplets against his sun kissed skin makes Miyuki instantly regret. Miyuki rarely ever regrets because Miyuki rarely ever makes mistakes and lives in the present and plans for the future, but making Sawamura cry like that is forever ingrained in his memory as nothing but guilt because maybe he did make a mistake.
Miyuki locks the door and heads towards the elevator, too lazy to even consider the stairs this time around. It is common knowledge that the elevator sometimes breaks down in his dorm building, but he ignores that fact and heads right in. He blames the lack of caffeine.
Somebody is already there.
That somebody turns out to be the same southpaw pitcher Miyuki left in tears the day of his own graduation. The same person who quickly recovers from Miyuki's rejection and swallows his own tears sincerely thanking him for all the memories of their battery and for always somehow supporting him even when he thinks Sawamura never pays attention. The same person who let Miyuki walk away with a piece of his heart only to accept that he'd maybe never see him again because Sawamura never did tell anyone where he set his sights to for the future.
To say that he is surprised is an understatement; Miyuki thinks that maybe he is mistaken with the whole 'nobody's ever out at this hour' statement. Because of course it's just his luck that he runs into Sawamura freakin' Eijun. Sawamura, of all people. The guy is still a 3rd year at Seido, so Miyuki has no idea what he's even doing at his university at this ungodly hour of the morning on a Saturday no less. Miyuki would be lying to himself if he didn't say seeing that mop of fluffy brown hair, sun kissed skin, warm golden eyes, and pouty lips—so maybe paying attention to his lips is an error and he sure seems to making a lot of those today—didn't wake him up.
"Floor?" Sawamura asks in a neutral, bored tone, bringing Miyuki back to the present because that is definitely not the tone he expects when running into this person. He expects a loud accusing tone, an obnoxious one, an excited one even (which is so rarely ever directed at him because he's used to being the bad guy with Sawamura).
"W-What?" Miyuki answers automatically because what is correct, what as in: What are you doing here? Who are you visiting? Did you happen to change when I wasn't looking?
Sawamura raises an eyebrow and repeats himself slowly while clearing his throat, as if Miyuki can't hear him clearly and Miyuki furrows his eyebrows because the brat is being cheeky with him, he can see it.
"Sorry, I was caught off guard by a rude idiot I thought I'd never see again. Bottom floor." He says with an all familiar smirk.
What Sawamura does next surprises Miyuki even more than his unexpected appearance because okay, so maybe his comment isn't exactly the nicest, but really, when is Miyuki ever really nice to Sawamura outside of baseball (one can even argue that in baseball he doesn't let Sawamura do as he pleases)? He cannot help riling him up with offhanded comments. It's the way they've always interacted. It's the way their odd relationship is formed, because Sawamura never really sees Miyuki as a true senpai, nor does Miyuki ever really mind that fact, because leave it to Sawamura Eijun to do as he pleases and make you go at his pace. If it is about respect, Miyuki earns it through his plays, not through being nice. Sawamura pushes and pushes until he's eased his way into your heart with those determined eyes and contagious smile. Miyuki hardly ever got a peaceful day in at Seido with the loud southpaw bulldozing his way into everyone's lives.
Sawamura presses every single button on the damn elevator and Miyuki is left flabbergasted. He really wants that coffee and while there isn't a ridiculous amount of floors in this particular building, the fact that Sawamura has delayed his trip even more ticks him off, just a bit. And yes, the elevator happens to be slow.
"Now why would you do that, Sawamura?" He questions, trying to keep his anger in check.
The other boy has the audacity to not answer and is clearly giving him the cold shoulder after that childish display.
"Sawamura?" Miyuki repeats as he focuses his stare at Sawamura's back.
No answer.
Miyuki sighs. "Okay, clearly I've upset you. But did you really have to be so immature to push all the buttons?" He inquires because he wants Sawamura to at least give him an answer, any answer at this point. The silence is dreadful and since when did Sawamura learn to keep so quiet? Since when was Sawamura's silence so suffocating? It makes him a bit uneasy.
Even now Sawamura continues to defy his expectations just not in the way he wants but it's never about what he wants when it comes to this person. The outburst of immaturity is expected, but the silence afterwards is definitely not. He is too used to the brashness and raw emotion that is Sawamura Eijun.
"Yes" is all he hears Sawamura hiss out. And Miyuki should be mad at the sassy remark. Miyuki should want to snap back at him and tell him to stop being so petty and immature but at that moment Miyuki simply wants to turn Sawamura over to face him head on, maybe even reach over and ruffle his hair and call him an idiot with the same fondness he has had for this boy for the past three years and counting. He wants to ask because Sawamura is always loud and cheerful, never failing to make other people smile at his idiocy, except today, when all he's doing is confusing the shit out of Miyuki. Really, just his luck.
He sighs and decides to give in first because hell, maybe he wants the other to humor him. "Alright, Sawamura. What exactly did I do to you this time? I knew there was something wrong from the beginning when I walked into this elevator. You didn't even greet your beloved ex-captain for starters." He settles on ex-captaincy instead of declaring himself a senpai because he knows how bad he is at that.
And Sawamura finally turns to face him. "DAMN STRAIGHT ON EX-CAPTAIN! MIYUKI KAZUYA! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU ARE FEIGNING INNOCENCE RIGHT NOW," he fumes while crossing his arms over his chest.
Miyuki is probably a masochist because he misses that fire in Sawamura's eyes, especially when it's directed at him.
Oh right. This is the part where he's supposed to respond back. Although a sudden sense of dread fills him because he thinks he finally knows why Sawamura is so angry at him. While smoldering gold is staring right at him, he feels Sawamura is trying to burn actual holes into him.
"Ah… Right. Listen Sawamura, I don't really have the time to go down memory lane—" Miyuki's response is cut off as the elevator abruptly lurches to a stop. They don't reach the bottom floor yet, and the doors jam shut. The sudden stop makes Miyuki lose his balance and fall on top of Sawamura, who stumbles and falls to the floor of the elevator.
Miyuki's arms are on either side of Sawamura's head, caging him in. Both of them feel warm at their new position but try not to make it any more awkward than it is. Miyuki quickly gets up and offers Sawamura a hand, but the boy merely lifts himself up effortlessly ignoring the helping hand. Sawamura rubs his neck, not meeting Miyuki's eyes and there's this obvious tension in the air that is not being addressed. Miyuki tries to look for an alarm or even an emergency button on the side and why the hell is there not one? Did it not cross the person's mind who built the damn thing that elevators are capable of malfunctioning? Especially when there is an idiot onboard who decides to mess with the buttons and breaks the stupid thing. He tries to maybe text or call one of his teammates, but he realizes he didn't bother bringing his phone with him. Miyuki suddenly wishes he never stepped out of his room today.
"Guess you have time to finish that sentence, senpai." Sawamura answers cheekily with a grin that can rival Miyuki's.
This brat.
Miyuki's eye twitches. He would be proud if the situation wasn't as shitty.
"Alright, what's eating at you? Seeing as we have all the time in the world now and I'll be paying for it with an unfinished paper if this elevator doesn't start up soon." Miyuki starts again, staring the other boy down. He gives Sawamura the chance to chew him out and maybe he deserves the karma, maybe.
He hears a vibration go off nearby cutting their conversation short again and notices Sawamura immediately stumbling to get his phone out of his pocket. It is slightly amusing, especially when the boy finally manages to flip open his phone and he hears someone yelling—a familiar voice, one that he's been on the receiving end of—it sounds like Kuramochi, and this all suddenly makes sense to Miyuki. The utter silence in the elevator makes it easy to listen in on the two loud idiots.
"KURAMOCHI-SENPAI! I'M SORRY BUT THE ELEVATOR RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND—"
"Shut up BAKAMURA. It would be your luck to get stuck in the stupid elevator that I specifically told you to avoid. The power went out in the building so I'm not surprised it randomly shut off."
What Miyuki does wonder is if Kuramochi purposefully didn't mention Sawamura being here for Miyuki's benefit or simply for his. "Shit." Miyuki really is tired of everything at this point. His luck is rapidly hitting rock bottom at this rate. The sleep he has been fighting and manages to push away with Sawamura's random appearance helps but standing here, trapped in an elevator at two in the morning with no coffee, it's bringing the drowsiness back.
"What... Nooo!" Sawamura whines, and really, it would be endearing if Miyuki wasn't trapped in here with him.
Miyuki lets out a soft laugh and—
"Eh? Is someone there with you?"
Okay, Kuramochi is way too sharp for his own good, Miyuki thinks bitterly.
Sawamura looks over at Miyuki with a slight pout and immediately huffs with a certain hesitance and says, "Yeah… I ran into Miyuki-senpai so we're both stuck."
Miyuki tries not to smirk at the use of his favorite honorific, especially because he knows how defiant Sawamura can be with using it on him specifically. He knows Sawamura will call him senpai when he actually acts like one, similar to the times he openly chooses to praise Sawamura, which isn't often at all.
And what comes next makes Miyuki roll his eyes because all he hears are Kuramochi's loud hyahahas, and really, he is annoyed that Kuramochi of all people is informed on his misfortune because he knows he won't hear the end of this when he gets out of here.
"Well then, I guess I didn't have to do anything after all. I'll try and ask around to get an update on the power. You have fun and try not to choke the shitty glasses!"
Sawamura squawks at Kuramochi's statement and hangs up.
Miyuki wants to take a turn at choking Kuramochi instead, but realizes that Sawamura's turned his full attention on him again, keeping the light on his phone on wondering if it'll die any time soon because surely that takes a lot of power but he realizes it's probably because Sawamura wants to be able to get a clearer look at Miyuki's face.
Great.
"It's sweet of Kuramochi to still take on the role of a reliable senpai~"
Sawamura rolls his eyes and sighs. "Miyuki Kazuya, you're terrible but you were right. We have all the time in the world to talk until the power comes back." And he grins an honest grin, no ounce of mischief in it. It makes Miyuki feel a little light headed and he decides to take a seat on the floor—not just because of his lightheadedness but because it'd be a waste of energy to continue standing. So Sawamura follows and does the same. They're both sitting across from one another in the small space they have. He swears he can hear Sawamura's soft breathing and it should not be as soothing as it sounds, but it's probably because he's tired and he has yet to get caffeine into his system.
"So shoot. Why are you so—"
"Angry? Upset? Pissed off? APPALLED? DISAPPOINTED?" Sawamura clenches his teeth and Miyuki can see the clear annoyance on his face but he can't help but poke and prod a little.
"Listing a good amount of synonyms won't do you any good. I'm surprised you know what those words mean. Haha!"
"I LIKE READING OTHER THINGS ASIDE FROM SHOUJO MANGA BY THE WAY. I'M NOT THAT DUMB, SO SHUT UP YOU STUPID TANUKI! I—I really—do you know how many times I wanted to—" Sawamura sighs again and Miyuki sees the struggle in his furrowed eyebrows, wonders if he should try to help him a bit, but then, "It was so hard texting you after you left Seido, it was so hard to keep in contact when it was obvious you didn't want anything to do with me. I thought that even if you rejected me, we could still somehow be friends? But—" Sawamura then laughs and Miyuki knows it isn't his usual honest laughter, the one he has when he's being obnoxious over something, or even the one he has when something's far too amusing. This one for some reason sounds strained and Miyuki doesn't like this laugh, it sounds forced, fake, ugly. "Of course I'd be the only one thinking that right? Because the infamous Miyuki Kazuya doesn't make friends." And it should not hurt Miyuki hearing the truth from Sawamura, but it does. "He only has teammates right? And then you would just keep our conversations short, one worded and sure I don't mind that but then when I would want to get to know you outside of baseball, more like a friend—you'd choose to ignore me and Miyuki… Why are you so scared to let me in? Not just me, but anyone for that matter? Even with Kuramochi-senpai—"
"Sawamura." Miyuki stops the boy from continuing because he's diving into areas in which Miyuki isn't sure he wants Sawamura stepping into, he's not sure he wants Sawamura to see what a coward his ex-captain and catcher can be.
"Can you at least tell me why you rejected me? You never gave me a real answer…"
Sawamura remembers letting Miyuki's silent rejection sink in. He remembers finding it difficult to sleep and get up for his early runs and he would pat himself on the back for only crying once and getting his shit together the morning after. He never discusses this matter with Haruichi or Kuramochi, but Kuramochi somehow found out about the situation. He didn't mind, but he also didn't want anyone else knowing—mainly because he knows Miyuki's very reserved. He remembers baseball being his only savior for the first few months; it filled his mind until he decided to get over Miyuki's obvious indifference.
Even when he throws to Okumura's mitt during practice it isn't the same as Miyuki's and with obvious reason. Sawamura knows Okumura has his own style and he's learned to appreciate it and work with him, because Okumura has always looked up to Sawamura's style of pitching and that's more than enough to light a fire in him. He knows Miyuki slowly but surely pushed both of them to work together despite their first rocky encounter, what with Okumura finding Sawamura unnecessarily annoying. And he thanks Miyuki for that. Miyuki has always silently supported him; he knows this, despite it being hard to believe at first until he got his reassurance from Chris-senpai and a few others. He wishes Miyuki would be more open and admit things once in a while, let himself say words he usually keeps to himself, but even during his departure he felt closed off, felt like he was holding back with his words while Sawamura put himself out there.
Miyuki clenches his fists because he's mad at himself. He's upset that he's made Sawamura upset. That is the last thing he ever wanted to happen but this is probably another moment he regrets (and boy is he on a roll) because he knows the way he dealt with Sawamura's feelings was wrong.
"It's not easy for me to accept feelings or accept someone's genuinity, Sawamura."
He knows that out of everyone he's come across, Sawamura would be the most honest. He knows that he needs to work on himself and let his walls down. He's aware that it isn't Sawamura's fault. He knows he fucked up when he would ignore curious texts from the southpaw which later turned into fewer texts throughout the months. Eventually the texts stopped. He's sure that he strained their relationship even more with his forced indifference.
"Then learn to accept mine, DAMMIT! I—I still really like you, you stupid—stupid," A sob leaves Sawamura's lips and he's curling into himself and no no no, Miyuki definitely did not want this. He got a glimpse of those awfully expressive golden eyes that look far too pretty when glistening in tears and he wants, he really wants. "Just learn to talk more… learn to let me be your friend or at least be blunt and tell me to back off. I'll leave you alone, I promise. I would never force you to be my friend."
"I want—" Miyuki croaks as he closes his eyes and he's shaking, he's not used to exposing himself like this, how can Sawamura do this with ease? He has always admired Sawamura because of this, but right now, he feels like he's going to collapse.
"Miyuki-senpai." And oh no, Miyuki recognizes this politeness. He swallows the lump in his throat. "I'm sorry. I've pushed too much. Wakana was right. Sometimes I push a bit too much and it just turns people away."
He's not sure where Sawamura's childhood friend fits into this equation but he supposes her advice was half correct and while he wants to agree with her, he also wants to disagree because he does want to be Sawamura's friend, but more than that he wants—he wants to tell Sawamura he feels the same, that his persistence didn't go to waste and it's something that he should never change. He wants to tell him that he's always felt the same about him but he also doesn't want to be a distraction for the boy's 3rd year. He knows how important it is. It's the time scouts start making offers. He wants Sawamura to make choices without him being a major influence, because if he was Sawamura's reason for coming to Seido (oh yeah, he totally got that one out of Kuramochi and some exchanged texts between Sawamura's childhood friend, he has no shame), he does not want to be his reason for trying to get into this university, that is if he even has Waseda in mind. He wants Sawamura to make his own choices and he feels a relationship would surely influence him. Not that Miyuki would mind having him around again as his pitcher—on the contrary the idea thrills him beyond belief—but he also wants the boy to have his freedom.
Miyuki manages to somehow find his composure. "No. She wasn't right." Sawamura looks up with puffy eyes and god he just… "I'm sorry."
Sawamura can't believe his ears. Miyuki Kazuya apologized to him?
"Wha—"
"Let me finish."
Sawamura nods as he sniffles a bit looking over at tired warm amber eyes and he thinks, it's the first time he's ever seen Miyuki look directly at him with an honesty in his eyes. He also sees the small bags under them and he wonders how long Miyuki's been up for and if maybe he's in this elevator because he wants to go get the beloved coffee he's always drinking. He suddenly wishes for the power to come back on because the dim light on his phone is not doing Miyuki's face justice.
"I… I feel the same—about you, that is…"
Sawamura's eyes widen and he looks ready to argue, "WHY DID—" but Miyuki interrupts again.
"Are you going to let me finish or what?" Miyuki smiles with fondness when Sawamura huffs because really, the idiot would get excited.
"I just, I just wasn't sure on what to do when you ended up beating me to it. You confessed and I really should not have been taken by surprise. You always exceed expectations, especially mine and of course you'd face me head on with your feelings, typical you. It's admirable though. That day, I did the only thing I knew, which was to reject you because I had told myself that I wouldn't be standing in the way of whatever future you chose." Miyuki sadly smiles over at Sawamura. Shimmery gold meets with amber and Sawamura wants to close the short distance between them, to shake Miyuki silly because he's so wrong but he also knows when to be patient, despite him feeling reluctant to do so but he knows this is important for both of them to grow. Sawamura is determined, more so than before.
"Your 3rd year maps out the road to your future and if you were to get offers, which I'm sure you've gotten already, I wouldn't want to be selfish and somehow influence your choice. I also wasn't sure if you'd still be in Japan after you left Seido, so surely that would make things complicated even if we didn't establish a relationship with one another."
Sawamura starts fiddling with the zipper on his sweater all the while keeping his eyes on Miyuki, and he thinks maybe he's said enough for now? Maybe it's safe to speak.
"C-Can I talk now?" Sawamura inquires softly, almost afraid of breaking whatever spell that forced Miyuki to speak. Miyuki nods and in one swift motion Sawamura closes the distance between them both and sits himself on Miyuki's right side, giving him a look, a look that's telling him to brace himself. He bumps Miyuki on the shoulder almost causing him to fall over on his left, but he quickly regains balance.
"Oi, you brat. What's with—"
And Sawamura is suddenly too close. Miyuki freezes on the spot when he turns to face him. He can smell something coming close to candy apples on him and it's surprisingly fitting. Miyuki wants to see if his mouth tastes like them too. Sawamura leans his forehead against Miyuki's and his eyes aren't as puffy anymore. He feels Sawamura radiating warmth and his tears have dried up. Sawamura's eyes and lips are enough to light up the damn room if he wants to because Miyuki has never seen someone's feelings on full display like this boy in front of him and it's a sight of raw beauty.
"You, Miyuki Kazuya, are an idiot. I went to Seido because of you, but also because I knew I could grow to love baseball even more if you caught for me. I knew I'd learn to see baseball in a different perspective because of Seido. Don't flatter yourself TOO much, HMPH! You had some influence, but Seido did the rest! I mean you know all that good equipment is too good to pass up!" And he laughs a lighthearted laugh that makes Miyuki smile once more. It's something that gets to be too addicting around Sawamura. His laugh is contagious. "As for you influencing my choices, I mean—sheesh Miyuki, I know you're a control freak on the field but I didn't think you'd make choices for me outside of a game! I can make my own decisions thank you very much and it wasn't like I hadn't already made my choice for the future. I already got an offer I couldn't refuse, so you see? You didn't even get to make my choice for me."
Sawamura pulls away and Miyuki finds himself wanting to chase after that warmth. He blinks a bit impressed at Sawamura's bold statements.
"Well, well, well. Looks like you have a brain after all. I guess I was an idiot for worrying about you. Haha!"
He hears the other huff at him again and says with an apparent grin, "Yeah well, you were more of an idiot this time around!" Sawamura makes a victory sign with his fingers.
Miyuki feigns hurt. "Who taught you to be so damn cheeky by the way?"
Sawamura giggles and it's music to his ears. "I learned from the best! You happen to know the guy. He comes to this university."
"Oh? Should I be jealous?" Miyuki leans back into Sawamura's space and the boy freezes this time. Miyuki takes his small victory in wiping the look of triumph from Sawamura's face because he's done with running away from this beautiful boy who still wants him in his life.
Sawamura gulps and says, "Maybe. He's a shitty senpai, but I still really like him."
And with a soft chuckle Miyuki decides to be the first to move this time around because he's done with prolonging things. He wants and wants and wants with Sawamura but never once bothered to follow up on his desires until now. He closes the distance between them once more and he likes this close proximity. He likes being able to see Sawamura's gleaming eyes closing in the dim lighted space and he thinks he hears Sawamura's phone beeping notifying them of its last few moments of life but they both come to a silent agreement and ignore it. Miyuki takes pleasure in hearing Sawamura's sudden intake of breath and appreciates seeing his long eyelashes flutter and feeling his cheeks heat up under his tender touch when he cups them to press his own lips against Sawamura's. And he just wants to be greedier than ever today. He thinks he can maybe afford to do that. He can continue to grow with Sawamura, no matter what either of them chooses to do.
Three hours later, and both of them awaken to the elevator moving again. They're still on the floor with their backs against the wall. Sawamura has his face towards Miyuki's chest and Miyuki has his arms wrapped around Sawamura. When Sawamura tries to pry himself from the other's arms, Miyuki just pulls him closer and holds him tighter relishing in his scent. Sawamura sputters indignantly and blushes a bright red because sure, he confessed again and Miyuki responded back with the same feelings this time and everything is great, really great that he can yell at the top of his lungs in this cramped elevator. It's similar to when he was finally given the ace number, but why compare Miyuki's feelings to baseball? It runs a bit deeper than that, he thinks. This is something different, something thrilling and precious and warm, something scary but the unknown usually is and that doesn't deter him one bit. He takes it as a worthy challenge. It's everything that he associates with Miyuki Kazuya and it makes his heart race.
"M-Miyuki? The elevator's working again so you should go work on that paper again. I'll go get you coffee and drop it off. Then I'll head to Mochi-senpai's room so I don't distract you."
"Mmm, just a few seconds more, Sawamura." He mutters into his hair and Sawamura has to fight back a shudder.
The elevator comes to a stop on the first floor and the doors open revealing a sight that Kuramochi can't help but laugh at. Oh, he loves being right. When he couldn't get a hold of Sawamura earlier he figured he was probably having his moment and long needed talk with Miyuki. He sighs at seeing a comfortable Miyuki snuggling his idiot ex-roommate. While he finds it amusing seeing Sawamura turn fifty shades of red, he thinks if he doesn't help peel Miyuki off of him he'll have a heart attack and he doesn't want to be held responsible for either of those idiots.
He leers at them both and says, "Alright, shitty glasses, time to rise and shine and finish that paper."
He's not sure whether or not Miyuki deserves breakfast but the look of concern Sawamura gives Kuramochi when he pulls Miyuki up and smacks his face makes Kuramochi bite the inside of his cheek and groan. He can't even be an actual asshole when he wants to be.
Miyuki whines and swats Kuramochi's hand away.
"Be a bit nicer to me Kuramochi-kun. I'm in your care!~"
"YUCK! Why do I even bother with you?!"
"Because you looove me~!"
"Alright lover boy, here fetch." He turns to Sawamura and pushes Miyuki to him and he swears he hears Miyuki say yay like a child who just got his first Christmas present. He realizes that a Miyuki without coffee is his least favorite and Miyuki's never been his favorite person but this is the worst so far. Little does he know that a love-struck Miyuki will become the worst one yet.
"So why did you end up coming over on a Saturday? I thought coach still held practices around this time." Miyuki gives a questioning look to Sawamura. He's pretty content with getting a nap in after finishing his paper.
Kuramochi and Sawamura had been his saviors, really. They supplied him with coffee and small snacks during the hours that were probably not considered breakfast but at least it got the job done in nourishment. It wasn't until Miyuki started teasing Sawamura a bit too much, what with the lingering casual touches and Kuramochi knew, he knew Miyuki wanted to have Sawamura flustered so he forbade the southpaw from being in the same room Miyuki again until he finished his paper.
They're in Miyuki's room now, mostly because Kuramochi was fed up with Sawamura constantly pestering him about the catcher and just dumped him with Miyuki since it wasn't his business anymore what went on between them.
"Coach wanted us to have the day off today which I took advantage of! Aaaand Harucchi and Okumura were scolding me, telling me I shouldn't overwork myself too much. So then I texted Mochi-senpai asking him what his plans were and he just told me to come over to Waseda, that he'd make plans for us. He gave me an address and everything."
"Huh. But why are you here so late?" Miyuki wonders if Kuramochi just used Sawamura to stay up late playing video games and possibly bet on the chance of Sawamura getting bored which led to him wandering around until they just so happened to bump into each other. He's probably overthinking, Kuramochi would definitely scoff at him and tell him there's no way in hell he'd be that invested in his life, but it's questionable sometimes.
"Eh? I was already here around Friday evening, but Mochi-senpai and I were playing video games until one in the morning and after a while I decided to take a walk around the campus and well—uh that's when I ran into you." Sawamura says sheepishly.
Bingo.
"Oh? Interesting."
Miyuki thinks he deserves some damn praise for his perceptiveness! He'll bug Kuramochi about it later.
"Yup! It all worked out somehow!"
"True." Miyuki hums in acknowledgment. There is one question he really wants to ask and he can't help but try Sawamura's straight forward method because, they're dating now right? So he can just ask and Sawamura's always so honest. "So, since you told me you had your future all figured out, what was that offer you couldn't refuse that you mentioned earlier in the elevator? What big shot school scouted you, hm?"
A twinkle appears in Sawamura's eyes and he gives a knowing smirk at Miyuki. If Miyuki didn't know any better, he thinks Sawamura's learning a bit too much from him. He should feel uneasy but he can't help but feel a small thrill and sense of pride.
"Well, well, well! How the tables have turned! If I didn't know any better… Is the great Miyuki Kazuya curious to know where I'm going after I graduate?" He hears Sawamura cackle in triumph next to him but he doesn't let it get to him. His boyfriend is pretty transparent that he can't find it in himself to crush that pride for once.
"Glad to know you've accepted my greatness." He chooses to answer with similar presumptuousness instead because it's what he's good at.
"What?! No! This is about me! Not you!" Sawamura whines.
"Now now, Sawamura-kun, let's not be so self-centered. They say love is selfless."
"HA! You should learn that word then, Miyuki Kazuya!"
"You're a pretty selfish person, on and off the mound, Sawamura Eijun. So I wouldn't be talking."
"WHY DID I EVER CONFESS TO YOU?! WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THOSE PRETTY WORDS YOU TOLD ME IN THE ELEVATOR."
"That was a vulnerable time for us. It's a little too late to change your mind now, idiot. And my words are one of a kind, they're rare~! It'd get to your big head if I praised you all the time."
Miyuki is still curious on which school scouted Sawamura, but he knows he doesn't have to pester him about it. He can wait—he thinks he can at least. If worse comes to worse than Miyuki knows he can just tease it out of him, but really, he thinks he can wait because the fact Sawamura is being private about this, then it must be very important to him. Miyuki can learn. He can grow with Sawamura. He firmly believes it. He has about half a year to go.
Omake:
Of course, the first day of his second year at Waseda he runs into Sawamura Eijun, and while he is very flattered at seeing his idiot boyfriend, the terms in which he sees him are very different. He seems to be on friendly terms with his rival catcher and his rival catcher seems to be very interested in Sawamura's unique form. More so because not many of their pitchers are as thrilling as Sawamura. Having multiple breaking balls and a unique pitching form, really, it's a catcher's joy ride. So of course, the guy looks smitten with Sawamura. It doesn't bother Miyuki too much.
He puts them both in their places during practice and rains on their parade because love may be selfless but that doesn't mean he has to stop being an asshole.
Miyuki later harasses Sawamura and calls him cruel for not even letting him know he'd be going over to visit, but Miyuki's sure, he's 100% sure that Sawamura's not simply visiting, especially after his coach introduces Sawamura as a new member and his teammates all give him questioning looks when the southpaw calls out his name in that obnoxious manner that stopped being annoying and somehow became endearing throughout his 3rd year of high school. He definitely knows when he sees the all familiar white uniform with red letters in bold, saying WASEDA. He just wants actual confirmation from the boy's lips because he needs to know it isn't all just an elaborate dream on his part.
So he teases and teases, tells him that he shouldn't be swayed by some possible rival catcher to make his decision and then Sawamura gives him a dumbfounded look and his face lights up immediately after that because Sawamura figures this is just Miyuki being dumb. That he probably just wants him to state the obvious because even Miyuki needs reassurance sometimes.
"Miyuki Kazuya, you idiot! I came here so you can keep catching for me! I want to form a battery with you again if you'll have me!"
Then they both hear a distant yell of, "Oi, that's rich coming from you BAKAMURA, when you're not even officially on the starting roster yet! Hyahaha!"
Sawamura knows he'll be earning a kick from Kuramochi later, but he definitely counts his blessings in knowing he is not paired up with him as a roommate this time around.
And Miyuki laughs, laughs all his worries and doubts away because wow, Waseda made an offer to Sawamura, which is an amazing feat in itself. He had gone to a few of Sawamura's games during the year. He had seen his beautiful form countless times and his fierce pitching, he'd caught for that but he also saw some improvements in his control and even a few new breaking balls. He could also see Sawamura was thinking along with Okumura on the field instead of leaving it all up to the underclassman. He thinks independently about the batters now and he feels a hint of pride there. Sawamura was a diamond in the rough that began taking his own shape and form. A radiant pitcher with limitless potential that is now under his care again. He feels an all familiar excitement for baseball again.
"Dummy, it's not up to me. It's up to the coach. Like, Kuramochi said, you're not on the roster yet. It's just the first day."
Sawamura scoffs and sticks his tongue out childishly. "I know that. I'm just saying I hope you're okay with catching for me again."
"Why wouldn't I be? Sure you're greedy and selfish and demanding and whiny—" he hears Sawamura grumble about him being a terrible senpai and why did he even come here again so he snickers in response. "We're partners again, Sawamura." His lips curve into a genuine smile after he lets those spoken words sink in and Sawamura wants to keep seeing Miyuki like that, hopes he gets to see him smile like that more often. He knows his love for baseball and his love for Miyuki will always somehow complement one another.
"Yeah, partners."