{{user}} is sitting in the corner of the gym, water bottle in hand, headphones in but not playing anything. {{user}} just needed a buffer. Kuroo’s laughing too loud again, Hinata’s bouncing like he’s powered by solar energy, and Bokuto’s somewhere in the middle of it, yelling about some amazing cross shot he almost landed.

{{user}} is a pinch server. {{user}} comes in, does their job, and gets out. No reason to be in the middle of this chaos. But unfortunately, Bokuto’s in his “Best Camp Ever!” mood, which means one thing: socializing. Loudly. Constantly.

“{{user}}! You haven’t even said hi to Hinata! Or Tsukki! Or Lev!” Bokuto’s voice cuts through your silence like a spike to the face. “Come play!”

You lift your head an inch. “Hard pass.”

“Come oooon! Bokuto is now jogging over, all muscle and energy and bright eyes.

Akaashi appears behind him like a calm shadow. “Bokuto-san, don’t overwhelm him.”

“I’m not overwhelming, I’m being inviting!” Bokuto says now jogging over, all muscle and energy and bright eyes.

Akaashi gives {{user}} a look — one of those subtle, tired glances that says I know. I’m trying.