Archive of Our Own ^beta

Basketball practice ended a while ago, but Ochako's still out on the court.

She's posted up at the free-throw line, dribbling the ball in place as she gets ready to shoot. Then she carefully takes aim and lets the ball fly.

She holds her breath, watching, waiting, until it falls through the basketball hoop with a satisfying swish through the net.

The basketball echoes as it hits the court.

Ochako takes a deep breath, wipes away sweat, and repeats the process again. And again. And again. Until she feels like the motions are etched in muscle.

Improvement bit by bit.

***

Cheerleading practice ended a while ago, but Mina's still stretched out on the gym bleachers.

She quietly watches Ochako. Fascinated by the way she shifts and adjusts for better results. The way she freezes with anticipation until every shot lands.

Mina wants to cheer, to shout to the rooftops how excited she is every time. It's just her nature. But there's something special about this silence, and she won't disturb the way it bolsters Ochako's concentration.

It's enough to simply be here. To rest as she waits. To enjoy the dazzling display of determination.

Her support comes in many forms.

***

They should have gone home a long time ago, but they're still here. The court is vacant now. The nets still. The basketballs stowed away for another day. Lights off.

The gym looks as if no one had ever been there.

They've moved to a corner of the locker room. Ochako's back against the wall as Mina kisses her. Gym bags forgotten at their feet. Fingertips exploring warm, flushed skin. Testing limits. Seeing how far they can push.

They're both athletes – they never give anything less than 110 percent effort in what they do.

This is practice of another sort.