Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hinata Shouyou was a happy and energetic child, born into a loving family. He loved making friends and enjoyed being touchy-feely with them. Verbal communication was hard at times, so he used actions, touch, and a combination of sound effects to express himself better so naturally he felt at home playing sports. But as he grew, he was met with the Japanese societal norms that caged him in and told him to behave. As his years in school went on, he was being told to be less openly friendly with people. His regular friends easily fit into that box, but it caused Shouyou a great amount of grief when he had to stop himself from hugging or having other kinds of too-friendly contact. Thankfully he had volleyball to put that energy and all his feelings into and as an added bonus skin-ship in sports seemed acceptable. He could blame everything on being happy or sad about the results and his teammates and rivals/volleyball friends accepted him easily. Volleyball became his everything as it supported his needs and gave him a drive, he didn’t know he needed. Though he soon discovered his body’s physical limitations, he never gave up on the sport. After high school, his love and determination for the sport drove him to Brazil.

Life in Brazil was different. The country was hot and the people were passionate. At first, Shouyou suffered from culture shock and separation anxiety from his friends and family. Moving to another country is hard, but moving alone is even more so. His new coach, Lucio, has introduced him to the right people to start his beach training and integrated the little tangerine into his indoor team too as part of his training. In no time Hinata charmed his new acquaintances and they, in return, introduced him to life in Rio. He got a job as a delivery boy to support himself and trained in every free minute from dusk till dawn. But his life wasn’t just working and no fun, his first proper party, first drink, and more explicit sexual experiences happened in quick succession thanks to his new friends and Shouyou felt at ease with all. He took to casual intimacy like a duck to water. Man or woman, it didn’t matter, sex was a great way to relieve stress.

Surrounded by people and having fun didn’t take away from the feeling of home-sickness. He longed to show all this to his friends back home even if it would freak some of them out. He thought Yacchan and Yamaguchi would be both entertained and panicked by some of his new experiences. Kageyama wouldn’t understand any of it and would think it’s an unnecessary distraction from volleyball training and Tsukki… Tsukishima would find Brazil too tiring and hot in more ways than one. Kenma would be as supportive as ever, after all, it keeps Shouyou interesting. The same thought that brought a smile to his face one moment made him depressed the next, due to the sheer distance between him and his dear friend. He did keep in touch with everyone from home, but some things are not easy to describe in a text or video call. But once more, luck was on Shouyou’s side, and roughly 3 months after arriving in Brazil, at the end of a grueling week Shouyou found himself face to face with someone familiar mid-dive for a ball.

“Is this real life?” came the incredulous shout in Japanese.

“Grand King!?! I mean… Oikawa-san? What are you doing here?” Shouyou shouted perplexed.

“That should be my line!” said Oikawa stepping closer.

“I’m in Rio to train using beach volleyball for about the next 2 years.” Came the quick response

“I play in the Argentinian league now, you little monster. Ugh… I guess I’m not the only one crazy enough to pull something like this off. C’mon chibi-chan, show me a good place to eat and we can talk more”

That was the start of the week they spent together with plenty of volleyball and talking in the evenings. Shouyou had his training early morning and his job during the day, but each evening was spent with Oikawa, who slowly became Tooru. Shouyou learned a lot from the older setter. This encounter was also significant to the older setter, who rediscovered his love for the sport. Oikawa’s week was spent lazing about with his teammates during the day and getting used to beach volleyball at night with the Chibi-chan/shrimpy, who became Sho-chan. The week had also brought Oikawa nearer to his team, an added bonus. That Friday night after a winning match Shouyou asked if Tooru and his teammates would like to join him and his friends from the indoor volleyball team for their usual Saturday night clubbing and the older one agreed. And so, the coming night they found themselves with a big group of guys sitting around a small table, knocking back a couple of drinks trying to outshout the music and having fun. One by one the guys started getting on the dancefloor and finding partners until only Tooru and Shouyou were left.

“Do you want to dance, Tooru?” shouted the younger, flushed from the alcohol and the heat in the club.

“Sure! C’mon, Sho, show me your dance moves.” Pulled the older. The DJ was playing a heavy dubstep-style song, but slowly transitioned into a Latino style pair up and grind on your partner melody, and Shouyou being the cheeky little monster that he was, immediately grabbed Tooru as his partner and started a bit clumsy but sensual dance with him. The atmosphere and the amount of booze started affecting Tooru as he enjoyed their situation a bit too much. The heat seeped into his body where Shouyou had wrapped his arms around Tooru’s neck almost hanging on him, swaying his body to the beat.

“C’mon Tooru, relax! Feel the music, don’t think.” Whisper shouted Shouyou in his ear as he stood on his tiptoes a leg between Oikawa’s, putting delicious pressure on the order’s crotch. All logic and restraint went out the window and he gave in to the sweet temptation of the (not so) baby crow. Tooru buried his face into Shouyou’s neck and took in his unique aroma, he smelled of the sea and some kind of citrus bodywash mixed with sweat and sunshine. It made Tooru lick the tender skin behind Shouyous ear, earning an excited shiver and the smaller shimmying even closer to him.

“Can I take you home tonight Shouyou?” asked Oikawa taking the shorter man’s earlobe in his mouth.

“I don’t know, can you?” came the cheeky answer with a big grin

“Cheeky little brat, when did you get this brave, you used to stutter and hide behind Tobio-chan whenever you saw me.” Tooru’s hands traveled from Shouyou’s lower back to his ass and gave it a hearty squeeze. The song changed to a slow swaying love song and the dancefloor became even more crowded.

“Moving to another country can do that to someone and I learned that the hunt is just as exciting as the little death it usually results in.” Shouyou placed a little kiss on the underside of Oikawa’s jaw and felt the taller man tighten his grip “That’s it you little tease, we are going back to my hotel room. Go say your goodbyes.”

That night Tooru found out that the little crow put the same amount of passion into his horizontal tango as he puts into volleyball, worshiping his partner as he would the ball, giving and taking pleasure relentlessly. In the wee hours of the morning waking up from a blissed-out slumber, Tooru found himself alone in bed. Pushing himself up on his elbows he saw the balcony door open and the ginger sitting out there meditating. As he observed Shouyou’s slowly rising and falling shoulders, the first rays of the day broke through the horizon and illuminated the ginger in a heavenly glow. The young man a couple of steps away couldn’t be further from him even if he tried. He seemed unattainable. Ready and available for a game or two, but nothing more, and that was fine by Tooru. He has reawakened the fire in his own heart for the game and maybe something else too, but that was for another day.

“Oh, you’re awake Tooru. I was doing my morning meditation. It helps center me.” Shouyou stepped into the room in only his boxers, mid-stretch.

“Let’s work out a little bit more, chibi-chan! Give me another demonstration of your monster stamina and yoga moves.”

They spent the rest of Sunday entangled in each other. On Monday Oikawa and his teammates left Rio, but not before he promised frequent visits in his downtime. After all, Rio is just a 3-hour flight away from Argentina.

Chapter Text

Shouyou just landed on Japanese soil and turned airplane mode off to immediately be inundated by messages and notifications. By the time he got his luggage, he had to decline 3 calls. While he appreciated his friends’ enthusiasm, he was tired and jetlagged after spending nearly 2 days in transit as direct flights were expensive. He knew his mum was at work so she wouldn’t be able to pick him up. Not that he wanted her to. It would be a waste of time and money and he will be home by tonight. He couldn’t wait to hug the daylight out of Natsu and eat his mother’s home-cooked meal. Just that thought made him hurry up his steps to get to the express train into Tokyo then he could catch the Shinkansen to Sendai. Shouyou has done a lot of growing up while away from home. He became a proper penny pincher. It's not that he was wasting money before, but now he was extra careful about it.

All his plans flew out the window the moment he stepped out into the main area of the airport. Like a pair of big cats on the hunt, stood Kenma and Kuroo, scanning the crowds to find a certain ginger. The moment they spotted him they pounced without mercy.

“Look who’s trying to slink into the country without greeting his friends first!” grinned Kuroo

“Hi… Kuroo-san… Kenma… what are you two doing here?” asked Shouyou confused

“Your mum had Natsu call me to pick you up from the airport. She wanted you to have a rest before you made your way to Miyagi after a 36-hour flight.” Said Kenma in his usual tone hands in his pockets of his black fitted jeans and red shirt combo hidden under a baggy hooded sport jacket, his longer hair escaping from his bun and hanging over his face.

“I told her I could make my way back home without any issues. I haven’t forgotten how to use public transport in the last 2 years. I don’t need a babysitter!” pouted the ginger, while he matured a lot in the last two years seeing his friends reverted him a bit to old times.

“I feel offended, Shouyou! I thought you would be at least happy to see me.” Teased Kenma with a smirk and stepped closer to accept Shouyou’s hug.

“You know I am happy to see you, but at the moment I just want my bed! I’m shattered.” The ginger nearly whined into Kenma’s shoulder. It felt like he truly arrived home in the embrace of one of his closest friends and biggest supporter and sponsor.

“That’s why you are spending the night at my house. I have a really comfy futon waiting just for you!”

Before the ginger could start protesting more Kuroo slung his arm around his shoulder and started pulling him, luggage and all, in the direction of the parking lot. Soon, Shouyou found himself buckled into the backseat of a slick black car with Kenma next to him and Kuroo in the driver's seat as a dutiful chauffeur. He was whisked off to Kenma’s house in no time and showed into the bathroom before he even realized where he was. He dutifully took a bath, and he felt all the stress leave his body and nearly fell asleep in the bathtub. Freshly washed and dressed, he went to find his friends and was greeted with takeout in the sitting room and Kuroo badgering Kenma about something or other.

“Shouyou! Come and eat, then I have a futon set up for you to sleep.” The prospect of having Japanese food perk the ginger up and he sat down and got under the kotatsu, that Kenma always seemed to have set up. The yakisoba was just right and Shouyou got lost in stuffing his face, not noticing his older friends checking him out. Shouyou was dressed in a thin white t-shirt and some shorts he fished out from his luggage, both clinging to his toned muscles and contrasting with his tanned skin. The lean little crow was gone and had been replaced by a young man with just the right amount of muscle, tanned skin, and a shorter haircut. Shouyou was a child no more. Still as charming, but with a district sex appeal and confidence that wasn’t there before. The ginger moaning in the enjoyment of his meal made the other two feel suddenly hot and bothered.

“Is that on purpose Sho?” Asked Kenma after another deep moan coming from his friend.

“Wha’ dwo yow meam?” Shouyou looked confused while slurping in another mouthful, his cheeks bulging with how full his mouth was. Kuroo couldn’t decide if it was obliviously cute or deviously sexy, which made him imagine stuffing the ginger face with something else.

“You having a sexual relationship with your food.” deadpanned Kenma

After swallowing the mouthful Shouyou looked at the other two “Excuse me for enjoying myself.” pouted the ginger “I hadn’t had anything Japanese for some time, Oikawa included, let me have my fill” and gave them a suggestive smile. Kuroo choked on his water and Kenma looked like a cat that got the cream.

“I knew he was visiting you way too often in Rio.” Kenma commented nonchalantly with a hint of excitement in his voice.

“Wait a moment… wait a moment… are you saying that Chibi-chan here has been getting it on with Oikawa while he was supposed to train in Brazil? How did they even meet? … in Brazi?!?” Kuroo looked incredulous.

“I did tell you that Shouyou has grown a lot in Rio. Honestly, sometimes it feels like I’m talking to a wall, Kuroo.” Kenma started cleaning the empty containers up as if nothing happened. Kenma and Shouyou kept regular contact and the two would talk about most things going on with the both of them. Kenma was all for Shouyou learning many new skills while he was abroad. It would make the ginger more interesting.

“Did I shatter your image of me, Kuroo-san? I would give you a demonstration of my new skills, but I really am tired and would fall asleep on you. Maybe another time?” asked Shouyou, then sauntered after Kenma to the kitchen with his empty water glass, leaving the rooster head in shock.

By the time Kuroo recovered from the shock he couldn’t hear any noise in the house, so he went to investigate. He found the two younger males in Kenma’s bedroom, the blond sitting on the bed with his back to the headboard gaming console in hand and the ginger’s head in his lap, face buried into his stomach fast asleep. Futon completely forgotten on the ground. Kenma didn’t even look up so Kuroo left them to make some work-related phone calls and work on his laptop in the sitting room. Hours later he got up to shake out his tired and aching limbs. Office work was a necessary evil for the JVA representative.

‘I’m going to check on those two’ Kuroo thought while stretching and walking to Kenma’s bedroom. He pushed the door open with care so he wouldn’t wake the ginger and was greeted with the sight of Shouyou half sitting on the pudding head’s lap with Kenma sucking on the ginger's neck, who had his head thrown back and his hand around both of their cocks. Once more the oldest stood there completely bamboozled, a gasp escaping his mouth. The two younger ones looked at him with predatory lustful eyes. With a tilt of Kenma’s head, he was invited to join the two. As things continued, all three men were soon naked and working out the dynamics of a threesome.

Hours and some sleep later Kuroo woke to find himself entangled with his faux blond friend but no sign of the ginger. He ventured out into the living room and found his missing bedfellow. He was perched on a chair cocooned in a blanket, looking out the window and observing the Tokyo scene before him. He seemed smaller than the night before when they took him home.

“Shouldn’t you be resting, chibi-chan?” asked the older, startling Shouyou out of his thoughts.

“Probably, but I couldn’t fall asleep, Kuroo-san. Jet lag and all that.” Shrugged the ginger with a weak smile and turned back to the window. Kuroo was taken aback a little. He had never seen the ginger with such a pained expression. He knew the happy or frustrated and mostly determined faces of the younger man, but never one so deeply different.

“When did our chibi-chan become so moody?” Kuroo turned to the approaching Kenma, who was shuffling out from the bedroom.

“He is not ours; he just lets us play with him.” Kenma growled at his oldest friend “I tried to explain it to you a couple of times, but as always you didn’t listen. Shouyou has always been a free spirit, tying him down would kill him slowly.” Shouyou laugh at that.

“Kenma, I thought I was just an NPC you met at the side of the road not some rare bird. Also, weren’t you the one who tried to cage me in at my first Nationals?”

“We talked about this already Sho. You evolved from an NPC into a hidden Boss that cannot help, but entertain the heroes of the game.” Kenma shuffled closer to the ginger and enveloped him in a hug, groping his younger friend in the process “I like your new muscles, you really leveled them up just the right way.”

“Did my kissing level up since the last you tried it?” came the cheeky response and the ginger captured the pudding head’s lips. Kuroo just shook his head and observed the two younger men in front of him. He remembered catching them kissing after he sneaked into training camp the year Kenma was a third year. He wanted to check on his friends from the different teams and what better place than the training camp they all gathered at. Later he asked Kenma if he was going out with the ginger, but got a clear no and a vague reason for why not. His and Kenma’s relationship was always an open one and he knew, that while the younger wasn’t ready for a committed relationship, he would also not actively seek out a partner. Chibi-chan had been a surprise at first, but he never felt threatened by the small ginger, even when he became a frequent visitor at Kenma’s during his third and consecutive years. He knew he could ask for details if he wanted to and Kenma would always give him a truthful answer. While he never got involved before, he was happy to be included now. That night slowly it became clear to him that all that ever happened and would happen was purely physical and he was fine by that. After all, why give up something fun given so willingly?

The next morning, they accompanied Shouyou to the train station and sent him off to Miyagi. Kuroo and Kenma were watching the train disappear in the distance, after returning to the car, Kuroo turned to Kenam.

“Kenma, what happened to Chibi-chan?”

“He got his heart broken and chose to leave for Brazil, without solving his issues here. And no, we were never in that kind of relationship. Shouyou asked me to help figure things out as a safe option and I did. We kissed a couple of times, but that’s basically it, everything else you were present for.”

Chapter Text

Being home again was great. When he got off the train in Sendai, he got intercepted by none other than Yamaguchi, again instructed by his mom through his sister to help get Shouyou home. Tadashi drove the ginger to his house. Being a weekday Natsu was at school and Mrs. Hinata was at work. Shouyou invited Tadashi in and promised him to cook a quick ‘thank you’ meal and Yamaguchi being the old gossip that he was caught Shoyou up to the latest news. While they chatted frequently, during the time the ginger was away, you can only convey so much through texting and group Facetime.

“This is really good, " Yamaguchi gushed. You’ve become an even better cook than before.”

“Well, I couldn’t really expect anyone to cook for me in Rio, and it took a while for Pedro to warm up to me so…” Shouyou shrugged and continued eating and asking about different people they both knew.

Shouyou was grateful for Yamaguchi spending his day off chauffeuring him around and keeping him company. It almost felt like old times, just with adult topics thrown into the mix, like job interviews and future plans. It was late afternoon when Tadashi left the ginger ladled with souvenirs that he needed to pass on to their friends, and he promised to meet up in a couple of weeks’ time after Shouyou finished his tryouts.

Before returning to Japan Shouyou thoroughly researched the best V-league Division 1 teams and found out that the MSBY and the Green Rockets were holding Tryouts in the next two weeks. He already booked his ticket to Osaka and a bed for a couple of days in a cheap hostel near the MSBY training facilities. Shouyou spent the evening and the weekend with his family and took the night train to Osaka to be there for the Monday tryouts. The first day was spent with the team’s coach and trainers checking the health and physical condition of the candidates and how they respond to intensive training. On the second day, they went through drills in the morning and after lunch, they were supposed to be introduced to the regulars of MSBY and go through some practice matches. Shouyou was confident that he did well so far and he was looking forward to actually playing volleyball. He was also looking forward to reuniting with Bokuto Koutarou, his first-year ‘mentor’ and enthusiastic friend. As he was recalling his high school memories, he didn’t notice the team entering the gym and was caught off-guard as he was tackled to the ground by his exuberant friend.

“Stop attacking the candidates! Get off him Bokuto!” Shouted Meian “If you cause any injuries you’ll be benched!”

“But he is my greatest disciple!” whined the overgrown owl and pulled Shouyou to his feet “Why didn’t you call me about trying out Hinata? If Kuroo hadn’t mentioned it I wouldn’t even know you were back in Japan.”

“I’m sorry Bokuto-san, I didn’t want to bother you during your training and knew we were going to see each other here, so I just…” Shouyou finished with a shrug still grinning up at the older.

Before Bokuto could start whining again some other familiar faces stepped closer.

“So, yer finally back, Shouyou-kun!” Atsumu was standing behind Bokuto arms crossed defiantly. Bokuto was still patting both of Shouyou’s shoulders rather enthusiastically.

“Miya-san it’s good to see you too. You might be able to fulfill your threat from the 2013 Spring Nationals.” Shouyou smiled at the faux blond and thrust his hand out for a handshake.

“Don’t tell me yer still confusin’ me with mah brother, you scrub, and that was a promise, not a threat.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it Atsumu-san, but you never gave me permission to use your first name.”

“Who would confuse you with Osamu, you clearly have a more germ-infested mug than him.” Sakusa stepped into the small circle forming around the ginger sizing him up.

“What was that, Omi-Omi?!?” Atsumu rounded on the taller who easily stepped away to avoid the setter.

“Sakusa-san!” came the short greeting as Shouyou waved at him, not daring to offer a handshake.

“Hinata, I hope you have improved. We don’t want any repeat performances, do we?” Sakusa squinted at him suspiciously but kept a healthy distance.

“In many ways since high school. I’m looking forward to experiencing your spikes!” grinned the ginger.

From behind them came a sudden sharp blow of a whistle and Coach Foster called everyone’s attention. “As nice as it is to see old friends, we are here to see how the candidates would play with the established team. The trainers and I have decided that as there are enough of you, we will have 4 full teams playing on two courts and us observing. We will announce the teams now, then you will do your warm-ups and start in 30 min.”

Shouyou ended up on team A with Bokuto, Meian, Inunaki, and a couple of other candidates against the team of Sakusa, Atsumu, Adriah Thomas, and more try-out candidates. It was a fierce battle, but Team A won by 2 points. Coach Foster kept mixing up the teams until he was satisfied with the data they collected about the possible new player.

“Good work everyone! We will contact you with the results in 2 days. Have a good rest! Dismissed!” came the final instruction from the coach and the players and candidates started their cooldown routines. Just as everyone was finishing up, Bokuto was once more all over Hinata.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! Hinata! Hey!” came the boisterous greeting once again.

“Yes, Bokuto-san?” said Shouyou while finishing his final stretch and crouching next to his sports bag to get a drink.

“You have to come to dinner with me, Keiji is still in Tokyo, but the two of us could catch up. I’m starving for some good barbeque.”

“I would love to; we just have to hurry a bit as I’ve booked a train ticket to Sendai for 9 PM.”

“You’re already going Hooome? Why? You just got here! You will make the team for sure!”

“I don’t know Bokuto-san. There were a lot of good players present. Eighter way, my stuff is still at home and I will have to try out for other teams if I don’t make it. It just made sense to go home after tryouts.”

“But, Hinataaa…” whined Bokuto, but was interrupted by Meian ordering him to shower and once more to leave the trainees alone.

After both were clean and dressed, Bokuto dragged the younger man away, before another scolding and anyone else could decide to join them. While Bokuto wasn’t selfish or arrogant, he did want to catch up with his friend without any interference. He was still as enthusiastic about everything as before, it brought a smile to Shouyou’s face. The overgrown manchild dragged him to the nearest BBQ restaurant and ordered an unhealthy amount of meat, making Shouyou look at him with fond amusement. He really missed his home and friends. Bokuto spent the time interrogating the ginger about his adventures in Brazil and bragging about Akaashi’s achievements. The evening finished with a promise of getting together after Hinata got accepted on the team and going for dinner with both Bokuto and Akaashi, when that happened. His mentor was convinced he got selected during tryouts.

Two days later Shouyou got a phone call from Coach Foster directly telling him the good news and asking when he would be able to move into the team dormitory. Shouyou was eager to start training again so he said he could make the move during the weekend and officially start on Monday after they sorted the paperwork.

The Hinata family had a small celebration that night and his mom and sister strong-armed him into helping him pack his bags and accompanying him down to Osaka to check out and make sure he had everything he needed in the dormitory. They would be able to visit him now that he was back in the country. The three Hinata members took the Friday night train to Osaka and were picked up by Bokuto and Akaashi and taken to the dormitory. In no time the three Hinata’ had his room cleaned and his clothes books and personal décor organized. The only thing left was to go buy the right-sized bed sheets and covers for the bed provided by the dorm. Akaashi being the gentleman that he was offered to take the ladies to the nearest shopping centre while Shouyou settled some of the paperwork.

The MSBY owned a building with offices, training facilities, and dormitories on top. Each unit had 4 bedrooms with small on-suit bathrooms and shared living space with a kitchen. He was roomed with his high school opponents and friends as they were the youngest members of the team. His dorm mates were having their usual Saturday training, so he hadn’t seen anyone outside Bokuto, who also reluctantly disappeared after dropping them off. When Bokuto got back he insisted that he and Shouyou go and meet up with his family and Akaashi for a late lunch or early dinner. Natsu and his mom were enamored by Akaashi’s helpfulness and they had a wonderful time shopping, not just for Shouyou. And so, the day passed and soon Shouyou was waving goodbye to his family at the station once more.

Saturday night, Shouyou was properly introduced to his team and they had some fun drinking and bonding, all in moderation as they were pro athletes. Sunday usually was the rest day for the team if they had no matches scheduled. As the team just come back from their vacation and the official training season started on Monday his team was still relaxed. That’s how he discovered that Atsumu couldn’t hold his liquor and Sakusa was an emotional drunk. Bokuto was moderated by Akaashi who was staying the night, so he could spend more time with his boyfriend before he needed to return to work. Once training started up, time flew in leaps and bounds. Shouyou fit into the team seamlessly and he struck up friendships with everyone. He trained hard and found enjoyment in tying out play strategies. His new coaches were happy with him as was his team. He loved to joke and have fun with them. He even threw in a couple of innuendoes from time to time in conversations with his roommates.

One Sunday, about a month after moving in, he found himself alone in the dorms after his usual morning run. Atsumu-san was visiting his family, Bokuto had been on a hot spring date with Akaashi since the night before and he had no idea what Omi-san was doing. So, he decided to get his yoga mat and start his starching in the living room as there was more space than in his room. He was only dressed in some tight-fitting shorts and no shirt, going through the routine, making sure to give each move enough time to properly work his muscles and ligaments. The ginger was so much in the zone, that he hadn’t heard when a door opened and Sakusa started watching him leaning on the door frame. The stoic man was enjoying the sight of the well-built but not overly muscular young man in front of him.

“You should extend your back a bit more.” Came the comment, startling Shouyou and making him lose balance. He caught himself last minute and stood to look at his curly-haired roommate.

“I thought you weren’t at home, Sakusa-san. I wouldn’t have invaded the living room if I knew.”

“You live here too, so you can use the shared spaces whenever you want. And I have to say that out of the rest of the people living here, you are the least likely to leave a mess behind. Don’t worry about me, carry on with your exercises.” With that Sakusa moved to the kitchen area to make some tea for himself.

With a shrug, the ginger kneeled back on his yoga mat to contort into the next pose. Shouyou kept feeling the eyes on him for the next couple of poses and that started to annoy him a little. While he wasn’t shy by any standard anymore, he could feel those dark eyes analyzing his every move and judging him. “Do you need something Sakusa-san?” asked Shouyou taking up the next pose.

“Nothing at all. Do carry on. I’m just enjoying my tea.” he took another sip still looking intently at Shouyou.

A mischievous thought formed in the ginger's head. In the last month Shouyou did notice that while Sakusa avoided crowds and was overly focused on cleanliness, he did interact with all his team and had some pretty witty comments and especially loved teasing Astumu-san, and while not very physical he always stayed close to the people he talked to. Maybe it was time for Shouyou to test his limits a bit.

“You’re pretty flexible, Sakusa-san. Do you also do yoga? You seem really knowledgeable.”

“It’s part of my routine, yes.”

“Then would you mind correcting some of my poses? I learned them from a book in Brazil and am not quite sure if I’m doing them just right. You did notice before that I was not extending my back enough when you came out of your room.” Shouyou made sure to conjure up his best pleading eyes when he looked his pray.

“What do you have problems with?” Kiyoomi put his cup down and stepped closer for a better view.

Shouyou went through a couple of complicated poses intentionally making small mistakes and drawing the taller man closer until he was next to him and touching the ginger to correct him. With each new pose, Shouyou grew bolder and more revealing, enjoying the eyes and hands that rolled over him. He saw the moment the older one caught on and decided to play along with the ginger’s teasing during the pigeon pose. Kiyoomi hovered his hand near Shouyou’s crotch his thumb slipping under the hem of his shorts.

“Sakusa-san, if you want, I can help you with your stretches too. You might enjoy it as much as I do.” Shouyou said laying down on the mat. “You’re a fucking tease aren’t you.” Sakusa looked at him a bit more seriously

“You play a dangerous game Hinata.”

“I will be straightforward with you.” Said Shouyou sitting up “I’m not looking for attachments, just some stress relief. I want to focus on my career and have no time to commit to a relationship. I enjoy casual sexual acts from time to time without all the emotional baggage involved in it. If that’s not for you I will stop here and respect your boundaries, hopefully with no hard feelings.”

Sakura took a minute to think about it. He has had a couple of short flings at university, but they never amounted to anything, thanks to his near OCD tendencies and having a hard time opening up and connecting with others emotionally. Maybe trying out what Hinata suggests might suit him too. “I’m willing to try it.” Said Kiyoomi after a while, his voice a bit unsure.

“Sakusa-san, we don’t have to do anything you are uncomfortable with. I suggest we talk a bit about boundaries and experiences before we try anything. I want you to be comfortable with every aspect of this and we can stop any time you want. I will also be clear with my likes and dislikes.” Said Shouyou seriously “I will go shower now. That will give you some time to think about what you would like to do. When I finish cleaning up, we will sit down and talk about detail.” The ginger gave a reassuring smile and started to roll up his yoga mat.

“You seem to be pretty knowledgeable about… this… thing.”

“It’s not my first time negotiating the terms of casual sex.” Said Shouyou over his shoulder as he disappeared into his room for a shower.

Lost in thought Sakusa didn’t notice when the ginger reappeared half an hour later, freshly showered and dressed in a t-shirt and shorts combo, hair still damp. Shouyou sat next to him on the sofa, startling the taller. “I hope I didn’t scare you. You can say no any time to anything, I won’t be mad. We will still be friends, regardless of what you want.”

“Like I said, I want to try it. I haven’t had any successful traditional relationships, so it will be worth trying.”

They spent the next couple of hours, chatting about experiences and hashing out details. As the discussion continued Kiyoomi started relaxing and being more forthcoming with his wants and needs. Shouyou was really accommodating and supportive, he could see that Sakusa would benefit as much if not more from their agreement.

The first time Hinata kissed him, Kiyoomi was tenser than a bowstring. “Sakusa-san, try to relax a bit, but if you feel uncomfortable, we can stop here for now.” Shouyou tried to be reassuring.

“Urgh! Could you not call me Sakusa-san? It’s really grating. Call me Kiyoomi or if you must Omi.”

“Ok, I will call you Kyoomi. I will leave Omi for Atsumu-san. Sooner or later, you will resolve that unbearable sexual tension between yourselves and will live happily ever after. But until then I will enjoy myself!” said the ginger with a smirk.

“Secretly you’re a jerk, aren’t you?” pouted the taller.

“I had some good role models” Hinata grinned, his eyes crinkling. He once more drove forward and kissed Kiyoomi, who finally let go of control. After kissing the taller breathless, Shoyou pushed him gently down on the sofa and maneuvered them so he was on top of Kiyoomy in between his legs, not quite touching him. He placed a hand on the older one’s stomach, where his t-shirt had ridden up and gently rubbing circles on it he leaned in for another kiss. Shouyou slowly tailed butterfly kisses from Kiyoomi’s mouth, down his jaw and throat, and to the base of his shoulder while he trailed his hand under the shirt up to the other’s right nipple. He looked up when the other tensed again to look for signs of his partner being uncomfortable, only to find a huge blush spreading on the usually porcelain skin and his partner biting down on his lower lip to muffle a moan. Satisfied he continued his ministration, lazily enjoying coaxing more moans and blushes from Kiyoomi even without touching below the belt. ‘This was going to be fun, while it lasts’ thought Shouyou.

Chapter Text

Hinata Shouyou was on top of his game. He has been working his ass off during training and did extraordinarily well on the three friendly matches they had with some local division 2 and 3 teams in preparation for the season start in October. The first match is going to be against the Schweiden Adlers and the best part is that it’s going to be held in Sendai. He is finally going to have his rematch with Kageyama and his friends and Sempai all promised to come and watch him. Even Pedro said he would set up a watch party or the match with his other Brazilian friends. His excitement was sky-high.

He felt at home on the court with his new team. He could joke and fool around with Bokuto-san matching his energy and vice versa. He could try some crazy game plays with Atsumu-san. It was amusing to watch Atsumu-san and Kiyoomi-san shit-talk each other and gang up on other people just as easily. Their older and more experienced teammates would indulge the four troublemakers more time than not and Coach Foster always laughed at their attics before scolding them. In those moments he could forget about everything else, just like old times.

That’s how he found himself once more alone in the dorms. Most everyone went home for the Obon festival, only Adriah and Oliver remained in one of the other units, but they too were out for the day. Shouyou’s mom said he should use the opportunity to rest as she and Natsu were going to use the time to have the house renovated a bit and he wouldn’t have anywhere to sleep. So here he was sprawled out on the sofa mid-morning, the second day, watching an older stream of Kenma’s on the smart TV. It was nice catching up on one of his best friend’s works.

Suddenly the front door opened with a bang and in stalk Miya Atsumu in all his angry glory, fuming to himself. Shouyou had jumped up at the noise and was staring at the faux blond.

“Are you okay, Atsumu-san? I thought you went home for Obon.”

This startled the setter out of his deep thoughts. “Oh, Shouyou-kun. I forgot that yer here. Sorry ‘bout the noise.”

“It’s all fine, but what made you so angry?”

“Samu, that great big ass, he brought his boyfriend home with him and they kicked me out of our room onto the sofa and have been outright unbearable with the PDA and shit.”

“Ah! You’ve been jealous of Osamu-san and Suna-san’s relationship and them ignoring their best friend, you!”

“Yer a little shit too, Shouyou-kun”

“Weeell… If you think so Atsumu-san. I was going to offer you a way to relax and take your mind off of things, but as I’m such a little shit, I will just continue watching TV.”

“Yer killing me, Shouyou-kun.” Said the setter and sat down next to the ginger “What were you thinking about? Video games?”

A smirk spread on the ginger's face as he turned to Atsumu. “I have something better than video games, but you have to know this will be just a casual thing with no deeper meaning behind it.”

The faux-blond looked confused; eyebrows scrunched and frowning. “You lost me there. Do you want to be my one-time drinking buddy?”

Shouyou snorted at that “You can be so dense sometimes Atsumu-san. I am offering to have sex with you.”

“You like me Shouyou-kun!?!” gasped the setter

“No, you big dummy. I do not like you, at least not romantically, Atsumu-san. I am offering casual sex to relax you a bit. I was bored here alone and I like to have casual sex with different partners from time to time.”

“Then what is the catch?” asked the setter still confused

“I don’t do relationships and I don’t do people who could catch feelings for me.”

“And how do you know I wouldn’t catch feelings for you?” smirked Atsumu

“Because you’re in love with Kiyoomi-san and most likely have been for a long time.” Said Shouyou in a matter-of-fact voice.

“Yer wrong Shouyou-kun, I’m not in love with Omi-Omi.” But the blush that spread on his face told another story to the ginger

“Whatever you say, Atsumu-san.” Smiled the shorter.

“’M not!” pouted the older

“That doesn’t matter now. Are you in or not?” Shouyou’s amused smile turned into a seductive one

“I’m in! I’m in!” said Atsumu driving forward to kiss the smaller man, but was met with a hand on his mouth.

“Good! Now before we start here are the rules…”

In no time the eager setter agreed to all of Shouyou’s rules and after the ginger got the condoms and lube Atsumu pounced on him. He was horny as hell, sue him. His frustration stemmed from his apparently not-so-secret infatuation with Omi, who was paying a lot of attention to everyone but him and often teased him; his brother and future brother-in-law's open affection; and maybe his admiration/volleyball crush with the ginger before him. He couldn’t deny, that when the shorter man reappeared in his life, he started doubting his crush on the ex-Itachiyama wing spiker, but apparently, you can be attracted to multiple people and not be in love with them. He was surprised at how experienced and smooth the ginger was with his ministration and in no time at all his cock stood at full mast and the ginger was rolling the condom down his shaft. The little tease then laid back and started fingering himself with copious amounts of lube, as if he wasn’t confident that Atsumu would be able to prepare him adequately.

“Lemme.” Said the setter trying to get the lube bottle from the opposite hitter who held it high over his head.

“You can go down on me Atsumu-san, while I prepare myself for you, it’ll be easier if I cum before you enter me.”

“Tsk! You’re a domineering little bottom aren’tcha?”

“I’m a switch, Atsumu-san, and as I was the one who offered, I’m calling the shots.” Shouyou smirked and continued to open himself up.

Atsumu just shrugged and dove in for a kiss, then followed his partner’s orders. He let himself get lost in the task reveling in the soft moans he coaxed from the ginger in front of him. In no time or was it a long time, his mind couldn’t tell, the ginger came down his throat and he was pushed onto his back on the sofa as the shorter man positioned himself on top of him and started riding his cock with a varying tempo. Shouyou was a real tease.

As his pleasure mounted Atsumu decided he needed a change of position and was met with Kiyoomi standing by the closed front door watching them with a strange expression on his face. Startled the taller stood up and covered himself.

“Oh, Kiyoomi-san!” smiled the ginger, sprawling out on the sofa on his stomach, and started lazily kicking his legs. “Have you had enough of your family gathering, too?”

“I’ve done my duty to visit and left Motoya to entertain the rest of the Family, " Sakusa said, lifting his bag. “I see you’ve found another partner while I was away. Are you any good?” He continued to walk to his room to deposit his luggage.

Atsumu still stood naked and shell-shocked next to the sofa covering his exposed bits, mouth agap.

“So far yes, although you arrived right in the middle of our playdate, so I’ve only had my first orgasm about ten, fifteen minutes ago. Care to join?”

At this, Atsumu found his voice. “Wha… What’s the meaning of this, Shouyou-kun?” shrieked the faux-blond.

It was Sakusa, who answered, coming out of his room again, rubbing hand sanitizer into his hand, missing his jacket. “What Shouyou means is if I would like to join you to make it a threesome. You’re not the only person he likes to destress with. As to answer your question, Shou, yes, I would, but we should move this to a more comfortable setting, don’t you think?”

“Sure, your room?”

“Nah, I think we should christen Miya’s room.”

“Got’cha!” said the ginger and started to follow Kiyoomi into Atsumu’s room with protection and lube in hand, while the curly-haired man pulled his t-shirt off, disappearing into the room.

“What, the actual fuck is going on here!” screamed the faux-blond and ran after the other two.

“Are you in or out, Atsumu-san?” asked Shouyou as he stepped closer to Kiyoomi to kiss him on the bottom of his jaw, while he undid the taler’s trousers.

“You can join us Miya or you can watch, I’m fine with either way.” Sakusa said stepping out of the trousers and sitting on the edge of the bed. Shouyou kneeled in front of him and deposited his stuff next to the bed, then he looked back at the room’s owner and said

“You still have something to finish, Atsumu-san.” He quirked an eyebrow at the men behind him, then got on all fours and took Kiyoomi into his mouth. Still perplexed Atsumu knelt behind the ginger on the floor

“Ah still don’t get it, but we will talk after, " he said, lined himself up, and drove in.

Hours later Shouyou left the two cuddling men sleeping blissfully on the bed, smiling to himself. He went to his room to shower. After he was done, he got dressed grabbed his backpack his wallet, and keys, and left the dorms behind. Outside he dialed Kenma to ask if he could visit spontaneously. His best friend paused for a bit then said any time.

Chapter Text

October officially meant the start of the Volleyball league and the Black Jackals started the season with a win against the Schweiden Adlers. From then on as time went on, they slowly faced the other Division 1 teams and slowly improved their standing overall. He has been on a roll. Happy about the winning streak and happy for all the couples surrounding him he continued to decline his well-meaning friends' attempts to set him up. He even refused the offer from Sakusa, who wanted to set him up with Komori, now that he had made it official with Atsumu. Shouyou just kept telling them, he was fine and he was going to abstain during the season anyway. The one Atsumu mentioned that he thought that Shouyou and Tobio used to be a couple, the ginger scrunched up his nose in disgust and said “That’d be like dating my brother, ew!” and that was the end of that discussion.

Shouyou also started talking more often with Kageyama, now that their rematch was over. Tobio was a great listener and often called Shouyou out on his bullshit, but he also didn’t push him to try to resolve his commitment issues.

MSBY won their match against EJP Raijin held in Tokyo and both teams retreated to their respective changing rooms to wash off the game's sweat. Shouyou was taking his sweet time in the shower, mind blank after the post-game fan meet and friendly banter with his friends from the opposite team. He went through the motion almost blindly. He didn’t even hear when Atsumu told him they were going back to the hotel and took his tired grunt as answer.

When he finally stepped out of the changing room dressed with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder, he noticed that there was barely anyone around and none of them were his teammates or friends. He fished his phone out of his bag only to see that it died some time ago. He was about to go to the hotel when someone stopped him.

“Hinata-senshu, why don’t you come with us for a drink” a young benchwarmer from the EJP Raijin was cutting his way off while another one was standing behind him. While Shouyou didn’t know them, he vaguely recalled seeing them when he accompanied Atsumu and Omi-Omi visiting their old teammates who now were on the Raijon team.

“Uhm, sorry guys. I’m honored that you invited me, but I don’t drink during the season and I have to get back to the hotel and rest as we will have another match tomorrow.” Shouyou tried to step away “Sorry again. Hope you have a good evening!”

“Come now, Hinata-senshu, you don’t need to play coy, we know all about your post-game destressing routine. We are offering you a good time.” Said the one that stood in front of him “Or are we not to your standard? Only regular players will do?” said the other grabbing hold of Shouyou’s arm.

“I don’t know what you are talking about or implying, but you are really near to being out of line.” Said Shouyou firmly, he was getting really pissed by these men.

Before things could escalate more someone cleared his throat behind them, startling the bench warmers. They all turned in unison to the sound to find an intimidating-looking tall blond man with glasses staring down at them. He oozed an air of authority and was clearly here to stop them.

“I would recommend you let Hinata-senshu go before security arrives and if I hear any slenderer against him or unfounded rumors starting up, you can kiss your Volleyball careers goodbye!” the two brain-dead players prepared to defend themselves when they saw the phone pointed at them. They weighed their options but decided to quickly leave. It was not worth it.

Shouyou straightened himself and turned to the exit. This whole time he never looked up at his savior. He didn’t need to; he recognized the voice from the first sound. He quickly threw a ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m in a hurry so see you next time’ behind him and started walking away.

“Shou…” Shouted Tsukishima after the retreating ginger “Wait, let’s talk about this!”

Shouyou stopped but didn’t turn around. “What is there to talk about? Thank you for your help here, but that’s it. You told me 3 years ago that I was some impulsive fool, with unfounded grandeur in my head. You have no right to interfere in my private life.”

“That’s not how I meant it back then and you know it. Shouyou, you are spiraling. How many more people are you planning to sleep with?”

“That’s none of your business.” Snarled Hinata and started walking again. It was harder and harder to hold back his tears. He knew that he was one step away from self-destructing. Up until now, he has only got involved with people, who he knew and trusted to not stab him in the back. They were all his friends to a degree and understood that what they were getting into was purely physical with no attachments or feelings involved, pure stress relief for the parties involved. Being back in Japan and seeing Tsukishima frequently over the last couple of months has dragged up old hurt. Clumsily he fished his phone out to call Kenma, but it was still dead. ‘Damn it!'

Shouyou looked up at the overcast sky. His breath came out in great big puffs in the cold mid-December air, the city was twinkling with millions of festive lights and advertisements and he felt emptier than ever. A snort left his lips as a tear rolled down his face soaking the mask he hastily put on leaving the building. ‘Chin up Shou! You chose this life. Enjoy it!’

Tsukishima had been slowly trailing behind him, trying to make sure the ginger reached his accommodation without any more incidents when the former suddenly stopped. For a couple of minutes, nothing seemed to happen then the blond middle-blocker noticed tears running down the ginger’s face. Almost out of reflex, he ran up to the shorter one and enveloped him in a hug from behind.

“Ssh! Everything is going to be all right!” Kei said as he felt his old teammate tense up in his arms.

Suddenly the smaller of the two escaped from the hug and turned to face the tall bespeckled man. “You… you can’t do this to me again, Kei. Don’t come and comfort me and make me love you again, then push me away once more.” Sobbed Shouyou, looking straight into Tsukishima’s eyes. “Please don’t do this again! I… I… my heart wouldn’t survive another rejection from you.”

“Shouyou, it’s not like that!” Tsukishima tried to reason

“Then how is it, huh? You asked me for time, I gave it to you, then you said you didn’t want my first kiss, so I asked Kenma for help, then you wanted to keep it casual and a secret so as not to throw off the team before the tournaments. Then when we finished school and I started preparing to go to Brazil you told me all that time was just fooling around and having fun and I shouldn’t have fallen for you.”

“I’m sorry Shou…” Kei tried but that earned him a punch in the chest

“Sorry? You’re sorry for telling me that all we had was a mistake with no future?” another fist to the chest “You’re sorry for asking me to forget about all of it and asking me to pretend it never happened? Or are you sorry for playing friends during every group call we had with our friends?” Shouyou has pulled the taller down by his collar to be at eye level with him. “I played nice and followed all your wishes, so what else do you want from me?”

Tsukishima Kei stood there looking into Shouyou’s eyes lost for words. He knew that Hinata liked him and had a crush on him since they were second year, but he never took it seriously. He always took it for a passing fancy and a way of having a good time and even when things started getting a bit more intimate, the ginger has always backed off quite easily, which he took for a sign that he was right. In his eyes, their break-up was also rather amicable even with the shouting. They were always a reactive couple when it came to disagreements. He, Tsukishima Kei, really thought that what Shouyou felt for him was just a crush and it would pass.

“Nothing to say?” Shouyou has taken his silence as acceptance. “Well then, good night, Tsukishima!” He turned on his heels and power-walked to his hotel.

‘I screwed up!’ thought Tsukishima. He tried to take a step but found that all the power left him and he could barely stand. All he knew was that he needed to fix this. Time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.

*Bonus scene*

Shouyou was running through the familiar streets of his high school years. The league was on two two-week break for Christmas and New Year’s and Shouyou finally got some time to spend with his family. Last night he had a get-together with his Karasuno team from the various years, where he happily chatted with everyone and subtly ignored the blond, who constantly tried to get him to talk alone, thankfully Kageyama ran interference on every occasion.

He turned another corner when the phone started ringing in his pocket. He picked it up through his headphones and continued his leisure run.

“Shou-chan!” came a high-pitched cry.

“Hey Tooru, what’s up? Did Iwaizumi-san reject you again?”

“Why are you so mean to me? You’re almost as bad as Iwa-chan.”

“And you’re a bigger gossip than Yamato-obaasan down the street.”

“Soooo mean! Anyways, Hajime shot me down again! I need confronting, Shou-chan.”

“What you need Tooru is not a quick dalliance, but commitment and sincerity. I’m pretty sure that’s why Iwaizumi-san keeps turning you down because you keep flirting with everyone and sleeping around.”

“I know! But I cannot help it. He doesn’t want to come with me to Argentina and I cannot go without sex more than three months. A man has needs.”

“You have to accept and appreciate the great opportunity, that Iwaizumi-san got with him being hired to the National team as the athletic trainer. That must be like a dream come true. You are both young, give it a couple more years and when you decide to retire in Argentina and come home, you can truly pursue him.”

“Says this Mr. I don’t do relationships.”

“If you don’t want to listen to me, then I’m hanging up, I still have 4 more kilometers to run.”

“Shou-chan, you’re supposed to be my special friend, come and comfort meee!” whined Oikawa.

“Fine, fine! Send me your address. I hope you’re ready for a rough ride. I cannot do gentle, just now.”

“What happened Shouyou?” Oikawa sounded serious and concerned.

“I will tell you about it when I get there. I’d rather not talk about it outside.”

“Ok, I will get the wine ready and maybe a bubble bath.” “Don’t destroy, your family’s bath!”

“I promise, I won’t! My parents are on a ski trip with my sister and nephew.”

“Ok, you drama queen. I’m hanging up. See you in a bit!” ‘I hope you don’t regret it.’

Shouyou was walking around the unknown neighborhood following the map on his phone when he bumped into something warm.

“I’m sorry for bumping into you.” Shouyou said while rubbing his nose “Iwaizumi-san!?!”

“Ah! Uhm. Hinata-san! It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, 4 or 5 years? How have you been?” asked the ginger awkwardly.

“Quite good, thank you. Congratulations on making it to D1!”

“Thank you! And you, too. I mean for the Athletic trainer position.”

“Did Tooru tell you?”

“No, Kuroo-san, uhm, a friend at JVA told me. He’s an awful gossip.” Laughed the shorter one, still really uncomfortable with the situation.

“Just like someone else we both know.”

“Look, Iwaizumi-san. I don’t want to make things more awkward, but…” Shouyou was cut off by the muscular trainer in front of him.

“No need. I know about Brazil and I can guess why you are in this neighborhood at the moment. I’ve known Tooru all my life, he is needy at the best of times and always clingy. I don’t resent you or anyone else for indulging him. You don’t need to feel guilty. I told him to enjoy himself.”

“I will be blunt with you too. I have no romantic feelings for Tooru and never will. He was there for me when I was feeling low and homesick on the other end of the world and I was there for him when he was missing you. While we engaged in a purely physical sexual relationship, we also talked a lot and became quite close. You’re right that I’m on my way to see him right now, but the only reason for that is because he is feeling insecure again.” Shouyou stopped his rant when he heard the taller man grunt and sighed “If you’ll accept advice from me…” the other nodded and Shouyou continued “Don’t wait until Tooru retires and comes back from Argentina. I know long distance is hard, but if you start a relationship with him, he will stop sleeping around and will be faithful to you. Every time you tell him to go and enjoy himself, he is hurt by it. In the two years that he visited me in Rio, he burst out crying more times than not about feeling dirty. He is very vulnerable. I’m pretty sure, more than half of the people he slept with took advantage of him. He is clingy with the people he feels safe with.”

“All this time I thought, I’m doing him a favor, I’ve been hurting him, haven’t I?” sighed Iwaizumi rubbing his face with both hands tiredly.

“Please take care of my friend.” Said Shouyou to the rhetorical question bowing to Iwaizumi, then he turned around and left.

That night he got a text from Tooru:

Thank you for everything, Hajime.

Chapter Text

It’s been nearly a year since Shouyou returned from Brazil and his first season with the Black Jackals is about to end. Kurowashiki just finished with the MSBY Black Jackals winning the tournament. The JVA organized the party after the official award ceremony. Everyone who’s anyone in the volleyball world was there mingling and having a good time while networking. The JVA booked the 4 semifinalist teams into the hotel they were holding the party at, not far from Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

The stars of the show have been swarmed the moment they stepped through the door freshly washed and dressed. Bokuto was regaling his audience with retellings of old times, Akaashi by his side, Sakusa and Atsumu not far from the couple, were also surrounded by ex-teammates and old friends as are the rest of their teammates. Shouyou had been pulled to many groups by his myriads of friends and acquaintances. Kuroo and surprisingly Kenma not far from the ginger waiting to see if he needs rescuing. Running interference for the ginger somehow became their job since his return.

Tsukishima and Kageyama were sitting at one of the many tables sipping their drinks in silence. They slipped away from their respective teams some time ago avoiding the crowds. The blond has been following Hinata with his eyes the whole night, much to the amusement of Kageyama. As someone who had a front-row seat to their drama since the ginger returned from abroad, he was pleased that the tall middle blocker was finally making an effort to appease their short friend. While he only found out about the failed relationship at the end of last year, he did hear all the details from the tangerine in a great many details through many late-night conversations over the phone. While he still had a hard time understanding relationships, he did know that his best friend had been deeply hurt in the past and that made him even stranger, but recently, even he could see that the blonde’s relentless attention was making Shouyou happy.

Tsukishima had made an effort to attend every match Hinata had if he wasn’t working or on the court himself. He would travel to Osaka on his free Sundays to try and spend time with the ginger and bring meaningful presents. When once Shouyou was whining on a group chat about missing the Sakanoshita store meat buns, the blond turned up the following Sunday with raw meat buns from the store that only needed to be steamed to perfection. The whole time Shouyou was playing the role of a reluctant princess, someone hard to get, but behind closed doors, he would talk his two best friends’ eras off about his excitement. He also stopped finding sexual partners and only focused on volleyball since the incident last December. Just as the short player started walking in their direction he was intercepted by the national team’s main coach and it was obvious to everyone that the ginger had just been personally invited to join the National team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Once more Shouyou was swept up by his team and various friends congratulating him. He looked like a small boat being whipped around by giant waves in a storm.

“Tsk!” tutted the now brooding blond, which amused the setter next to him even more.

“Don’t laugh at me, your Majesty!”

“When are you going to lay off with the kingly stuff?” asked Kageyama annoyed, but not angry. He has overcome all animosity with the blond by their third year in high school and you could call them friends.

“Still as prickly as always Tsukishima!” came the voice of someone familiar from behind them.

“Kozume-san, did you also get fed up with the crowds?” asked Kageyama before the beanpole could retort.

“The things we do for friends.” Said Kenma with a small smile “Speaking of, Kageyama, Shouyou asked me to tell you to meet him and the rest of the National team members by the entrance, I think they will officially announce the whole list and you will have your interview with the press after in the conference room.”

“It’s that time already? Thank you, Kozume-san. Tsukishima.” He nodded at the latter and went to do his duty.

“You look like you want to tell me something, Kozume-san.” Said Tsukishima after a minute of the older gamer/businessman not leaving the table. He’d seen Kuroo follow the athletes out of the hotel’s ballroom to, most likely, coordinate between the Volleyball association and the journalists in the conference room during the announcement.

“I’m not going to lecture you about how much you’ve hurt Shouyo, but as someone who was always there to see the aftermath of every incident, I will tell you that this is your last chance. Even without you, Shouyou has a lot of options to choose from.” Kenma said with narrow eyes.

“I know that whoever Shouyou opens his heart for will be a really lucky person, I just hope it will be me. I had lots of insecurities in my teens and because of that, I didn’t believe that Shouyou could love me as he did. I honestly thought you were going to tell me to stay away from him.”

“It has crossed my mind, but as his friend I have to let him make mistakes so he can grow.” Kenma gave the blond a vicious grin, it gave a clear message. “Shouyou is smarter and more level-headed than he was back then. Good luck.” Said Kenma and left the blond to check out how the interviews were going.

With nothing else to do, Tsukishima decided to scroll the net on his phone to pass the time until dinner started. In no time at all the star athletes were back in the room and another speech later everyone was seated for dinner. Tsukishima wasn’t surprised to be joined by people he knew. Most likely Kuroo’s fault. Kageyama was back on his left and Hinata on his right followed by Kenma, Kuroo, Bokuto, and Akaashi, going round. When Kei nominated himself to be the Sendai Frogs’ rep for the season-ending dinner party, he hoped to be able to talk to the ginger, but he didn’t anticipate that a whole baggage of people would be trying to insert themselves into their issue. Tsukishima asked Kageyama to switch places with him so he could sit next to Hinata, but every time he tried to talk to the shorter someone else always took the attention away from him. His frustration was mounting by the minute.

“Hey, guys? I think I’m going up to my room, I’m starting to feel tired.” Said Shouyou shortly after dessert was served, his half-eaten Matcha cake slice sitting in front of him.

Kenma looked at him with narrowed eyes, but after a second, he said “Have a good rest, Shouyou. I will call you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Sure thing, Kenma. Tetauro, Bokuto-san, Akaashi-san, have a good night! Kageyama, good game, talk to you tomorrow!” he then looked at the blond next to him with a pensive face, and with a small nod he finished “Tsukishima.” The ginger turned and left the table and hurried out of the hall before anyone could stop him.

The blond was stunned at the cold attitude, but stood and followed the ginger after Kageyama nearly showed him off the chair.

“Those two.” Said the blue-eyed setter and went back to his cake.

“They’ve been dancing around each other for quite some time.” Said Akaashi

“Really?!? I never knew Tsukki liked Shou.” Said Bokuto incredulously.

“Really, Kotaro,” chided Akaashi “you can be really dense at times. I think they’ve been attracted to each other from at least the Spring tournament in your third year.”

“Your observation skills always surprise me, Keiji.” Smiled Kuroo “It must be a setter thing.” He looked at the two former setters, then at Kageyama “Although, there are exceptions.”

“I’m asexual. I don’t pick up on those things, but Shouyou kept me up to date.” Shrugged Kageyama and flagged down a waiter to ask for a glass of milk.

Tsukishima caught up to Shouyou by the lift. “Shouyou, wait.”

The ginger looked up at him and gave a sad smile “What can I do for you, Tsukishima-san?”

“Could we please talk?” panted the taller.

“Sigh, fine. We can talk in my room. Privacy and all.” The ginger entered the lift closely followed by the blond. They stood next to each other silently the whole way to the Shorter’s room. The blond kept churning ideas around his head for a clear way to express his regret and interest in the shorter as all his previous attempts resulted in nothing. He was jostled out of his thoughts when he found himself slammed into the hotel door that just closed behind him.

“Urgh! What the he…mph” his curse was cut off by the mouth attacking his. It took a minute for him to realize, that he was being kissed, and when he finally decided to answer the mouth already disappeared.

“Damn it, Kei. I cannot wait any more.” Panted Shouyou, still clinging to the taller’s collar, used for easier access.

“Shouyou, what?!?” Tsukishima’s brain was still not properly functioning.

“I’m telling you, that I forgive you. I’ve had enough of making you work. I want a relationship with you. I want to have sex right now. I’m frustrated beyond belief.” Ranted the ginger.

“Anything for you, Shou!”

“Then show me!” said Shouyou and he let go of the blond and started stripping while walking towards the bed. Tsukishima needed not to be told twice. In no time he joined his new lover in bed. After all, it had to be love, that made him behave like a fool the last couple of months.