Chapter Text
Hinata was growing tired by the time all the chatter of the team ran out, and dessert was already served. His eyes felt especially heavy accompanied by a headache, and even a few of his fellow teammates had the same symptoms as well (which may have been partially because of the alcohol they downed earlier). Luckily for him, Nishinoya and Tanaka had already passed out, and Bokuto had nearly peed his pants, which meant it was time to go home. It was a new record for the team. Getting piss drunk around 5 was early for them, usually they would hold off another hour or two, but today they just went at it. Hinata wasn’t necessarily piss drunk though, but he drank enough to make him zone out for a few minutes, and thankfully, he was mainly a sleepy drunk.
“Alright listen hereeee,” Kuroo slurred. “We have two cars and lotssssss of people, so I suggest we walk home, or take the bus. Akaashi and I will drive some of y’all home.”
Akaashi deadpanned. “How many beers have you had?”
“That’s none of yer concern,” Kuroo replied with a smirk.
“Actually, it is, you’re drunk. You always think your alcohol intake is higher than it really is, and you also don’t realize when you’re piss drunk after downing bottle after bottle.”
Kuroo frowned. “I had fissssss... five.”
“Right, and that’s normal.”
“Yeah.”
“Kuroo, you’re taking the bus.”
“Arghhh! Fine.” Kuroo pouted. “Is Kenma coming, or even those doofs?” he asked while pointing at Noya and Tanaka.
“Yeah, but Nishinoya and Tanaka are coming with me since they’ve passed out.”
“Awwww,” Kuroo frowned again. “Ah well, leggo Kenma.”
Kenma reluctantly followed Kuroo towards the outside of the restaurant and paused in the doorway. “Hinata, are you coming?” Kenma asked him, snapping him out of a daze.
“Oh um, yeah.” He shook his head as if to shake his haziness away.
And with that, Hinata left the restaurant with his friends and joined them as they waited at the bus stop.
Kageyama left practice as quick as possible, which was a surprise to his teammates because he never had anywhere to go. It was only a little after 5, and he convinced himself that taking a bus will (hopefully) get him there faster than by train or carpool.
“Dammit,” he hissed as he looked at the time on his phone. He was practically shaking while waiting for the bus to come, although it wasn’t because of weather. He barely had a chance to rethink his decision, and he was sure as hell nervous.
Thankfully for the quivering setter, the bus finally showed up. The second it stopped, Kageyama threw his gym bag back over his shoulder and leaped up the short stairs, gave the driver his pay, and took a seat. After he slumped in an empty row, he drew in a deep breath that felt like the first that afternoon.
Then the realization set in.
He was taking a bus to go to a BBQ place in Miyagi (which he’s only been to once) to say hi to some guy he skyped once and has known for two days. Wow. That didn’t sounds weird at all .
“What am I doing?” Kageyama muttered to himself as he he slumped over, resting his head over the seat in front of him. He’s reached a new low. Why in the name if hell would Kageyama Tobio , a blunt, hot headed and introverted college student, go out to pursue some hyper kid that Kageyama hasn’t even learned the name of yet?
The answer was simple. Kageyama didn’t really have anyone. He had friends, sure, but he never wanted to hang out much, or text them as much as he wanted to with the little harassing shrimp. So why did he want to talk to him, especially because of their short conversations, and only two days?
Slowly but surely, Kageyama started to make sense of things, and his own feelings as well. It wasn’t so much how close they are , but rather; how close they could be . There was potential in their bond, Kageyama knew this, and their feelings seemed to be mutual, in the way they wanted to talk more. They were just attracted to each other. Their personalities clashed well. There was an attraction—a mutual attraction. Right away, as if. Kageyama didn’t want to pass this up. Sure, he’s got friends that he’s talked to more and knows much better, but to Kageyama, the brief conversations meant a lot to him. Someone wanted to talk to him. No matter what about, they just liked to talk to him, spam him, and mess around with him. The boy on the other side of the screen providing a sense of randomness and mystery to his otherwise routine life. And Kageyama was totally okay with it. He felt as though he could become closer to the hyper kid. Form a bond, maybe one he’s never had.
But the other part of him was doubting pretty much everything. Saying he was getting too far ahead of himself, he was to clingy, desperate, even. Saying their conversations would die down in a few days, that he wouldn’t be using Skype as much anymore. That he was just wishing unrealistic things. He was too quick to make decisions, form bonds, and give out his already delicate trust.
But that didn’t matter. Maybe he was just caught up in the moment, but nonetheless Kageyama reminded himself; whatever happens, happens.
The bus halted at a familiar stop, and Kageyama knew that his stop was next. And that’s when some of his original worries rose back up. What should I say, what should I do? Kageyama wondered. He’s sure that the shrimp will be surprised, but will he be creeped out?
Nah, he sent Kageyama his location, didn’t he? Kageyama now realized that the decision to send him his location was kinda dumb, but here he was.
Kageyama tried to put his anxious mind at ease to think a bit more logically. Why did the kid send him his location? Was he hinting that he wanted Kageyama to visit or just flaunting that he was eating a nice dinner? Was it an invitation or brag right? Who knows?
Even more, what if he’s not there when Kageyama gets off the bus? What if the harasser had already left? The last text was sent at 2, and it was already half past 5, thanks to the bus ride. Over 3 hours to eat, does it really take that long? But then again, if he’s friends with Kuroo (and eating with him), chances are the shrimp will take forever.
Or maybe not, but Kageyama remembers the parties he heard of that Kuroo’s been involved in, most involved loitering, and just staying as long as they pleased while drinking and eating. They were still a respectful bunch who thanked the staff, payed well, and gave generous tips to make up for it, even if the older ones in the group would pester the rest to do so.
So maybe, just maybe, he won’t be late.
Maybe he’ll make it in time. Maybe he’ll see the redhead once again, before they Skyped for a second time. Maybe they’ll get along better. Who knows what happens after the meet? Will they go out to dinner? The shrimp already ate, So Kageyama guessed not. Maybe hang out at home. But whose house? Maybe he will be invited back to Kuroo’s for an after party.
He shook his head. I’m getting way ahead of myself, he sighed internally.
After all, there’s always the chance he won’t be there, so regardless, he should focus on what to say first, rather than ‘what comes after that?’
When he finally reached his stop, Kageyama moved with the large crowd of people to hop off the bus. He wasn’t too familiar with the area, but having been their once, he knew that Miyagi BBQ was around the corner. He felt his steps grow a bit heavier, but overall he felt calm. He kept repeating ‘whatever happens, happens’ in his head. He walked past the corner and suddenly he could see the entrance to Miyagi BBQ. Its architecture was almost completely made up of wood, giving it a nostalgic summer look.
The entrance was a wide opening underneath a large engraving giving away its name. Kageyama eyed the sign, memorizing the details like he did the last time. This was the place.
He decided that he’s waited enough and walked into the entrance, simultaneously almost walking into someone.
“Bokuto, watch where you’re going!” a well groomed man warned the someone Kageyama almost walked into.
“ Akaashi , I’m drunk!” the man known as Bokuto whined. “What do you want from me?”
The first man who spoke, Akaashi, shot him a light glare. “More responsibility.”
Kageyama stood awkwardly, trying not to get involved with the drunk one. He kept looking towards the tables, looking for any customer with orange hair.
“I’m really sorry about him, he’s just a bit drunk. He never watches where he’s going regardless though…” Akaashi apologized.
Kageyama was surprised to be spoken to. “O-oh that’s understandable. No problem.”
Akaashi gave a weak smile, and suddenly tugged on a dazed Bokuto’s shoulder.
“Bokuto, what do you say?” Bokuto’s eyes widened as if Akaashi grew two heads and froze. He was definitely drunk.
Kageyama couldn’t tell if they’re relationship was more mother and son, or just good friends.
Bokuto confidently turned towards Akaashi. “Can we please have sex—” Thump!
Definitely not mother and son , Kageyama realized.
“I meant to apologize , what do you say?” Akaashi clarified, a heavy blush on his face.
Bokuto smiled. “Oh, why didn’t you say so?” Akaashi’s face didn’t change.
“Sor- ry ,” he said to Kageyama.
“Y-yeah it’s fine,” Kageyama started. “Look I gotta go find someone—”
“I was gonna ask about that,” Akaashi told him.
Kageyama guessed he was a bit obvious when looking around. “So? Who are you looking for?”
“He’s—” Kageyama stopped himself. He doesn’t the shrimp’s name. He decided to go with physical details. “He’s got messy orange hair, kinda short, super energetic…”
“ Ah ,” Akaashi breathed. “Hinata. Yeah, he left just a minute ago, you must’ve just missed him.”
Kageyama froze. “Oh.” So his name is Hinata.
Bokuto frowned. “What do you want with him, hmm ? Are you the new crush—”
“Bokuto, please,” Akaashi warned.
“Oh, sorry, haha,” Bokuto chuckled. “Well, how do you know him?”
“Long story, but Skype.” That was a lie, it wasn’t a long story at all.
Bokuto shot Akaashi a know-it-all glance.
“Well, I hope you catch him another day, he’s going home now. Kuroo and Kenma went with him,” Akaashi informed Kageyama.
“Ah.” Kageyama felt his chest constrict a bit.
“Understood, thanks,” Kageyama said. So these two know Kuroo too. Then they definitely meant his Hinata.
“Bokuto!” A voice called from behind. “Let’s go!”
Kageyama looked behind him, and of course, two more drunken guys were standing in the doorway, in the opposite direction of a clean car with an open door.
“Yeah, I wanna go home and eat lot’s of food!” the bald one announced.
The shorter one pointed at the bald one. “I’m with Tanaka on this one. Let’s eat!”
Tanaka nodded in approval. “And I’m with Noya.”
“And I’m with Tanaka,” Noya grinned.
“And I’m with Noya.”
“And I’m with—”
“Bokuto!”
The two jumped and stared at Bokuto. “Dude, yes.”
Kageyama grimaced. What the fuck kind of exchange did he just witness? Was this a normal drunken occurrence, because it made no sense to him.
“Okay, well glad to see you two back in consciousness. C’mon, we can go home now,” Akaashi told them.
The three gasped in joy and raced to the car, attempting not to trip over their feet, and failing at that.
“Sorry, they’re overwhelming, I know,” Akaashi apologized for the second time.
“It’s no problem,” Kageyama responded. Honestly, they weren’t rude or anything, just drunk.
Akaashi nodded. “Good. Have a nice day.”
“You too,” Kageyama muttered and watched as Akaashi walked out of Miyagi BBQ and got in the driver’s seat. After he finally sped off, Kageyama felt a weight lift.
Whatever happens, happens.
Even though Kageyama told himself that, he couldn’t help feel a bit disappointed, but at the same time, an overwhelming feeling of relief washed over him.
He didn’t have to worry about what to say, what Hinata would think, or what they were going to do later. For now, he didn’t have to worry about that.
He was relieved. Maybe it was too soon, and in that case, his fate had told him so. Whatever happens, happens. Kageyama understood that, and so maybe today wasn’t the day destined for their meeting.
Hinata hated taking the bus. Waiting was annoying, and he really did dislike finding an open seat. He did it on a weekly basis though, so it never really bothered him enough to stop taking the bus.
Kuroo was in the middle of telling a stupid joke when Kenma announced the bus’ arrival. Hinata backed up to make way for the large crowd of people gathered at the door.
He lazily watched as they got off, and started to daydream again when a certain figure walked past him. He had a familiar build, nice arms, broad shoulders, and messy but fashionable black hair. He looked familiar to Hinata, but also felt foreign. He was about to step after him, when Kuroo snapped him out of it.
“You wanna go home or… uh... stay here ?” Kuroo asked, slowly beginning to sober up.
“Home,” Hinata responded lazily. Kuroo nodded in agreement and followed Kenma into the bus. Hinata followed suit, and shot one last look to the person walking down the block and around the corner.
Huh, he thought. That was weird.