Chapter Text
“Suga-chan, where are we going?”
Suga put his finger to his lips, laughing quietly as Iwaizumi stirred in Tooru’s lap. The train chugged steadily on the tracks underneath them, rocking them gently. Kuroo and Bokuto sat across from them, laughing over a game on their phones, while Akaashi leaned against the window, watching the coming dawn across the horizon. Daichi snored softly on Suga’s shoulder, his breath still smelling faintly of beer from their night at the Fukurodani.
Iwaizumi groaned, shifting in Tooru’s lap, his eyes blinking against the harsh lights of the train. “Are we there yet?”
“Almost.”
Iwaizumi pressed a hand to his forehead, sighing as Tooru ruffled his hair. “My head hurts.”
Suga dug around in his bag, holding out a small container of ibuprofen and a bottle of water.
“Suga thinks of everything,” Tooru said, taking the bottles as Iwaizumi sat up, massaging his temples.
“What kind of best man would I be if I didn’t pack for hangovers?”
Iwaizumi shook out a few pills and passed them along, handing them to Kuroo as him and Bokuto headed over. Akaashi was nodding off against the windows as the overhead lights clicked off, the coming dawn illuminating the car in greys and pinks.
Suga and Daichi had ushered them onto the train around three in the morning, promising one more surprise to their bachelor party plans. They’d all stumbled into their car, propping each other up as Suga passed around bagels he had picked up along the way.
“I want fresh butter with mine,” Bokuto had said, and Suga just rolled his eyes, pushing him on the shoulder so he toppled over onto Akaashi.
“Just eat it, you need food in your stomach,” Suga said, trying to force a bagel into Iwaizumi’s hands as he already started to nod off.
“There aren’t enough bagels in the world to soak up Iwaizumi’s beers,” Daichi muttered and Akaashi giggled, hugging his knees to his chest as his bagel rolled onto the floor.
“Five second rule, Keiji!” Bokuto shouted, slipping to the train floor to chase it down.
“Where are we going, anyway?” Kuroo had said, head in his hands as he leaned over in his seat. “I don’t remember planning anything else.”
“It’s a surprise. Me and Daichi planned it,” Suga said, lacing his fingers in Daichi’s as he looked up at him.
“Daichi and I,” Kuroo muttered, squeezing his eyes shut.
“Shut up and eat your bagel.”
Kuroo just groaned as Akaashi giggled again, opening his mouth for Bokuto to pop a piece of bread in.
***
“This is our stop.”
Suga shook Daichi awake, collecting their things as they shuffled towards the door. Kuroo nudged Akaashi’s shoulder, giving him a hand up as Iwaizumi stretched next to them. Daichi rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn.
“Smells like the shore…” Tooru stepped onto the platform, sniffing the air as the others followed behind him. He turned around in a slow circle, taking in the dunes across the street, the bay on the other side of them, the line of tiny shops still dark this early in the morning. “You didn’t,” he said, eyes lighting up as he flew down the station steps.
“I did,” Suga said, smiling as Tooru bobbed excitedly in place, waiting impatiently for the rest to head down the steps.
“Hajime!”
Iwaizumi blinked blearily in the coming daylight, letting out a loud oof as Tooru threw himself at him. “Hajime, it’s the beach you proposed at!”
“Really—?”
His words were cut off as Tooru jumped up, throwing his arms around Iwaizumi’s neck as he hugged him close.
“Remember how long it took you to convince me to come? Remember how nervous you were? And then I made you take me to dinner at that little shop down the street and you were acting so un-Iwa-chan?”
Tooru laughed in Iwaizumi’s ear, hugging him closer as the rest of the group stumbled down the stairs. Kuroo stuck his hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face as he passed the two of them. Bokuto whooped, pointing at the dunes across the way, running towards the tiny public access sign.
Suga jumped as Daichi’s fingers trailed over his waist lightly, pulling him in closer.
“This was a great plan, Koushi.”
Suga shivered, loving the way his name sounded whispered on Daichi’s lips.
***
“Akaashi, come in the water with us!”
Suga and Daichi sat just above the water’s edge, watching Kuroo and Bokuto splash around in the waves. Tooru and Iwaizumi were further along the beach, walking hand in hand as the sun rose over their heads. Akaashi stood where the waves lapped over his ankles, his pants rolled up his calves as he tried to ignore Bokuto’s splashes.
“Do you think that was a tear in Iwaizumi’s eyes?”
Suga laughed, letting a handful of sand slip out from his fingers. “He ‘just had sand in his eyes,’” he quoted, letting his fingers tangle with Daichi’s.
“You made him cry,” Daichi said, bumping his shoulder against Suga’s. “Your sweet, caring, beautiful idea made the manliest man of the group shed a tear.”
“Oh, stop.” Suga pushed him away, laughing as Daichi flopped dramatically into the sand. “I’m obviously the manliest man of the group,” he said, rolling his sleeve back to flex his muscles. “No contest.”
“Mm, I don’t believe it,” Daichi said, folding his arms behind his head.
“What?”
“Not at all.”
“Sawamura Daichi.” Suga scrambled to sit on top of him, flashing his biceps in the morning light. “How could you not believe these guns?”
Daichi just laughed, watching Suga’s face hover over his. His expression was mischievous, his eyes shining playfully, and Suga sat up straighter, looking at him with narrowed eyes.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
“Daichi!” His hands had crept into Suga’s pockets, Suga squirming around to try to shake him off. ‘What are you doing?”
“Just checking if you have anything in your pockets.”
“Why?”
Suga shrieked as Daichi stood up, tossing him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing. “Daichi!”
Bokuto hollered from the water, jumping up and down as Daichi carried him to the waves.
“Daichi, you wouldn’t dare!”
Daichi cackled as he waded farther in, Suga clinging to his shirt for dear life.
“Daichi—!”
Kuroo shouted and Suga looked up to see a wave crashing towards them, knocking them both underwater as it passed by, spinning Suga head over heels. He popped his head out of the water, sputtering as Bokuto and Kuroo doubled over in laugher ahead of them.
“You should have seen your face, Suga!” Kuroo cackled.
Daichi popped up next to him, his expression sheepish as Suga turned to him. “My bad,” he said, shrugging at Suga’s scowl. Suga spit a stream of water at his stupid grin.
“Hey, don’t have fun without us,” Tooru shouted from the shore, stripping down to his boxers as Iwaizumi dove in ahead of him.
“There’s definitely no fun here,” Suga said, swimming deeper towards Bokuto and Kuroo. Tooru shrieked from the shore, dancing out of the way of the waves.
“Hey, hey.” Daichi swam a few strokes, catching up to Suga. “I’m sorry,” he said, planting a sloppy kiss to Suga’s jaw.
Suga laughed, splashing his face before clinging to Daichi’s back. “Swim me to the dynamic duo to make up for it.”
“The terrible duo,” Daichi shuddered, heading dutifully for the sand bar.
***
Suga set his bag down at the foot of the bed, his eyes drooping from a night of no sleep.
“Why do Iwa and Oikawa get their own room?” Bokuto said, jumping onto the other bed in the room and burrowing into the covers.
“You could go join them,” Akaashi said, shucking off his shoes.
“Yeah,” Kuroo snickered. “I’m sure you’d love to witness them put their bed to use.”
Daichi stood in between the beds of the hotel room, surveying their tiny room with his hands on his hips. “There’s only two beds here.”
“There’s a pull-out couch.” Suga stripped his still-wet shirt off, walking into the small bathroom to hang it up. “We only have the rooms until three tomorrow, I thought we could make do with this. It was the cheapest option.”
“This is great,” Daichi said, already pulling the covers back on one of the beds. “I just need a few hours of sleep—”
“I am not sleeping on that coach,” Kuroo said, watching Bokuto snuggle deeper into the comforter. “My feet will hang over the side. Somebody shorter do it.” He yanked the blankets off the bed, nudging Bokuto off the side.
“I already claimed the bed,” Bokuto whined, clinging to the sheets as Kuroo kept pushing him.
Daichi settled into the other bed, pulling the covers over his head. “I’m sleeping here. Don’t bother me,” he said, his voice muffled under the blankets.
“I’ll take the couch.” Suga came back into the room, wearing a clean, dry pair of boxers he’d packed. Akaashi headed into the bathroom behind him, giving Suga a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. The Daichi-sized lump under the covers shifted, his words unintelligible under the thick comforter.
“Ugh, of course Daichi thinks the couple has to sleep together,” Kuroo said, climbing into the bed next to Bokuto. “Bro, are you wearing your wet shorts right now?” Kuroo groaned, rolling to the very edge of the bed. “Go change, the sheets are damp!”
Bokuto sat up in bed, his hear sticking out in odd directions. He just gave Kuroo a look, climbing out from under the covers and grabbing a lump of clothes from Suga’s pack. He headed into the bathroom, ignoring Akaashi’s shout of surprise as the lock clicked in place. Akaashi’s voice rose in mild protest from the bathroom, sounding more resigned than anything as things started banging around in the tiny room.
“Really, it’s okay.” Suga walked over to the couch in the corner, huffing as he pulled it open into a bed. “Akaashi and Daichi can take that bed. Just wake me up for our dinner reservation at seven.”
“You sure planned everything,” Kuroo said, peaking at Suga over the top of his pillow. Suga just shrugged, pulling one of the blankets off Daichi’s bed and settling himself onto the makeshift bed. Daichi just snored quietly, only the very top of his beach-dried hair sticking out from the comforter.
***
“Marshmallow?”
Suga looked up from the fire, grinning as Daichi stood over him, offering a rather burnt-looking stick.
“I’m still stuffed from dinner,” he said, shaking his head. “You go ahead.”
Daichi sat down next to him in the sand, their shoulders resting comfortably against each other’s in the slight chill of the night wind. He smelled like salt and the hotel’s shampoo, inviting Suga to lean in closer. They were quiet for a while, Suga leaning his head against Daichi’s side as he held a marshmallow over the flames. Bokuto and Tooru shouted in the distance, the sound of splashing water and laughter floating over to the bonfire.
“They sound like they’re having fun.”
“Tooru said something about a game of chicken after you went to buy the marshmallows,” Suga said, letting his eyes drift comfortably closed as the fire crackled in front of them. “Iwaizumi seemed very into it.”
Daichi hummed, his shoulder shifting under Suga’s head as he pulled the marshmallow out of the flames. “Doesn’t seem surprising.”
“Mm.” Suga breathed out slowly, listening to the waves crash behind them. He’d fallen asleep almost immediately after his head hit the pillow that morning, almost unwilling to get up after Bokuto shook him awake in his blanket cape around five. It was a long night after that, Tooru dragging them back down to the beach after dinner to play a few games of volleyball.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep on me again.” Daichi shifted, wrapping an arm around Suga’s waist. “It’s only midnight.”
“So late.” Suga sighed, opening his eyes to watch the flames jump in front of them. “Tell me a story to keep me awake.”
“A story?” Daichi pushed his feet under the sand, looking up at the stars above them. “I don’t know any good stories.”
“Tell me the about the Midnight Shift Fiasco.”
“Wow.” Daichi laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You went right for the gold.”
“Come on,” Suga said, sitting up excitedly so he could look Daichi in the eye. “I want to know what my coworkers get up to when I’m not around.”
“You really don’t.” Daichi took a deep breath, laughing slightly as Suga watched him expectantly. “Alright.
“It was right after I moved to the city, when Iwaizumi got me a job with him. You know, when Bokuto had that awful haircut.”
“Oh, god,” Suga laughed. “That was pretty awful.”
“You know, I can’t believe we never met before Iwaizumi’s engagement.” Daichi kicked sand into the fire, listening as the logs popped. “Don’t you find that weird?”
“Hm.” Suga drew his knees to his chest, hugging himself against the late May wind. “I think you’re avoiding the story.”
“Right, right,” Daichi laughed, pushing gently at Suga’s knees. “So I was brand new to the city. The only people I knew were my old college roommate and two uncontrollable friends from high school.”
“Do you have any other friends now?” Suga teased, laughing as Daichi gave him a look.
“Anyway.” Daichi crossed his legs, leaning toward Suga. “I was in my apartment and I get a call from Bokuto around midnight. He’s frantic, saying something about a break-in and how he was so going to get fired, his boss was gone for the night.”
“And you believed him?”
“It was a very frantic situation!” Daichi said, clapping his hands on his knees. Suga just laughed, motioning him to go on. “So I get to the restaurant, there’s absolutely no customers, it’s late at night. It looks closed. Something’s banging in the backroom and a figure darts out of the dining area, hood up. So I—I go to punch him—”
“Punch him?” Suga burst out laughing. “You didn’t call the police?”
“It was very late. Bokuto woke me up. I was disoriented.”
“Okay, Daichi.”
“Okay, Suga. So I go to punch the guy, but I miss and hit the fire alarm—”
“That was you?”
Daichi scratched at the back of his head, glancing at Suga. “It was me.”
“Bokuto told me one of the busboys probably hit it by accident!”
“And you believed him?” Daichi teased, poking Suga in the cheek. Suga smacked his hand away, grinning despite the glare he tried to aim at Daichi.
“What happened after that?”
“Well, a very confused Kuroo waited for the fire department with me. Apparently he was trying to skip out of cleaning up late and Bokuto called me to get him to stay in the building.”
“Those two,” Suga sighed, shifting so he sat on his heels. “I can’t believe you set off the fire alarm at my work.”
“I honestly can’t believe it either.”
“Hey.” Suga jumped as somebody leaned between the two of them, slinging an arm around both their shoulders, wet hair dripping. Daichi looked up, craning his neck back. “What are you two up to all alone~?”
“Hi, Oikawa.”
Tooru wiggled in between the two of them, giggling as he rested his head against Suga’s shoulder. “Hello, Suga-san. Daichi-san.”
“Still feeling that wine from after dinner?” Suga smiled, brushing Tooru’s wet hair out of the way.
“You’re so mean to me.” Tooru shifted so his arm hung over Suga’s shoulder, pulling Suga off balance. “Even when you throw me an amazing surprise bachelor party.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Suga laughed, watching as Daichi jumped in surprise when Tooru leaned a hand on his thigh to steady himself.
“I’m glad you two are together,” Tooru said abruptly, sitting up to glance between the two of them. “It was Kuroo’s idea for you two to meet, did you know that?”
“Really?”
“It was!” Tooru stretched his legs out in front of him, humming as he leaned back on his palms. “He really cares about you guys. I really care about you guys.”
“So sentimental tonight, Tooru.”
“But I really do love you,” Tooru said, pressing a wet kiss to Suga’s cheek, laughing as Suga scrunched up his nose.
“Is he bothering you?”
Iwaizumi plopped down across the fire from them, brushing sand from his arms.
“Iwa-chan, tell Daichi how you planned the most romantic plot for them to get together as best men,” Tooru said, crawling towards Iwaizumi.
“You’re going to catch fire if you don’t be careful, idiot,” Iwaizumi said, taking Tooru’s hand and pulling him down into his lap.
“Tell them, Iwa-chan.”
Iwaizumi sighed, leaning back in the sand as Tooru rested his head against his chest. “I might’ve suggested you two would work well together as best men.”
“So romantic, Hajime!”
Suga covered his mouth, trying not to laugh as Tooru flopped around Iwaizumi’s neck, pressing kisses all over his face. He turned to Daichi, snorting at the mix of apprehension and slight distaste on his face.
“Okay.” Daichi stood up, brushing the sand from his shorts as Tooru giggled, turning in Iwaizumi’s lap to pull him into a kiss. “Want to head back?” he asked, holding a hand out for Suga.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
A volleyball rolled across the sand and Kuroo jogged past the fire, stopping to give Daichi a clap on the back.
“You heading back to the hotel?”
“Yeah.”
They stood there for a moment, Daichi swinging Suga’s hand as Kuroo gave Iwaizumi and Tooru a look of mild disgust.
“Hey, get a room,” Kuroo called, laughing as Iwaizumi didn’t even break the kiss to give them the finger.
“You have to admit, that takes some sort of talent,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. Daichi laughed, rolling his eyes. They walked along the beach, Kuroo whistling to himself, hands in his pockets.
“Did you two write your toast yet? I can’t figure out what to say.”
Suga glanced at Daichi, somewhat relieved to see the panic mirrored in Daichi’s expression. “Not yet.”
“Only three weeks to come up with something,” Kuroo said, looking out at the water, watching Bokuto’s and Akaashi’s dark figures wading in the shallow waves. “I want it to be nice, you know?”
“Yeah.” Daichi swung his hand again, glancing at Suga. “Hey, Kuroo?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“Huh?” Kuroo kicked a patch of seaweed, looking back at Daichi. “What for?”
“Just thanks, I guess.”
“Whatever, man. Sure.”
Suga squeezed Daichi’s hand, smiling as a wave washed over their feet.
***
“—and ever since I watched Iwaizumi swoon at Oikawa’s terrible selfie, I knew they were in love—”
The crowd of people sitting around the tables laughed, Tooru pouting as Iwaizumi turned to snicker at him. Behind Kuroo, people were setting up more tables and centerpieces, getting ready for their reception the next day. A red-haired boy shouted as a chair clattered to the floor and quickly covered his mouth, waving for everyone to turn away.
“But, really.” Kuroo switched his weight to his other foot, smiling slightly as Iwaizumi and Tooru watched him expectantly, hands intertwined. “You two are an amazing couple. I’ve known both of you since I started working at the Aoba a few years ago, and I know—I haven’t seen two people work so well together in a long time.”
Kuroo paused, taking a breath. “I knew from the second we had our first poker night—Tooru fell asleep at the table, it was so late, maybe one too many glasses of wine, sorry Ms. Oikawa—”
Kuroo smirked and a few people chuckled, Tooru laughing good naturedly.
“But when Iwaizumi offered to carry him to the car, Oikawa in his arms, I’ve never seen someone look so completely in love—the love that will last a lifetime. And I knew from that moment that we’d be here, preparing for their wedding tomorrow. I love both of you, and I know this marriage was meant to be.” Kuroo raised his glass, grinning as Tooru turned to Iwaizumi with a look of adoration. “Thank you.”
Kuroo bowed and headed back to seat, clapping Iwaizumi and Tooru on the back on his way over.
“That was amazing,” Daichi said, turning to Kuroo as he settled back in his chair. “Great speech.” Suga nodded from next to Daichi, giving Kuroo a thumbs up.
“Oh, you know,” Kuroo said, brushing it off with a shrug of his shoulders. “It wasn’t anything special.”
“No, I loved it.” Suga grinned, watching Kuroo sit up straighter, pink dusting high on his cheeks as he rubbed at the back of his neck. “Very romantic.”
Daichi’s knee bumped Suga’s under the table and Suga put a hand on his thigh reassuringly, giving it a slight shake. “Are you nervous for tomorrow?”
“No, not really.” Daichi leaned forward on the table, watching Tooru’s sister bop him on the nose as Tooru tried to swat her hand away. “Iwaizumi had us get the ceremony down pat.”
“True.”
Daichi placed his hand on top of Suga’s and Suga took it in his, lacing their fingers together under the table. “I’m excited for tomorrow.”
“Hm, yeah.” Suga leaned in closer to Daichi, his lips almost touching his ear. “I can’t wait to see you in your suit. Your butt looked amazing at the final fitting.”
“Suga!”
Suga cackled as Daichi tried to hide his red cheeks, glancing around their table to see if anyone overheard. Akaashi peaked at them curiously before turning back to listen to Bokuto. “It’s true.”
“Well, you always look amazing,” Daichi said lowly, leaning towards Suga.
“Oh, really?” Suga squeezed Daichi’s hand under the table, bumping his shoulder.
“Yes,” Daichi grinned. “When I met you at the engagement party? Wow. You looked like you were glowing in the lights.”
Suga laughed, brushing a piece of hair behind his ear. “You were so tongue-tied that night. It was cute.”
“At least I have that going for me.”
“What are you two smiling about?” Kuroo said, rattling the ice in his glass as he scooted his chair closer to them. “Dirty talk at the table? And at your best friends’ wedding.”
Suga pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh as Daichi and Kuroo snapped at each other.
***
Akaashi swirled his drink in his hand, leaning his head in his hand as he watched the dance floor. Bokuto was talking animatedly with the band, gesturing wildly as the bald guitarist yelled in response.
“When will the music start up again?” he said, looking down at the glass of wine in his hands.
“Do you want to dance?”
“Hm, yeah.” Akaashi glanced at Suga, flashing him a small smile. “Bokuto promised me a dance.”
Suga smiled back, taking in the reception as he and Akaashi took a break from the party. Tooru and Iwaizumi sat at a table in the middle of the room, laughing with Tooru’s sister and parents. Tooru had a streak of frosting on his nose, oblivious as he gestured to Iwaizumi at his side. Iwaizumi just watched him, smiling softly as he kept all attention on Tooru.
The pink, orange, and yellow color scheme that the four of them had decided on looked amazing, Suga thought, looking around the large hall. The ceremony had taken place outside in the garden, the colors looking brilliant as Iwaizumi and Tooru both walked down the aisle, their fathers on either side of them, Suga and Daichi standing quietly at the wedding altar. The flower tucked into Suga’s breast pocket was wilting now, the pink petals drooping after so many hours.
“Need a flower?”
Suga looked up, his mouth popping open as he took in Daichi standing in front of him, holding a small orange flower in his hand, offering it to Suga.
“I still don’t know anything about flowers, but yours looks droopy.”
Suga laughed, letting Daichi slip the stem into his pocket. “Where did you take this from?”
“One of the centerpieces. Don’t tell Oikawa,” Daichi said, slipping into the seat next to Suga.
“You’re a regular flower thief,” Akaashi said, placing his glass carefully on the table.
“The worst around.”
Akaashi laughed, his eyes lighting up as the band picked up, guitar strings plucking, the girl singer announcing the next song. Bokuto was striding across the dance floor as the first notes of an old Beatles song started playing, offering a hand as he reached their table.
“This is the song they played when I first went to see them with Iwaizumi,” Daichi said, watching Bokuto and Akaashi walk to the dance floor.
“Was it good?”
“I loved it.” Daichi held out his hand, giving Suga a grin. “Would you dance with me?”
Suga took his hand happily, letting Daichi lead him to the floor, butterflies fluttering in his throat as Daichi let his hands rest softly against his waist.
Tooru and Iwaizumi joined them, Tooru’s face flushed happily as Iwaizumi wrapped his arms around his waist. Tooru leaned back, fingers laced around Iwaizumi neck, laughing as Iwaizumi sloppily mouthed the words I want to hold your hand.
Suga wrapped his arms around Daichi’s neck, letting him lead them slowly towards the outskirts of the dance floor. Suga saw Akaashi out of the corner of his eye, Bokuto giving him a spin as his face lit up under the pale lights.
“We seem to be moving away from the dance floor,” Suga said, turning back to grin at Daichi.
“We do,” he agreed, pulling Suga closer as the song continued. Suga let his head rest against Daichi’s shoulder, loving the warmth of his hands around his waist.
“Suga?”
Suga hummed, letting his fingers brush at the nape of Daichi’s neck as he looked back up at him.
“I really—it’s been amazing, these past eight months.”
Suga grinned, stroking at the soft hair above Daichi’s neck. “For me too.”
“And I think—” Daichi paused, his eyes shining under the lights as his fingers tangled themselves in Suga’s suit. “I love you. I think I’m in love with you, Suga.”
Suga stopped moving, his smile growing wider and wider as Daichi’s words sank in. The song switched to something faster, bodies moving past them to dance, people spinning around and talking as Suga kept his arms hooked around Daichi’s neck, watching the lights dance in his eyes, the tiny flush growing on his cheeks.
Suga kissed the pink on his cheeks, his stomach flipping as he pulled back to look at Daichi again. “I love you, too,” he said, pulling Daichi into a deep kiss, their friends all moving around them, chatter and music bouncing around the room. Daichi’s hands wrapped around Suga’s waist, pulling him closer, laughter in his voice as he sighed against Suga’s lips.