Chapter Text
When Daichi told him about his realization that Kageyama was changing he agreed naturally. Suga didn't tell the captain that he had noticed it long ago. The younger setter had been changing ever since coming here. It was an obvious fact, but he didn't scold his friend for not noticing sooner. Suga couldn't blame Daichi for just noticing. It was no doubt that it was different playing with Kageyama than observing him like Suga did. Ever since the first year showed up and displayed the quick with Hinata he had been observing him. Ever since he had been replaced he had been watching this younger and much more talented setter. As if watching him made him better. He was just a normal setter. Nothing at all compared to Kageyama.
Of course that didn't mean he was going to give up. He lived being on the court just as much as anybody else on the team. With a smile that anybody could have guessed was about the usual childish banter between Kageyama and Hinata, Suga pushed the ball basket into the storage room. He hadn't noticed the blue eyes on his back as he disappeared into the room. When he came back out he was immediately confronted with the energetic jumping of Hinata.
“Suga-san! Practice with me some more!” Suga could only make a confused sound before Hinata continued, “Kageyama and I usually practice ourselves after practice,” Everyone on the team knew that much, “but he said he could do it today, big jerk didn't even tell me why.”
Suga had to laugh at the pouting Hinta. “Alright, I'll have to call my parents though to tell them I'll be home late.” The redhead cheered with a jump before grabbing his bag and waited impatiently by the doors.
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“Hey Suga-san?” Hinata mused out over the rattling of the chain fence currently serving as a block board.
“Yeah?” He spoke looking up at the ball while keeping Hinata in his peripherals. He was set up to toss the ball to wherever the younger dashed, however Hinata wasn't moving. In fact, the short middle blocker stood straight up and faced him. The ball nearly hit him in the face, but he had managed to catch it on short notice. He tucked the ball underneath his arm and looked at the younger male. “Are you tired?” They had been doing this for fifteen minutes straight and both of their breaths were labored.
“No, that's not it.” Orange locks shook before looking up. “You don't hate Kageyama, do ya?”
“Ha?” That question caught him off guard so much he had to chuckle. “I don't hate Kageyama or anyone else on the team for that matter. What brought this on?”
“Well I know you two have a rivalry thing going on. Also you two keep watching each other so I thought I'd ask you before asking Kageyama because he never gives me a straight answer when I ask him bout stuff like this.”
The vice captain had opened his mouth to speak, but shut it with Hinata's second sentence. Kageyama had been watching him? He hadn't noticed, but Hinata had? Why would Kageyama be watching him? Was he still worried about being Kurasuno's official setter again? No, he was pretty sure they had come to an agreement about that. Suddenly his thoughts stopped when he felt something poking his cheek. It was Hinata and he looked concerned.
“You went all silent and distant. If you don't wanna tell me that's fine.”
Suga laughed lightly, “No, no, I'll answer. I was just surprised to here that Kageyama was watching me. I don't think I'm watching him more than I watch all the others.” Hinata didn't seem satisfied with that answer so Suga sighed, “I guess some part of me thinks that if I watch him enough I can learn to be a much of a natural as he is. That's impossible to do though so I guess I do it unconsciously.”
Hinata still didn't seem happy. Suga had answered truthfully, but apparently Hinata didn't think so. “Is that all?” Suga was stunned in place even as Hinata got a phone call from home and had to leave.
“Is that all, huh?” He found himself repeating under his breath. Suga was the one that usually said that to his teammates so was this a case of Hinata seeing something that Suga wasn't aware of or something that Hinata wanted to see? What would Hinata want to see? Did he expect rivalries to be violent? His rivalry with Kageyama wasn't that way. Well not exactly. They certainly were explosive on the court together. Hinata's question plagued him all the way home and into the night.
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“You're over thinking again.” Suga heard a familiar voice along with a sudden heavy pressure on his head.
“Sorry, Daichi.” He had already said that at least eight times today. Morning practice was atrocious. Suga was locked in his thoughts that he was almost as clumsy as Hinata was. Daichi had even made him go to the nurse's office to lie down until school started. Now here it was lunch break and Suga was certain he'd have to borrow and copy Daichi's notes with how much he had been spacing out.
“He didn't go into detail, but Hinata said that this might be his fault.”
Suga looked at him in surprise before calming down and chuckling. “I guess he's right. He asked me something that has me confused.” With a raised eyebrow from the captain Suga explained the conversation last night.
Daichi hummed in thought, “I've noticed you staring at Kageyama, but I thought it was just you trying to find some technique you could copy or make your own. I haven't noticed Kageyama looking though, but maybe he's just better at it than you.” Suga glared at him before collecting his bento and standing up too leave. “Hey where're you going?”
“To have lunch with Asahi. At least he won't tease me.”
“Suga,” Daichi groaned with a smile. “Come on, don't be mad.” He made no move to stop Suga from leaving though.
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“Kageyama, you idiot!” Hinata's loud voice filled the gym making everyone stop cleaning. No one spoke or move for a few seconds after the slamming of the gym door.
“Ne, didn't it sound like Kageyama just rejected him?” Tanaka said towards Nishinoya, but the rest of the gym could easily hear it.
“Hinata totally sounded one of those girls in a drama.” Noya replied.
Suga knew the two were teasing to try to lighten the sudden heavy atmosphere, but he didn't take kindly to it. It was clicking into place, but if Hinata did have feelings for Kageyama then jealousy could explain the question. Suga placed a hand on Tanaka and Noya's shoulders, “You two shouldn't tease about this.” He felt both of then flinch in fear.
“Suga.” The captain tone of Daichi broke his thoughts of giving the two a lecture. Suga looked at Daichi who jerked his head towards the door. Apparently he was just as worried. Suga quickly let the two second years go and followed the silent order.
He found Hinata on the track running laps. He looked composed although still angry so he didn't approach. Hinata was the type to think better why moving. Suga didn't approach until Hinata tripped, fell on his face, and instead of getting up he just rolled over. Suga didn't say anything even as he sat down next to the red head.
“I don't get it.” Hinata finally said still sounding out of breath. “Kageyama is never this distant. He always wants to practice. Even during the weekend we usually practice together, but every time we're not in team practice he just gets really distant. I don't know what it is. He doesn't seem to be losing interest, but I don't know what it is. I thought you'd know because you've been watching him and you always seem to know things.”
“I'm sorry. I didn't notice anything.” Suga was shocked at Hinata's words so that was all he could really say.
“He was really upset at your performance this morning.” Suga flinched, but was even more surprised. “He confronted me about what I asked you last night so I told him and he got really angry with me.” That would explain why Hinata was on edge coming into the gym, but Kageyama had played as normal as ever. He had even kept the insults to Hinata to a minimum despite all the misses. “I couldn't stand it anymore so I asked him what his problem was. He said that it wasn't affecting his performance so I should just shut up about it. I know I probably shouldn't have, but I started asking him if it was about school or family or something. He didn't answer, only said that we weren't gonna do anymore extra practicing so I blew up. I'm sorry Suga-san.”
Gray locks waved slowly, “It's okay. I'm sure Daichi will understand once we explain it to him.” He stood up before looking at Hinata, “Ready to go back to practice?” Hinata nodded and Suga helped him to his feet.
“Kageyama has been sent home for the day and will be benched for a week.”
Sounds of disbelief came from both Hinata and Suga. “What for?” Suga asked trying to regain his composure. Had the vice principle seen the blow up?
Daichi sighed obviously not happy. “He wants it.”
“Stupid Kageyama.” Hinata lowly spat.
Suga turned on his heels, “Suga.” It was Daichi's captain tone again. Yes, he knew they needed a setter for practice, but he couldn't let this set and become another Asahi and Noya. He couldn't stand to leave Kurasuno like that. The look in Suga's eyes made him understand. “Alright try to fix this up, but Suga...”
“I know. I won't fault myself if I can't.” He said then left the gym not even bothering to bring his stuff. Daichi would drop it off before heading home.
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Suga knew roughly which area Kageyama lived at, but there were still a lot of houses not to mention apartments. He asked some of the people that were wondering about and eventually they directed him to a single street of houses. Brown eyes looked over each family name plate on the privacy walls until he found the name Kageyama. The fence didn't have a gate so he went up to the door and rang the doorbell. It was a few seconds before a woman that looked like an older female version of Kageyama answered. “Ah! Is um.... Is Kage-Kageyama Tobio here?” He hadn't at all thought about what he'd even say to Kageyama.
The woman laughed and waved for him to relax. Suga hadn't even noticed he was tense. “Tobio-chan is upstairs. Please come in.” Suga bowed his head in respect as he entered the genkan. She pointed to some spare slippers for him to put on so he did so. “Did something happen?” Suga looked at her in surprised confusion. “You're still in your practice clothes.” She pointed out, “Also Tobio-chan seemed rather angry. He wouldn't even talk to his mother.” She sighed somewhat dramatically.
Suga chuckled finally relaxing a bit. “Sorry for my appearance, ma'm. I'm the vice captain Sugawara. It seems he and Hinata have gotten into an argument so--”
“Say no more, I understand. Tobio-chan is a bit hot headed when it comes to volleyball. He's probably not going to come down for a little bit so would you like a snack and something to drink?”
Suga nodded his head and followed her into the house. He decided not to tell her that he doubted this was about volleyball. While he was eating half of a sandwich he decided to speak up. “I don't mean to pry, but has anything happened here at home? Hinata believes that this may not be related to volleyball and I have to agree with him.”
She turned to face him with a smirk that frankly unnerved him, “Say, vice captain Sugawara, what position do you play?”
“Setter.” Seemed like a safe enough question to answer.
“I see.” She hummed, “My son has been asking his father and I a lot of questions lately. At first the questions were directed at me since they were volleyball related. “Dear mother of mine, how does it feel to be replaced on a team? How can express my forgiveness for taking something that wasn't mine? How can I--””
“Mom, who are you talking to?” Suga looked up just as Kageyama came into view. They made eye contact for a brief moment before the younger setter turned his attention to his mother with an angry glare. The woman glared right back, but Suga didn't sense much hostility from either of them. Suga figured that this was just how their family was. Kageyama seemed to not only get his appearance, but some of his personality from his mother. That was a bit scary. “I thought I told you to stop intimidating my friends.”
“I was just answering his question Tobio-chan.” She smiled.
Kageyama scoffed, “Come on, Sugawara-san.”
Suga stood up and followed the younger setter to his room, “She really was just answering my question. I think.” Kageyama didn't say anything he just flopped onto his bed with his back facing Suga. The older teen sighed and sat on a chair that was pulled out from the desk. It looked like Kageyama was working on homework. He seemed to be making progress. “The team is worried about you.”
“You mean my ability.”
Suga gave Kageyama an annoyed and insulted look. “Do you really think so little of us. Every one of us have accepted you for you not because you're better than me.” He knew Kageyama had difficulties opening up to the others.
“Doesn't it piss you off? Putting yourself down like that all the time?” Kageyama refused to move to look at him.
“It does, but that's what drives me to get better. That and wanting to be on the court.” He let out a breathy laugh. “What's really bothering you, Kageyama? It's obviously not our difference in ability since we've already established that neither of us are going to give in without fighting. It has to do with me though right?”
Kageyama didn't answer at first, but Suga hear him gasp and hold his breath in response to his last question. He had guessed right. “What makes you think that?” Kageyama's voice was not as strong as it should have been.
“First, Hinata telling me that you've been watching me, that you got pissed off at him and me. Second, that that you told Daichi you wanted to be benched. I'm not sure if you expected this to happen since you can be dense sometimes, but it'd be easy to guess my reaction of not wanting to let a fight sit and make distance again. Finally, your mother. She made it a point to ask my position as well as bring up the whole replacement thing.” Suga explained, “So are you going to tell me?”
“No.” That was prompt, but before he could ask why Kageyama curled up on himself. “It's wrong.”
That confused Suga so he took his time thinking. He honestly couldn't think of any logical meaning in Kageyama's words. Suga laughed, “I still don't understand, but perhaps you're over thinking things? We both tend to do that.” That didn't seem to loosen Kageyama up any and Suga frowned.
“What do you think of Hinata?”
That was a strange question to ask, but at least Kageyama was asking him something. “Energetic, passionate about volleyball, dedicated, and straight forward. He's a good teammate and kohai.”
“And the captain?”
“My best friend.” Suga took a second to look at Kageyama suspiciously. What was with this?
Kageyama paused seemingly to gather up courage, “Your girlfriend?”
“Don't have one.”
“Why's that?”
He hadn't really thought about it. Sure he had girls ask him out before or at the very least confess to him, but he didn't really feel much. It was like hearing his mother or grandmother compliment him about his grades or when he had to dress up. So he answered what he honestly felt, “Not into them I guess. I haven't really give it much though, but I've never seen a girl as more than a friend.”
“So are you gay or what?”
“I can't say. Like I said I haven't really thought about being in a relationship. Always figured I'd have time to think about it later.” He answered and that's when it all clicked. “Kageyama, do you like me?”
Silence for a while, “Yeah, I like you, Sugawara.” He then made a sigh like he was relieved that it was out, but he was regretting it at the same time.
Suga stayed silent for a while trying to find an answer, but unable to do so. “I can't give you a reply yet. Would you give me until the end of your benching period for me to figure it out?”
Another strain of silence. He didn't like it, but that was the truth. “Yeah, okay. Sorry to--”
“Don't apologize.” Suga made sure to cut him off. “You didn't spring it up on me or anything. I wanted to know what was bothering you so I'm glad that I know what it is.”
“Then can I at least apologize for making you panic about thinking there's a split between Hinata and I?”
“Yes, but I think you should apologize to Hinata first. Why don't you call him up?”
Kageyama shook his head quickly, “He probably won't answer.”
Suga sighed. Kageyama was overthinking again so no use arguing. “Fine use my phone.” He then remembered his phone was in his bag back at school. He lightly cursed under his breath, “I forgot it.”
Kageyama laughed a bit before taking a deep calming breath. He turned around finally facing Suga, but didn't make eye contact. Suga could see the puffiness around his eyes, but didn't comment on it. Kageyama grabbed the phone off the desk and quickly contacted Hinata. “KAGEYAMA YOU IDIOT DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE'VE WORRIED ABOUT YOU? WHAT THE HELL IF WRONG WITH YOU MAN? WHY ARE YOU BENCHING YOURSELF! SORRY FOR YELLING AT YOU BEFORE. NOT SORRY FOR YELLING RIGHT NOW THOUGH. OI! KAGEYAMA SPEAK UP.” The phone wasn't even on speaker and Suga could clearly the first year. It seemed he didn't really have anything to worry about.
“S-sorry for being so mean. I just... wanted some time to think about things.”
“Captain says setters think too much.” Suga laughed at that. It was true. “Ah, Captain also wants to know if Suga-san is there. He forgot to grab his phone before leaving to find your place so he's worried about Suga now too.”
“He's here.”
“Then is everything okay now?”
“More or less.”
Hinata groaned, “Suga-san do your job.” Both chuckled, “Ah! Kageyama chuckled! Scary! Run Suga-san run!” He teased ending with a laugh. “Well I'll talk to you later Kageyama!” and then the phone clicked.
Suga gave a relaxed smile to Kageyama before standing up. “I should probably get home, get a shower and change. My mom is going to yell at me for coming home in my practice clothes and having Daichi drop my stuff off.”
Kageyama nodded and lead Suga back downstairs to the genkan. “See you tomorrow then.”