Chapter Text
Everyone always assumed Daichi and Sugawara were dating. The two instantly became best friends when they met as first years, and have only grown closer as time passed. Only a month after they met, people began speculating of their relationship. Sugawara remembers when they were still first years and Asahi met them at their usual lunch spot, shaking as he asked if they were a couple. Daichi instantly became red and demanded Asahi tell him where he got the idea while Sugawara just laughed at the notion in the background. After that, Sugawara attached himself more to Daichi, just to see him blush as more and more rumors spread about the two.
When they became second years, Sugawara realized that he enjoyed Daichi’s blushing face a little too much. His game became less fun then. He tried to distance himself from his best friend in order to get over his small crush and return to how they were before. Sugawara could only avoid him for 3 days before Daichi chased him and asked what he did wrong. Sugawara had never seen his friend look so dejected than when he thought he ruined their friendship. It was then Sugawara gave his first confession and received his first rejection. Daichi never treated him any different despite the confession, and their friendship only continued to grow stronger. The rejection should have made Sugawara move on, but Daichi’s kindness during and after only made his crush grow.
Now they are third years. Sugawara’s small crush has turned into love. Every one referring to them as the mom and dad of the volleyball team doesn’t help. Every time someone makes one of those jokes, Daichi laughs along, but he always looks at Sugawara to check that he is also fine with it. That also doesn’t help. Sugawara sighed as he layed in bed, thinking of what happened after practice today.
Everyone had just finished cleaning up. All that was left to do was put away the cart of volleyballs. Kageyama and Hinata were arguing about something, as always. Sugawara shook his head a little bit as he got ready to intervene. Suddenly, Kageyama pushes Hinata right into the cart, causing it to fall over and all the balls to roll out. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi weren’t paying attention as they got ready to head back into the club room. A ball rolled right in front of Yamaguchi and he fell over.
“Hey idiots!” Tsukishima yelled at Kageyama and Hinata. “Why don’t you guys figure out how to have a civil conversation as to not subject the rest of us to your stupidity.” Tsukishima leaned down to help his childhood friend up.
“Thanks Tsukki!” Yamaguchi said as he took his friend’s hand. The slight wince did not go unnoticed by Sugawara.
“Yamaguchi, go sit down and I’ll check your ankle.” Sugawara said. Yamaguchi nodded and Tsukishima helped him over to the bench. As he examined his teammate’s ankle, he could hear Daichi yelling at the other 2 first years behind him. Sugawara looked up at Yamaguchi with a smile. “It looks like it’ll just bruise, but ice it and go to the doctor tomorrow just to be sure.” Yamagachi responded with a nod and quick thanks.
As he stood back up to calm Daichi down, Tanaka and Nishinoya let out a loud laugh. Daichi quickly turned his anger to them and asked, “Please tell me what is funny about someone almost hurting two of his teammates?”
The laughter instantly stopped and Tanaka looked nervously at Nishinoya. Either not noticing Daichi’s anger directed at him or not caring, Nishinoya said, “We weren’t laughing at that, we just thought it was funny how domestic you and Sugawara get. You get mad at us like a dad and Suga takes care of us like a mom. And then Ryu made some really funny names for you two.” Nishinoya then turned to Tanaka. “Tell them!”
Looking a little less nervous now, Tanaka said, “Well, since Daichi is our dad and Sugawara is our mom… Dad-chi and Suga-mama.”
The gym went silent for a few seconds as everyone thought about what Tanaka said. Sugawara can’t remember who broke the silence, but then everyone started laughing. Daichi shot Sugawara a quick look, and after seeing the smile on his best friend’s face, joined in with the laughter.
Filled with much more confidence than before, Tanaka continued. “It’s even more perfect since everyone knows you two are dating!”
With that, Sugawara’s face instantly fell and he found himself looking directly at Daichi. “Um,” Daichi began, “We- Suga and I, well, we’re not dating.” Silence flooded the gym again as everyone processed what their captain said.
“WHAT!” Several people yelled out. Asahi awkwardly looked between his fellow third years, wondering if he should do something.
Getting over his initial shock, Sugawara made his way over to Daichi before punching him in the arm. “Come on guys, did you think I couldn’t do better than Daichi!” He said with an awkward laugh.
“Hey!” Daichi said with a pout as he looked at his best friend.
With a wide smile on his face, Sugawara looked at everyone on the team. “It’s getting late, let's all call it a night and head home!” He then walked out of the gym, quickly followed by the rest of the team. Entering the clubroom, Sugawara grabbed his stuff and began heading out without changing back into his school uniform. Daichi grabbed his shoulder before he could exit the room and gave him a worrying look. Sugawara, still holding the smile from the gym, looked at Daichi and said, “I’m fine, just tired and ready to get home.”
Daichi nodded before saying, “I’m sorry.”
Sugawara didn’t respond. He pulled himself from Daichi’s grip and left the clubroom, walking home alone for the first time since he avoided his friend as a second year.
Rolling on his side, Sugawara wondered what was wrong with him. Why can’t he get over this crush? Why did he have to fall for his best friend? And why didn’t Daichi feel the same way? There must be something wrong with me , he thought to himself, Daichi knows me better than anyone, and if he doesn’t love me than who’s to say anyone will.
“Koushi!” Suga’s mom called, pulling him from these negative thoughts. “Can you pick up some things from the store for me real quick?”
“Yeah, give me a second to change and I’ll be right down!” Sugawara called back as he rolled out of bed.
“You still haven’t changed? What have you been doing?”
Sugawara chose to ignore his mom’s questions as he took off his Karasuno tracksuit and put on some gray shorts and a light blue t-shirt. He grabbed the short list from his mom, put on his sandals, and began his walk.
After a short walk, Sugawara made it to the store. As he was walking through the automatic doors, someone else was walking out. He stopped upon entering to turn around. The other person did the same as he exited, and Sugawara found himself facing Oikawa Tooru. Oikawa got over his shock and quickly placed a smirk on his face.
“Refreshing-kun~” Oikawa says in a sing-song voice. “What a surprise~”
Sugawara’s face fell to a slight frown. He was tired and didn’t want to deal with a rival captain tonight. “Oikawa.” He hopes the acknowledgement is enough as he turns back around.
“Hey, Refreshing-kun~” Oikawa starts, “that wasn’t very, well, refreshing.”
Sugawara sighs as he turns back to face Oikawa. “Did you need something?”
Oikawa’s expression changes into something more neutral as he asks, “Hey, is everything ok?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
Oikawa’s face scrunches slightly at the question. “You just don’t seem like yourself.”
Sugawara sighs again. “And what do you know about how I usually am? You don’t know me.”
“I have been told I am very perceptive.” Oikawa flashes another smirk before dropping it again. “But seriously, do you want to talk?”
Sugawara drops his head slightly as he responds, “No offense, but why would I talk to you. We don’t know each other.”
“But we could know each other.”
Sugawara looks back up, confusion on his face. “What-”
“That came out weird,” Oikawa interrupts. “What I mean is, if you’re feeling down, you should talk to someone, or else it will affect your playing.”
“My… playing…?”
“I would hate for my rival to lose because he lost focus.” Oikawa responds, smirk fully returning to his face.
“Kageyama is your rival, not me.”
“You’re a setter,” Oikawa starts, “And all setters are my rivals.”
They stand in silence for a few seconds. Sugawara starts to shift uncomfortably before saying, “Well, I have some shopping to do, so I’ll see you around.” As he starts to turn he hears Oikawa call out, “Wait!” Suga turns back, staring at Oikawa as he waits for him to continue.
Oikawa sticks his hand out. “Your phone.”
“Why would I give you my phone?”
Oikawa rolls his eyes. “I’m giving you my number. In case you change your mind about wanting to talk.”
Sugawara silently passes his phone over and watches as the other punches his number in as a new contact. When he finishes, Oikawa slides the phone back.
“Feel free to text me about whatever's on your mind. Currently or in the future.”
“Alright, thanks.” Suga responds as he puts his phone back in his pocket.
“One more thing.”
Sugawara looks back up at Oikawa.
“You look good in blue.”