Chapter Text
1. Reading Week
As they usually do, disasters like this started when Oikawa was in a good mood.
It was a good night for stargazing. The night breeze soothed his skin, and he felt at peace after a relatively stressful week of research and frantically writing out lab reports. Their internet connection was finally stable that night too, and he had been planning to binge another episode of Irrefutable: How Extraterrestrials have Escaped Our Sight. The stars twinkled ever so slightly, beckoning him closer.
"Tobio's coming back for his reading week."
Oikawa yelped out, the noise cracking through the otherwise silent atmosphere. Whipping his head around, he noticed Iwaizumi's telltale scowl, green eyes furrowed and a canteen of water held in his strong arms. Tooru let his shoulder loosen.
"Geez Iwa-chan, you really are a brute, you know that? You'll be the reason I have gray hairs," pouted Oikawa, sticking his tongue out at his best friend and roommate. His fair warning was met with a brutal smack to the head. Hajime's cruelty knew no bounds.
And then Oikawa registered what was actually said.
"Wait, Tobio-chan? I thought he moved his tyranny to that Karasuno place! What's he doing back here?"
This could not be happening. Kageyama was supposed to be gone. He had left of his own accord a while back, and Oikawa wasn't hurt at all. Nope. Not a bit. It was for the best, really, that Kitagawa Daiichi had gotten rid of their tyrannical little upstart.
"I thought you said you wouldn't care whether he came back or not?" Iwaizumi questioned, his glare promising hell if Oikawa tried to bullshit his way through this one.
"Yes, well, I don't care," Oikawa insisted. He took a grateful sip of water from the water bottle Iwaizumi had thrown at him.
"Yes, which is exactly why you look like you're planning the best way to get away with stabbing the poor kid."
"I would never! I've only ever been completely angelic to the little star of the Kitagawa Daiichi volleyball team," he reassured, "Besides, I wouldn't stab him, that would leave too much evidence. Really, who do you take me for?"
"You are such a shitty person, you know that?" Iwaizumi shoved him to the side (rude!) to sit beside him. He opened his mouth to speak, and Tooru already knew he would hate the next words that came out of his friend's mouth.
"He's been through enough, don't you think?"
And oh no, Tooru couldn't deal with this. This was Hajime's softer voice, the one he used when Oikawa had injured his leg and got the hospital report back, the same one he used after that night all Oikawa could see were Tobio's frightened blue eyes staring back up at him, when all he could hear is the ringing in his ears.
Curse Hajime and his stupid kind heart.
"I don't know what you want me to do," Oikawa countered, refusing to look at anything in particular.
Hajime closed his eyes in frustration. "Just stop being a dick to him for like 5 seconds, asshat. Even you can't suck that much. He's trying to move on, so you should too."
Move on? Tooru let out a harsh little noise from the back of his throat.
"He's the one that left us, I don't know why you're blaming me," he muttered bitterly.
Because that was the truth of it. Everything was always about poor little Tobio-chan. Him and his talent, and his singular focus for volleyball. Kitagawa Daiichi wasn't good enough for him, apparently.
Tobio had an imposing presence, but his farewell had been rather pitiful. A meagre sad goodbye and lowered gaze that had definitely not run in Oikawa's thoughts during lonely nights. He had looked a little small, hunched over like that, and Oikawa tried desperately to fight away the gnawing guilt in his stomach when he remembered.
He recalls wide blue eyes and a hand that had come close to reaching its target, and he fought to take a deep breath. He was stronger than this.
"Okay fine Iwa-chan, I won't purposefully be mean to him. But I'm not gonna put up with that for long if he's like who he was before he left!"
Hajime rolled his eyes, and playfully shoved at Oikawa's shoulder. Unfortunately for him, carpentry did his arms some good and it would definitely leave a bruise, which Oikawa made sure to complain excessively about. Fair's fair.
"Yeah yeah, that's the best I was hoping for anyway. I'll stay up with you for a little bit. What nerd thing are you looking for anyway?"
Oikawa was grateful for the distraction, and happily chatted away about his passions to a grumpy, but attentive Iwa-chan. He really did have the best friends.
(He tried not to think too hard about the growing apprehension building in his system).
~
"So it's true? He's really coming back?"
Kindaichi and Kunimi were standing in front of him, the former rigid and uptight, making nervous hand gestures to a tired Iwaizumi, and the latter slouched like usual. But to Oikawa's trained eye, he noticed that Kunimi's posture seemed a little too lax, a little forced.
It was to be expected. Honestly, Oikawa was a little surprised the two boys had even shown up to greet their ex-teammate.
Tobio was supposed to be here in 10 minutes. 7 AM on the dot. And for this small town, it had been the gossip of the entire week. Their star volleyball player, their fallen little king, coming back?
He's realized the world outside is too much for his dumb little brain, Oikawa sneered in his head. But right after thinking it, he knew he didn't really believe it.
Two sharp slaps sounded cleanly against his back. Oikawa let out a dignified screech and glared at who he knew would already be the culprits. Really, what was with the physical abuse he was putting up with recently? It was a wonder he remained as delicate and pretty as he did.
Hanamaki hollered and high-fived Matsukawa, and Tooru couldn't but let out a good-natured smile. He looked around him.
Hanamki and Matsukawa were laughing and bringing the mood up like usual, ever the constant-duo. Most members of the town were chatting amongst themselves, discussing the upcoming harvest or what their children were going to wear for Halloween. Watari rushed out of the door with freshly baked goods from his grandmother.
And although this seemed like a regular scene in their charming little town, the air was tense. The laughter a little too forced, everyone's placement just a little tilted. And all it took was the arrival of one little boy.
The distinct sound of rolling wheels startled everyone from their preemptive ritual.
And out walked Tobio Kageyama.
He wasn't so little anymore, Tooru had to admit. Whatever training he was doing in Karasuno was definitely doing something, because there was this added strength to his gait that Tooru didn't remember from before.
He forced down a shaky breath. What was he nervous for? There was that same bundle of gangly limbs, that same dark haircut. Still in a black sweater. Same Tobio-chan.
Tobio looked up at him, and Tooru stood transfixed. It was one thing to think about storm-blue eyes and it was an entirely different experience relearning them.
There was a slight pause, a slight hesitance where the two sides just looked at each other. Kitagawa on one end, and Kageyama on the other. Not unlike usual.
Iwaizumi, as expected, got out of his stupor fast, bringing Kageyama into a one-armed hug and calling for everyone to move around him. That broke the silent spell, and the villagers scrambled. Tobio may have left the town on bad terms, but Kitagawa wouldn't let him go without a feast fit for a king.
Tobio peered up at him and stared right at Oikawa and Tooru swore he felt his heart stop. Be cool, be cool, be cool. But then the younger quickly averted his eyes and the moment was gone.
The little brat hadn't even been here for a full minute and he already nearly gave Oikawa a stroke. Damn him.
~
The feast, as expected, was marvellous. At Iwaizumi's request, they had gotten catering from Tendou Satori, who had made all of Kageyama's favourites. And even though Oikawa's best dreams entailed strangling Ushijima, and accordingly everyone associated with him, he had to grudgingly admit Tendou's pork curry agreed with his tastebuds.
Tobio seemed to agree as well, given the way he was scarfing down all his food without a care in the world. Disgusting.
"So Tobio, what've ya been up to?" Hanamaki asked curiously, in between stealing various items off of an unsuspecting Kindaichi's plate.
"Volleyball."
Matsukawa bit the bullet and asked the next question, "Have you met new people?"
"Yes."
"Like who?"
At this, Tobio placed his bowl of food down and paused pensively.
"There's this guy on my team who sucks at everything," Ah yes, this was to be expected. Oikawa could see Kindaichi roll his eyes, "But he can jump really high so I just have to make sure my tosses match."
Kunimi choked on the drink of water he was sipping.
Had Oikawa heard that right? He looked around the table to see if he was imagining what just happened, but he met Iwziumi's wide eyes, and noticed Kindaichi's balled fist through his peripheral vision.
Quick to notice the growing discomfort, Matsukawa changed the subject to something non-volleyball related the rest of the night and took to teasing Yahaba about his new mining endeavours.
Oikawa made pleasantries and forced down his dinner, but he couldn't help that conversation from rewinding in his head the entire night.
~
"Did you hear that Iwa-chan," he hissed at his friend, who was grumbling during their nighttime walk. Crickets sang in the distance.
"Yes, isn't it a good thing?"
"It's only been, what? A month? And now he's talking about adjusting his tosses!"
Iwaizumi switched the flashlight he was holding to his other hand and beamed it straight at Oikawa's face.
"Yeah, and you're not playing anymore so I don't see why you can't just be proud of him."
Shoving the offending weapon aside, Oikawa continued to ramble on about Tobio's apparent growth and how unbelievable it was, bounding up the steps to their shared house.
They didn't have to live together, but Iwaizumi had an extra room and his house was closest to the stars. Oikawa paid for the internet, so it was fine. But it was nights like these, where everything seemed just a little darker, that Oikawa wished that Hajime lived closer to the saloon.
"We were never friends in the first place!"
Who was that? At this late at night, when most people had gone home with their bellies warm from drink and food? Iwaizumi didn't have many neighbours, and the only place near them was the river.
Sharing a look, Iwaizumi and Oikawa silently agreed to creep closer.
It was difficult to navigate in the dark, but they managed to crouch under some foliage. Peering up from the bush he was hiding in, he could make out Kindaichi's distinctive turnip head shadow, which means the tall figure next to him must be Kunimi. There was a slightly shorter man across from them.
"Okay." Oikawa let out a small gasp, before being muffled by Iwaizumi's strong grip. That was Tobio!
"So your apology doesn't make a difference."
"I'm still sorry."
Was he hearing this right? Kindaichi shifted a little bit and carried on. There was a small tremble in his voice.
"So we're not going to talk to you while you're here. Why would we?"
"Okay." Kageyama's voice was low, but if Oikawa strained his ears it sounded just a little broken too. Which was good, because it's exactly what he deserved. So why did Tooru's heart hurt just a little bit?
Kunimi seemed to be somewhere along the same line of thinking, because he gruffly dragged a still Kindaichi along with him, but not before glancing quickly at the tall figure left alone.
Iwaizumi and Oikawa sat there for a little bit, completely glued to the spot. They watched as Kageyama kicked a pebble next to him, slouched his arms into his pockets further, and then rushed back, most likely to his grandfather's farm.
Sure that he was gone, they both let out a loud exhale.
"Tooru, what the fuck happened in the city?"
~
The next morning was strange.
Tobio had come back for his reading week, allowed to him once in the fall and once in the spring from his university to prepare for his exams. He should've therefore been studying, but Oikawa wasn't surprised to see him practicing his serve alone in the community gym.
Despite all his changes, there was comfort in knowing that Tobio still thought about volleyball and volleyball only.
Oikawa gazed at him for a little bit. His form had already been good, which was the crux of the problem before, but now it was even better. In little time, Tobio would easily serve better than him. He wasn't looking forward to it.
He plastered on his most venomous smile and edged closer.
"Yoohoo! If it isn't little Tobio-chan!"
Tobio clearly hadn't been expecting him, because he jumped a little. His reflexes were still as annoying as ever, and he quickly caught the ball he had been working with, before looking at him and bowing slightly.
"O-Oikawa-san. Hello," the twerp greeted him. Oikawa didn't miss that deep baritone at all.
"I hope you've had a terrible morning," he sniffed at him. What was that Hajime said about being nicer? Well if he didn't remember it, it couldn't have been important. "Aren't you supposed to be taking a break from volleyball anyways?"
Kageyama's eyebrows furrowed and he tilted his head. "Take a break? But that's a waste."
Absolutely unbelievable.
"Maybe you haven't changed that much after all." Tooru turned his back on him.
He may not play volleyball as rigorously as he used to, but he still took care of himself. He started taking out his equipment, but it was impossible to ignore Tobio's gaze on him. He tried to let it go for several more minutes before he caved and turned back towards him.
"What do you want now? Gonna still ask me to teach you my serve?" When he saw that Tobio looked like he was going to nod, he quickly cut him off before he could ask.
"That's a no, by the way. I don't play volleyball anymore," and at this Oikawa noticed that Kageyama glanced with guilt at his knee brace. Good. "And even if I did I wouldn't help you."
He glanced away from Tobio's crestfallen expression. For all that he was a tall, intimidating presence on court, he had no right having such good puppy eyes.
"But you should still play! You're good!" Insisted Tobio, and Tooru convinced himself he wasn't touched at his disciple's faith in him. Of course he was still good, he was Oikawa Tooru.
"After all Oikawa-san, you bring out the best in the team," Tobio rambled on, as if he hadn't just realized that he had said something that went against his entire character not even a month ago.
Absolutely not. He could not deal with this right now, not before the all-nighter he'll have to pull to get back to his jerk of a boss's deadline.
"You could get even a dumbass like Hinata to spike good."
Why was Tobio still talking? Nope, Oikawa was not going to do this anymore. Did Tobio-chan hit his head?
Tooru quickly placed his hand against Tobio's forehead, ignoring the warmth emanating from him or the way words stuttered and died from Tobio's lips. No, seemed normal to him.
"Okay Tobio-chan, you're too much of a headache for me right now and I think Mad-Dog-chan ate all of my Aspirin so I'm going to leave. I hope you have a terrible rest of your day!" Oikawa called out spitefully, but not before throwing a towel his way because maybe he was just a little bit concerned about the way Tobio had been heaving before Oikawa had arrived.
This week couldn't seem to go by any faster, could it?
~
Kageyama had changed.
This Kageyama was still as blunt and emotionally constipated as ever, don't get him wrong. Still infuriatingly precise and technically skilled, invoking that clawing rage of envy when Oikawa watched him practice one time (which was not creepy at all, he was just in the area).
But this Kageyama also paused sometimes before phrasing his questions. Oikawa could see him hold his tongue during Kindaichi and Kunimi's practice beach volleyball game, when Kunimi had purposefully let a chance ball go. They had all waited tensely during the moment, but there was no shouting, no angered scowl or grabbed collars. He tried his best to answer Matsukawa's invasive questions, even if he didn't know what was being asked.
This Kageyama was no longer a tyrant.
Oikawa hammered down that nail of pride he felt, because he had already heard enough of everyone's increasingly positive and disbelieving comments about how happy they were for him. Had they forgotten who he was already? And who was this Hinata kid that the twerp kept mentioning? Why did it feel like Kageyama changed for someone he had just met, instead of the ones he had known for most of childhood? And most importantly, why did that thought bother Oikawa so much?
"It's a charade, I'm telling you, Iwa-chan!" He whined for the thousandth time. The bulging veins in Iwaizumi's neck indicated that Oikawa was reaching the end of his patience.
"Shut the hell up! He's your student isn't he?"
This, Oikawa vehemently denied.
Expectedly, this did not go over well.
~
The rest of the week went much the same way. Oikawa did his best to ignore Kageyama, which was hard to do when he could feel an expectant gaze following him wherever he went. He ended up holding himself up with his trusty telescope for most of the day.
According to uh, secondary sources, (which did not entail any sort of bribe to Yahaba), Tobio had spent most of his time alone, practicing his volleyball. He talked when spoken to, which wasn't often. For all the hype of his entrance, it felt like he was barely there.
Kageyama had always been the type to stay silent if it didn't have to do with serves or the newest Volleyball Monthly. His most pressing concern was probably to choose which type of milk he wanted to order from Shinsuke Dairy.
Despite all of this, when the day came for Kageyama to leave, Oikawa felt like he had just arrived. He didn't know why he felt a twinge of disappointment when Watari had first informed him that the setter was going to be leaving the next day. Afterall, this is what he wanted in the first place and it looked like Tobio had moved on from the little country life he escaped from.
Iwaizumi had asked if he had wanted to see him off, but Oikawa had refused strongly, making something up about a Zoom call that no one bought into.
Iwaizumi had come back home a little later that night, and Oikawa caught him gazing wistfully at a picture of all of them from when they were younger. Back when Tobio was still cute and smiley and Oikawa hadn't been so annoyed by his very presence. Oikawa leaned on top of Iwaizumi's shoulders, grinning brightly. Hajime had a small, satisfied smile of his own. If you looked carefully, you could see Tobio tugging on Oikawa's sleeve.
"He asked for you before he left the bus stop, you know. Asked how you managed to maintain your form if you were so busy with your work."
Tooru groaned and muttered something unintelligible about how Tobio was too clingy and furrowed himself back into the couch he had stolen for the night.
No one needed to see how red Tooru's cheeks were, or the stupid wistful smile that had split across his face that stayed long after he fell asleep.