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Tobio considered himself to be a pretty successful person. He’d earned an amazing group of friends, made a name for himself, and went pro after years of practice.
Plus, he’d passed as a guy for all of his high school years without a single person doubting him.
He’d always felt like a guy, even when he was very young. He was always uncomfortable with his feminine nature, and after years of confusion he’d finally realized that he wanted to be male.
Coming out to his family and friends wasn’t easy, but when he did they were incredibly accepting. Unsurprisingly, others like his middle school teammates and classmates never referred to him as a male. It was irritating; having to go to school and get misgendered everyday.
So Tobio opted to change his appearance up. He cut his hair short, took testosterone pills, and started binding. The process wasn’t comfortable in the slightest, as he’d always been more busty and curvaceous.
“Why the hell would I call you a guy? You have tits.”
”Stop trying to be someone you aren’t.”
“You’re one of the cutest girls in school! What’s the point of ruining your representation like this?!”
The harsher the backlash became, the more unhealthy Tobio’s habits became. He felt pressured to be more masculine, just so he could be accepted as a man.
Things felt good when he went to Karasuno. It was a fresh start. He finally felt accepted as a guy. It was euphoric, cleansing even. The embarrassment of his past still haunted him at times.
Though, nothing was more embarrassing than passing out in the middle of a practice match.
Against the MSBY.
Which is the team Shoyo happened to be on.
He couldn’t even process what had happened until his face was in the floor. It was a terrible idea to wear his binder to practice, but he’d assumed that everything would turn out fine.
It didn’t.
His eyes fluttered open slowly. It looked like the cool down room that had just been recently installed into their gym. Tobio had been awake for a while, but he didn’t want to face what was sure to be the disappointment of his teammates. A steady pressure had been on his hand for a while; it felt nice.
“Yama, you know that I know you’re awake right? You can get up now you lazy bum.” Was this Shoyo’s voice…? Of course it was. He could never miss it.
Tobio tilted his head to face Shoyo, his high school crush. He’d never gathered up the courage to confess. The thought was just too scary.
“They’re all pissed aren’t they?”
“What?! Of course not! Everyone’s worried sick idiot. Do you even remember anything that happened before?” Tobio felt his lips tugging upward at the ladders concern.
“I did a receive, I think? And next thing I know I’m face-first into the ground. Weird.” Tobio pretended to be surprised about the situation, as if he didn’t expect this to happen. He’d done loads of research on unhealthy binding, and even though the articles specifically said not to wear it during exercise, he didn’t comply. He just settled on blaming his stubbornness should anyone ask.
”So what happened? I know that wasn’t just fatigue or some weird sickness, because you’ve never gotten that, and with all the dairy and healthy shit you eat your immune system is practically perfect so I don’t wanna hear that excuse. So come out with it already.” Shoyo stated seriously.
“Um. I—I can’t tell you that.” Tobio cringed at the sound of his own voice, weak and scared sounding. He felt like such an idiot. If he wouldn’t have worn the binder during practice, he wouldn’t have passed out.
He felt desperate again. Like he was begging to be accepted as a male. It hurt more this time around.
“Is this about your water drinking habits again? Tobio, I told you to take better care of yourself these days! How many times do I have to say-“
“I’m trans!”
The silence in the room was deafening. Tobio felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. He’d promised himself that he’d never tell Shoyo, and he’d just blurted it out without thinking. His mouth just kept moving though.
“I wore my binder during practice and that thing is very hard to breathe in, and you’re definitely not supposed to wear it during physical activity, so I ended up passing out. It was a stupid decision, and I shouldn’t have done it, so I’m sorry!”
He didn’t dare look Shoyo in the eyes. Why had he said all that? Their relationship would never be the same after this.
Rejection. He’s gonna hate you. What the hell were you thinking? You should’ve just stayed quiet. He’s gonna think you’re a freak. You’re a failure. Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting-
“You’re… so cool.”
“…huh?”
“You’re so courageous. I can’t even imagine how hard it’s been on you to keep that secret for all these years. You’re… awesome!” Shoyo’s smile brought Tobio back to reality. They always did.
“Do you not think I’m weird…?”
“Huh? Of course not.”
“Why? I was born a girl, and now I’m asking people to call me a guy. That’s… weird. It’s not natural. Im playing on a guy’s team, but I’m… not even…”
“You are a guy though.” Shoyo deadpanned, if anything he looked kinda confused.
“But I don’t have a-“
“Tobio. You’re a man.” Tears prickled in his eyes. This feeling… it was overwhelming. Being respected. Someone caring. Understanding. No one had ever made him feel this way.
“Can I—can you… hug me?” Shoyo nodded, not hesitating a second to wrap his strong arms around the other.
“You’re so bulky now…”
“Awww, is Lazy-Yama mad that I’m not a shrimp anymore~?” Tobio’s face began to redden. He’d never admit how upset he’d become of Shoyo’s new… form. Upset that he could never take his eyes off it, that is.
“Hell no! You’re bigger or something. I like it… maybe just cause it’s apart of you, still can’t decide yet.” Shoyo’s breath hitched at that. There was a beat of silence, which encouraged Tobio to continue.
”Thank you so much. I really… I needed this,” he raised his head up to meet Shoyo’s eyes. A light blush dusted his cheeks.
“I needed you.” He was so close. The guy who’d changed him. Who’d helped him develop. The one who accepted him.
Shoyo closed the space. The kiss was slow and calm. It was lovely, it held so many emotions that Tobio couldn’t even begin to process. It just screamed “I love you.”
The room felt a lot warmer than it had when he’d awoke. His chest felt tight. Not the uncomfortable tight he was used to; more so the compaction of his love’s chest against his own. A beautiful feeling.
Shoyo broke the kiss with an inhale. He’d never had particularly strong lung capacity. Tobio smiled at this.
“I finally… got to kiss you.” The words were music to Tobio’s ears. He felt the love laced in them.
“I would say the same… but you kinda suck at it. Is that a ginger thing?” That earned him a punch to the shoulder, his body shook with the sheer weight of the cackles streaming out of his mouth. He was pulled back into Shoyo’s chest, as the shorter man looked down at him.
”I love you Sho.”
“I love you more… my pretty boy.”