Chapter Text
Anyone could tell you that Asahi Azumane was not a morning person. He loved being able to sleep in, basking in the warmth of the sheets, hiding from the sun for as long as he could. His boyfriend, on the other hand, was up at the crack of dawn. Asahi was never sure how he did it, but after enough overnight tournaments and living together, he learned better than to question it.
Usually the two met somewhere in the middle when they had a free day to kill. Noya would wake up early like usual but stay in bed cuddling with Asahi for a few hours before he deemed it late enough in the day to wake the sleeping giant. Normally the ex-ace would try and retaliate, using his strength to trap Noya in his arms, which really only ever bought him an extra five minutes. Even after all these years, Noya’s elbows were still far too pointy and could readily be used as a weapon.
The only downside to all of this was that Asahi’s brain was never quite awake by the time Noya would kick him out of bed. The libero was normally at full functioning capacity before he could even form a simple sentence. As a result, Asahi let some things slip in the mornings that he never really meant to say.
“‘sahi, c’mon, we gotta get up.”
“No,” he whined, “it’s Saturday.”
“Exactly, things to do, places to see.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“Asahi Azumane don’t make me kick you off this mattress.”
“You would never.”
“I’m thinking about it.” Asahi reached out and pulled Noya into his chest, the smaller of the two nuzzling right into the older man’s pecs despite his words. They were quiet for a few moments, taking in the warmth from the sun shining through their bedroom window, snuggled up under the covers. Asahi actually thought Noya fell back asleep until he spoke, face still pressed against the cotton of his t-shirt.
“I love you ‘sahi.” Any normal person would say “I love you too”, but apparently not Asahi. His brain made sure of that.
“I want you to meet my family.” Nishinoya was up in a heartbeat, eyes wide and confused. As far as relatives went, Noya’s side were the only people they visited. Sure he’d met Asahi’s mom and older sister once or twice when they were in school together, but not since they started dating.
“Really? You mean it?” Asahi wanted to bite his tongue. Why did he say that? Why did he have to bring them up? Was it because of the dream he had about them going to visit his sister in San Francisco? He wanted to shove his face into a pillow but instead he held Noya’s gaze.
“I mean only if you want to. But yeah, I think it’s time.”
“As long as it’s what you want, I’d love to.” He didn’t know what to say so he just nodded, eyes wandering literally anywhere else but Yuu’s golden orbs. He had a tendency to do that when he was nervous, letting his eyes just drift over his boyfriend’s pajama-clad form.
After Asahi graduated he moved to Tokyo, attending fashion school, getting wrapped up in portfolios, demanding professors, fittings, and fabric stores. He’d visit Daichi and Suga, or they’d come to him, but other than that he didn’t really keep in touch with the rest of the team. He knew he should have, after all everyone leaned on each other as part of a support system.
Noya never stopped texting him though. Even when Asahi was having a bad day, he’d get a notification from the little guardian, a text or a call, and it would distract him for a little bit. Noya had a habit of doing that, ever since Asahi met him during his second year. And then Noya graduated and went straight to the pros, starting and still playing for Japan’s national team as their designated libero. Asahi went to all the games, professors and deadlines be damned cause that was his friend, his best friend, or at least at the time he was just his best friend, playing in the pro league.
...
When Noya called him after he found out, Asahi had just gotten out of probably the worst class in his entire college experience. They were supposed to be doing a design critique but instead the professor used all two hours for bashing every student’s mock up and tearing Asahi’s to shreds. The minute his dial tone rung out, Noya’s excited face flashing across the screen, Asahi’s thumb hit answer.
“Hello?”
“Asahi! I made it!”
“What?”
“The National Team! I’m their starting Libero!” He stopped walking, nearly dropping his phone right on the sidewalk.
“Noya, that's amazing, that’s—holy shit!” Asahi could practically feel Noya’s smile through the receiver.
“I just got a call and I’m kind of freaking out right now.”
“Hold on, I just got out of class, let me see when the next train to Miyagi leaves and I can head over. I’ll take you out to dinner tonight.”
“Oh, um, I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”
“Oh, sorry I shouldn’t have assumed.” Asahi pretended not to let it sting a little. Of course Noya didn’t want him there, he wanted to celebrate with his grandpa and probably Tanaka. “Have something with the family lined up?”
“Not exactly.” There was something off about his tone, it made Asahi unsettled.
“Noya? What is it, what’s wrong?”
“What building did you say your studio class was in again?”
“What are you—” But he never finished his sentence because standing near a tree, not that far from his lecture hall, was Noya. Asahi never dropped a call so fast in his life. He can still remember how he scooped him off the ground, the smaller man’s legs wrapping around him instantly as he held him tight, inhaling the familiar scent of his deodorant. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Why? It’s your good news.”
“I don’t know, this just felt right.” Asahi cocked his head slightly as the other man stared at him, still wrapped around the older man’s body.
“Well I’m still treating you to dinner. Athletes like you need to eat.”
“You know I can’t turn down free food.”
…
“C’mon ‘sahi, time to get up.” Noya kissed his temple as Asahi reluctantly sat up. “I’ll go make you some coffee, Mr. Grumpy pants.” He knew he should have been annoyed, but he could never get mad at Noya.
“I’m not grumpy.”
“Okay, okay you’re not grumpy.” There was a smile on Noya’s face, an infectious one that spread to Asahi’s.
“But coffee does sound good.”
“Mhmmm.” And with that he sauntered into the kitchen, toned ass swaying slightly as he left the room.