Chapter Text
Yamaguchi braced himself against the cold metal of the street light as he stared up at the towering glass building before him. He tried to find something, anything to settle his nerves, his eyes finally landing on a ridiculous cartoon pig happily smiling on an advertisement for pork curry that hung in the window of a restaurant down the street. The irony of the advertisement wasn’t lost on him as he drew in breath after breath, each steadier than the last.
He focused on putting one foot in front of the other, trying to look more confident than he felt as he made his way through the door and strode towards the information desk. He held up the large sealed envelope in his hands for the receptionist to see, flashing her a half hearted smile as he explained the contents were meant to be signed by one Tsukishima Kei and could he please be directed towards the man’s secretary so he could be on his way. After all Yamaguchi added nervously, he had no desire to come face to face with the man himself.
That was a lie of course, he needed to plead his case, Tsukishima was the only reason Yamaguchi thought he had even half a chance of persuading the King of the Court to offer him aid. Trying to add credibility to his story Yamaguchi held up a delivery badge he’d borrowed from a friend the night before. The woman simply nodded towards the elevators and offered him a temporary badge.
Yamaguchi stepped into the elevator, pulling his large black wings in tight to his back. It was an unnecessary action, the office building had been designed for crow hybrids such as himself to be able to move around without the need to hold their wings in uncomfortably tight to themselves, but Yamaguchi was never one to allow himself to take up too much space, even in an empty elevator. It was an old habit, left over from years trying to live as lightly as possible.
In this city it was the Courts that ruled, leaving many to live off the scraps that fell from their tables. Some Courts ate well and the scraps were large, but in others like Karasuno and Nekoma even the members of the Courts themselves struggled to get by. Despite the fact that in recent years the fortunes of both Karasuno and Nekoma had begun to change, Yamaguchi couldn’t seem to let his old habits die, having grown up in the territory controlled by Karasuno when it was still little better than a garbage dump. The city had always been cut up like a chess board, each Court responsible for protecting for their own territory, save for the neutral zone situated in in the city’s center. Icarus had not smiled on Karasuno when their lot had been chosen, the Court of crows had always struggled, declining year after year; until four years ago when, at the age of 19, Kageyama Tobio had taken over with Tsukishima Kei at his side.
It hadn’t been a hostile take over per se, but Kageyama had apparently not asked permission either, seemingly bursting onto the scene one day and making the Court his own. Despite his less than typical rise to power no crows were in a hurry to overthrow him, in large part because the power and influence wielded by the Karasuno Court had greatly increased under him; and it wasn't just the members of the Court who reaped the benefits, even the crows on the outside suddenly found their fortunes changing for the better. Their world was not changing overnight, it was slow and hard fought, but it was changing. Stories of the two men dragging the Karasuno Court onto the main stage to become a major player within the city could be heard on almost every street within Karasuno’s territory, although despite the public's general satisfaction with the pair, not all the rumors were flattering.
Kageyama had a reputation for being a demanding tyrant who ruled with an iron fist. He’d been nicknamed the King of the Court, although apparently any reference to that was a sure fire way to earn his ire; which was not something Yamaguchi had any desire to do, on more than one occasion he had heard someone say even Kageyama’s glare could curdle milk.
The rumors about Kageyama’s second in command, Tsukishima, weren’t any better. Yamaguchi had heard several stories of Tsukishima’s harsh tongue and unwillingness to back down from any and all who challenged him. He’d cultivated quite the reputation for being a constant, defensive wall between Kageyama and anyone who would dare get in his way. Getting anything past Tsukishima wasn’t something most people we capable of so few tried. Luckily for Yamaguchi he wasn’t trying to avoid him, in fact he was counting on him, just as he had as a child.
When Yamaguchi was just seven years old he’d been cornered on the playground by three older boys who shoved him to the ground. He remembered the feeling of the rough sand against his knees as the taunted him, although he couldn’t remember what had started the whole thing. He remembered them spitting on his freckles and dumping his backpack out over his head, but neither of those things really explained the incident. What he remembered clearly, however, was Tsukishima appearing out of nowhere, already a head taller than the bullies despite being Yamaguchi’s age, and disinterestedly calling the whole scene lame. The bullies had scampered off after that and from that day on Yamaguchi had stuck closed to Tsukishima.
Tsukishima had been Yamaguchi’s protector and Yamaguchi was Tsukishima’s most ardent supporter. The two had been virtually inseparable until they turned 13. The Karasuno Court recruited young alpha crows annually to be sent to a training camp. Education, combat training, reliable food and shelter; it all awaited anyone who could pass recruitment, but getting chosen wasn’t exactly a golden ticket and just because you were accepted didn’t mean you got to stay. Surviving training was difficult, anyone who failed to meet expectations, regardless of the reason, was turned away without so much as a second glance.
They’d recruited Tsukishima just after his thirteenth birthday and he must have passed every test because he never came back, of course he didn’t, he was a promising, intelligent young alpha. Yamaguchi on the other hand, while he was a crow, had been born a beta. The Karasuno Court had no interest in him so he’d been left behind to fend for himself. It had been ten years since they’d been separated and Yamaguchi could only pray to Icarus he still had at least a small place in Tsukishima’s heart. Yamaguchi had no power or influence of his own, but that wasn’t the case for Tsukishima.
The powerful stayed in the court, as long as they had value they had a place. Yamaguchi had felt as if he had no right to show up at their doorstep, but he was out of options. Tsukishima had been his friend, his protector, before circumstances had pushed them down such wildly different paths. Tsukishima was his last hope, or rather who Tsukishima might be able to get the ear of was.
Yamaguchi had heard Kageyama had bonded to an omega, a crow whose wings had turned white one morning with no explanation. Rumors abounded about the strangle little omega ranging from expected descriptions of his beauty to absurd declarations of him radiating light like a torch. There was almost nothing anyone outside of the court could say about the omega with any certainty beyond the unique color of his wings and the extreme lengths he had gone to in an effort to prevent them from ever being clipped.
Many avian omegas found themselves in the unfortunate position where the alphas in their lives felt as if a mating bite was not enough, physically clipping their wings to ensure they’d forever stay by their alphas’ side, it was a barbaric practice. The white-winged omega had been so attached to his ability to fly that he traveled from court to court, never staying in one place long enough to fall into the hands of anyone who meant him harm. Yet here he was, in the Karasuno Court, bonded to Kageyama after supposedly only knowing him less than a day. Since then the omega had already spent a year at the alpha’s side, the state of his wings unknown.
It was this omega that Yamaguchi desperately needed to speak with, such a well traveled omega must have a friend or two in the neighboring courts. If he could persuade Tsukishima to get him even a moment with the unnamed omega he might be able to convince him to help. Many of the rumors circulating about the omega were spread by individuals who claimed to have met him during his travels. He apparently had a warm, friendly personality, and a bit of a temper. He didn’t back down when he set his mind to something and he was always happy to lend a hand.
The ding of the elevator doors shook Yamaguchi from his thoughts. His pulse was in his ears, but he ignored it, smiling as he walked passed the reception desk towards where he assumed the offices must be. The whole place absolutely reeked of alpha pheromones, it was suffocating and had Yamaguchi been relaxed enough to breath normally he surely would have choked on them.
As he made his way down the hall he glanced at nameplate after nameplate in search of his childhood friend’s. Most of the offices were empty, Yamaguchi had come at the end of the day in an effort to avoid as many members of the Karasuno Court as possible. He hadn’t worried about missing Tsukishima, the Tsuki he knew always preferred to work hard when no one was watching, he never wanted anyone to see the substantial effort he put in.
Yamaguchi found the man himself before he found his office. He leaned casually against the frame of an open office door, his arms folded over his chest and his signature smirk on his lips. Their last moment together flashed before Yamaguchi’s eyes, when Tsukishima had pulled him into a clumsy kiss before walking out of his life for what might have been forever.
In the years they’d spent apart Tsukishima had grown to a towering height. He was no longer a lanky, beanpole, his adult frame was covered in muscles so defined they were visible beneath his tailored suit. His massive black wings hung wide on either side of him, making Yamaguchi wonder if the jokes he’d heard the old crows telling about wingspan were true. Yamaguchi’s eyes traveled slowly up to study Tsukishima’s face, lingering for a moment longer on his broad chest. Tsukishima’s eyes were the same deep shade of brown they’d been during his childhood, although now they were behind a pair of sleek black frames that hadn’t been repeatedly taped back together. As if to make his unbroken glasses the star of his appearance, Tsukishima kept his blond hair short and styled back away from his face.
Sensing Yamaguchi’s approach Tsukishima flicked his eyes towards the hall, at the sight of his childhood friend his smirk dropped from his face, giving way to an expression of cold indifference.
“Hi Tsuki,” Yamaguchi said sheepishly.
Tsukishima scowled, “What…”
Yamaguchi quickly held up the large manilla envelope in an effort to not get himself thrown out before he could plead his case, he hoped his bluff would work at least one more time that day. Tsukishima’s scowl only deepened, his mouth screwing itself closed in a tight lipped frown. Yamaguchi waited anxiously for him to say something, but it wasn’t Tsukishima who spoke next.
“Someone out there?” A deep voice asked from inside the office.
Tsukishima gave Yamaguchi a weary look before his eyes traveled towards the speaker as he answered, “yes.”
“You're making a face that tells me it's someone at least vaguely interesting,” there was a dangerous undertone to the voice’s teasing that sent chills running up Yamaguchi’s spine, “well bring them in then.”
Tsukishima nodded and stepped out of the way motioning for Yamaguchi to enter. This wasn’t how Yamaguchi had expected things to play out, but he steadied himself for whatever was to come as he walked past Tsukishima and into a spacious office. The sight that greeted him nearly had him running for the exit.
Sitting behind a large wooden desk and dressed in a three-piece suit was Kageyama Tobio himself, his piercing blue eyes stared at Yamaguchi with an intensity that made him shiver. Kageyama’s expression at rest was down right murderous and Yamaguchi couldn’t stomach to think what he might look like genuinely angry. It must have been a truly frightening sight; even seated Yamaguchi could tell that Kageyama stood at an impressive height and his muscular build was even more apparent than Tsukishima’s. Whoever had to stand against the two of them in training camp was truly unfortunate. Yamaguchi chanced another glance at the man’s face. His hair was as black as his wings which protectively framed the small omega sitting crosslegged on his lap, his small frame covering only a little over half of Kageyama’s broad chest as he leaned back against it.
Yamaguchi’s eyes were pulled, whether he wished them to be or not, down to look at the little crow Kageyama valued so highly. The rumors about the omega radiating light were not as unfounded as Yamaguchi had previously believed them to be; although no actual light came from the omega’s petite body, he radiated a warmth and energy that somehow reminded Yamaguchi of the sun. Ginger hairs fell in soft waves around his face, blazing with a vibrant orange color that contrasted his fair skin, and framing his delicate facial features. His head was tilted to the side, resting on Kageyama’s shoulder, and his eyes were closed as if he were asleep. The omega looked completely at peace as he rested, although Yamaguchi couldn’t figure out how that was possible. The omega was not dressed in a suit, which likely contributed at least a little to his comfort; instead he wore a simple white button up and navy dress pants. As Yamaguchi took in the sight of him he noticed Kageyama’s hand draped around the omega’s, his omega’s, hip. The calluses on Kageyama’s fingers warned Yamaguchi that Kageyama likely had no qualms about getting his hands dirty; the thought sent a shiver up Yamaguchi’s spine and inspired him to finally tear his eyes away from the omega.
The sound of the door closing behind him brought Yamaguchi back to reality with a jolt, reminding him why he’d come. He returned his eyes to Tsukishima, hoping his face would have softened, even a little, but he was confronted instead by a mask of indifference. If Tsukishima’s expression held any emotion, the only one Yamaguchi could even catch a hint of was annoyance.
“I should probably introduce myself,” Yamaguchi said the thought aloud despite not meaning to, it took everything in him not to slap himself on the forehead for his mistake.
“Probably,” Kageyama’s voice was deep and rough, with a not so subtle commanding undertone, “so who are you?”
“Yamaguchi Tadashi,” he replied before rushing on to provide at least some context for his sudden appearance in the alpha’s office, “I’m a childhood friend of Tsukishima’s.”
“We have that in common then.” Kageyama said lowly, “well as much as either Tsukishima or myself can claim to have friends. We both have admittedly difficult personalities.” The smile that spread across Kageyama’s face was terrifying, he flicked his eyes towards Tsukishima, “were you expecting this visit then?”
“No,” Tsukishima said coldly, frowning at Yamaguchi. “I wasn’t.”
Yamaguchi gave the friendliest smile he could manage under the circumstances, “I probably should have called ahead.”
“What are you doing here?” The small glimpse of annoyance Yamaguchi had seen in Tsukishima’s expression was much more obvious in his tone, thickly coating each word. “It can’t be simply to say hi after a decade.”
Yamaguchi’s smile didn’t falter, reasoning it was probably best to shoot his shot quickly before he was thrown out, “I was hoping we could talk, well actually, I was hoping you could introduce me to him,” Yamaguchi nodded towards the omega on Kageyama’s lap, “and that he might be willing and able to help me with something.”
Despite his eyes being closed the omega must have realized Yamaguchi was speaking about him specifically because he began to stir. He arched his back, his hands wrapping around Kageyama’s neck as he stretched. It was as if staying still physically pained him and every inch of him demanded some reprieve, including his soft, white wings. He extended them to their full width, ruffling his feathers as he slowly unfurled them in all their glory, beautiful and unclipped.
Yamaguchi’s eyes followed his movements closely. When the omega finished his stretch his large brown eyes flicked open curiously, settling on Yamaguchi as he leaned forward.
“Me?” The omega’s voice rang out light and sweet, there was a purity to the sound that seemed out of place within these walls.
“I heard,” Yamaguchi’s mouth had gotten ahead of his brain. He took a breath and made sure his face rested in a self-assured expression before he continued, “I heard you were friends with a cat,”
The omega cocked his head to the side in confusion. It was such a small gesture, but it pulled all of Yamaguchi’s attention to him. He was a light spot amongst the darkness that seemed to consume the rest of the room despite all the windows that surrounded them, it was hard to look anywhere else besides his bright eyes.
“And owls, and a fox.” Yamaguchi continued, “you have friends who you could ask to look into something that happened outside of Karasuno’s territory right?”
“I mean yeah,” the omega replied, still visibly confused, “is there something specific you want to know?”
Yamaguchi’s mouth broke into a hopeful smile, “I have this friend, Su…”
“Cliff notes version,” Tsukishima sounded bored as he cut Yamaguchi off, indifference rolling off his shoulders.
“He was attacked,” Yamaguchi tried not to deflate too visibly at Tsukishima’s attitude towards him, he was there for a reason, “I need information about what happened, recordings or something, anything concrete really.”
“That’s easy, as you said I have friends all over the city, I’m sure someone knows something,” the omega’s face broke into a smile that had no business being as bright as it was, “I’ll help you, I’ve been dying for an excuse to take a long flight.”
“Are we running a charity?”Tsukishima asked so coldly that it made Yamaguchi flinch.
“I like him though,” the omega’s voice rang out clear like a bird’s song, he twisted around to look in Kageyama’s eyes, “aren’t I allowed to help him?”
“Hinata, how can you like him, you’ve only just met him.” Tsukishima scolded, drawing Hinata’s attention back to him. “You should be more discerning.”
Hinata looked as if he was trying to figure out how to respond, but he was swiftly distracted. Kageyama ran his hand through Hinata’s hair inspiring the small omega to release a warm, content purr. The sound filled and shattered Yamaguchi’s heart in the same beat; it was comforting like a hug, but Yamaguchi could tell it marked the end of Hinata’s attention being on him.
“Are you two done?” Kageyama asked, there was an impatient edge to his voice that grated in Yamaguchi’s ears, fraying his nerves. Kageyama lightly nipped at Hinata’s ear, “Tsukishima’s right, if you’re so desperate for a flight I’ll take you myself after we’re finish here.”
With that Kageyama had put an end to Yamaguchi’s time talking to the sunshine omega, who’d been so willing to help him, and sent Yamaguchi’s hopes, raised by the Hinata, crashing down around him. Yamaguchi tried not to look disappointed as he watched Hinata settle himself back against Kageyama’s chest, closing his eyes once again. Yamaguchi reassured himself by focusing on the fact that they hadn’t thrown him out yet, he must still have had something resembling a chance.
“Why not just go to the police?” Tsukishima asked, his face still rested in an expression of pure indifference.
“You did demand the cliff notes version,” Kageyama answered on Yamaguchi’s behalf, his blue eyes never left Yamaguchi’s face as he spoke, staring straight through him. “Tell us what you’re offering and we’ll tell you if it’s enough to hear the rest of your story.”
Yamaguchi’s facade began to crack, anxiety flashed in his eyes.
Tsukishima tsked in distaste, “if you’re going to barge in here begging for help, then you should at least have something to offer us in return.”
“What,” Yamaguchi’s voice broke. He swallowed hard before he could loose it completely, he needed to keep it together, “what do you want?”
“I don’t know what you have to offer,” Kageyama said bluntly, “and I don’t see anything I want.”
Yamaguchi didn’t say anything, his mind raced to find anything he had that might be of value to the man before him. The only thing he owned that was worth anything was his father’s watch, but as he flicked his eyes down to his wrist he quickly realized the timepiece was nothing compared to the one Kageyama wore. Kageyama noticed Yamaguchi struggling and chose to continue on, though his next words were far from comforting.
“Shoyo pulled a similar stunt actually, marching in here unannounced, but what he was offering wasn’t something I was willing to turn down.” Kageyama pulled Hinata’s collar to the side with his free hand, revealing the healed remains of a claiming bite at the base of his neck, the mark permanently tied Hinata to Kageyama for as long as they both lived. Kageyama stared down at the mark with hungry eyes and a devilish smirk. Mine, Kageyama’s whole posture seemed to say and Yamaguchi could see exactly how satisfied with the deal he was, but what about Hinata?
“Was it worth it?” Yamaguchi asked quietly. The words had already left his mouth before he had the presence of mind to realize it was probably not the time to be asking Hinata such a thing, especially in their present company, but Hinata didn’t seem to mind.
A smile returned to Hinata’s lips as he leaned forward, eyes once again open and shining, “absolutely.”
There was no hint of doubt in Hinata’s voice as he spoke the word and Yamaguchi found himself wondering just what it was he’d gotten out of the deal to be so confident in his decision to sell his soul to the three-piece he was perched on. The rumors of Hinata’s fiery personality were likely once true if the look in Hinata’s eyes as he answered Yamaguchi was anything to go by, but Yamaguchi couldn’t help but feel as if they were now outdated. Yamaguchi’s eyes fell once again on the hand Kageyama kept on Hinata’s hip and the tension in his fingers.
“I’m a beta,” Yamaguchi said, his voice still barely above a whisper. “That isn’t something I can offer.”
“Wasn’t asking you to, after all I did say I didn’t see anything I wanted didn’t I?” Kageyama replied, “just trying to prompt you to use your imagination.”
Yamaguchi could feel his cheeks heating up in embarrassment. It wasn’t Kageyama’s words that bothered him, but rather Tsukishima hearing them and not disagreeing, “I don’t really think I have anything you want, I mean I don’t really have anything, but what I do have is yours.”
Tsukishima tsked disapprovingly and Yamaguchi felt his embarrassment give way to indignation. He couldn’t understand what he’d done to earn Tsukishima’s ire, he may have shown up unexpectedly, but he’d thrown himself at their mercy. He’d only wanted to help Suga, he’d give everything to do so if they asked, why did Tsukishima think that was so wrong? Wasn’t that exactly what he was demanding?
“Think on it,” Kageyama said to Yamaguchi before turning to Tsukishima, “take him home, maybe by tomorrow he can come up with something worth selling, that is, if he’s actually serious about this.”
Tsukishima nodded politely, “of course, enjoy your evening.”
All civility faded from Tsukishima’s face as he turned to face Yamaguchi, but Yamaguchi refused to show how effected he was by Tsukishima’s glare, smiling at Kageyama as he spoke, “thank you for your time,” Yamaguchi wasn’t sure if it was proper, but he turned his smile on Hinata, “both of you, I appreciate it.”
With that it was time to go.
“Come on,” Tsukishima said before starting down the hall towards the elevators without so much as bothering to check if Yamaguchi was following him.
They made their way back to the elevators, not speaking as they walked. If Yamaguchi’s legs had been any shorter he wouldn’t have been able to keep pace with Tsukishima as the tall blond stalked through the hall; although he didn’t leave Yamaguchi behind, Yamaguchi got the distinct impression that he wanted to. Annoyance practically rolled off Tsukishia’s shoulders in waves as they stepped into the elevator.
“You don’t have to take me home,” Yamaguchi said, doing his best to keep his voice neutral, “I know your boss told you to, but it’s not like I don’t know the way."
“Shut up Yamaguchi,” Tsukishima scoffed, for half a second sounding like the 13 year old boy from Yamaguchi’s memories.
They rode the elevator all the way down to a parking garage beneath the building and for a moment Yamaguchi considered whether or not it was a good idea to climb into the passenger seat of Tsukishima’s jet black car. Swallowing his reservations Yamaguchi buckled himself in and waited for Tsukishima to ask him for his address. It wasn’t until a still silent Tsukishima took a right out of the parking garage instead of a left that Yamaguchi spoke up again.
“My house is this way,” Yamaguchi said anxiously and pointed the opposite way down the street.
Tsukishima tsked yet again. “Who said the home I was taking you to was yours?”
“This isn’t a kidnapping right?” Yamaguchi let out a nervous laugh.
“Probably should have thought of that before you got in the car, or better yet before you entered the building,” Tsukishima scowled, “but no feel free to jump out whenever you want.”
They were both quiet the rest of the drive, Tsukishima had the music turned up too loud for any attempted conversation to reach his ears even if Yamaguchi felt up to trying. It wasn’t long before they arrived at a modern looking apartment building in a part of the Karasuno Court’s territory that had experienced the most financial growth, becoming a place Yamaguchi could only afford to live in his dreams.
A silent elevator ride brought them to their destination.
“Welcome to my home,” Tsukishima said, not sounding welcoming at all as he slipped off his shoes.
“Pardon the intrusion,” Yamaguchi said as he reached for the spare set of slippers offered to him.
“I live alone,” a rueful smirk crossed Tsukishima’s lips, “as Tobio said I have a difficult personality.”
The casual use of his boss’s first name now that they were alone didn’t escape Yamaguchi’s notice as he followed Tsukishima through the beautifully decorated apartment. It looked like Tsukishima, elegant with an edge, and above all sensible. When they reached the study Yamaguchi laid eyes on the most Tsukishima portion of the apartment. One of the walls was covered with floor to ceiling in shelves for the massive collection of vinyl records Tsukishima had acquired over the years. It made Yamaguchi smile to think about the boy he used to know finally getting to surround himself with music like he always wanted to.
Yamaguchi’s smile faded quickly, however, as he watched Tsukishima walk right passed the records to the liquor cabinet and reach for an expensive looking bottle.
“You shouldn’t have come.” Tsukishima said harshly, not bothering to look at Yamaguchi as he spoke. “Do you have a death wish or something?”
“I just,” Yamaguchi felt weak in the knees, his nerves finally starting to get the best of him. He could feel a cold bead of sweat slowly creeping down his back and with a deep breath he forced himself to focus on the sensation of the drop crossing his skin, using the feeling to ground himself in the present before he could spiral. “I just thought that after everything maybe you still cared, even a little about me, enough to help.” Yamaguchi’s throat felt dry, but he pressed on regardless, “my friend he needs…please Tsuki.”
“Of course I still care about you,” Tsukishima said with a tsk, his usual practiced indifference failed him as mixture of frustration and concern crept into his voice. “That’s why you shouldn’t have come.”
Yamaguchi wanted to say that he didn’t understand what Tsukishima meant by that, but all the breath had rushed out of his lungs at Tsukishima’s admission, however harsh it was, that he still cared; though Yamaguchi had serious doubts about whether there was any truth behind Tsukishima’s words given his continued attitude towards him. Yamaguchi’s silence must not have bothered the increasingly frustrated Tsukishima because he went on berating Yamaguchi as if his life depended on it. It took several minutes before Yamaguchi had even composed himself enough to comprehend anything Tsukishima was saying.
“You should thank the shrimp.” Tsukishima frowned as he poured them each a drink, “he’s finally learning to play the game after a fucking year, it's about time.”
“I-I don’t follow,” Yamaguchi stuttered, “please talk to me, not, not at me, I can’t understand.”
Yamaguchi’s words fell on deaf ears as Tsukishima roughly shoved a drink in his hand. The awkwardness felt like it turned into electricity in the air, prickling Yamaguchi’s skin as he watched Tsukishima stalk around the room.
“We can pass off helping you at a discount since his Majesty’s precious omega showed interest in you.” Tsukishima spoke the words as if they tasted strongly of salt, he took a big swig of his drink to wash them away, leaving the glass pressed to his lips until he heard the front door open. “Fucking finally.”
Tssukishima didn’t move to welcome his guests and Yamaguchi didn’t ask. They fell back into another uncomfortable silence for the minute it took for the new arrivals to join them.
“Decided to finally grace us with your presence your highness?” Tsukishima said bitterly as Kageyama and Hinata entered the study. He didn’t bother to look at them as he topped off his own glass and filled another.
Kagayama fixed his blue eyes on Tsukishima in a glare so cold Yamaguchi could feel the temperature in the room drop several degrees. All the warnings Yamaguchi had heard about not referencing Kageyama’s nickname in his presence raced through his head, crashing through his mind accompanied by images of himself and Tsukishima being tossed out the nearest window with their wings taped together. Just before Yamaguchi’s brain short circuited he watched Tsukishima hold out a drink to the scowling alpha, who accepted it without a word or fist thrown out in retaliation.
“Don’t call him that,” Hinata warned as he moved to stand beside his mate, leaning into the alpha’s side completely at ease. Hinata’s casual touch melted the ice from Kageyama’s expression, but a distinct look of displeasure remained strewn across his face, “he’s already in a grouchy mood because I beat him here.”
“Oi! You did not, we got here at the same time!” Kageyama’s scowl deepened as he stared down at the omega at his side.
“Did too!” Hinata stuck out his tongue, making a face that was somehow equal parts defiant and cute. Yamaguchi would have chuckled if Kageyama’s scowl didn’t freeze him in place, even when not directed at him it was terrifying. Hinata must have noticed Yamaguchi’s unease because he turned his blinding smile on him, “don’t mind him, he just scowls when he doesn’t know what else to do with his face.”
“Dumbass,” Kageyama scoffed, he clamped a hand on Hinata’s head, able to palm his entire skull, and squeezed; prompting Hinata to release a high pitched whine. A devilish smirk crossed Hinata’s face, rather than struggle to free himself from from Kageyama’s clutches he threw his arms around his mate’s waist and sweetly rubbed his face into his side before planting a kiss on his jaw. Immediately a blush spread across Kageyama’s cheeks as his hand jerked away from Hinata’s scalp, releasing Hinata as if his ginger hair was made of fire.
“Dumbass,” Kageyama repeated, softer both in tone and volume, as Hinata smiled up at him with a self-satisfied expression.
Yamaguchi was reeling. These couldn’t possibly be the same two avians he’d stood in front of only an hour ago. The only vaguely rational explanation Yamaguchi could think of in that moment was that they’d been replaced by look-a-likes with wildly different personalities, twins did exist after all. If these were in fact the same avians then they had changed their clothes along with their personalities. Hinata wore a pair of black joggers and a tan sweatshirt that was far too big on him. While Kageyama wore a pair of joggers that matched his mate's and an old while t-shirt, the most powerful man in the room was also the most underdressed, even if only by a small margin when compared to his mate.
“You didn't race here right?” Tsukishima’s frown deepened. While his voice clearly held disapproval, listening to the pairs antics had undoubtable calmed him significantly, “please for the love of Icarus tell me you didn’t.”
“Relax we flew high enough for anyone who might have seen us to think Shoyo was a dove.” Kageyama replied, waving Tsukishima’s concerns away with a flick of his wrist, “and he had his hood up to hide his hair.”
“You two are going to kill me,” Tsukishima let out a long suffering sigh, “it was so much easier when I only had one idiot to deal with.”
“Four-eyed jerk face,” Hinata scowled up at Tsukishima, not giving an inch to the alpha despite the difference in their heights, perhaps he was still as fiery as the rumors claimed he used to be when he was still traveling from Court to Court.
“Is that the best insult a ferrel child like you can come up with,” Tsukishima rolled his eyes, “I need to start giving you vocabulary lessons.”
“I’m not a child!” Hinata protested.
Tsukishima smirked, the bickering session calming him more than he would admit. “Get back to me when you can reach the top shelf without climbing on the counter.”
“At least I wont have back problems from having to bend down every time I want something from the bottom one!” Hinata said defiantly.
Yamaguchi watched the scene unfolding before him with wide eyes. It sounded as if they all fought like this frequently, like this was their usual dynamic and they were all happy to be back to it. It was Kageyama who seemed to remember Yamaguchi’s presence first, turning to face him with what must have been his attempt at a less intimidating expression, it wasn’t effective.
“You’re surprised,” Kageyama said plainly, his blue eyes studied Yamaguchi’s face carefully to see how he would react.
“You’re just so,” Yamaguchi wracked his brain for a word that was both descriptive and inoffensive, “different than you were earlier.”
“All an act,” Kageyama admitted, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, “that not this, I mean we’re only clueing you in since you’re a friend of Kei’s and no one would believe you anyway, I mean…the whole King of the Court thing is ridiculously embarrassing, but it works you know, its kinda like, UGH,” Kageyama groaned, “I haven’t had to explain this since Shoyo showed up.”
“But you’re doing so well,” Tsukishima said sarcastically before narrowing his eyes on Yamaguchi, “Tobio and I made an alliance early on in training camp to keep each other alive, which meant advancing. The whole tyrant and his unquestionably loyal servant act intimidated anyone who stood against us on our way to the top.” Tsukishima smirked, “and everyone’s fear helped us stay there.”
“We’re equals,” Kageyama explained, “if I tried to boss him around for real I’m pretty sure he’d take a swing at me, same with Shoyo here.”
“So it really is all an act?” Yamaguchi questioned, the rumors he’d heard about Kageyama made that hard to believe.
“Yeah,” Kageyama scowled knowing the source of Yamaguchi’s doubts, “I hate being a tyrant, seriously.”
“Which is surprising since it comes so naturally to him.” Tsukishima added with an eyeroll for dramatic effect.
“Not half as naturally as being an asshole comes to you,” Kageyama countered with a smirk.
“So if you hate it, why were you so determined to stay in the Karasuno Court, I mean after you survived training camp?” Yamaguchi asked, “couldn’t you have taken an out instead of taking over?”
“You know why,” Tsukishima replied coldly, “necessity, you know my circumstances after all, and it's far too late to turn back now, for everyone, you can’t deny things are better under us than they’ve been in a long time.”
Yamaguchi nodded, things were better, a lot better in fact, but this all felt so overwhelming. To buy himself time he turned to Kageyama, eyes pleading for him to give his own reasons for staying in the Karasuno Court so Yamaguchi would have a second to gather his thoughts.
“I just didn’t have anywhere to go if I left the Court,” Kageyama said dismissively, “it was this or nothing.” A terrifying smile crossed his face, “and getting the chance to screw over my brother wasn’t bad either.”
Yamaguchi’s mind was desperately searching for something to latch onto, this was all a lot to process. “You have a brother?”
“In a way,” Kageyama seemed to feel that was enough of an explanation because he moved on, “Oikawa, he belongs to a different court” Kageyama scowled at his drink, swirling the amber liquid with one hand and hiking up his shirt the other. Freed of the fabric that had covered them, Yamaguchi took in the sight of Kageyama’s abs, it was like they were chiseled from stone, mocking Yamaguchi as they artfully displayed the difference in strength between them. He wouldn’t have to go begging if it was his friend who’d been attacked instead of Suga Yamaguchi thought, more bitterly than he would like to admit. It was then that Yamaguchi’s eyes found their way to an old scar that stood out against the fair skin that stretched across Kageyama’s chest. “Stabbing me was his entrance exam, but he must have loved me at least a little since he avoided hitting anything vital.”
“Shit,” Yamguchi didn’t know what else to say.
“The two of them can’t seem to put their childish rivalry behind them,” Tsukishima scoffed. “Its beyond ridiculous.”
“Uh Tsuki,” Yamaguchi said, “stabbing doesn’t exactly sound childish.”
“Then we had very different childhoods,” Kageyama joked as he pretended to stab Hinata with an invisible knife, the later dramatically clutching his side with a look of absolute betrayal on his face, prompting Yamaguchi to snicker at their antics.
“Shut up Yamaguchi,” Tsukishima’s frown deepened, “we’re not telling you about this just to gossip, it affects you, puts you in danger.”
“Sorry Tsuki.” Yamaguchi said almost reflexively.
“Can you two focus,” Tsukishima rolled his eyes at the pair of mates, “need I remind you this is important.”
“Fine,” Kageyama sighed, “but it wouldn’t kill you to be less of an ass while we do this.”
“It might kill him.” Hinata snickered, sticking out his tongue for emphasis.
“You’re wasting perfectly good oxygen with lame insults like that,” Tsukishima said crossing his arms, “it’s really an insult to the trees who make it for you”.
“In terms of payment!” Kageyama said loudly, getting their attention back to the task at hand, before he turned to Yamaguchi and returned his voice to a reasonable volume, “I don’t care if you pay or not, it makes no difference to me.” Kageyama said plainly, “but not paying is definitely not in your best interest.”
Yamaguchi knit his brows together in thought, “I don’t follow.”
“Oikawa planted spies in our office, that’s why we couldn’t speak freely there, we’d kick them out, but he’d just send more and the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t,” Tsukishima explained, “if you don’t pay, Oikawa will think that means you hold some exploitable value over us. He’ll turn your life upside down just to mess with his majesty over here.”
“So if you’re really determined to seek the Court’s assistance you’ll need to tell us exactly what it is you want,” Hinata said brightly, “and we’ll figure out a price that doesn’t seem suspicious.” He turned his brown eyes up to Tsukishima hopefully, “right?”
“You ruined it be asking,” Tsukishima groaned as he nodded, “but yes, that about sums it up.”
“I need evidence,” Yamaguchi said confidently, shoving his nerves aside as he finally got to do what he’d come here to, “I have this friend, Daichi, he’s a detective in the police department, about a month ago he arrested a guy who was running a drug smuggling operation in the neutral zone. Some of the guy's underlings didn’t like that their boss had been taken in so they decided to get revenge. Actually I need to back up a bit.” Yamaguchi took a breath to steady himself, “shortly after Tsuki and I were split up as kids I met this guy who’s a little older than me named Suga. He’s got a lot of chaotic energy and a habit of trying to aggressively back slap the negativity out of you, but he’s an amazing person. He’s always been there for me no matter what, we even lived together for a while when I had no where else to go. A few years ago Suga came home and started gushing about some police officer with great thighs that came by his classroom to teach the kids about train safety. That was Daichi.” Yamaguchi took another breath, “anyway the two really hit off and they bonded not long after that, and well Suga’s like the most important thing in the world to Daichi so when it came to finding a way to hit Daichi where it hurts those criminals chose to target Suga.”
“They jumped Suga, beat him so badly that he’s still in the hospital a week later, but all the the security footage was mysteriously missing when Daichi went to collect it and they didn’t leave behind any evidence. It’s basically Suga’s word against theirs.” Yamaguchi fought back tears as he pressed on, determination flowing from his eyes in their place, “What if they come back, what if they do something even worse next time? He won’t be safe until they’re in prison!”
The room was quiet except for the sounds of Yamaguchi’s now slightly labored breathing, every pair of eyes was on him as they waited to hear if there was anything else. When it was clear he was done the members of the Karasuno Court immediately snapped into work mode.
“Sounds like Nekoma’s arena,” Kageyama nodded and turned to Tsukishima. “We have business with Kuroo anyway, I’m sure you can make up an excuse pay him a visit.”
“And you can take me with you to visit Kenma!” Hinata said excitedly, “I’m sure he’ll be able to find what Yams is looking for!”
“Kenma?” Yamaguchi asked, ignoring his new nickname for the moment, “is he someone who could help Suga?”
Hinata nodded enthusiastically, “he coordinates all the security work Nekoma does. If any security camera in the city picked up what happened to your friend Kenma can find it, mysteriously missing or not.” Hinata smiled, “he’s also my best friend so I always tag along when Tsuki goes to Nekoma, whether Tsuki wants me to or not, so it won’t be weird for me to randomly drop by.”
Yamaguchi’s heart swelled along with his hopes, but those had already been dashed once today, “but Nekoma doesn’t run security in the area he was attacked.”
“So?” Hinata smiled reassuringly, “that’s not a problem.”
“They’d definitely be willing to help if you took them out for barbecue,” Kageyama pointed out turning to Tsukishima, “Kuroo loves going out for dinner, especially if it comes with the chance to make fun of you.”
“That’s it!” Yamaguchi couldn’t silence his own outburst, “the price of potentially saving my friend’s life it literally a few strips of meat! That’s what all the fuss is about! I can buy dinner no problem”
“That’s the price for Tsukishima not you,” Kageyama said bluntly, “Nekoma are our allies as much as they are our rivals, but you,” Kageyama gestured towards Yamaguchi’s person, “you’re paying us for getting them to do all that for you, the middleman always takes a cut.”
“Do you think your friend Daichi would be willing to hand over a file or two?” Tsukishima spoke up, “there are a few I’d be interested in reading.”
“He’s not a dirty cop!” Yamaguchi protested, but his bravado quickly abandoned him as his eyes darted towards his shoes, “he doesn’t even know I came here today, I was planning on just bringing him lunch and sneaking whatever you were able to give me into the case file without him knowing. He goes through that thing like 50 times a day so I’m sure he’d find it without me having to point it out.”
“Well that’s out then.” Kageyama said, his eyes trained on Tsukishima, studying him, “weren’t you complaining about needing a new assistant? Since you fired the last one for being, what was it, lame?”
“No.” Tsukishima crossed his arms defiantly, “absolutely not, don’t even suggest it.”
“It doesn’t have to permanent if you don’t want it to be, he can work for you for a month or two, then you fire him like all the others,” Kageyama pressed on despite Tsukishima’s protest, “its like an endless parade through the position anyway since your standards are so fucking high so its not like anyone would be suspicious. His employment can be the condition for our help, beside it’s not exactly a secret we’re in a pinch to fill the position with your workload being what it is.”
“And who’s fault is that?” Tsukishima raised an eyebrow defiantly.
“Do you have a better idea?” Kageyama groaned, “you can’t just keep shoving things on mine anyway, Yachi’s gonna have a nervous breakdown and then we’ll have Shimizu to answer to.”
Tsukishima dug his heels in, a look equal parts angry and stubborn was plastered across his face. “Once he works for us he’ll have to watch his back around the members of the other Courts, even if I fire him, he won’t be able to live his life as he pleases anymore. He’ll be as much a bird in a cage as we are, I can’t do that to him, he deserves to be free!”
“Its not like I’m living as I please now anyway!” Yamahuchi spoke up, anger boiling over in his gut, “I’ve been working my ass off and my best friend, who promised he’d stand by me no matter what, wanted nothing to do with me for a decade. Do you think I would have come crawling in here if I could think of anyway to help Suga besides begging you to lift even a finger? He was there for me when you weren’t, he was with me scraping everything we had together just to get by. He deserves a better life and he was finally going to get it. I’m here for him, not me! Do you think bothering you is enjoyable for me! You think I like seeing just how much my former best friend hates me now? It certainly wasn’t on the list of things I wanted to do today, but thank you for making it so fucking apparent.” He marched over to Tsukishima, grabbing him by the collar to yank him down to his level. “Do you even care at all!”
Nobody moved. Yamaguchi was breathing heavily as he regained his composure, dropping his hands from Tsukishima’s collar. The realization of exactly what he had just done washed over him and he wanted desperately to be anywhere else in that moment besides that study. His salvation came in the form of Hinata’s hand taking his.
“Let’s get you a cold washcloth,” Hinata said, his voice subdued, but still filled with a reassuring warmth, “your face is so red you look like a strawberry, especially with that green hair of yours.”
“You’re one to talk, you always look like a tangerine.” Kageyama said awkwardly in a transparent attempt to lighten the mood. It didn’t work, but a small part of Yamaguchi appreciated the gesture.
“Shut up Bakageyama.” Hinata shot back, but there was no bite behind his words. He started towards the door and pulled Yamaguchi along with him, “come on.”
They made their way down the hall, hand in hand until they reached the bathroom. Yamaguchi didn’t resist as Hinata guided him inside, sitting him down on the tile floor with his back pressed against a cabinet. Yamaguchi focused on the sound of water running from the tap and the sensation of the smooth tile beneath his fingertips as he steadied his breath, focusing on the physical, just as Tsukishima had taught him to do all those years ago.
Hinata turned the tap off, but after witnessing Yamaguchi flinch at the lack of sound he turned it back on without a word about Yamaguchi’s reaction. Then slowly and deliberately Hinata crouched beside Yamaguchi, using the cold cloth to wipe away the tears Yamaguchi hadn’t realized were spilling from his eyes. The feeling grounded Yamaguchi further, reassuring him. It made Yamaguchi feel like a small child again, in a comforting rather than infantilizing way, as if he were being taking care of by his father back in his childhood home before his world had been turned upside down all those years ago.
“You’ll make a great father,” Yamaguchi said quietly, a small smile on his face.
Hinata turned bright red, his eyes as wide as saucers, “how did you know I was pregnant?”
“I, I didn’t,” Yamaguchi stuttered out.
“Oops,” Hinata looked like a deer in headlights before his words rushed out in a single nervous breath, “well that’s supposed to be a secret so would you mind keeping it to yourself?”
“Of course!” Yamaguchi reassured him awkwardly.
Hinata let out a small, light laugh, “well now you know two of my secrets, I guess that makes us friends right?”
Yamaguchi smiled, Hinata’s warmth was contagious, “right.”
“That’s good,” Hinata’s smile growing bigger and brighter as he spoke, “you seem like a great friend to have.”
The two of them settled back into a comfortable silence as Yamaguchi continued to calm down, the cocktail of frustration, hurt, and embarrassment that had inhabited his stomach after his outburst faded away with each swipe of Hinata’s hand.
“I’m sorry about what happened to your friend,” Hinata offered as he dipped the cloth back into the cold water before running it down Yamaguchi’s cheek, “I couldn’t apologize at the offices, but what happened to him totally sucks.”
“It was horrible,” Yamaguchi’s voice wavered as he remembered the sight that had greeted him when he’d entered Suga’s hospital room the previous week, his usually smiling friend too weak to even raise his head, “and completely unfair.”
“Life usually is,” Hinata said, “but we all do what we can to get by.” He leaned back to look Yamaguchi in the eyes, “doesn’t make it all suck any less though.”
“No,” Yamaguchi agreed, “it doesn’t.”
“Good people make it suck less though,” Hinata smiled softly, “and as much as I hate to admit it Saltishima has his good moments.”
“Saltishima,” Yamaguchi couldn’t help, but snicker at the juvenile nickname.
“Yeah,” Hinata’s smile took a turn for the mischievous, “or Suckyshima, whichever you prefer.”
Yamaguchi snorted, unintentionally jerking his head into Hinata’s hand as he did. The redhead didn’t seem to mind, continuing to cup Yamaguchi’s face as he went back to what work.
“You know,” Hinata began once Yamaguchi quieted himself, “Tsuki must still care about you a lot. I mean Tobio and I were half expecting him to have sent you to your own home and that we’d walk in on him watching some dinosaur documentary instead of frustratedly downing a glass of whiskey.”
“He still watches those?” Yamaguchi asked, strangely comforted by the idea that the boy he used to know might not have completely disappeared within the man he met today.
“Yup,” Hinata reached behind him and placed the cloth in the sink before settling himself on the cool tile floor beside Yamaguchi, “you know it’s because he cares he doesn’t want you to get involved with us right? It’s not that you’re bothering him, I honestly don’t think he could care less about that.”
“Then why?” Yamaguchi pressed, his voice coming out as a croak, “why bring me here just to turn me away?”
“I shouldn’t speak for Tsuki,” Hinata sighed, “but I can speak for myself.”
Yamaguchi waited patiently as Hinata collected himself, his brown eyes closed as decided just how to go about this. When at last Hinata’s eyes flicked open, Yamaguchi knew he was ready.
“I first saw Tobio on a Saturday morning,” There was a look in Hinata’s eyes as he spoke that Yamaguchi couldn’t place, “it was like every part of me was being pulled towards him and when our eyes locked it felt like my wings were burning from the inside out, burning the black feathers away and replacing them with white ones.”
Yamaguchi suddenly felt off balance, that wasn’t what he’d expected Hinata to say at all. “But I thought you didn’t know each other until right before you bonded.”
“I mean you’re not wrong exactly,” Hinata flashed him a small, reassuring smile, “we were actually just kids when my wings changed, we didn’t talk or anything before we were literally torn away from each other while it was happening. You could call it another example of life being unfair.” Hinata let out a sigh, “we didn’t actually meet until a year ago. I guess he recognized my scent because even though I’d hide my wings under my sweatshirt he marched over to me and whispered in my ear that he’d trade anything if I would bond with him.” Hinata smiled half heartedly, “I actually turned him down, I mean I only knew that tyrant persona of his at the time, but well, something happened, something I don’t particularly like remembering, that made that deal incredibly appealing; so for the sake of two people who are incredibly important to me I marched myself into Tobio’s office and never looked back.”
“I didn’t,” Yamaguchi began, “none of the rumors said anything about that, they just said he bonded you.”
“I might not seem like it, but I can be incredibly tight lipped when I want to be.” Hinata said as he gave himself a thumbs up before an awkward thought flashed in his brain, “uh if you don’t count what happened when we first came in here, just call it pregnancy brain.”
“Alright,” Yamaguchi smiled softly, “but why are you telling me all this now? Is this your way of telling me it won’t be so bad if I…”
“I’m not saying you should take the deal,” Hinata interrupted, his eyes burned with a seriousness that didn’t match the sunny demeanor he’d had only minutes before, “I’m telling you that whatever you’re buying has to be worth it. You become what the Court needs you to be when all eyes are on you. I love Tobio and he loves me for who I am, but who I am is not who I need to be at court, a defiant omega doesn’t exactly fit with his tyrant image. Its frustrating having to, as Tsukishima put it, sit still and look pretty, but when I remember why I do it it doesn’t sting as much.” Hinata’s eyes drifted towards the door as he watched Tsukishima quietly poke his head into the room, he turned back to Yamaguchi and smiled reassuringly, “just make sure it's worth it.”
Hinata sprang to his feet with a bounce and left without another word, leaving Tsukishima and Yamaguchi to sort through what they needed to alone. The two stared at each other for a moment before Tsukishima finally moved to sit beside Yamaguchi, not questioning why the tap was still running or reaching to turn it off. The silence that hung in the air between didn’t have any of the frustrated crackling that their time alone in the study had, they were both far too tired to muster up the energy for that now.
Tsukishima let out a heavy sigh, signaling he was ready to get the awkward part over with, glancing over at Yamaguchi to make sure he was as well before he spoke, “so you calmed down a bit.”
“Hinata’s unexpectedly comforting to talk to,” Yamaguchi replied, his voice sounded oddly foreign to his own ears, “its actually pretty enjoyable, regardless of the seriousness of the subject matter apparently.”
“You say that now,” Tsukishima snickered lightly, adding his signature smirk for emphasis, “you obviously haven’t heard him go on for 20 minutes about meat buns.”
“Yeah that might be a bit much,” Yamaguchi offered Tsukishima a small smile, “but I’ve heard you spend an hour on the different types of raptors so I’m sure I could survive.”
“Raptors are fascinating,” Tsukishima said with mock defensiveness. He was quiet for a moment, the smirk fading from his face as he forced himself to focus on the task at hand, “you know I’d actually rather listen to Hinata’s ramblings than the King berating me for being a jerk when he’s actually justified in doing so. There’s almost nothing as bad as that simpleton when he’s actually right and I’m wrong about something, thank Icarus it doesn’t happen often.”
“So Kageyama let you have it huh?” Yamaguchi asked, not feeling bad for Tsukishima in the slightest.
“I’m surprised you couldn’t hear him, the man has no concept of volume control, well neither does his mate, they really are made for each other,” Tsukishima replied, his voice took on a small air of fondness as he continued,“they’re both annoying as hell, but they’re my friends and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Just don’t tell them I said that or I’ll deny it until I die.” Tsukishima paused, letting out a heavy sigh before turning his eyes to meet Yamaguchi’s. His gaze pleading, “you’re still my best friend though, even after all this time, even if I’m no longer yours.”
Yamaguchi’s eyes turned glassy and a small smile returned to his lips, “Tsuki, I…”
“I’m sorry,” Tsukishima interrupted, “for being an ass and about your friend, I’d probably be just as desperate if anything happened to the three of you.”
“You promised to protect me,” Yamaguchi placed his hand on top of Tsukishima’s, things were beginning to click into place in his mind now that Tsukishima’s frustrated heat was no longer scorching him. “That’s what you were doing by staying away right? So that no one would hurt me to get to you the way Suga was hurt to get to Dachi.” Yamaguchi smiled reassuringly when he saw Tsukishima nod. “And when I showed up on your doorstep talking about how your worst nightmare had happened to someone close to me and Kageyama suggested putting me in a position where the same thing could happen to me if someone were to realize our connection, even though you’d spent a decade keeping your distance from me to prevent it, you lost your cool."
“Sharp as ever,” Tsukishima smiled halfheartedly, “that pretty much covers it."
“I don’t need to hide behind you anymore,” Yamaguchi said, his gaze confidently holding Tsukishima’s as he spoke, “I can stand beside you. I’m stronger than I used to be.”
"I know,” Tsukishima gave him a genuine smile, “but just so you know, you were pretty strong back then to.”
Yamagauchi gave Tsukishima’s hand a not so gently squeeze, “I’m going to take the deal, it’s worth it to me.”
“You want to be my assistant then?” Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, the lighthearted air slightly seeping back into the room as he spoke, “if the reviews from my past employees are anything to go by I’m a very demanding boss.”
“I’m sure demanding wasn’t the word they used,” Yamaguchi snickered, the awkwardness from earlier completely gone from his voice.
“No,” Tsukishima smirked, “no it was not.”
Yamaguchi snickers turned into a full body laugh that was far bigger than Tsukishima’s joke deserved, but it was so needed. He felt as if for the first time since walking into the Karasuno Court that evening he could breath, really breath. Tsukishima seemed to need it as well, wearing a content look on his face as he listen to the happy sounds passing Yamaguchi’s lips.
When Yamaguchi had at last finished his laughing fit he leaned against Tsukishima’s shoulder, letting a calm and resolute tone wash over the both of them, “I need to help Suga and Daichi, its like every part of my is screaming that I have to do something, and if the price of that is being your assistant then its a win win because it means I get my best friend back.”
Tsukishima was quiet for a moment as he carefully chose his words, “I understand and if it’s any reassurance I have complete faith that you’ll be the most capable assistant I’ve ever had.” Tsukishima smirked, unwilling to let his sentence end with such a sweet sentiment, “it’s a low bar, but still.”
Another laugh escaped from Yamaguchi, the old Tsuki really was still in there. “That bad huh?”
“You have no idea,” Tsukishima groaned loudly, “they made those two idiots in the other room seem like geniuses.”
“You have my sympathy,” Yamaguchi teased.
“You know, it was really hot when you grabbed me by the collar,” Tsukishima smirked and melted into Yamaguchi’s side, his breath hot on Yamaguchi’s neck as he spoke, “feel free to do that whenever you feel it necessary, whether you’re furious with me or not.”
Yamaguchi smiled as he felt Tsukishima’s lips press against his collarbone, but he couldn’t suppress his urge to poke fun at the man, “Is this work place harassment?”
“I mean technically you have’t signed the papers yet,” Tsukishima replied as he lightly kissed Yamaguchi’s jaw, “if I work fast we can say we got together before I became you boss.”
“Is that so?” Yamaguchi asked lightly.
“I enjoy a good technicality,” Tsukishima smirked, running a hand through Yamguchi’s hair as he spoke, “or if you don’t want this you could just punch me and we’ll have a purely professional relationship from this point forward.”
“Nah, a masochist like you would probably like that too much.” Yamaguchi said as his hand found its way back to Tsukishima’s collar, tugging the man’s lips into his own in a deep, insistent kiss.
It was nothing like the kiss they’d shared as teenagers. There was nothing clumsy or chaste about the way their lips collided this time. Tongues tangled together, hands explored, and more than one moan escaped as they pressed their bodies together on the bathroom floor. A decade apart had made them both needy for each other’s touch and like magnets they crashed together. Time became irrelevant now that the space between them had finally disappeared, Tsukishima’s soft lips and his rough hands on Yamaguchi’s chest were the only things Yamaguchi could focus on as breath after breath was stollen from him.
When they at last pulled away they were both smiling, content in their own world for a moment longer before the world outside the bathroom door could complicate things. It was the sound of the still running faucet that brought Yamaguchi back to reality, he laughed to himself as he reached back and turned it off. Tsukishima wrapped a large hand around Yamaguchi’s wrist before the latter could sit back down and used the opportunity to tug Yamaguchi onto his lap in one fluid motion. Their eyes locked as they stared at each other for what felt like the longest minute of their lives.
“Yamaguchi Tadashi,” Tsukishima smiled, “Welcome to the Court.”