Work Text:
Date: Monday 27 February 2018
Tsukishima Kei was never one to have thought the idea of waiting for someone was worthwhile. After being let down and lied to by his brother in such an extreme way, he never thought to give his soul into anything when all it did was hurt him. But there was someone worth waiting for, worth putting his entire being on the line and risking it all for the eventual happiness that would come when he finally held him safely in his arms once again.
Tsukishima padded calmly around his apartment, a warm fuzzy pair of bright orange socks to keep his feet warm with a pair of black open toed slippers as he let out a yawn, his body ragged and drowning with exhaustion as his eyes glanced at the time on the clock on the wall. It was already near midnight and Kei carried his cup of dark roast coffee he had received in a care package a month ago, the bitter but soothing aroma gently bringing life back into Kei’s exhausted features and he had yet to eve take a sip yet.
He could hear the distinct tone on a Skype video call ringing on his computer screen and with a little more urgency, the tall, pale skilled Sendai Frogs middle blocker moved with a little more pace towards his kitchen counter where he had been setting up. With tenderness and care, Tsukishima set his cup down and smiled slightly as he looked at the profile of the individual calling him. Tsukishima let out a soft breath, unable to believe that he was excited to hear from him again but he couldn’t help himself.
Without hesitation he answered the video call, waiting patiently for their respective screens to load. His screen loaded quicker and was a lot more clear that the caller, but it didn’t matter before slowly but sure it became clear and he was granted with a truly incredible site. On his screen was the video image of a shirtless man with beautifully tanned, golden skin glistening with sweat that rolled down his taunt and muscled shoulders, as well as his pectorals.
The image moved a lot, obviously the other was on his phone but Tsukishima didn’t mind as his eyes wandered from that sinfully stunning skin to the warm brown eyes that glowed with happiness, mirth and a warmth that for a long time had become Tsukishima’s safe haven to get lost in. Those soft pink lips were pulled apart into a blinding white teethed smile that Kei considered turning the brightness down on his screen but even then, that wouldn’t quell the sun on his screen with short orange hair that was so identifiable that Tsukishima would always be able to find him.
“Hey moonshine. Sorry I took so long. The game finally finished.” Spoke the loud and familiar voice of Hinata Shoyou who always spoke with excitement and enthusiasm even if it was the dumbest topic you could listen about.
Tsukishima relented to his own happiness and gave a soft, small smile that he knew Shoyou saw and he could tell the latter saw it judging by the way his smile seemed to somehow get brighter to the point it looked like he was the definition of the sun on earth. “I thought you’d gotten out of calling me that Sho.” Tsukishima replied with an eye roll that held no malice as Shoyou laughed on the screen, a sound so beautiful not even the world’s greatest orchestra could construct a music piece that could compare.
“Not sorry Kei. The moon was peeking through your kitchen window, I couldn’t help myself.” Shoyou said honestly, his tone teasing and warm and fluttering the usually salty male’s heart, fucking butterflies were giddy in his stomach right now. Shoyou never failed to have this effect on him.
“Then I guess I really should just call you sunshine cause you’re always so obnoxiously fucking bright I think I need to invest in the highest level sunscreen money can buy so you don’t burn me.” Kei retorted as the latter squawked comically on his screen, making Tsukishima want to burst out laughing into a fit of laugher at face Shoyou was making.
“Kei!” Shoyou whined on the screen, an adorable pout that could make puppies bow to their will but a pout that Tsukishima was slowly becoming immune too thankfully or else he would have been living in Brazil with Shoyou till he came back from Brazil.
“No I am being serious Shrimpy. I need new tinted glasses, or pure black lenses so you don’t make my vision any worse, although it would be my own fault cause it’s hard not to look at you.” Kei said with a flirty wink and a smirk that left the other spluttering and obviously dropping his phone because all that was showing on Tsukishima’s screen went from looking at Shoyou’s face to looking up at the blue sky with zero clouds and on the corner was the single speckle of the green leaves of a palm tree dancing in a light breeze judging by its movements.
It didn’t last long as the picture shook as a hand clasped the phone and then was adjusted and Kei could only snicker obnoxiously at the flustered Shoyou on his screen, “Meany-shima. Why do you always have to embarrass me? You’re so embarrassing.” Shoyou grumbled as he let out a huff but smiled nonetheless before he shifted his phone and seemed to lean it against something and back away and then it was Kei’s turn to blush properly.
Instead of getting a partial view of Shoyou’s exposed chest, now he had a full body view of Shoyou who was sitting on the light peach and brown beach sand of what Tsukishima knew to be Flamengo Beach where Shoyou’s tournament was currently being played. Tsukishima couldn’t fight the flush of his cheeks and Shoyou chuckled but was also clearly blushing. “Do you seriously have no idea about the concept of a shirt Sho. Put one on, I can see people checking you out in the background.” Tsukishima said with a light growl, surprised by his own little bout of possession.
There was no denying that the Shoyou he grew up with in high school was nothing compared to this Shoyou. Shoyou had really gained muscle in all the right places from his shoulder’s to his biceps, through to abdomen and then those thighs and calves. Even though there was still a distinct height difference between Shoyou and Kei, Shoyou really had matured and grown his body accordingly with the change of scenery and by all that is holy, he was a God on the beach and he was all Tsukishima’s and he’ll be damned if anyone thinks they can ogle at what’s his.
Shoyou let out a chuckle and rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head and sent Tsukishima a teasing warning look, “Stupid-shima, you and many other people know I’m yours.” Shoyou said as he raised his left hand and Tsukishima’s heart became a little sweeter and less salty as his gaze fell upon the black and gold ring that adorned that finger that Tsukishima had put their the day they got married with the Brazilian sunset behind them, wishing them a beautiful and happy marriage. “Let’s not forget that I register for my tournaments under Hinata-Tsukishima but for no confusion they use Hinata.”
Tsukishima smiled as his eyes glanced at his own hand where he wore his wedding ring, a warm smile on his face. “God I miss you more than I can say without wanting to sew my lips shut.”
Shoyou rolled his eyes, “I miss you too Jerky-shima but you don’t have to sound so exhausted about being married to me. You’re the one that asked to take your last name so you have to live with the choice.” Shoyou retorted with a huff as Tsukishima rose to the challenge and raised a brow.
“There is always the option of hiring a divorce lawyer or failing to hand in the name change registration papers.” Tsukishima said back as Shoyou whipped his head up and stared at Tsukishima but instead of feeling smug about the success of his retort, Tsukishima felt guilty almost instantaneously when he saw the expression that morphed across Shoyou’s usually delightful face. Gone was the sunshine, replaced with the face that scarred Tsukishima’s memory from almost a year and a half ago when Shoyou opened the door and saw his ex-boyfriend outside the door.
Shoyou had gone from happy and excited to dejected, downtrodden and heartbroken all with a sentence that was more insensitive than Tsukishima intended. Quite honestly, the way Shoyou was seated, his arms draped over his knees, fingers of his left hand hanging whilst his right hand twisted the ring around his fingers, and Shoyou’s eyes were no longer focused on the screen but rather the way he was digging his toes into the sand, it looked like he was going to cry.
Tsukishima cursed his stupid mouth and almost spilt his coffee all over his computer when he heavily rested his elbows on the counter and he reached up to pull on his hair, “Shoyou, I didn’t mean that. You know I never mean that.”
“Just cause I know you don’t mean it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt sometimes Tsukishima.” Tsukishima could feel himself wince at the use of his full surname rather than the abbreviated versions the Shoyou would come up with. “Seriously you can be such an insensitive jerk Tsukishima Kei. Don’t fucking joke about shit as important as that. I thought we had moved passed this phase. You’re such an asshole I swear it feels so exhausting sometimes just being married to you.”
Tsukishima just kept hunched over, his hands in his hair as he just sat there silently, taking in the words that Tsukishima knew Shoyou didn’t mean but now he too was hurt but he was the one who had started this. “I’m sorry you’re married to someone who just hurts you and exhausts you. Thanks for confirming what I already feel okay. You made your point.” Tsukishima said bitterly as he felt his eye line with tears but he swallowed them because Shoyou had every right to be exhausted by Tsukishima because he wasn’t perfect, he didn’t deserve Shoyou and he had already let his insecurities get the better of him once and this moment was just reminding him of the pain he’d already caused Shoyou once before. “I dunno why you put up with me when I already know I’m not good enough for you.”
“I will admit that was insensitive of me to say that. I don’t know why I said that.” Shoyou said softly as Tsukishima just remained the way his was, not caring as his glasses fell off his face and he just sat there. “Oi baka-shima, look at me.”
Tsukishima didn’t want to but did it, picking his glasses up and putting them back on and looking at Shoyou who looked exactly how Kei felt. “I am looking at you now Sho.” Kei said softly as he Shoyou let out a breath and picked up his phone and brought it closer to his face.
“I am sorry for what I said. It was uncalled for. We are both obviously still dealing with our insecurities of the past and I guess I am just missing you so much and really just want to officially be yours in every way possible. Doesn’t mean I should have been a jerk back to you.” Shoyou said with a sad smile on his face, “I just want to come home and be with you again.”
Kei let out a sigh and wiped his eye, “I am sorry for being an asshole to you. That wasn’t fair either, I guess the distance has been weighing on me heavily as of late and I just want to hold you again.” Kei said as he looked longingly at Shoyou who smiled sadly. “I already submitted the paperwork you know, so the minute we get you back here, we are going and finalizing it, you hear me.”
Shoyou chuckled and smiled softly, “Absolutely Kei. I can’t wait to officially be a Tsukishima.”
Tsukishima smiled warmly as he let out a sigh, “Honestly, I think these insecurities will finally go away when I get to hold you in my arms again. God I sound like a fucking sap.” Tsukishima said with an exasperated breath that brought Shoyou’s beaming smile back to his face as he chuckled mutually and heavily amused.
“Not going to lie, I like you being sappy. It means you miss me as much as I miss you.” Shoyou said with a soft and warm smile on his face as he lifted his hand and kissed the ring on his finger, “I meant every word I said when I put that ring on your finger and I know you meant every word you said even if you sounded so affectionately exasperated to be confessing your undying love for me in front of Kuroo-san.”
Tsukishima let out a dramatic sigh as he shook his head, “He does not let me live it down. Thank goodness you didn’t want Bokuto-san there or the King or I would have died.” Tsukishima said as Shoyou snickered mischievously which made Kei raise his eyebrow. “What did you do?” Tsukishima inquired with a small scowl forming across his features.
“I may or may not have had someone record the ceremony and sent it to our friends on our one year wedding anniversary.” Shoyou confessed with a hesitant smile and chuckle, “I am not sorry, it was the happiest day of my life and as much as I wished all of our friends and families could be there for us, I wouldn’t change what happened that day at all.” Shoyou said with a tender, warm and honest smile that quelled any annoyance that Tsukishima felt at the fact that Shoyou shared the ceremony and every got to see how disgustingly happy Shoyou made him by being there and marrying him. “Are you really mad about that?” Shoyou asked calmly as Tsukishima rolled his eyes and let out a sigh.
“Nah I am not babe, just grateful I guess that they don’t pester and give me shit about how big a sap I was.” Tsukishima said as Shoyou just continued to smile warmly as he stared lovingly at the screen. “I love you Sho, I hope you know that.”
“I love you too Kei. Just a little more time and I’ll be home before you know it.” Shoyou said with a tone full of promise and Kei completely and utterly believed it. The two years of Shoyou being so far away was almost over and soon Kei would be able to hold his sunshine in his arms. God he was such a fucking sap but he didn’t care, Shoyou just made him feel this way so undeniably happy and safe that Tsukishima stopped caring if his salty attitude didn’t show as much when he was around Shoyou. “Now come on, tell me about your day. I wanna know everything you can tell me before you fall asleep.” Shoyou said as he set his phone down to where it was leaning on something again so his hands were free to re-apply a new layer of sunscreen.
And Tsukishima, even though he was exhausted and had classes in the morning, stayed up for a few hours, just happily chatting away to Shoyou and telling him everything about his day, and the rest of the week.
Date: Friday 2 March 2018
Tsukishima felt like he was out of his mind. He knew had no reason to be worried but it still worried him. Yesterday Shoyou had missed their scheduled call time and he hadn’t heard from his husband today. He was drained from the day and practice with the Sendai Frogs honestly hadn’t gone as well as he wanted because he was worried about his significant other and thankfully his coach and captain were understanding because his school day this week had been rough.
Tsukishima just let out an exhausted breath as he walked up the stairs of his apartment building, his eyes looking through all his messages. Tsukishima hated seeming desperate but he even went as far as to message the King to find out if he’d heard from Shoyou and to his dismay, even his royal highness hadn’t heard from Shoyou since Wednesday. Tsukishima could only hope his husband was okay as he Tsukishima removed his glove from his left hand and then his right, proceeding to pull his wedding band that was on a gold chain out from inside the sweater he was wearing and unclasped the chain. With a soft smile he put the band back on his finger and felt a little more complete wearing it.
Tucking his gloves in his coat pocket, he continued up the stairs, having taken his keys out his pocket to unlock his door and enter his apartment. But before he entered, he froze as the warm and familiar scent filled his nose. Tsukishima stepped in closing the door behind him, making sure to lock it as he toed his shoes off, taking notice that there was another pair of shoes by the door, far too small to be his own. He pulled his scarf and coat off, hanging them on the hook by the door before carefully walking into the room.
There was no one in the room, only an array of close lidded serving dishes set up on the dining table along with a cake boke on the kitchen counter with his name written on it. Tsukishima called out, “Hello is anyone here? Tadashi, did you come cook again?” Tsukishima said as he opened the serving dishes to reveal a beautiful meal of Tamago Kake Gohan which looked like it had just been taken out the cooker and a mouth-watering bowl of pork curry. “Nii-saan, I swear to cow if you’re having date night with Saeko-nee-san in my apartment again I’m going to throw you off the balcony.” Tsukishima said as he peaked inside the cake box and almost melted at the sight of a truly delectable and decadent looking strawberry shortcake.
Tsukishima continued through his apartment and headed to his bedroom, the door was wide open and hesitantly he peaked inside and froze at the view before him. He actually felt like he had stopped breathing as his heart raced as he took in the body that was laying on his bed, dressed in one of his white sweater with a cartoon t-rex on the front, one he hadn’t seen since he went to Brazil, same with the pair of boxers adorning those sinful hips and hugging those glorious thighs that he hadn’t touched in almost a year and a half.
There lying quietly sleeping on the bed in all his tanned glory, hair so bright against his black pillow case and bed spread, hugging Tsukishima’s pillow close to his body, nose buried in the fabric, a soft, happy and content smile on his face as he slept and Tsukishima just stared, his voice thick and emotional as he stuttered out, “Sh-Sho-you?” in disbelief and surprise and awe.
His voice seemed to stir the sleeping orange haired man from his slumber, his pretty brown eyes that were warm and filled with constant happiness and love opened and finally came into focus as Shoyou shifted his head and looked at Kei, his eyes widening in realization as Tsukishima stood there awestruck. Shoyou was in his apartment. Shoyou wasn’t across the world in Brazil. Shoyou was in his apartment on his bed in his clothes.
“H-how? When? What?” Tsukishima was shocked and confused and in disbelief, his eyes welling with thick and heavy tears as he started at Shoyou who stood up and walked his way towards Tsukishima whose hands were reaching out for Shoyou’s hands and the minute they touched the tears fell and the realization set in. Shoyou was really here, he wasn’t a figment of his imagination.
“Surprise.” Shoyou said in a thick and wet voice, tears rolling down his face as he smiled so fucking brightly as his hands reached up to cup Tsukishima’s face and the minute they did, Tsukishima let out a wet sob and leaned into that touch, the longing and yearning he had done to finally be able to feel this touch again, to be vulnerable and open to his sensitive side with the only other person other than his family he wanted to share this side with. Sure all his other friends and teammates had seen him when he was angsty and depressed and sometimes overwhelmed by the pressure but no one had ever really seen him like this. “Oh Kei, don’t cry.”
“Fuck I am a mess I can’t help it.” Tsukishima said in a wet and heavy voice as he leaned into Shoyou’s touch, the hands wiping away the pain of the loneliness he had felt without Shoyou. “I just am so happy you’re here, I can’t believe you’re here. Please don’t tell me you have to leave because I can’t take it if I have to let you go that far away again.” Tsukishima said as he shifted his arms and pulled Shoyou into a tight hug, burying his face into the crook of Shoyou’s neck and instantly Shoyou reciprocated the passionate and emotional embrace, hugging and soothing Kei.
“I am here to stay.” Shoyou promised as he hugged Tsukishima like he was never going to let go, and honest truth, he didn’t want to. They cried in each other’s embrace and lived for the moment because for the first time in what felt like forever.
“How are you even in my apartment?” Tsukishima asked in an emotional and wet croak, a voice so foreign to him that he sounded like an alien.
Shoyou laughed, equally emotional and choked up as his right hand caressed its way through Kei’s slightly longer blonde hair, the blonde locks soft against his fingertips as the other hand gripped the back of Kei’s sweater, “Tadashi let me in. I got arrived this morning and he picked me up and let me in. I wanted to surprise you with that first wedding anniversary slash five year anniversary slash valentines date we missed.” Shoyou said with a chuckle as Tsukishima pulled back and cupped Shoyou’s face, taking in the tear stained and snotty face of his boyfriend but he couldn’t care less as Shoyou sniffled and used the sleeve to wipe his face as he smiled.
“I’ll thank him with a month’s supply of soggy fries then.” Tsukishima said with a chuckle as he leaned his forehead against Shoyou’s, “Fuck I can’t believe that you’re finally home.”
“It was hopefully worth the wait?” Shoyou said with a chuckle as he reached up to dry Kei’s face who smiled and laughed before he leaned forward and nudged his nose gently against Kei’s.
“We’ll have to wait and see won’t we.” Tsukishima said as Shoyou pouted at Kei’s statement, “Two years apart, you’d better make it as a starter in the division one team or so help me god I’ll leave stuff you in a flour sack and leave you stranded on a desert island.” Tsukishima threatened without any malice as Shoyou laughed, the sound so beautiful, authentic and something special to hear in person.
“You know you’d miss me too much.” Shoyou said with a cheeky smile as Kei shook his head, “I missed you so much you salty bastard.” Shoyou said fondly and Kei just smiled, fuck his face was going to be sore for weeks from smiling so widely and smiling so much that he was going to scare his work colleagues, teammates and classmates.
“I missed you too you shrimp asshole.” Kei said with a warm laugh before he pulled Shoyou closer and nudged his nose affectionately against Shoyou’s who giggled like a giddy high school girl and beamed warmly, “Don’t leave for that long ever again. I mean it.”
“Never for that long ever again.” Shoyou promised as he leaned warmly into Kei’s touch and smiled, “I love you Hinata-Tsukishima Kei.” Shoyou said with a chuckled.
Kei smirked, “Hey I never agreed to hyphenate.” Kei said with a smirk as Shoyou pouted and let out an annoyed whine.
“Salty-shima, I swear-” Shoyou began but was quickly silenced rather effectively by Kei’s lips caressing his in a soft, intimate and loving kiss, one that Shoyou immediately reciprocated as he gripped the sleeves of Kei’s sweater and pressed closer to his husband. It wasn’t long but it did an effective job and quelling the urge since it had been almost a year and half since he had last kissed his husband. “That was very nice.” Shoyou said in a breathy and happy chuckle that made Kei smirk a little more.
“Guess I still got it.” Kei said with a smirk as he looked at Shoyou’s flushed cheeks, soft pink lips that were calling Kei’s name, the slightly glazed over glassy shine on Shoyou’s eyes made desire threaten to stir inside Kei’s gut.
“Yeah you do Kei.” Shoyou said breathlessly as he gnawed on his bottom lip, the action enticing Kei who used his hand that was pressed against Shoyou’s lower back to pull Shoyou flush against him. “Come on Kei, let me hear you say it.” Shoyou pleaded softly as Kei smirked, his hand slipping beneath his husband’s shirt and feeling the way Shoyou shivered against him.
“I, Hinata-Tsukishima Kei am not going to let you, Hinata-Tsukishima Shoyou, my sunshine, my love, my heart, my husband leave the room for the entire weekend.” Kei said with a soft growl as he dipped his head and stole another kiss with a little more intensity and fire that left Shoyou breathless and clawing at his clothes as he whined as Kei stole his breath away just like he had done the first time they had ever kissed.
“Kei, what about dinner?” Shoyou whined as Kei’s hand wandered across the expanse of Shoyou’s back underneath the shirt, Kei smirking against Shoyou’s lips at the way the shorter man shivered as Kei nipped at Shoyou’s bottom lip. “Fuck-” Shoyou said breathlessly.
“Later, right now I’m going to show you exactly how much I missed you.” Kei said in a low timber tone that left Shoyou weak in the knees.
“Please.” Shoyou pleaded in a soft whisper, pink tongue peeking out and wetting his bottom lip at Kei had teethed and Kei knew his last bit of restraint had just snapped.
Clothes were strewn all over the floor, the sounds of their coupling reunion echoed through the room and true to his word, with possessive words, loving confessions and promises, Shoyou and Kei really did learn how much they missed each other.
As Kei lay in his bed his lips softly kissing Shoyou’s shoulder as the shorter but incredibly well built husband of his slept from their exhausting activities and began recovering from his jet lag, Kei heard his cell phone buzzing. With a huff, he reached behind him, contorting and straining his shoulder, wincing at the uncomfortable sensation cause he didn't want to move particularly, but to his relied he had successfully managed to get his phone and open to see a message.
From Yamaguchi Tadashi:-
Surprise and your welcome. Hope it was better than the strawberry shortcake.
It was certainly an amazing and wonderful fucking surprise indeed and definitely better than the cake.
“Kei, go tah sweep.” Shoyou whined sleepily as he swatted at Kei’s phone, turning and shifting his body so his face was pressed into Kei’s chest.
Kei let out a soft tch but smiled and awkwardly set his phone down on the table and wrapped his arms back around Shoyou who let out a happy sigh. “Love you husband.” Kei said warmly.
“Wuv you too mah husband.” Shoyou mumbled, barely awake and instantly falling asleep and Kei just smiled and looked adoringly down at Shoyou and got comfortable.
Tsukishima Kei was never one to have thought the idea of waiting for someone was worthwhile.
That was until he learned what it was to love someone without fear and hesitation. Someone who refused to let him feel unwanted and unloved, and by all that is mighty, Hinata-Tsukishima Shoyou refused to ever let Kei feel undervalued. That was true love and hell Kei was grateful to have found someone worth waiting for.