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“Here ya go, I think you’ll really like—oi you’re still moping?!”
His blue-eyed kouhai, already tipsy, pouts and lets his head fall on the tabletop with quite a loud thud. Atsumu curses in his head and looks around the table where half of Japan’s national volleyball team is gathered but the rest of the men are either shooting him helpless looks or too busy drinking their body weight in beer. Knowing that he is the one who has to take the reins here, Atsumu sits beside Kageyama and pats his back to grab his attention.
“Come on now, Tobio-kun. You will see her soon enough. She only went for a week to stay with her friends,” Atsumu hands Kageyama the drink he bought for the younger man earlier, “so cheer up and have fun with us in the meantime.”
Hinata joins the setter duo, already on his third drink tonight. “Oi Kageyama! Why don’t you call her? Maybe talking to her will make you feel better.”
“Yeah, this is becoming sad now.”
“Aw don’t be like that, Omi-omi. Remember when your partner stayed at a friend’s after you two had a fight and—ow!”
Bokuto rubs his arm to soothe the ache from his curly-haired teammate’s punch and looks at Sakusa with a betrayed expression. Atsumu thinks Bokuto really shouldn’t be surprised at the violent reaction from Sakusa. Everyone knows better than to mention what a sap Sakusa becomes when it comes to his partner, unless they have a death wish.
Kageyama says something but it is muffled because of his slumped down position. Ushijima, being his usual reliable self, kindly relays the message, “Her friends took away her phone because Kageyama kept calling her every half-hour.”
Hinata, Hoshiumi and Suna burst out cackling. Sakusa rolls his eyes. Bokuto tears up seeing his grumpy setter pining so bad. Atsumu thinks he really should have just gone to Samu’s for dinner instead.
“I’m sure she’s missing you just as much, Tobio-kun. You can try calling her later. For now, try the yakitori. It’s one of the specials here.”
At this Kageyama finally lifts his head and Atsumu mentally congratulates himself for this progress.
“She loved the yakitori from the place by our apartment…”
“Oi quit talking about her like she’s dead!”
Kageyama ignores Hoshiumi, which makes the white-haired man squawk in indignation, and takes out a blue tin of cookies from his gym bag (has he been carrying this the whole time, Atsumu wonders).
“These are her favourite cookies. She eats at least three of these in a day so we keep running out pretty fast,” he takes a bite from a cookie before continuing, “but I forgot to pack them with the rest of her stuff before she left. What if she has been craving them? She has trouble falling asleep in a new place so she makes me run my fingers through her hair to put her to sleep. I wonder if she’s been sleeping properly there. Her friends are nice enough but Sakura-san can be really loud and obnoxious, although probably not as much as Hinata—”
“Hey!”
“—What if she is not getting enough sleep because of Sakura-san? When I talked to her this morning, she sounded really tired. Must have been helping out Sakura-san with her work stuff too. I told her not to overwork herself but she just can’t say no to helping people. That’s how we met, you know? In high school—”
“Yes we know! And even if we didn’t, you telling us the same story at least five times in the last three days would have done the job!”
Despite Hoshiumi’s exasperated tone, all the athletes are taken aback by just how talkative their usually reserved colleague can get when it comes to you (and when this lightweight drinks). It is truly amazing to watch this volleyball-for-brains man be down so bad (simping, as Suna so helpfully provided) for his girlfriend. They have come to know you as a dear friend and watched you care for Kageyama with a love that is heartachingly sweet and patient, a love that is reciprocated just as tenderly. So it really should not come as a surprise to them.
“I just miss her…so much.”
They have heard a myriad of emotions in Kageyama’s voice before- excitement for the sport they are all crazy about, confusion about literally any other topic, annoyance (usually directed at Hinata), and frustration when things are not going according to him (King of the Court). But the absolute longing in his voice at that moment tugs at all of their heartstrings. Atsumu can’t help but smile at his hopeless kouhai. Bokuto is unable to keep his tears at bay and chokes out a sob.
“Then let’s go see her.”
Every head on the table twists to look at Ushijima.
“What?!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me…”
“Wakatoshi-kun?”
“Ushijima-san, you really mean that?!”
Chaos broke out in the table at the back corner of the bar, making many people poke their heads in the direction of the noise out of curiosity and mild annoyance. Atsumu grabs the shirts of Hoshiumi and Hinata to stop them from pouncing on Ushijima.
“Oi settle down everyone! And Wakatoshi-kun, what do you mean ‘go see her’? She’s in a different city!”
“I know, Atsumu-san. It would take us around five hours to get there so we should probably leave now. We can all fit in my car.”
They all knew Ushijima enough to know that the man was 100% serious. He really would drive for five hours after a full day of hard work at practice for the younger man he’s formed a connection with over the years. Atsumu could practically see the stars in Kageyama’s eyes as he stared at Ushijima in awe. The rest of the men were also surprised enough to fall silent. Finally, Sakusa breaks the silence, “Wakatoshi-kun, are you sure? It’s quite late and by the time we reach there, it will be almost dawn. And then we’ll have to drive back too.”
Suna smirks at Sakusa, “‘We’, huh? So, you’re down to go too? Are you secretly a softie, Sakusa-san?”
“As if you didn’t just text your girlfriend that you won’t be home tonight. And I’m only going so Wakatoshi-kun doesn’t have to be the only driver.”
Suna was as unruffled as ever, “Well of course I’m going, why would I give up a front row seat of this trainwreck?”
Between Sakusa and Suna snarking with each other and Hinata, Hoshiumi and Bokuto yelling like toddlers at the prospect of the road trip, Atsumu is beginning to form a headache. Yeah I definitely should have gone to Samu’s instead.
“Are you also coming then, Atsumu-san?”
At Ushijima’s question, all the heads turn to Atsumu to hear his response. Atsumu looks at Kageyama’s secretly hopeful expression and lets out a sigh. ‘M sorry, Aran-kun, I understand the sacrifices it takes to be a senpai now.
“Yeah yeah, I’m going too.”
The men quickly settle their bills and let their respective partners and roommates know what they are up to. They exit the restaurant and walk towards Ushijima’s car. As they try to figure out the seating arrangements, they hear Kageyama clearing his throat a little farther away from them. As soon as all the others turn his way, Kageyama bows at a perfect 90 degree angle.
“Thank you so much for doing this for me!”
The setter’s sincere gratitude makes them all smile to themselves. He really is something else and they are all glad to have been able to get past his pricky exterior and see his delicate heart. It might have taken a little longer for some of them, but they have shared enough highs and lows with one another to overcome the differences in their personalities and form a strong friendship based on their shared love for volleyball.
“Oi Bakeyama! Stop wasting time and get in. We have a long way to go.”
“Shut up, dumbass!”
“Huh, wanna start a fight?”
The bickering of the two frenemies stop (for now) as Sakusa smacks Hinata at the back of his head and Atsumu does the same to Kageyama. The two Karasuno alumni stutter out apologies and finally join the rest in deciding who goes where. Sakusa immediately settles on the passenger seat and has a deathly glare that promises suffering for anyone who dares to challenge him on this. Bokuto wants to be in the middle because he claims that is the best spot and no one really has the heart to argue with him. Hinata immediately decides to join Bokuto in the second row. Suna picks the back row and plants Kageyama beside him in the middle to get as far as possible from the louder members of the group. Hoshiumi picks the second row, which leaves Atsumu to go to the last remaining spot in the back.
The trip goes about as smoothly as anyone can imagine. Hinata and Bokuto kept oohing and aahing at the passing scenery, and Sakusa and Kageyama kept snapping at them to settle down. Suna kept making snide remarks that fueled everyone up even more. Hoshiumi and Hinata kept trying to one-up each other in the most random things (who the fuck cares about who can pee the most? Go see a doctor). Their estimated five-hour-long trip took more than seven hours because of all the detours and bathroom stops (because they are really worse than five-year-olds). Atsumu can only wonder how Ushijima is able to keep his cool when dealing with the bunch of idiots. Huh, must come with having to raise four toddlers, Atsumu muses to himself.
Finally around five a.m., they all reach their destination—the friend’s house where you are staying. Kageyama is close to bouncing on his seat. Everyone else looks like zombies other than Ushijima (would not be caught dead with even a hair out of place) and Bokuto (too excited to see the reunion of Kageyama with his long separated soulmate—yeah, he made up a more dramatized version of events in his head).
“Okay, let’s go boys.”
“Wait, we are getting out too?”
“Of course we are, Kourai-kun. I did not spend seven hours with you stinky scrubs in a box to not even get to see Tobio-kun’s stupid lovesick face when he sees her again!”
“Wait Tsum-tsum! We can’t just show up with Kageyama-kun. That would ruin the whole mood!”
“Woah you are right Bokuto-san! What do we do then? Tsukishima and Yachhan said they wanted pictures so I want to get the best pictures possible!”
“HINATA BOKE!! Why would you tell that beanpole about this?!”
“We need to find the perfect vantage point. Those bushes near the wall should give us a cover and a good view. It’s still a little dark so it should be okay.” When Suna sees the raised eyebrows of some of his teammates, he shrugs it off. “What? Gathering blackmail material is hard work too, you know?”
“No one asked you to do that, Sunarin.”
“No one asked for your opinion either, you piss-haired idiot.”
Ushijima dragged Atsumu away towards the bushes to prevent a fight from breaking out between the two high school teammates. Suna, Bokuto, Hinata and Hoshiumi follow the two and make themselves comfortable in their hiding spot. Convincing Sakusa to follow the rest of the athletes to the bushes was a Herculean task but between Hinata’s kicked puppy look and Ushijima’s earnest request, even Sakusa was helpless.
Kageyama tries to fix his hair quickly and approaches the door of the house. He stops a foot away from the door and turns towards the direction of where his friends are hiding. With thumbs up from Atsumu, Hinata, Hoshiumi and Bokuto, and nods from Sakusa, Ushijima and Suna, Kageyama feels considerably more confident and rings the doorbell. When no one answers in about twenty seconds or so, he presses the button again and knocks on the door three times. Finally, one of your friends answers the door, clearly not happy for being woken up so early in the morning.
“What the fuck do you—Kageyama-san?”
“O-oh good morning, Takahashi-san. How are you doing?”
“Huh? I’m…I’m fine but what are you doing here?”
“Uh…I-I was just in the neighbourhood and I thought I would drop by?”
“…I think Tokyo is a little too far to be in the same neighbourhood as here, Kageyama-san.”
Kageyama seems to have run out of any possible replies that could salvage this trainwreck of a conversation and just blinks owlishly at Takahashi. Takahashi, on the other hand, looks more awake and thinks hard to make sense of this unexpected visitor. It does not take her long to connect the dots between taking away her friend’s phone that kept buzzing way too often with “Tobio <3” and the said man appearing at the doorstep less than 24 hours after. Kageyama can see the exact moment Takahashi figures out the actual reason for his appearance and sweat drops thinking about what her next course of action will be. He does not realize that he has been staring at his feet until he looks up startled after hearing Takahashi snort and then full on cackling.
“Oh-oh my God! Are you for real? Did you just…did you really come all the way from Tokyo because you missed your girlfriend? I can’t believe this—Oi everyone, wake up and see who’s here!”
If Kageyama had not been so desperate to see you, he would have wished the ground to swallow him whole right then and there. He is pretty sure his face is flaming red right now and that he heard a noise that sounded a lot like a stifled laugh from where the rest of the Olympians are hiding. Takahashi is too busy cackling and yelling to wake everyone up to notice the glare Kageyama directed at the bushes.
“Tobio?”
Kageyama turns his head around so fast that the rest of the audience are surprised his neck had not cracked. The harsh lines and frowns on the raven-haired man’s face softens at the sight of you and your messy bedhead. You are really here, you are really standing so close to him. Seeing your tired face light up with a confused yet radiant smile makes all the embarrassment worth it for him. He suddenly remembers something and rummages through his bag to hold out the cookies that you are so fond of and wordlessly offers you a cookie. Before he could open his mouth however, you take two long strides to cross the distance and almost fly into your lover’s arms. Kageyama does not know whose hold is tighter. Yes, it really was worth it.
As you lift your head up from his chest to take a good look at his face, he takes a hold of your chin to bring you closer and places a short peck on your forehead. As he pulls back, he sees you with your eyes closed and a peaceful smile. He follows the movement of your lashes as you open your eyes to look at him again. You look at him with so much love and adoration, it knocks the breath out of his lungs. There is no need for words because he knows that you understand. He knows that you would not make fun of him for following you here. He knows that you would be able to see just how much he has been missing you. Spending these last few years together has brought you two close enough that you do not always need words to know what the other is feeling or trying to say.
A loud and strange choked noise coming from somewhere near you snaps you two out of your reverie.
“Ew get away from me, you snotty idiot!”
“Omi-kun, don’t move so much! You’ll give us away!”
“Suna-san, could you move a little over to the other side? I need to adjust my angle a little to get better pictures.”
“Find your own spot, Shrimpy. This is my territory.”
“Oi Ushijima! Put your gigantic arms away. Your elbow hit my nose twice now!”
“My apologies, Hoshiumi-san. It was not my intention to hurt you.”
“I NEED TO CALL AKAASHI RIGHT NOW!! THIS IS WAY TOO CUTE”
Kageyama, you and your friends watch as seven beefy volleyball athletes tumble out one by one from the bushes, some of them face planting on the ground.
“Uh Tobio? Wanna explain how your friends are here?”
“…”
Seeing his simpleton kouhai blank out, Atsumu brushes off the dirt from his clothes and puts on his most charming smirk (although the snickers of your friends are proof enough that it is not working) before approaching the couple and swinging an arm around the taller man.
“Hey sweetheart,” Atsumu ignores Kageyama’s narrowed eyes at the affectionate pet name, “next time you decide to go out of town, maybe pack your hopeless boyfriend in a suitcase and bring him with ya, hmm?”
Kageyama reddens at this and mutters something about “annoying teammates” but you laugh at the blonde man.
“But then I’d have to pack you and your teammates over there too, Atsumu-san, seeing as you all come as a set.”
“Don’t get the wrong idea, doll. We were just tired of his moping and whining.”
“Whatever you say, Atsumu-san.”
The other men sheepishly make their way to you and with your friends’ consent, you bring everyone inside for an early breakfast. Your friends are more than happy with the turn of events as they are now in the company of some of the most attractive men of the country. From the looks of it, your boyfriend’s single teammates are not having any less fun. You guide Sakusa to a bathroom where he can freshen up, and then snuggle up with the boy who won over your heart and gave you his for safekeeping. You are interrupted this time by the sound of the camera shutter and look around to see the orange-haired man take a few more pictures before grinning at the two of you. You smile back at your boyfriend’s best friend (although Kageyama would rather eat slugs than admit this) and pose by holding up a peace sign.
After breakfast, you turn to your friends and ask if it is okay to cut your trip short by a couple days to return home with Kageyama.
“While I don’t like you cutting this trip short, it’s not like you weren’t staring at his picture on your phone and sighing like a lovelorn teenager this whole time.”
“H-hey, cut it out, Takahashi!”
“It’s not like she said anything wrong. Man, people in love are so annoying…”
“Piss off, Motoharu!”
Kageyama felt a little guilty for finding your flustered state amusing but mostly, he is relieved hearing that you have been missing him just as much as he has.
“Oi,” Kageyama poked your thigh to grab your attention and then smoothed the crease between your eyebrows to calm you down, “you should probably start packing your stuff. We will start for home soon.”
Thinking about the cozy apartment you two call home never fails to make your heart flutter. You really cannot wait to go back home holding Kageyama’s hand.
“Mm-hmm,” you nod but make no attempt to move; rather you settle your face in the crook of his neck and press a small kiss there.
“Ugh these two are giving me diabetes.”
“Aw Tsum-tsum, don’t worry. You will find someone soon enough.”
“‘M not worried about that, Bokkun. Stop embarrassing me!”
“You do a fine enough job at that yourself.”
“Sunarin, shut the fuck up!”
It does not take long to get your things and soon you are all ready to go. You bid your friends goodbye and invite them to come stay at your place for the next vacation, with Kageyama seconding. He interlocks his fingers with yours before pulling you closer to him and following his teammates out to where the car is parked. You look at the car and then at your group as you try to work something out in your head.
“Uh guys? There are nine people in total and Ushijima-san’s car can fit eight…”
“…”
There is a long moment of silence as everyone takes it in and looks at one another.
“I say we leave Atsumu here.”
“OMI-KUN!!”
“I second that.”
“That’s it! Come here ya scrub!”