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Normally Kageyama and Hinata are the last ones out of the gym, always the two to linger for just one more toss and spike, always a competition between the two to see who lasts the longest. But today, Hinata had run out immediately after the end of practice for an errand, and Kageyama’s left alone while the rest of the team begins to wind down for the day.
Sugawara notes that as the rest of the team filters out of the gym to change, that Kageyama stays back for a bit longer like usual, brows furrowed in the intensity of his focus as he holds a ball to serve.
“Hey, I’ll make sure to grab Kageyama before too long and close up,” he says, cutting off Daichi as he breathes in to yell at Kageyama to stop practicing and clean up.
Sugawara grins at the raised brow that Daichi levels upon him. “You know I wouldn’t let him practice that much longer. Besides, I’ll take any chance to be alone with him.”
The wink he sends Daichi gets him a shove and a “Gross”. But Daichi still tosses him the gym keys, a tacit approval for him to get his mushiness on with Kageyama, away from the rest of the single and loveless team.
Soon, he and Kageyama are the only ones left in the gym. Sugawara leans against the wall, watching Kageyama’s intense focus, immersed in the rhythmic thudding from Kageyama jumping and serving.
It’s always fascinating watching him. Kageyama’s beautiful when he serves, the light and joy in his eyes enrapturing whenever a serve lands the way he wants. For all that Sugawara had felt the clench of envy and shame at being a third year setter being outshone by a first year, he does appreciate the chance to cheer and watch Kageyama from the sideline. The sting has lessened greatly compared to the beginning, ever since Kageyama’s started to mesh within the team, and ever since they started dating.
Now, all he feels when he watches Kageyama play is pride and affection. Karasuno is going to go far. Kageyama is going to go far. And he’s going to be right there when it happens, for both Karasuno and Kageyama. He’ll be there to push Kageyama ahead, to be there when Kageyama falters, to be there with the rest of the team on and off the court.
The sound of Tanaka and Nishinoya screaming in the courtyard outside the gym, and Daichi’s resultant rebuke breaks Sugawara out of his focus. He can’t let Kageyama continue on for much longer. It’s been quite some time since everyone else has called it a day, and any longer, and the last bits of sunlight will slip away.
“Kageyama, five more serves and then go stretch and cooldown,” he calls out when there’s a brief lull between Kageyama’s serves as he goes to grab a ball that’s strewn across the floor.
Kageyama whirls around at the interruption. “Sugawara-san! Sorry for making you wait. I’ll go clean up immediately!”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t mind watching.”
Thankfully, it’s enough to relax Kageyama back to his original state, and he turns back to get the last few serves in. A frown flits across Sugawara’s face once Kageyama no longer faces him. He’s never heard Kageyama ever loosen up with regards to how he calls him. It’s always been Sugawara-san despite them dating.
And he doesn’t like that. It stings a little. Almost everyone on the team has taken to calling him either Suga-san or dropping the honorifics. Kageyama is one of the few who have stuck with everything, polite and formal. It feels distant. He doesn’t want to feel distant with his boyfriend. He wants to feel close and intimate.
But that’s why he had stayed behind today, taking advantage of Hinata’s absence to squeeze in some alone time. One way or another, he’s going to force Kageyama to cross that barrier.
“Sorry for being slow, Sugawara-san.”
There’s a light flush on Kageyama’s face from the exertion of his practice and cooldown. The adoration and expectancy in his eyes tugs at Sugawara's heartstrings, and he takes the chance to reach up to ruffle Kageyama’s hair. He can’t stop the soft smile that appears when Kageyama bends down and pushes his head into the ruffling. Ever since the very first head pat, Kageyama has always been greedy for more.
“Come on, let’s go to Sakanoshita. I’ll buy you a curry bun.”
“Really? Thank you very much!”
The natural and bright smile that spreads across Kageyama’s face compels Sugawara to give him another ruffle. When he isn’t trying to force a smile, Kageyama’s smile is quite adorable. It feels special, being the only person to drag these smiles out outside of volleyball. Not even Hinata can make him smile like this.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Sugawara grabs Kageyama’s hand, lacing their fingers together as he drags him out of the gym. “I’ll even toss in a carton of milk.”
They make it outside the gym before the sun disappears beneath the horizon. Their walk to Sakanoshita is silent, Kageyama quiet whenever the other first years aren’t around, and Sugawara content to take in the way that the reds and pinks of the setting sun lend a gentle glow to Kageyama.
Ukai doesn’t bat an eye at the sight of their hand holding as they step in Sakanoshita, the warmth of the shop washing over them. “What’re you boys doing here so late? The others already stopped by.”
Sugawara chuckles. “You know Kageyama, he couldn’t resist staying a little longer to practice his serves. I practically had to bribe him to get him to stop.”
“Sugawara-san!” The wide eyed look that Kageyama levels at him for his white lie makes a laugh slip out.
“Haha, you know that I’m joking. I’m always willing to treat you.” Pink tints Kageyama’s cheeks as Sugawara smiles at him.
“Yeah, yeah, what’ll it be then?” Ukai rolls his eyes at their display.
“Can we get a curry bun, a spicy mapo tofu bun, and a carton of milk, coach?”
“That’ll be 380 yen.”
Sugawara hands Ukai a 500 yen coin, and grabs the change and the bag of buns with one hand, leaving the milk for Kageyama to hold so that they can leave their hands intertwined.
“Make sure to eat a proper meal, boys. And don’t stay out too late.”
“Sure thing, coach.”
“I’ll walk you back to your house, Kageyama.” Sugawara says, as they step back out into the brisk coldness of the outside air. He reluctantly releases Kageyama’s hand to rifle through the bag to figure out which one is the curry bun.
“It won’t be too late?” Kageyama asks as he accepts the bun with one hand, the other grasping onto the milk.
“Of course not. I do enjoy spending time with you.”
A small smile spreads on Kageyama’s face at his words, before his attention is diverted to the curry bun he’s holding. Sugawara takes the chance to sneak a quick photo of Kageyama’s bright eyes and bulging cheeks as he begins to devour the bun, attention focused wholly on his food, and saves it to his folder of Kageyama sneak shots.
By the time Kageyama has finished devouring his bun, Sugawara has barely started on his, too focused on the warmth that spreads at the sight of Kageyama enjoying his food. He catches a glimpse of the forlornness that flashes across Kageyama’s face when he finishes, the small rumble of protest his stomach emits at still being left lacking.
“You want some of my mapo tofu bun?”
“... Yes, please.” Kageyama mutters ashamedly, face tinted red at being caught eyeing his food. It’s still progress though. Before, he would never have honestly admitted that he was still hungry, still far too stuck on being polite and adhering strictly to societal expectations. Over time, Kageyama’s loosened up slightly, though still not to the point of dropping the honorific.
But this is his chance.
“Hmmm, I’ll give you half of my bun if you manage to call me Suga-san or just Sugawara.” Sugwara waves his bun in front of Kageyama’s eyes, noting how they track its path.
“N-no, I can’t! That would be rude of me!” Kageyama splutters out, once Sugawara’s words register in his mind.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of co-”
A more insistent rumble of Kageyama’s stomach interrupts, cutting him off. Kageyama flushes a deeper red at the sound of his insubordinate stomach.
“You know, I certainly wouldn’t find it rude. We are dating after all, Kageyama. In fact, I would love it if you could be less formal with me.”
“B-but…”
“Don’t do it just for the bun, do it for me as well?” Sugawara pleads, stepping closer to Kageyama to look up at him. He flashes his widest puppy eyes at him, knowing that Kageyama almost always caves at them, unable to deal with soft approaches. “Please?”
“... Fine.”
Sugawara waits patiently, waiting for Kageyama to regain his composure. They stand in the middle of the sidewalk, the sun almost completely set, the darkness of the night hiding away some of Kageyama’s reactions. Kageyama averts his eyes, unable to take his staring head on. It takes a while, before Kageyama’s lips begin to move.
“S-su…”
His first attempts don’t go well, stuttering and words trailing off as he tries to speak. But Sugawara stands there, close enough to see the nervous bobbing of Kageyama’s Adam's apple, close enough to feel the heat radiating off him. He waits.
“S-suga-san.”
A broad smile spreads across Sugawara’s face at the way Kageyama has finally called him by nickname. He can’t help the impulse to lean up and land a quick, chaste peck to Kageyama’s cheek.
“Sugawara-san!”
“Hehe, sorry, Kageyama. You were just too cute.”
Kageyama pouts and grumbles, gaze still averted away from Sugawara. It’s a little disappointing that Kageyama has immediately reverted back to calling him by his full name and with honorifics, but baby steps. One day he’ll get Kageyama comfortable with it.
“Time for your reward!” Sugawara splits his bun in half, offering the larger piece to Kageyama, already fulfilled by being called by his nickname. More warmth spreads within him as Kageyama accepts the half, and tears into it, huffing slightly as the spiciness of the mapo tofu spreads in his mouth. Kageyama really is adorable.
The bun quickly disappears, and Sugawara takes the chance to scoop up Kageyama’s hand again as they walk. Their walk to his house is mostly silent, the quiet only interrupted whenever Kageyama sucks up his milk through his straw. The air between them is more charged than before, Kageyama still looking away from him. But this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Kageyama will be back to normal tomorrow.
Sugawara slows his pace as they near Kageyama’s house. Alone time like this is rare, and he wants to savor these moments, extend them as long as possible. His grip on Kageyama’s hand increases in strength, drawing a confused glance from him, the first look that Kageyama has thrown his way since he’s called him by nickname.
“Time sure flies by so quickly.” A sheepish chuckle slips out as Kageyama retains the puzzled look. “I wish we had more time together,” he clarifies.
“Oh.” Kageyama squeezes his hand in turn. “I do too.”
“But we’ll have all the time after we win nationals.”
Sugawara laughs. That’s Kageyama, confident and sure of Karasuno’s strength, finally fully trusting of his teammates’ abilities.
“Yeah, we will,” Sugawara agrees.
They stop in front of Kageyama’s house, dark and empty, no one home. With great reluctance, Sugawara slowly releases Kageyama’s hand, already feeling empty without his hand in his grasp.
“... Well then. I’ll see you at morning practice tomorrow,” he manages to squeeze out.
“Yeah.” Kageyama stays there, facing him. Sugawara tilts his head at that. Kageyama is normally quick to separate from him, tired and starving from the exertion of practice. It’s rare for him to linger.
“... Good night, Suga-san,” Kageyama spits out, before turning to flee into his house. The door slams shut behind him, and the sudden light from the windows floods over Sugawara.
Sugawara stands there, heat spreading across his face. Had Kageyama really just called him by his nickname? Without him urging him to do so?
He sinks into a crouch on the doorstep, hands covering his hot cheeks. Kageyama always manages to surprise him. Now he doesn’t know if he can face him at practice and act like everything is normal.