Work Text:
Kiyoomi was never good at saying what he truly meant. He may have been considered rude and offensive, but mostly he was just blunt, the first train of thought that left his head was often left his mouth.
But that had never been an issue with the people that had known him. Motoya had known that Kiyoomi cared about him without ever having to put it into words. His siblings knew he cared about him. They didn't need things such as words to communicate.
This was a good thing. For Kiyoomi had one fatal flaw. He had the uncanny ability to always put his foot in his mouth.
Not in the literal sense, because ew. But Kiyoomi knew where his faults lay. That sometimes his first comment wasn't always what he was thinking. Over the years it had gathered a bag of mixed results.
---
"Your hair is awful," Kiyoomi said bluntly, staring at Miya Atsumu in all of his piss-colored glory.
They were at their second Japan Youth Camp.
Kiyoomi had known Miya for a few years at that point. Mainly as an acquaintance, but that was to be expected being that they only saw each other a handful of times.
Kiyoomi was determined to get closer and actually befriend Miya this time around. It would do well to be connected with more people who shared the same passion (and Ushijima was unfortunately not as able to converse as Kiyoomi would like).
Last year had been filled with so many new and unknowns, that it had sent Kiyoomi's anxiety into overdrive. He had clung viciously to Motoya and the Miya twins has stuck close to each other as well.
But this time would be different, Motoya had left to chat with some of the other attendees and this year only Atsumu showed. So really Kiyoomi had the perfect opportunity to spark conversation.
Well, he would have if Miya's new addition didn't immediately capture all of Kiyoomi's attention.
Why he decided to change his hair this year was beyond Kiyoomi. Last training camp, Miya and his twin had had perfectly fitting brown hair. Now it looked like a toxic waste warning sign.
The glare Miya was sending him, let him know that particular line of thought was not appreciated.
Kiyoomi opened his mouth to say something more but closed it as soon as Miya started walking away from him.
Kiyoomi tried to placate himself. Maybe Miya was in a rush somewhere?
He didn't even catch that something was truly wrong until Miya had been stingy with his sets the next day.
And so to try and get back in Miya’s good graces he tried to write a letter, seeing that the now blonde was avoiding him.
How do you apologize for something you aren’t particularly sorry about saying?
Well, he could always dodge it like his father does when his mother got mad.
Yes, this could work.
And so, he grabbed some pink stationery that was on hand and started writing.
“I’m sorry what I said affected you. The blonde just doesn’t look as good.”
When he showed it to Motoya trusting him for a last look over his cousin just stared at him. “Kiyoomi, you can't be serious. You aren’t giving this to him.”
"Why not?" Kiyoomi tilted his head.
“You’re just insulting him!” His cousin cried. “Look write this again, and this time don’t insult him."
So Kiyoomi tried again. His second attempt, ending with "Your natural hair looked better and I feel like I should tell you so you can make a good decision,” had Motoya slapping his forehead.
His cousin suggested it might be best to not apologize to Miya.
And that is how the story of his and Miya's relationship started off horribly.
Their time at camp passed, and Miya eventually forgot about what Kiyoomi said, or at least considered it water under the bridge. He passed him the ball as needed, no letter required. They were at their stalemate of acquaintanceship as before. Well, net zero never hurt.
---
The years passed, and Nationals were won and lost. Graduation passed with the blooming flowers and soon enough Kiyoomi was in college. With his closest family being a rookie on a V-League team and thriving, Kiyoomi was feeling slightly lonely.
So, when he heard the news that the MSBY Jackals were going to be playing at the stadium near him it only took one bought ticket and he was watching a rather underwhelming game.
The Black Jackals lost.
Finding Atsumu after the match was an unplanned affair, his initial plan was to go back to his single dorm and analyze the game.
But Atsumu saw him first. Had come barreling through the mini crowd that had gathered outside the court (another reason Kiyoomi had been planning to leave). Atsumu, smile wide and arms wider, a peppy "Omi!" on his lips.
Kiyoomi, still caught in his confusion from earlier blurted out the first thing he could think of.
"You aren't first string,"
It was meant to be a question. An inquiry if you will.
But the damage was done and Miya's smile dropped dramatically.
"Well, the professional world is a bit difficult to crack into Omi. We can't all be collegiate superstars." Miya said it with a laugh but there was a sense of deep frustration in his words.
The rest of their catch-up had been cordial if strained.
So, he put pen to paper for the second time knowing Miya.
"You deserve to be first string. You're so much better than who they have." His fingers spoke.
This time the letter was wrapped in an envelope. Ready to be sent.
Kiyoomi didn't give it to him then. Why?
Well, what would it have changed?
Plus, what would he actually do? Sending it to the Jackals P.O. Box?
But maybe they screened the mail. It would be humiliating if someone from MSBY who wasn’t Atsumu saw the letter essentially questioning the coach’s choice.
He briefly thought about going in person to give him the letter. But then again what was the point? What would have changed? Kiyoomi hadn’t talked to him much in high school and this was the first they talked while Kiyoomi was in college. Kiyoomi wasn’t ready to traverse the emotional and physical distance.
And so, another letter went ungiven.
---
Graduating college did nothing to stop Kiyoomi's knee-jerk comments.
During his first year on the Black Jackals, an errant comment about Miya's cleanliness had the setter sending him dirty looks for the next set of practices. It was only after a forced bonding session (courtesy of Barnes and Inunaki shoving them in a closet and locking the door) did they reach something of non-animosity.
Kiyoomi didn't even attempt to write a letter this time.
It's not like it mattered.
----
Kiyoomi never really did learn his lesson nearly half a decade later.
"Wait, Kageyama's the main setter?"
Kiyoomi had been excited about the Olympics and had actually cried tears of joy at getting the call that he would be playing. The Black Jackals had all celebrated their group of four getting to play on the big stage.
Now with this additional news, Kiyoomi didn't feel the same spark.
Miya had gritted his teeth and put on the fakest smile he'd ever seen. "Gotta let my juniors shine at some point."
Kiyoomi hadn't taken Miya's words at face value. Cornered him in the locker room after everyone else had left. It wasn't his proudest moment.
Cutting words were thrown from both sides, scathing accusations. Luckily no fists were thrown but it was close. Only saved by the grace of Bokuto, who had returned to get his forgotten phone and promptly broke them up.
They had left their separate ways, promising Bokuto they would cool off.
But as Kiyoomi sat in his apartment all he could do was feel riled up.
He tried to journal as Motoya had suggested but every word came back to their fight.
"Why don't they recognize your worth?"
"You're better at adapting to new spikers."
And finally, "I wanted to win gold with you,"
The last one was scratched out before anyone could take the damning evidence.
Kiyoomi never gave any of his half-ass attempts at a letter then either. But then Atsumu had shown up at Kiyoomi’s place, onigiri’s in hand and an apology on his lips.
Kiyoomi had invited him in, his own sad excuse for remorse hopefully seen through his suggestion to watch a movie.
It became a routine of sorts to hang out with Miya. Kiyoomi found he didn't hate it as much.
-
After the Olympics, things changed for the Black Jackals. Some good things, some bad. They obtained a powerhouse in the form of Alexander Joffe, which was a big bonus. But in doing so other dynamics changed. Hinata was leaving for Brazil after the season. Meian was retiring.
The fate of the Black Jackals was up in the air for the remaining members. Bokuto had already affirmed his loyalty to the team, declaring loudly at the team's weekly bar meetup, that he would dedicate his "volleyball soul" to the Jackals as long as his body would allow him.
That wasn't a shock.
"Right there with you Bokkun,"
That was.
"You're staying?" Kiyoomi turned towards the individual who just spoke.
Atsumu's previous smile dampened as he sighed at him, "Don't act so disappointed Omi-kun,"
He couldn't find the words to express how wrong Miya's assumption was. But again, Kiyoomi was never good with words and thus turned to his old friend of paper and pen.
"Atsumu, I'm sorry, what I wanted to say was I was glad you were staying. I was glad you would be in my life for the future."
Kiyoomi again didn't give the letter he wrote, even after all this time.
But the words that weren't written hurt the most, /Atsumu I'm sorry, I don't think I was ready/.
Because what if he changed his mind? What if Atsumu left? What would Kiyoomi do then?
-
So the years passed, and another Olympics happened.
Kiyoomi's wrists started failing him.
As did Atsumu's knees. "My super saver sets are killer on the tender tendon there, Omi." It was said with much less hatred than Kiyoomi thought there would be.
Despite all their attended physical therapy sessions, nothing could truly undo the stress volleyball had done on their bodies.
And so they both were forced into retirement.
Well at least into a small career change. Kiyoomi took over some business operations for his family, still wanting a little spending money as a retired Olympian only did so much. Atsumu had gotten a job as a coach for the local school.
Kiyoomi had thought Atsumu would turn bitter and angry at being forced into retirement from the sport he loved. He took to guiding the girls there like a fish to water. He looked happy.
They were in the same city, it made sense to become roommates together, having already gotten used to each other's living quirks during their time at MSBY.
Kiyoomi could say he was happy too.
---
"Ah crap, we're running late 'Samu's really gonna kill us."
"Wow, his own twin brother showing up late for the celebration." Kiyoomi joked. It had been easier to do that with this new peace they found themselves.
"Yeah yeah, joke all you want Omi," Atsumu waved his shoe at him before putting it on, "but you spent like an hour on your hair don't deny it."
"That's cause my hair actually needs it." Kiyoomi deadpanned. "Unfortunately yours is beyond saving," Which was a lie, Atsumu had been embracing his "silver fox look", and it did do wonders. It took everything in Kiyoomi to not run his hands through those soft grey streaks.
Maybe he'd get that chance soon.
"Whatever, we all know you're just jealous." Atsumu huffed and put on his coat. "Okay, last check, keys, Samu's present, coat. Think I got everything."
And really Kiyoomi did as well, being able to spend all these years by Atsumu's side.
"Alright, Omi you ready?"
And with a small pink envelope in his back pocket, maybe he could spend it for the rest of his years to come.
"Yeah, I think I'm ready."