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After years of friendship, Kageyama and Hinata basically know everything about each other. They're eachother's perfect match, and that leads everyone around them to believe one day they'd end up as the perfect couple. Of course, the two are so oblivious in their own world to recognize the mutual liking towards one another. Hinata specifically refuses to acknowledge the thought of Kageyama liking him back. He thinks after three years of high school, if Kageyama hasn't confessed by now then he just doesn't like him.
The orange haired Hinata sits down at a table of his university's cafe, coming back from the bathroom. He pulls his chair in and takes his silverware in hand. His friend, Kenma, is sitting across from him, playing a game.
"Ugh, I want a boyfriend so bad," Hinata whines for the third time today, resulting in a glare from his friend.
Kenma scowls at his random remark and finally retorts back, "Maybe you should go on some dates."
All Hinata's full reaction includes is a pout forming on his lips, he looks down at his half eaten salad and shoves another bite into his mouth. After a few moments of silent thinking Hinata pops up, his orange hair being shoved out of his face. "That's a good idea!"
"Glad you've noticed."
"Only problem is... how to date," Hinata says resting a finger upon his chin like he's thinking deeply about the subject.
Kenma doesn't look up from his Switch, "What do you mean?"
"I don't know how to date. In high school it was pretty easy, people would just confess and boom you're dating." He says with his arms waving around in the air.
His friend nods along, giving him some of his attention, "Mhmm."
Hinata shakes his head, "But it's different in college. You actually have to go on dates and meet new people and flirt and..." he trails off. Because of the overwhelming expectations in dating in college, Hinata hasn’t touched the topic. All he does is complain for hours on end, never actually acting upon his wants.
"Why don't you just ask someone to set you up?" Kenma finally looks up at his orange haired friend, giving a sliver of his attention before quickly averting his eyes back to his Animal Crossing island.
The thought runs into Hinata's mind, running a few laps before hitting a brick wall of confusion. "Who would I ask though?"
"Hm... I don't know, just ask one of your friends."
A light bulb clicks on in his head as he turns directly at Kenma, a mischievous grin on his face. "Kenma."
"Hm?"
"Can you set me up with someone?"
Kenma slowly looks up, staring at the wall before turning his head to face his friend. He glares at him in disbelief.
"What? You said to ask my friends!"
"You think I have people to set you up with?"
Hinata sits for a moment, some logic finally popping into his head, "Ah."
"Ask someone else." Kenma says as he gets up, grabbing his bag before walking away and leaving Hinata alone with his thoughts.
Using what Kenma said, Hinata starts to think about all the people to choose from. If he asks Bokuto, he is sure he will get some crazy person like him. But if he asks Oikawa, he knows he'll end up being teased. After considering his choices, Hinata decides on one person. Someone who, to him, has the most logic.
~ ~ ~
"Kageyama!" Hinata yells running into the gym for their practice. He stops short, squatting over and breathing heavy.
The black haired man turns around, his face practically emotionless as always. He had already changed into his volleyball practice outfit, which consists of just shorts and a sweater to combat the cold weather of Tokyo. He sips from his water bottle. "What?"
Hinata looks at Kageyama, observing his current mood to see if it's a good time to ask. After investigating his friend, he decides now is the most sensible time. "Can you set me up with one of your single friends?"
With a drink of water spitting from his mouth, Kageyama is left shocked. He walks over to Hinata, thinking he misheard him. "Huh?"
"Please! I'm sure you have some single, nice friends," the orange haired boy pleads while making puppy eyes at the younger.
"No."
"Why not?" he pouts.
"Because I said so."
Hinata murmurs, "So childish..."
"What'd you say?" Kageyama leans towards Hinata. He looks down at the older, with a scowl so strong you'd think he had somehow been wronged by him—which to his dismay he'd say Hinata did wrong him.
"Nothing!" Hinata looks up at Kageyama, his hands coming together, "Please, please, please! I really want a boyfriend."
The taller boy scoffs, looking off to the side. Kageyama looks back at Hinata, thinking about how he can't resist the older. After a few moments of his best friend begging, he finally gives in to his pleads. "Fine."
"Yay!" Hinata says hugging Kageyama, squeezing his whole body in his grasp. Kageyama’s scowl only deepens. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He repeats over and over.
Kageyama looks down at the boy hugging him, his reluctant feelings vanishing at the smile of his best friend. "Whatever... Let's just practice." Kageyama says, running off onto the court to warm up. Hinata stays back, celebrating his future planned dates.
~ ~ ~
Hinata [7:32 PM]
sooooo..
Kageyama [7:33 PM]
What?
Hinata [7:34 PM]
whens my first date?
Kageyama [7:36 PM]
Idk.
Hinata [7:36 PM]
kageyama -_-
Kageyama [7:40 PM]
Tomorrow. Meet here *location* after class. Don't be late.
Hinata [7:41 PM]
okay!!!
Hinata jumps up and down at his date planned for the next day, him climbing onto his bed and rolling around. He wonders who the date will be. He imagines a boy with flat black hair, maybe a lean but muscular build because he plays a sport. Maybe he will like volleyball and they'll get along because of their shared love for the sport. Unfortunately for Hinata, the boy he imagines seems to resemble someone else, and he covers his face with his pillow when he realizes.
If you asked Hinata who he likes, he wouldn't name anyone, because he doesn't know himself. Throughout his life, he has been fully focused on volleyball, to the point he can't notice anything but it. Now if you ask one of his friends, they would probably all say the same man. One that somehow got through Hinata's narrowed vision and made a place in his life with ease. Of course, the ease came with them playing the same sport.
Two other players on their highschool and now university team have had a long going bet: Tsukishima bets that Kageyama and Hinata won't get together, while Yamaguchi bets they would. The team has all talked about it before, the older players refusing to bet on 'such matters'.
~ ~ ~
With his class ending, Hinata walks out of his lecture hall and towards the restaurant he has scheduled to go to. Kageyama told him earlier his date would be waiting for him.
As he walks into the restaurant and is brought to the table, Hinata comes to the realization his date isn't what he expected. It's not a boy with flat black hair and a lean but muscular build. It's a girl. He looks at her and tilts his head in confusion. Now don't get Hinata wrong, the girl is probably sweet and nice. And she's really pretty. But he isn't into girls like that, never really has been. He thought Kageyama would've known that by now but oh well.
"Hello!" She says, getting up and bowing to Hinata.
He bows back, responding with a simple greeting. The two talk for a bit before ordering their food, the girl mirroring what Hinata got. He noticed her staring at him while ordering, but he tried his best not to respond to it. When she kept staring after they had ordered, Hinata avoided her eyes, laying them on any mildly interesting thing in the restaurant. Her presence was very strong, almost overwhelming for the romantically timid Hinata.
After around 30 minutes of talking and 4 dirty dishes made, Hinata goes to get up and leave. "Well, this has been nice! Thank you for coming."
"Of course! Do you want to out for a second date sometime soon?"
"Ah-" he freezes, not knowing how to respond. "Oh well- Maybe? I'll ask Kageyama about it..."
She nods her head in excitement, grabbing her purse as she pushes her chair in. "Alright, I'll see you around Hinata," she flashes a kind smile at him as she ushers out the doors.
“Mhmm!" Hinata stays in the restaurant for a bit before leaving, making sure to not bump into her at all. He pulls out his phone and opens his messages immediately to Kageyama.
Hinata [4:24 PM]
ermmm
Kageyama [4:26 PM]
?
Hinata [4:27 PM]
u know i like men right
Kageyama [4:27 PM]
You’ve never specified.
Hinata [4:28 PM]
wow… okay can you set me up with another person then?
Kageyama [4:30 PM]
No.
Hinata [4:31 PM]
PLEASEEE PLEASE PLSPLSPLSPLS
Kageyama [4:32PM]
No. Bye.
Hinata [4:32 PM]
just one more pls :((
Kageyama [4:33 PM]
Fine. Talk to me later.
And with that Hinata has his second date lined up, he hopes this time it’s someone who fits his style. A boy with flat black hair and a lean but muscular build… he thinks.
~ ~ ~
Now time for his second date, Hinata strolls on up to the planned meeting space and takes a seat at one of the open tables. They had decided to meet at a cafe instead of a restaurant, Hinata thought it’d be more relaxed and casual then a fancy meal.
As Hinata looks at his phone, he notices someone walk in. Before he knows it, the man is walking over to his table and looking straight at Hinata. He is dressed from head to toe in an expensive tuxedo, even including a tie and nice boots.
Hinata stares at him in shock, unlike him Hinata is wearing a casual t-shirt and a pair of jorts. Probably the exact opposite of the man standing in front of him. “Hello…” Hinata stands up, greeting the man.
“Hello. I am Akaashi.”
“I’m Hinata… Sorry, were we supposed to go to somewhere fancy? I’m sure it was a cafe date…”
“No, it’s a cafe date.” He sits down, straightening out his suit and brushing off the light dust on his shoulder.
“Ah okay… Well…” Hinata trails off, hes not sure what to say to the formally dressed guy sitting across from him.
“How much is your net worth?”
Hinata spits out the sip of water he was drinking and looks at him with wide eyes, “I’m sorry?”
“Your net worth. How much?”
He just stares at him in silence, the other waiting for a response. “Um, honestly I’m a college student I don’t really know...”
“Oh.” He looks Hinata up and down, his eyes judging him. “I see.”
“Yeah…” Well, Hinata is extremely awkward now. He isn’t sure how to deal with this situation, all he knows is Kageyama is going to get an ear full later.
Hinata holds out the whole date—which seemed more like a business meeting—until the other guy finally tries to leave.
Akaashi looks down at his watch, checking the time. “I have to go. Business meeting.”
“Ah okay-“ before Hinata can finish the man is out the cafe, leaving the bill and an interesting experience with Hinata. He watches the clock, reviewing the date. The whole time he was talking about business and completely ignoring Hinata.
As always, Hinata pulls out his phone to text Kageyama.
Hinata [2:52 PM]
where do u find these ppl
Kageyama [2:53 PM]
What do you mean?
Hinata [2:53 PM]
ive never heard someone talk abt business as much as whoever that just was
Kageyama [2:54 PM]
Looks like both dates turned out bad… Maybe you should just stick to playing volleyball with me for now.
Hinata [2:55 PM]
but i want a boyfriend :((( do u know anyone else??
Kageyama [2:57 PM]
No.
Hinata glares at the phone, he knows Kageyama knows more people and he is determined to find someone.
Hinata [2:58 PM]
liar. one more date pls!! just one more
Kageyama [3:00 PM]
Fine. One more.
Hinata [3:01 PM]
YIPPEEE
~ ~ ~
Walking into the gym, Hinata is excited for today's practice. As soon as he enters he spots Kageyama and marches right up to him.
"Hey Kageyama!"
The younger looks over at him, grabbing his practice clothes from his volleyball bag to change into. "Hm?"
Hinata straightens his back to look intimidating, "Who are these people you're setting me up with?"
Kageyama fights back a laugh as he looks back into his volleyball bag, "What's wrong with them?"
"Well for one I'm into guys so... But then the guy you sent to me seemed more interested in business than his date!"
"Ah, Akaashi?" He says, smirking a little.
Hinata nods his head in response. He finally places his volleyball bag next to Kageyama's as he grabs his outfit, the two then start heading towards the locker rooms.
"Well, he is a business major."
"Kageyama." Hinata has a strong look, his eyebrows are furrowed while his shirt is crumpling in his fist.
He just laughs, opening his locker to prepare for changing. He sets down his outfit on the bench and begins to undress. Hinata watches as Kageyama removes his shirt, leaving his abs on display for only Hinata to see. Usually, Kageyama doesn't like changing with anyone else in the room. However, he makes excuses for Hinata. Kageyama pulls his shirt over his head, reaching for the university volleyball sweater to put on instead.
Hinata's eyes follow his bare torso as he reaches down, his core muscles contracting. He notes Kageyama's hair and how it falls into his eyes when he bends down, how beautiful Kageyama somehow looks under the harsh locker room lighting. No matter how many times he has seen Kageyama undress, Hinata still is mesmerized every time. He shakes his head to focus on their original conversation. "Well, anyways I hope the next one is good." Hinata pauses, "Someone normal would be nice..." he murmurs.
Kageyama finishes getting changed, his head poking through the hole on the sweater. He looks over at Hinata mischievously, "Aren't you going to change?"
"Ah, right!" He swiftly places his stuff down and begins to undress, Kageyama walking to the locker room entrance.
The black haired boy stops right before opening the door, "I'll make sure it's someone better this time."
Hinata abruptly turns to look at him, sparkles practically popping out of his eyes. "Really?!"
"Mhmm." He walks out the locker room, leaving Hinata to finish getting ready for practice.
~ ~ ~
This time around Hinata has a good feeling. After his first two dates, it'd be normal to be paranoid of what could happen. But for Hinata, he doesn't feel like that at all. He has some hope for whoever is showing up here—or some hope for Kageyama to pick well. For the third and final time, Hinata walks into the restaurant to meet his date. It was at a casual sit down restaurant, one he had been to with Kageyama before.
As he takes his seat and waits for his date, he begins to fiddle with his chopsticks. Before Hinata knows it, he looks up to see no other than... Oikawa?
"Hey shrimpy."
Hinata just stares up at him, eyes full of confusion.
"What are you doing here alone? Where's Kageyama?"
"I'm on a date he set up for me!" He looks around Oikawa's build to see if anyone had entered the restaurant behind him.
Oikawa makes a face as if he's contemplating what to say, "Ah! The dates he is making purposely bad?"
Hinata's face freezes as he slowly changes his focus onto Oikawa. "What?"
"This is the third one right? I know he asked Akaashi before about it and told him to act entitled or something."
With hearing this information, Hinata begins to unravel the previous words said by Oikawa. "What do you mean purposely bad?" He motions for Oikawa to sit as his eyebrows furrow.
"Oh," Oikawa notices the motion and takes a seat across from Hinata. "I think I've released some unknown info, huh?" He says chuckling.
Hinata nods, taking a sip from his water. "Why is he making them bad on purpose? To pull a prank?"
Oikawa looks up, his finger resting on his chin as his other runs through his brown hair. "I don't think it's a prank... You should probably ask him."
"Like right now?"
"I don't see why not?"
The orange haired boy gets up from his seat and walks off to the entrance of the restaurant. He steps outside and walks a bit further to the side of the building where it's quieter. Pulling his phone from his jacket pocket he dials Kageyama's number, pressing the green call button.
After a few rings he answers, "Hello?"
"Why are you making my dates bad on purpose?" Hinata folds his arms as one holds his phone to his ear.
"Huh?"
"My dates. Why did you tell Akaashi to act entitled? Why did you set me up with a girl? Is it all a prank of some kind?"
"Wait, how do you know this?"
"Doesn't matter," he pauses as anger rises from his belly. Hinata is used to teasing of course, but he doesn't like when people purposefully go and undermine him.
"Let me explain."
Hinata runs a hand through his orange spikes, his hand dropping down to his side as he gets impatient. "Explain then!"
"Well- I'd like to explain in person if that's okay..."
"What? Are you too embarrassed to admit you're pranking me now?"
"No. It's just a reason I'd like to say in person."
Hinata sighs, his head falling into the palm of his hand as he leans against the brick walling. "Okay, fine. Where are you?"
Kageyama is silent for a bit before answering, "My house."
"Kay', I'll be there soon." Hinata hangs up on Kageyama as he turns off his phone, his hand sliding it into the back pocket. He stands still for a few seconds, taking everything in. Someone who was supposed to be his best friend wasn't setting him up on dates; he was setting him up for failure. The orange haired boy began to walk to the bus station, tears coating his lashes. He blinks and two tears fell from his eye, running down his cheek. Hinata doesn't let out any sobs, but the emotional shock of hearing Kageyama did what he did is hitting him, hard. Which each step he takes he feels a punch in his stomach, every time thinking about all they had been through.
With tears in his eyes, he got on the public bus; Kageyama's neighborhood only being a few stops afterwards. While looking out the window Hinata thought about anything he could. He managed to finally admit to himself his feelings for Kageyama throughout high school, and how they still remain. If anyone else had done this, Hinata didn't think he would have reacted as dramatic as this. It wouldn't have hurt as much.
After a few stops, he gets off the bus, starting up the road to Kageyama's house. He is walking with purpose, wiping away his tears as he doesn't want the black haired boy to see he had been crying. He knows how Kageyama teased, and Hinata knows he couldn't deal with that right now.
As he walks up Kageyama's road, he sees his house. He stops in his tracks only a few feet from the start of the entrance, his fear of the reason holding him back. A few moments later Hinata finally gathers the courage and walks up his driveway. While walking up to his door, all his emotions rush back to him and he starts to tear up again. He knocks, wiping away the tears between his lashes and sniffling.
Kageyama opens the door wearing casual pajamas, as he sees Hinata. The shock on his face shows, his eyes widening at the sight of the tear-filled boy in front of him. Before Kageyama can react Hinata pushes his way in, grabbing Kageyama's wrist and slamming the door shut.
"Hinata-"
The older grabs Kageyama and pushes him against the wall, staring at him. "Why?"
"I'm sorry, Hinata..." He trails off as Hinata comes close, slowly resting his forehead onto Kageyama's chest.
"Do you think it's funny? To make an embarrassment out of me?"
His eyes widen, trying to get the idea of how close Hinata is to him out of his mind so he can react. He chokes on his words, finally spitting out, "No, that's not what I meant at all."
"They why? Do you think of me that lowly? That I don't deserve love of any kind?" Hinata sobs against his ribcage, his sobs vibrating through Kageyama's heart.
Kageyama wraps his arms around Hinata, bringing him in close. He tilts his head down, smelling the usual sent of Hinata's shampoo. "I would never think of you like that, Hinata. Please believe me."
"Please... Why?"
He feels the wet tears of Hinata on his shirt, the cold from it seeping into his skin and the chilling feeling of him making Hinata cry spreading throughout his body.
"Because... I-" He cuts himself off, his breath becoming shaky as he continues speaking, "I like you, Hinata."
Hinata's sobs quiet down, leaving the Kageyama's words lingering in the air.
Kageyama hugs him harder, "I like you so much, Hinata. I couldn't deal with you going on other dates. I was mad at the thought of someone else seeing your smile, mad at the idea of you smiling at someone else that wasn't me."
He stays quiet, taking in everything Kageyama is saying.
With no response, Kageyama continues rambling everything going on in his head. "When you first asked me, I thought you weren't being serious. I thought There's no way Hinata is starting to think of anything unrelated to volleyball. So, I set you up with people I know wouldn't be the right match for you. People that even made up their personality so you wouldn't like them." He pauses, thinking of what to say next with quiet Hinata in his arms. "I couldn't handle the thought of you liking anyone else—even though you don't like me either-"
"But-"
Kageyama cuts him off, squeezing onto him even harder, tears forming in his eyes. "Let me finish. I've waited around since high school, I've lingered in your space for so long. Even before I liked you, in volleyball games it was always us. Our crazy quick attack was the star of the show. I thought if someone else caught your attention, we wouldn't be our duo anymore. You wouldn't care about our quicks and how well we use them together." He takes a second to breath as Hinata's arms snake around his waist, but Kageyama is too lost in his thoughts to notice. "I'm sorry for lying to you, I should have been more mature. And I know I'm not good at communicating what I'm feeling, so this is probably a mess. But, I wanted to tell you."
As the cloud of feelings fades from his head, Kageyama finally takes into account his surroundings. For one, Hinata isn't crying anymore; and he is hugging his waist. Two, he has been rambling non-stop for awhile. And three, he himself is crying, tasting the salt from his tears as he licks his lips.
"Kageyama."
He shuts his eyes, tears dripping as he anticipates the biggest heartbreak of his life.
"How stupid are you?"
"Huh?" Kageyama exclaims, fully lost in confusion as he pushes Hinata out of his arms and in front of him. He rests his hands on his shoulders. "What?"
“I like you too, Kageyama. Do you know how stupid you are?”
“But you were searching for dates-”
“Only because someone couldn’t take a hint,” Hinata rolls his eyes as he pulls the other into his arms. “Let’s date.”
Kageyama sighs into the hug, “Okay, let’s.”
Hinata pulls back, bringing their lips together in a soft kiss.
After years of procrastination, the two finally got together.