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“So, when’s the wedding date?”
Shoyo blinked. Then blinked once more, trying to process the question Meian just threw at him, out of nowhere, in the middle of absolute silence.
It was an ordinary day. Shoyo woke up as the alarm’s sound hadn’t even finished its first ring, he rose from the bed, kissed Atsumu on the forehead, and immediately pulled his lover for their early morning jog, as per usual–which Atsumu replied with a long, needy whine of Shoyo-kun, why do we have to do it so early, as per usual. After a very short run of 10KM around their apartment complex, he went away to MSBY’s gym first, leaving Atsumu to clean up the house since he was having gym preparation duty for the home-game today.
With Meian, coincidentally.
Which brought us back to the present time where Meian oh-so-nonchalantly asked him a very strange question in the middle of their deserted locker room. Shoyo opened his mouth, then closed it again, a little lost for words.
“Uhm, whose wedding?” He ended up asking back, grimacing. “Did I miss something? Is someone getting married?”
Shoyo saw it as if it was described in a book, watching Meian’s expression slowly morphed, from confused, then shocked, before it blanched completely. Shoyo tilted his head, waiting for responses, while Meian could only laugh, kinda hysterically?
“O-oh, you didn’t know, Hinata? It’s– You know, uh, getting married… Oh, it’s Barnes-san! He’s getting married next month. He didn’t tell you yet, huh?” Meian spluttered a mouthful of words that Shoyo barely could understand, until he half-thought of giving the captain his own water bottle. The older guy looked like he needed it.
“Really? Barnes-san?” Shoyo whistled. “I mean, about time. I heard his longtime lover is getting impatient.”
“Ha-ha,” There Meian went with another awkward laugh. The smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You can ask him yourself later.”
Their conversation ended there as the rest of the team began pouring into the locker room. Shoyo immediately jumped up as the sight of light blond hair came into view. With no hesitation he hugged Atsumu, who looked, as usual, incredibly handsome and visibly more refreshed than the last time he saw his boyfriend earlier this morning, and had he mentioned that he was handsome?
“Atsumu-san, did you know? Meian-san said Barnes-san is getting married!”
Atsumu, who was about to loop his hand around Shoyo’s waist to hug him back, suddenly stopped, his brows furrowed. “Huh?” he said, then his eyes, which always reminded Shoyo of Natsu’s favorite hot chocolate, shifted to someone behind Shoyo, probably Meian. His boyfriend exchanged a brief glance before his eyes finally fell back on Shoyo, looking overly composed for Atsumu’s standard. “I had no idea either. Barnes-san is absent today. Let’s ask him together tomorrow, okay?”
Shoyo nodded, jumping a little as he hugged Atsumu tightly one last time before letting go. “Okay, then. For now, we’re gonna defeat EJP in today’s match!” he shouted excitedly, turning towards his locker–
–which was why he missed how Atsumu whispered an inaudible ‘What the hell?!’ to Meian, and how their captain whispered back a soundless ‘Sorry, sorry, I thought you already–”
The next strange question came from Natsu over the phone after MSBY's match against EJP, which MSBY won, of course.
Shoyo had just finished cleaning himself up after a match that left his muscles feeling like they'd been run over by a truck, leaning against the wall outside his team's shower stall, when his phone rang, displaying the name "Natsuu~" on the screen.
"Hel–”
"Congratulations on your win. Okay, let's get to the point, explain why I need to know something as big and important as this from Mom and Dad? I thought I was your little sister, but am I not? Even Tsumu-nii didn't tell me! Seriously, you two. I can't believe–”
"Wait, wait, wait," Shoyo interrupted his little sister's incessant ramblings. His exhaustion suddenly became overwhelming. He swore that after the team's celebratory meal tonight, he would go straight home with Atsumu. Seriously, he needed his bed more than anything. “Slow down, Natsu, what are you talking about?”
A heavy sigh came from the other end of the phone, as if his little sister were facing the most idiotic person in the world. “Are you trying to play dumb? Okay, fine. You don’t have to tell me, but if Niichan comes crying to me later, panicking about the cake, or the decorations, or the invitations, I won’t help you. Just take care of everything yourself. Bye!”
Then the phone hung up. Shoyo hadn’t even processed what he’d heard, his brain too tired from the intense match. Could he be old now? But he’d only just turned 29, so he should still have at least 10 years left before retirement.
Shoyo decided to call his beloved little sister back tomorrow morning, when he’d feel more refreshed, when the door in front of him opened, revealing Atsumu, his hair still half-damp, a towel draped around his neck, his big body engulfed in MSBY large hoodie looked way too cozy, emerging from the shower stall.
Atsumu’s tired eyes found his, and a small smile formed on his lips. “Shoyo-kun.” He held out his arms, inviting Shoyo into his embrace. “Are you okay?”
Shoyo took his boyfriend's hand, positioning himself in Atsumu's embrace, as they slowly walked toward their locker room, preparing to head to the restaurant where today's victory celebration would be held. "Tired," Shoyo replied simply. "It's most tiring having to deal with Suna-san's blocks and Komori-san's receives. It reminds me of my time against Nekoma. And Natsu gives me a headache, too."
"Nacchan?" Atsumu's tone was confused, but his hands were locked tightly around Shoyo's waist, as if he knew his little lover was just one step away from passing out from exhaustion. "Why Nacchan?"
Shoyo shook his head. "Dunno. She called me angry. She said I didn't tell her. Tell her what, I don't even know. She kept rambling about cakes, decorations, and what nots."
Atsumu's grip on Shoyo's waist suddenly tightened, but maybe it was just Shoyo's imagination. His body was too tired.
Atsumu mumbled. "Hmm, okay, let's just eat well tonight. Then go home and rest. Tomorrow or in a few days, we'll call Nacchan. How about it?"
Shoyo could only nod, burying his face in Atsumu's strong shoulder. If he weren't so tired, maybe his brain could connect what his little sister had meant on the phone, coupled with Meian's strange question this morning, and Atsumu's strange behavior.
Unfortunately–and fortunately for Atsumu–Shoyo was too exhausted to function normally.
Shoyo didn't know who invented after-party in the first place, but if he met the person, he would push him over the edge.
Because, really, screw after-parties.
Who invented the idea that after a team had fought tooth and nail to win a match, their bodies broken, their muscles melting–they should party, drinking, and eating until midnight to celebrate their victory? Who thought this was a good idea? That melting muscles mixed with glasses of alcohol was a good idea–
"Shall we go home early?"
Shoyo's head, which felt like it weighed a ton, jerked as he heard Atsumu's murmur close to his ear. A voice he could tell who it belonged to, no matter where, no matter how tired or drunk he was. No matter how exhausted Shoyo was.
Yes, Shoyo felt like he was dying.
He needed a bed. Now.
“Hmmghhauh.”
Someone groaned and mumbled incoherently, Shoyo couldn’t tell who it was.
“Okay, let’s go. Do you want to walk on your own or should I carry you, Shoyo-kun?” Atsumu’s voice rang in his ears again.
“Hnnggmmmaa.”
“Okay,” Atsumu replied, and then to no one in particular, he yelled, “Hey, everyone, we’re going home first.”
His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, Shoyo heard protests from some of his teammates. Shouts like “Yah, that’s no fun!” or “What’s the point of going home early, no way,” or “Yehh, you newlyweds, you want to be alone.” But he also heard soft voices encouraging them to hurry home, like “Don’t forget to give Hinata some warm water, Miya,” or “Do you have taxi fare?”
Huh?
“Yehh, you newlyweds, you want to be alone.”
Wait. Just a moment. Who was the newlywed?
Shoyo's disorganized mind didn't have time to deduce the sentence he'd briefly heard before he felt his entire body float. Then, seconds later, before he could even gasp, Shoyo felt his body land on a solid, warm, wide surface. Comfortable.
Oh, Shoyo thought, it's Atsumu-san's back.
And just like that, his muscles relaxed. He rested his cheek comfortably in the crook of his beloved's shoulder. His breathing smoothed out, and whatever disgusting taste had been forcing its way up his stomach through his throat and mouth was tamed.
Unconsciously, he knew Atsumu was starting to walk him out of the izakaya. His steps were firm and swift, but they still made Shoyo feel like he was lying on a cloud… Until finally, Atsumu's footsteps stopped.
Just as Shoyo was about to groan–because come on, what are you waiting for, Atsumu-san, let's go home!–he heard a slightly familiar voice, speaking to his favorite setter.
"Hey, Blond Miya? Why is the main character of the party going home first?" His voice sounded similar to Kuroo's. No wonder, perhaps the JVA staff member had been invited to their celebration.
"Can you shut up, Tetsurou-kun? We're here after we won against EJP."
"But Bokuto said this party is to celebrate your engagement–"
Atsumu's voice, like a snake's hiss, rang out. Then there was silence, before his low voice dropped to a whisper. "...don't... propose... yet... tomorrow... keep it… secret..."
The faint sound of his voice left Shoyo only able to hear fragments of unrelated words. At least, that's what Shoyo thought. His head began to buzz, and he couldn't make out what his boyfriend's disjointed words meant.
Kuroo's voice was audible, but somehow Shoyo could make out more easily. "Crazy, can't wait for the volleyball world to be in an uproar tomorrow. If the official JVA account reposts the announcement tomorrow, that's fine, right?"
"Really, someone's relationship is being used for promotional purposes," Atsumu replied, this time in a normal voice. "Whatever. Besides, we don't know what will happen tomorrow."
"Good luck, Miya. I'm sure Chibi-chan will say yes."
“I don't need luck, Tetsurou-kun. I just need Shoyo-kun to want to spend the rest of his life with me, and that's enough."
Silence. Then came the sound of Kuroo fake vomiting, accompanied by a series of "blergh!"s, uttered in a tone like someone who had just drunk spoiled milk.
Hmm. Strange. Why was Shoyo who was so drunk and exhausted, but Kuroo was the one throwing up? Besides, hadn't he just arrived?
Shoyo didn't have time to ask further questions because his brain could only function one task per minute. And now, all his brain could pick up was the sound of Atsumu's beautiful laughter. Warm, like a blanket in the early morning.
Shoyo had a conspiracy theory.
He wasn't a particularly sharp-witted person, and yesterday his mind was too full of other things, but Shoyo wasn't stupid (Tsukishima would have tried to argue with that, but never mind his incredibly tall friend).
Yes, Shoyo wasn't stupid. He could tell–after he woke up from his deep sleep and his hangover-free head–that yesterday people had been oddly repeatedly bringing up engagement and marriage in front of him.
The conspiracy theories Shoyo could form in his little brain on this bright morning were: First, someone was getting married soon without his knowledge. Second, everyone was keeping the wedding a secret from him. And third, he was completely out of touch with the wedding gossip going on around him.
Essentially, these three conspiracy theories all meant the same thing, more or less, and Shoyo felt like someone whom his classmates didn't want to play with.
When he opened his eyes in the morning, the first thing he noticed was that Atsumu wasn't beside him. This only served to sour his already sour mood. Then, he noticed sounds coming from the kitchen of their apartment, and his mood returned to normal–the breakfast Atsumu made always had the ability to cheer him up. Then, as he tried to sit up, he realized Atsumu was already standing in the doorway, carrying a tray with a glass of water, a plate of onigiri and a bowl of miso soup.
Atsumu paused, looking surprised, before relaxing. A small smile graced his handsome face. "You don't look as bad as I thought."
"Shut up, Atsumu-san," Shoyo pouted, knowing his boyfriend was clearly teasing his disheveled appearance after last night's drunkenness. "And you look... look..."
It was only then that he realized Atsumu's appearance. His boyfriend was wearing a white shirt tucked into his black pants, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and his hair neat, as if he were about to go out.
Shoyo opened his mouth, the question on the tip of his tongue, before his gaze shifted elsewhere. More specifically, to his surroundings. Instantly, his mouth dropped open even wider, stunned by their room filled with flowers.
His eyes, which had previously felt blurry from a hangover, suddenly felt refreshed. His heart was pounding, and his throat felt as if it hadn't been flushed with any fluids in a year.
His mind was spinning faster than he could chase a volleyball spiked by an opponent. Fragments of the previous day's events flashed through his mind. The conversations of people asking him questions he couldn't answer rang in his ears. Atsumu's expressions and reactions every time someone asked a question that Shoyo had previously thought had nothing to do with him, flashed through his mind. And the conspiracy theory Shoyo had been thinking about just a few minutes ago…
Shoyo's breath hitched, and Atsumu laughed awkwardly. If what happened yesterday and what he saw today weren't enough proof, then what Atsumu did next was the strongest proof yet.
Atsumu, his boyfriend since the first year of high school, the first year they met at the national volleyball tournament, stepped towards him with a gentle smile and warm eyes, placed a tray of drinks and food for him on the bedside table, and knelt beside their bed, making his eyes level with Shoyo's who was sitting on the bed.
“Shoyo-kun…” he said, his voice trembling.
“I–I’m still in my pajamas,” he replied, equally nervous, equally confused.
Atsumu shook his head, laughing. But regained control. “Shoyo-kun still looks cute, though.”
“Why did it have to be when I just woke up?” Oh, God. He was being hysterical.
Atsumu’s handsome face grimaced. “I was afraid you’d see the news before hearing it from me.”
“Atsumu-san told the media before me?!”
“I told everyone before Shoyo-kun.”
His heart bloomed. This stupid boyfriend of his. Stupid. So stupid. Shoyo might've fallen in love deeper today. “I want a divorce,” he replied playfully, sniffling.
“So Shoyo-kun’s answer is ‘yes’?” Atsumu’s smile widened.
And Shoyo's frown deepened. But still, tears threatened to fall down his red cheeks. "Atsumu-san! Atsumu-san hasn't asked me yet!"
Through his tear-blurred vision, Shoyo saw his lover also wiping the corners of his eyes. Ah, really. Shoyo truly loved this man. Being the last to know he was getting married was annoying, but it felt like it was typical of Atsumu-san. Who else could be so incredibly confident as to tell everyone before proposing to the person in question?
Only Atsumu.
Shoyo's Atsumu.
Shoyo's one and only.
Who was now chuckling as he knelt beside him, digging into his black pants pocket, pulling out a black velvet box, taking a deep breath and exhaling heavily, before he looked up, his eyes watery, burning, as if he had everything in the world at his fingertips, then opened his mouth and…
"Hinata Shoyo, will you–"