Chapter Text
“I’m bi.” That’s what Nishinoya Yu heard and without thinking laughed a little. “Aren’t we all?” He blurts out before thinking it through. Luckily several others do the same. A team full of queers, it’s not entirely surprising but what does surprise him is an affirmative from a deep voice he’d recognize anywhere. Azumane Asahi. His friend. His…the TEAMS ace. Among the chorus of voices all declaring their queerness or lack thereof he hears Yamaguchi Tadashi shout again. “I’m dating Terushima from Jozenji!” He hears what his younger teammate said but it doesn’t register in his brain. All he can do is stare at Asahi, who, like himself, is also bi? That’s unbelievable. This is either a huge stroke of good luck or the scariest thing Nishinoya has ever had happen to him. Judging by the way Asahi is staring back at him he guesses it’s both. The two of them don’t break eye contact the entire time Yamaguchi is being interrogated by the team, well by Tanaka Ryu and Hinata Shoyo. They’re only brought back to reality by the sounds of lockers slamming, and Sawamura Daichi using his captain's voice to tell everyone to rest up for practice because they’re playing against Jozenji next week.
Noya clears his throat and collects his things, leaving the club room with Tanaka who is rambling animatedly about Yamaguchi and his…boyfriend? Wait Nishinoya missed something obviously. “Whose his boyfriend???” He asks, confused and Tanaka looks completely shocked. “Are you serious? Were you not listening at all in the club room? Yamaguchi said he was Bi..” Noya nods his head. “Yeah and then I said me too and a few others did too.” Tanaka stops in his tracks and looks at his best friend like he grew a 2nd head. “Yeah and then Yamaguchi said he’s dating TERUSHIMA?! Ya know the captain of Jozenji who HARASSED our queen Shimizu last year?!” Nishinoya stands awestruck on the walkway. How the hell did he miss all that?! “Oh shit Bro. When did that happen?” Tanaka stands in front of him, mouth hanging open in shock. “Dude you know I love you man but you gotta figure your feelings out. You were so busy staring at Asahi; you didn’t even hear the biggest news that’s happened to this team in months.” Nishinoya scoffs and turns to continue walking home. “Whatever dude. He must not be that bad if Yamaguchi likes him and if he is Tsukishima will handle it. Also I was NOT staring at Asahi.” Tanaka huffs a laugh and jogs up to walk next to him. “You’re right you were staring at each other. Actually you were practically eye fucking eachother in front of the whole team.” Nishinoya rolls his eyes and they continue their walk home, the conversation shifting back to volleyball.
“So what the hell was that back there?” Sugawara Koshi asks as he walks home with Asahi and Daichi. Daichi is the first to speak, confused by the question. “I know right? I can’t believe Yamaguchi is dating Terushima! I always thought he was dating Tsuki.” Suga rolls his eyes. “Not that! I mean the VERY intense staring contest a certain Ace was having with our libero.” Asahi turns bright red at the mention of the younger teammate, not looking in the direction of his friends. He decides staying silent is the safest option but unfortunately for him Suga is not easily dissuaded. “Asahi, you should just tell him how you feel. It’s obvious to literally everyone but Noya” Daichi raises an eyebrow. “Wait what are you talking about? What’s obvious to everyone?” Suga covers his face with his hand and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Okay then everyone but Noya AND Daichi!” He corrects and Asahi isn’t sure what to say. If he plays dumb Suga will see right through him but the idea of admitting his feelings out loud makes him wanna throw up so he opts again for silence. “WAIT seriously?! What are we talking about?!” Daichi asks again and Suga sighs. “Daichi, seriously it’s a good thing you’re so handsome. I’m talking about the very intense sexual tension between Asahi and Noya.” Daichi’s jaw drops and he looks toward their Ace.
“You fucked Noya?!” He nearly yells and Asahi can no longer ignore the conversation. He covers his friends mouth with his hands and pleads. “JESUS SHUT UP OH MY GOD! No, nothing is going on between me and Noya! He would never be interested in a big scaredy cat like me!! Can we please stop talking about it!” Asahi whisper yells at his friend and Captain. Right as he realizes what he’s done he feels a gentle hand on his shoulder. Suga looks at him with gentle eyes and smiles. “Asahi what are you talking about? You’re like Noya’s favorite person!” Asahi rolls his eyes and drops his hand from Daichi’s mouth. “Can we please just drop this? Noya is so much more amazing than I am. I’m only the Ace in name, I wouldn’t be without him.” Daichi isn’t as volleyball focused as Hinata and Kageyama but he is a good captain and knows a thing or 2 about the game. “You’re the Ace because you deserve it because you’re always ready to kill it. Noya is the libero because he’s reliable and good at saving our ass. You guys together are what bring each other up. I don’t know how he feels about you personally but on the court you two complete eachother.” Daichi says it like it’s a fact and not something that’s going to keep Asahi up tonight wondering how Noya feels.
The next week at practice is…a lot. Nishinoya realizes just how much time he spends looking at Asahi both at his technique but also…at his ass and thighs. Fuck he has AMAZING thighs. Noya groans and tries to focus on practice. He receives just as well as he always does and tries to focus completely on the game; practice is nearly over when Asahi lifts his shirt to wipe away sweat from his forehead, showing his toned stomach and a dark trail of hair disappearing into his shorts between his hip dips. Nishinoya forgets everything, how to blink, how to breathe. He especially forgets about the ball which promptly hits him square in the middle of his forehead sending him flying across the gym floor. “FUCK!” His yells holding his head while laying on the ground. “Oh shit! Sorry bro!” Tanaka tells from the other side of the net and Suga runs to Noya’s side as Shimizu comes up with an ice pack for his head. “Damn kid what the hell had you so distracted?” Coach Ukai asks and Suga stifles a laugh. Noya holds the ice pack to his head a sighs. “Sorry coach, it won't happen again.” Suga mumbles something under his breath and Noya shoots him a glare which does nothing to deter Suga’s mischievous grin. “Asahi, why don’t you take Noya to the nurse?” Suga suggests and both boys flush bright red. “Uh…yeah sure. Can you walk?” He asks Noya as he approaches them.
Unfortunately for Nishinoya Yu, Asahi is still wiping sweat from his face and neck with his shirt exposing his hips and lower belly. “Noya? Are you okay? Should I carry you?” Noya knows he won’t survive that and jumps to his feet. “NO! I- I mean thanks but I can walk.” The entire gym goes silent at his outburst even Hinata and Kageyama stop bickering to stare at him. He looks around the gym and everyone looks confused; everyone except Tsuki, who gives him a small knowing smile. Suga is still sitting on the ground with a shit eating grin and Noya turns toward the door. “I’m going to the nurse.” He says quietly and Asahi trails after him. Nishinoya normally loves spending time with Asahi but right now his closeness feels like a curse. His mind keeps replaying the scene back in the gym; the abs, the happy trail, the ass, THE THIGHS! FUCK! Noya wants to bite those thighs. He groans in frustration. “Noya, are you okay?” Asahi asks, looking worried and Noya feels guilty. He needs to push his feelings aside for the sake of the team AND his friendship with Asahi. “Of course ACE! I’m great! Just a bump.” He doesn’t even sound convincing to himself and hopes Asahi doesn’t notice.
After the nurse they return to practice, Nishinoya is able to tear his eyes away from the walking Adonis that is Azumane Asahi long enough to get through the rest of the day until they can head out of the club room. Nishinoya does NOT want to talk about what happened earlier and makes an excuse to walk home alone and be the last to leave or so he thinks. He walks out of the club room and turns to lock the door behind him. “It’s hard isn’t it? Admitting you like someone that’s close to you.” He turns and Tsuki is standing by the door. Noya doesn’t say anything, just puts the key into his pocket and turns to face his younger teammate. “10 years. That’s how long I've hid my feelings because I thought him knowing would be the worst thing that could happen. That nobody would understand but I recently found out that taking a chance isn’t nearly as awful as losing the person who I could see myself with forever.” Noya raises an eyebrow. “He doesn’t know?” Tsuki sighs and squeezes his eyes shut. “I thought he wouldn’t understand, that I’d lose him as a friend but now watching him with someone else is like my own personal hell.” Nishinoya thinks he knows where Tsuki is going but doesn’t want to admit it so he stays silent. “If you stay quiet, eventually somebody will see everything you see and you’ll have to pretend to be happy for them even if it makes you feel like you’re dying…because that’s what friends do even if it hurts.” With that Tsuki turns and heads for the stairs where Yamaguchi is waiting to walk home together. “What did you forget?” He hears the shorter boy ask his best friend and they disappear around the corner.
That night Nishinoya lays awake in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about everything that happened. Tsuki’s words playing on repeat in his head. “You’ll have to pretend to be happy for them even if it makes you feel like you’re dying because that’s what friends do.” Fuck he doesn’t want to be friends with Asahi; well he does but he also wants to be more. Telling him that could mean they end up as nothing, less than friends but what’s he going to do in the future if Asahi gets a partner like Yamaguchi? He can’t imagine the pain Tsuki must be feeling, the regret. The next few days all he can think about is his conversation with Tsukishima. He wants to tell Asahi but what if it goes badly? What if he doesn’t feel the same way? At the game against Jozenji that weekend he pushes it aside and plays his best. They all do, taking home the win. On his way out of the locker room he sees Yamaguchi leaning against the wall of the opposite teams changing room and Terushima comes out smiling huge despite the loss. Yamaguchi reaches toward him and kisses him right there in the gym before they start walking out, fingers intertwined. Next to him he hears someone take a deep shaky breath in. “Don’t mess up like I did Noya. This really sucks.” Tsukishima says heading out of the gym on his own.
He stands on the gym floor for longer than is probably necessary taking it all in. Yachi and Shimizu pull Hinata and Tanaka away from Yamaguchi and Terushima, who is shouting an apology. Tsukishima looks longingly at his best friend, who is intertwining his fingers with another, kissing him like he needs it to survive. He knows what he has to do, he just isn’t sure he has the balls to do it. “Noya? Are you alright? What are you still doing here?” Suga appears behind him and he can’t hold it in anymore he needs to let it out. He starts to cry and before he can get any words out the vice captain is pulling him into a storage closet. He lets it all out; his feelings for Asahi, his fear of losing him, even what Tsuki said about missing his chance. “What do I do Suga?! I can’t imagine feeling worse than this but Tsuki said seeing them with someone else is like dying!” Suga stands in front of Nishinoya, eyes wide like he wasn’t expecting such honesty from him. “Holy shit Noya. That's a lot. If I’m being honest I think you should tell him. Asahi isn’t the type of person to stop being your friend because of something like that and if he doesn’t feel the same way, which I doubt, you’ll have an answer.” He pulls Nishinoya into a hug and the other calms down a little. Right as they pull apart, Asahi comes into the closet to put away a loose ball and stops dead in his tracks seeing one of his best friends embracing his crush in the dark room.
“Oh! Uh..sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Asahi sputters out as he turns and walks quickly out of the gym. What the hell?! How could Suga do this to him? He didn’t even think Suga liked guys?! And Nishinoya?! Why him out of everybody!?! His mind races as he runs away from the gym. “Asahi!!! Asahi wait!!” Someone yells behind him and he runs faster. He can’t let them see him cry like this. The steps behind him get faster, louder and then somebody grabs his wrist. “Wait! It isn’t what you think!” He turns and is met by the prettiest brown eyes he’s ever seen, the same ones featured in almost every dream he’s had for the last 2 years except right now they’re full of tears. “Noya? Why are you crying?!” Asahi asks through his own tears. “It wasn’t what you thought! I was just asking Suga for advice and he hugged me because I started crying. There’s nothing-“ Asahi puts up his hand and takes a step back pulling his other hand away from the smaller boy. “You don’t have to explain anything to me Noya. If you and Suga-“ He’s quickly cut off. “NO!! There’s no me and Suga! Asahi, I like you!” Noya’s eyes get wide like he’s surprised by his own confession. His mouth hangs open but no words come out, like he’s afraid to breathe.
“You….me?” Asahi whispers his eyes wide as well, still brimming with tears. He can’t believe his ears, Nishinoya Yu..likes…him?? “Yes. I’m sorry if that creeps you out or makes you uncomfortable but I can’t keep it a secret anymore.” Noya stares at the ground; both wishing Asahi would say SOMETHING but also fearing what that might be. “Are you sure?” Asahi asks, looking away and Nishinoya looks up quickly. “What do you mean?” Asahi takes a deep breath and looks Noya in the eyes. “Are you sure you like me? I mean you’re.. YOU!! Literally! You’re Nishinoya Yu!! The best libero in the conference, maybe in the division! You’re strong, funny and kind! You’re handsome and you make people feel relaxed. I’m just the guy who other schools gossip about. I’m big and awkward and scared of everything. I’m nothing compared to you.” Noya can’t believe his ears. He never knew Asahi thought so highly of him. He starts to laugh, the tears spilling from his eyes as he doubles over in pain. “Asahi. You have to be kidding me? You’re the sweetest, most gentle person I have ever met. I literally took a ball to the face during practice because I was distracted by how fucking hot you are and you think IM the one whose too good for YOU?! Nobody on earth could compare to you!”
Both boys are standing in the middle of the sidewalk silently. The weight of their confessions hangs between them. “So…what now?” Asahi asks nervously. Nishinoya hasn’t thought that far ahead. “Uhm well…to be honest I don’t know.. Somebody told me that the person you like being with someone else feels like dying and I don’t want that.” Asahi shifts nervously between his feet, not looking at Noya for more than a few seconds. “So do you…want to go out…with....me?” He asks quietly and Noya’s jaw drops. “Yes! I- I mean yes if you’d like to go out with me?” Asahi finally meets his eyes and Noya can see the seriousness behind them. “I’d like that a lot actually.” Nishinoya smiles bigger and brighter than he has in months. “I guess that makes you my boyfriend?” He says, still smiling and Asahi does the same; letting out a small laugh. “That’s insane. I can’t believe I actually get to be with you.” Noya jumps into Asahi's arms clinging to him like a monkey while giving him the biggest hug he can manage. “Well believe it because YOU are MY boyfriend Asahi!” Asahi smiles and returns the hug burying his face in Noya’s shoulder. “My boyfriend” he whispers before setting Noya back on the ground.
The next few days are nothing out of the ordinary or special; they go to practice like always, eat lunch together a little more often, text the same amount but the messages have a few more emojis than before. It’s nice. It’s basically the same but they both smile more and everyone has noticed. After the grand confessions of sexuality in the club room you’d think they’d announce their relationship to the boys right away but right now only Daichi, Suga, Tanaka and Tsuki know. All four seem happy for them and relieved that the tension has finally been cut. They don’t show any PDA at school, at least no more than before. Regardless, Coach Ukai has picked up on something. Although he’s about as volleyball focused as Hinata and Kageyama despite what he says and only notes that the two are more in sync than before. After practice Nishinoya catches Tsukishima walking home alone. This is unusual for him usually after practice he and Yamaguchi are connected at the hip but the look in his eyes tells Noya everything he needs to know. Yamaguchi, Tsuki’s best friend and secret crush, is with Terushima, his boyfriend.
The younger boy turns to him and gives him a weak smile. “Congrats ya know? For having the balls I didn’t. I’m glad you’re together.” Nishinoya isn’t sure how to answer. He wants to thank Tsuki for telling him his story so he wouldn’t make the same mistake but he doesn’t want the other to feel like he’s gloating. “Thanks Tsuki. I’m glad I did it but we haven’t actually done any “couple” stuff yet..” Tsuki nods but says nothing, as they approach the school gates they see someone standing there waiting. It’s Asahi, who smiles wider than Tsuki thought possible until he saw the smile on Nishinoya’s face. “Senpai.” Tsuki greets Asahi who smiles at him as well. “I’ll leave you two alone then.” Tsuki says and starts to walk away. “THANKS AGAIN!! Really Tsuki. Thank you.” Noya yells after him and the younger boy smiles sadly before continuing his walk home.
“What was all that about?” Asahi asks his boyfriend and Noya realizes he doesn’t know about his conversation with Tsuki before he confessed. “He just helped me realize that telling you how I felt was better than you not knowing.” Asahi looks over where the younger is crossing the street and smiles softly. “Then I guess I should thank him too. Now, are you ready to go?” Nishinoya looks confused, he doesn’t believe he made plans with him today. “I figured since it’s Friday we could go on our first official date today? Unless you have plans?” Asahi looks nervous and Nishinoya jumps into his arms, his legs wrapping around Asahi’s waist. “Of course not!! Let’s have a date, Asahi!! Where are we going?!” Nishinoya leans back to see Asahi’s face only to realize just how close the two are. Asahi’s face is bright red and his mouth is hanging open like he lost the ability to speak. Nishinoya isn’t much better, realizing now that he can feel Asahi’s breath on his face and smell his shampoo. He smells floral but still musky from practice. The perfect mixture of gentle and rough just like Asahi himself.
Someone clears their throat behind them. “Jesus. Either kiss or close your mouth.” Kinoshita laughs behind them and Narita elbows him in the ribs. “Ouch! It was just a joke!…kinda.” Narita pushes him away, smiling shyly at his teammates. “Sorry about him, I'll take him away now. Carry on.” While embarrassing it did snap the two other boys out of their trance and they laugh; Asahi putting Nishinoya back into the ground. “Are you ready to go? I figured we could grab a snack at Sakanoshita before we get on the train.” Nishinoya lights up. “We’re taking the train?! Wow you must have really thought ahead!” The two of them head to the shop and get there just as Coach Ukai shows up to help his mom in the store. “Jesus I can’t get away from you guys even for a minute can I?” He jokes as Nishinoya and Asahi shop for snacks before they can even respond to him the first years all trail in for the same reason. Kageyama and Hinata picking up tea and bags of chips. “HEY! Dynamic Duo! What did I tell you about post practice snacks!! Eat a banana!” Ukai shouts after the younger kids leaving Asahi and Noya to search for train snacks.
They head for the station with snacks in hand when Nishinoya realizes again that he has no idea where they’re going or how long they’ll be so he calls his grandpa while they wait for the train. While standing there Asahi sees Yamaguchi standing with a duffelbag leaning against Teru. “Asahi! Where are you off to? We don’t normally see you on the train?” Yamaguchi asks curiously and Asahi can’t help but wonder how Tsukishima handles his best friend being away for the whole weekend. Do the three of them ever hang out together? That might be awkward but he doesn’t think Tsuki has many other friends. “That old man I swear you’d think I was abandoning him! I told him I’d be back tonight!” Nishinoya laughs as he runs up to join Asahi. Yamaguchi raises an eyebrow and laughs a little. “Ohhh. I see. Well have fun you guys.” He waves a little and heads back toward his boyfriend. Asahi turns beat red and looks toward the direction of the approaching train. “What was that about?” Nishinoya asks and looks toward where Yamaguchi and Terushima are standing. “I really do feel bad for Tsuki but Yamaguchi does seem really happy with Terushima. I can see why he isn’t saying anything.” Nishinoya watches them a little sadly and Asahi’s eyes snap back to focus on his boyfriend. “THAT'S WHAT YOU MEANT?!” He yells then quieter as they get on the train “Tsuki likes Yamaguchi but never told him?!” Nishinoya nods a little confused, assuming Asahi had known what he meant when he said the younger one had helped him. “Poor Tsuki..”
They pull into Sendai City and all four boys get off the train exchanging brief goodbyes before Yamaguchi and Teru head in the direction of the elders apartment and Asahi leads Nishinoya to the first stop on their date. “A gaming cafe? I didn’t know you liked online games?” Nishinoya asks Asahi and the taller boy blushes again. “I don’t mind them but I know you’ve been wanting to play that new strategy game and we don’t have anything like this in Miyagi. I thought maybe we could be a team?” Nishinoya’s ears turn bright red and he smiles. “You know you’re always my first pick for my team Asahi.” He says uncharacteristically quietly. They go into the cafe and Asahi pays extra for the only private booth with two set ups so they can be alone while they play and Noya smiles, shaking his head. Asahi always thinks of everything. They play and when the time is up they go get Asahi’s favorite food. Nishinoya smiles watching Asahi do a little happy dance while eating; the date is a perfect combination of both of them. Things they both enjoy but nothing anyone dislikes altogether. Watching Asahi smile down at the fish from the bridge has Nishinoya thinking. He WOULD do things he dislikes if that meant seeing Asahi happy. They head back to the train to go home and Nishinoya falls asleep on the ride, his head falling onto Asahi’s arm.
The walk home is quiet but not awkward, both boys watching the stars and shooting each other a quick smile occasionally. Nishinoya’s house where he lives with his grandfather comes into view as they walk and suddenly Asahi is hit with the very intense realization that Nishinoya lives with an old school man. How would he react to his grandson dating another boy? He keeps his worries silent not wanting to ruin the mood they have going between them and as they approach the front gate Asahi stops to hold it open for Noya who smiles before walking through. “Thanks again Asahi! You’re such a gentleman.” He says with a slight teasing edge to his voice. “Always for you.” Asahi whispers under his breath without looking at his boyfriend. When he finally turns to look at the shorter boy, he’s standing extremely close to him. “Just me Asahi?” He says just as quietly with a smirk that makes the other's heart fall into his stomach. “Yes. Just you, Noya. Anything for you.” Before he can catch his breath Nishinoya jumps up to sit on the garden wall and pulls Asahi close by the collar of his shirt, smashing their lips together.
He holds Asahi close and pecks his lips softly, feeling Asahi’s breath against his mouth. He wants more but Asahi is a delicate soul and Nishinoya intends to show him just how gentle he can be. He kisses Asahi a little harder and moves his hands to cradle the others cheeks in his hands. Asahi mirrors his actions bringing his large hand up to cradle Noya’s jaw while his other comes up to his hip to hold him steady on the brick garden wall. Just as the kiss gets more intense Asahi pulls away resting his forehead against Noya’s. “Yū..Thank you for going out with me today. “ Nishinoya pouts a little at the break in their kiss but can’t help but smile at his given name. He hops down off the garden wall and hugs Asahi goodbye; turning to walk into his house when he sees the curtain upstairs in his grandpa's room swaying slightly.