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“Tobio, over here!”
If someone had told Kageyama Tobio back in high school that the annoying ball of energy that called himself his rival would one day be forcing him up a mountain in Brazil, he would have thought they were pulling his leg. If they had told him he was letting himself be dragged because he loved the chaotic redhead, well…honestly, he had no idea what he would have thought.
“Hurry up!”
“Stop shouting! I’m coming!” Kageyama called back.
Falling in love with Hinata had been sudden but inevitable. He had always been there, so eager, so full of vigor and hope and love for the game. A love Kageyama shared. The drive, the fervor, the need to play. And then one day in their second year, Kageyama had looked over to that force of nature and thought about how there was no one else he would rather be with for the rest of his life, on or off the court, than Hinata Shouyou.
So here he was, on a week-long trip to Brazil, trekking Morro Dois Irmãos with major jetlag and an injured knee he was keeping quiet, because Hinata couldn’t wait to take him. But first, there was breakfast.
They sat side by side on a rock, Hinata cradling a box on his lap with that bright grin on his face. “I got us some pao de queijo! They’re amazing!”
The small, round buns looked pale and meager, but with one bite, Kageyama was entranced. Warm and slightly crunchy on the outside, they were airy and cheesy within. It was perfect, and addicting. “Wow, these are actually good.”
Hinata’s smile grew. “Aren’t they? I get them from the old lady downstairs. She always throws in a little extra for me because I help her with the bags of flour she gets.”
It didn’t surprise Kageyama at all that Hinata had befriended the locals already. “You should be careful. If you get hurt lifting…”
He groaned. “Yeah, yeah, I know! Coach is always on my case about it. But it’s good training too! Good for leg strength!”
Kageyama would never admit to it, but he had been eyeing Hinata’s legs since he had picked him up yesterday. He’d definitely gotten stronger, all that playing in the sand. Beach volleyball was an entirely different game, and from what Kageyama had seen of his matches, Hinata was taking to it quickly.
There was a part of him that wished the redhead would have stayed in Japan, even if they were playing for different teams. Then they’d been in the same country, he could see how his boyfriend was growing and changing up close rather than through a screen. But it was just like Hinata to forge his own path, to aim higher and higher.
Would he too far to reach someday?
“Anyways, aren’t they good?” Hinata asked, breaking his thoughts.
“Yeah,” he said. “Real good.”
It was definitely not advisable to climb a mountain on no sleep and a bad leg. He was full of determination and those delicious cheese buns, and that would see him through. That and he didn’t want to disappoint Hinata.
The trail was well maintained, and not too treacherous. As they walked through the trees, Hinata pointed out flowers and words he was learning in Portuguese, talked about all the people he had met and worked with. And it dawned on Kageyama then.
“You’re really happy here,” he said.
Hinata turned around and beamed. “It’s great, isn’t it? It’s so different from home!”
Home, where their friends and family was. Where Kageyama’s future was. Where Kageyama was.
“Yeah, it really is,” is what he said instead.
“I can’t wait to show you the market later! There’s so many delicious fruits, and then I can show you where we practice!”
“Are you going to show me so I can set for you?”
“No…” And yet but the soft lilt in his voice told Kageyama that they would indeed be setting later this afternoon.
“You brought me all the way from Japan just so I would set for you again?” It was meant to be a teasing remark, but as usual with him, it came out too blunt. He was getting better at hearing it. Or maybe he just cared more about his tone when it came to Hinata.
The redhead turned to look at him. The early morning sun peaked through the dense foliage and it illuminated the golden tan of Hinata’s skin. But Kageyama’s gaze was locked in squarely on his face. Hinata didn’t look angry, or disappointed. In fact, his expression was blank, as if trying to process what he’d just heard.
“It’s just a…” Kageyama started but Hinata cut him off.
“You don’t want to set for me anymore?”
That certainly wasn’t the response he was expecting. He took a deep breath, shoulders relaxing. “Of course I’ll still set for you.”
Hinata gave a sly smile at that, an expression he was well acquainted with. “Good, I’m glad to hear it, Bakayama.”
It had been a minute since he heard Hinata say that name. “Yeah I can’t set for you if we’re stuck on this mountain, so we better get wherever it is we’re going.”
The redhead perked up at that. “Oh yeah! We’re almost there!” And with that, he took off down the trail at full speed. Damn if he hadn’t gotten even faster than before.
“Wait up, moron!” Kageyama called behind him.
It didn’t take too long to catch up, bad knee and all. At first, Kageyama saw the trail disappear through a thicket of some kind, but after pushing through, he saw Hinata sitting on the edge of the rock face.
Part of him wanted to warn his boyfriend not to fall but that thought quickly disappeared when he took in the full view. All of Rio laid out before them, a sprawling metropolis of buildings and cars and life. And then, there was the ocean, massive and so very blue. It took his breath away, much like Hinata did.
Seeming to sense Kageyama’s presence, Hinata turned around. “It’s so cool, isn’t it? The first time I came up here, I knew I had to bring you.”
The setter nodded numbly, moving to sit down next to him. “It’s…it’s amazing.”
Hinata leaned in, resting his head on Kageyama’s shoulder. “I’m really glad you came.”
He reached down and took Hinata’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. It was then he knew, really knew, that no matter where life took Hinata, there would always be a place for him. And that was all he could ask for. That alone made the whole trip worth it.
Well, that, and making out on a mountain top with the hottest volleyball player in Brazil.