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…somebody even better will come and find you
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Published:
2024-08-29
Completed:
2025-04-01
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83,730
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11/11
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The Subtle Art of Getting Caught

Chapter 2: The Distance Makes It Funnier (Part 1)

Summary:

“Are you looking forward to anything while being in Rio? Any games you’d like to watch?”
Kageyama’s brain is still stuck on Hinata—his bright smile, that ridiculous laugh, the way he talks a mile a minute. He blurts out, “Yes, I’m looking forward to playing beach volleyball with Hi—”

Or, Hinata is now in Brazil and Kageyama is navigating his way through missing him and playing volleyball. A lot of deep talks and shenanigans!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Kageyama Tobio’s phone pings for the umpteenth time, left isolated in his locker. Kageyama is nowhere near it, focused on practice, and most likely won’t hear his phone’s cries for many hours yet.

 

Shou ☀️ :

Morning yamayama!

Omw to airport

I made it here on time!!!

I got my boarding pass too 🥳
(attached image of Hinata grinning with his boarding pass)

Going through security now, the queue is so longggggg

What should I do?
So much time to kill
Breakfast! Gonna go find some food!!

Reached my gate, boarding starts in 10 mins

I boarded my flight Tobio 🧡

There’s a little girl next to me. She's just like Natsu.
Her mom is chatty too—they’re heading to London to see family.

The flight's taking off. Bye, Tobio!
See you soon, love you lots 🧡🧡

 

By the time Kageyama finally gets a break from practice, it's lunch. He rushes to his locker, his mind swirling with unspoken thoughts. He grabs his phone and scrolls through the accumulated texts. He smiles at Hinata’s enthusiastic updates.

He quickly types a reply, knowing he won’t get an answer for hours.

 

Tobio 🏐:
Have a safe flight, shou!
See you soon and love you too <3

 

Kageyama locks his phone and leans back against the locker, feeling the weight of Hinata's absence. He had wanted to be there at the airport, to see him off. He wanted to hold on to him just a little longer. Ever since their last goodbye, it’s felt like Shouyou took a piece of him along.

 

Since graduation, life had changed—mostly for the better, but the distance was gnawing at him. It was like the literal sun had gone missing from his sky. Hinata was leaving for Brazil, and they’d barely been able to meet, just a few short times he could count on his fingers. Kageyama really needed his sun back in his sky.

 

The last time they were together, just a couple of weeks ago, Kageyama had managed to take a weekend off to visit Hinata back in Miyagi. He had news to share—with Hinata and both their families.

 

That night, after a lively family dinner at the Hinata household, Kageyama found a quiet moment to pull Hinata aside, away from the playful chaos. The room had finally settled after hours of laughter and conversation; the family’s attention was elsewhere, giving Kageyama the chance he’d been waiting for.

 

But before they could get too far, Natsu burst in, dragging Kageyama back into the joyful pandemonium of the Hinata family. He was welcomed with open arms as always. Their relationship wasn’t openly discussed, but the bond between him and Hinata was evident to everyone in the room, accepted without question or need for explanation.

 

Later, when things finally calmed again, Kageyama seized his opportunity. “Shou, I have something to show. Close your eyes,” Kageyama said.

 

Hinata, always quick to trust, shut his eyes with a grin. Kageyama fumbled through his bag, rustling clothes until he pulled out his surprise.

 

"Okay, open them."

 

Hinata's breath caught in his throat. In front of him stood Kageyama, proudly wearing a bright red jersey with Japan's flag emblazoned across the chest.

 

Hinata’s eyes widened, his mouth moving a thousand miles a minute, a stream of half-formed words and excitement tumbling out. “Is this—? When did—? Oh my god, Tobio!” He darted around Kageyama, taking in the name and the number 20 printed stark white on the back.

 

He’d known Kageyama had made the National Team, and knew he was going to Rio. But seeing it like this, in person—it was different. It was real.

 

Kageyama fidgeted, the nerves that had been simmering under the surface suddenly boiling over. "Dumbass," he barked, "gonna say anything?"

 

That snapped Hinata out of it. Tears of joy brimmed in his eyes, and he grinned up at Kageyama. “I’m so happy for you, Tobio. Congratulations!” He leapt forward, tackling Kageyama into a hug.

 

For a moment, Kageyama felt the familiar warmth, the comforting light of his sun that he had missed so much. His own unshed tears threatened to spill over, but he held them back, letting himself just feel this moment. When Hinata pulled back to look up at him, eyes filled with a hundred different emotions, Kageyama heard himself say, “Hurry up, it’s lonely without you.”

 

Hinata softened. He knew how hard this had been for Kageyama, the shift to the professional world. There had been a call, not too long ago, where Kageyama finally opened up. He loved playing with the best, loved the challenge, but it wasn’t easy. The pressure, the constant need to adapt and excel, was taking its toll.

 

Hinata smiled gently. “Wait for me. Two years.”

 

There’s a vulnerable and uncertain tone in his voice. Tobio recognises it in the same way Shouyou has done it for him before. Without a second thought, he cupped Hinata’s face, pressing a soft kiss to each closed eyelid, whispering, “I can’t wait to share this same moment with you. Though you’ll probably look like an over-ripe tangerine in a red jersey.”

 

Hinata’s laughter rang out, bright and full, and the embers of doubt rekindled into a blaze.

 

They exchanged gifts—small tokens of affection. Hinata beamed as he pulled out a bright sun-shaped phone charm, attaching it to Kageyama’s phone. "Now you'll always have the sun with you," he said, his smile wide and genuine.

 

Kageyama rolled his eyes, but there was a softness in them. "Idiot," he muttered, digging into his bag. "Here." He handed Hinata a phone case shaped like a milk carton. “To remind you of me.”

 

Hinata laughed, delighted. "It’s perfect, dorky like you!"

 

Later that night, as they sat on Hinata’s bed, still buzzing with excitement, Hinata nudged him. “Hey, can I borrow a couple of your hoodies?”

 

Kageyama scoffed. “Why? You don’t have enough of your own?”

 

“Yours smell better,” Hinata teased with a grin. “And warmer. Like you.”

 

Kageyama's ears reddened. “Fine,” he grumbled. “But I’m taking some of yours too. Fair’s fair.”

 

Hinata agreed readily, and they swapped hoodies, laughing and bickering over which ones to take. It felt silly, but to them, it was perfect.

 

They held each other close, talking long into the night about everything and nothing.

 

The next morning, Kageyama and Hinata’s mom were quietly making breakfast while Shouyou took a shower after their morning run. She turned to Kageyama, her voice soft. “Thank you for being with Shouyou.” He nodded, a rare, genuine smile on his lips.

 

~

 

It’s been a month since Hinata’s departure. Training has been gruelling, as always, but somehow, managing a long-distance relationship with Hinata is going surprisingly well. They’ve stuck to their 'Boyfriends 101' guide—FaceTime calls, daily check-ins, and shared meals over video when they can, even if breakfast for one means dinner for the other.

 

They've added a few new rules: weekly “language exchange” sessions where Hinata teaches Kageyama random phrases (Hinata now knows how to ask for milk in Portuguese) and a bizarre challenge called “Operation Silent Treatment” where they try to communicate without words during a video call until one of them cracks.

 

Despite the initial blues, they're navigating it well. The time zones and distance feel like obstacles, but their routines give them some semblance of normalcy. Hinata’s bright chatter is a regular part of Kageyama's day, keeping his spirit alight—even if it's through videos of Hinata attempting to catch and hug a seagull on the beach because “it looked lonely.”

 

But right now, Kageyama Tobio's biggest challenge isn’t training or even his new team. It's figuring out Hinata’s latest Instagram story. Allow him to explain.

 

Hinata has always been active on social media. His profile is an ever-rolling feed of beach volleyball clips, random snapshots, and the occasional food photo with questionable filters. Usually, it’s all harmless enough—if you ignore the fact that Hinata's new haircut makes him look like a sunburnt hermit crab flopping through the sand.

 

But today’s story? Today’s story is different. Today, Hinata has posted… a picture of a half-eaten churro. With no caption.

 

Kageyama stares at the churro for a solid ten minutes, his face scrunched in concentration. What does it mean? Is this some kind of code? Is it a challenge? Is it… a clue? The longer he looks at it, the more he feels like he’s being mocked by fried dough.

 

He could just ask Hinata, but he’s convinced that’s exactly what Hinata wants—no, expects him to do. And Kageyama is not about to give him the satisfaction.

 

He decides to consult his teammates. After practice, he corners Ushijima and Hoshiumi in the locker room.

 

“Look at this,” Kageyama demands, holding up his phone.

 

Ushijima stares. “It’s… a churro?”

 

Kageyama huffs. “Yes, what do you think this means?”

 

Hoshiumi glances over, frowning. “Is this from Shouyou?”

 

Kageyama nods, and suddenly, understanding dawns on both of their faces.

 

Ushijima nods sagely. “Maybe it’s a metaphor. For… happiness?”

 

Kageyama’s eye twitches. “No, it’s a challenge. I think he wants me to figure it out. It must be some kind of clue.”

 

Hoshiumi smirks. “Or he’s just messing with you. I bet he’s laughing right now.”

 

Kageyama grumbles. They’re probably right, but he doesn’t want to admit it. Instead, he responds to Hinata’s story with a quick message.

 

Tobio🏐:
Why are you eating churros without me?
That’s rude

 

Hinata’s reply comes quickly:

Shou ☀️:
Finally, you figured it out 😂
I thought it would take longer! Remember Osaka? The churro stand!

 

Kageyama sighs. Of course, it’s about that time in Osaka, where Hinata challenged him to a churro-eating contest and won. He shakes his head, smiling despite the loss.

 

This was the beginning of the Instagram story challenge. Now, anytime they find something they want to show the other, they post it as a cryptic story. The competition is on.

 

Next, Kageyama posted a photo of a volleyball spinning perfectly on his fingertip with the caption: Still got it. You?

Hinata quickly responded with a video of himself managing the same move… for about three seconds, before the ball flew off-screen, followed by a burst of his laughter. Caption: Always got it… sort of.

 

Another time, Hinata had posted a picture of a volleyball stuck high in a tree with the caption: Guess who did this?

Kageyama had snorted and replied: Only you would manage to hit a tree when aiming for the net, dumbass.

 

Adulting is Chaos🍄☀️🏐🌈🫧

 

Tsukishima🫧:
I can see the chaos unfolding in the future already

 

Yamaguchi🌈:
Is this about the stories?

 

Yachi 🍄:
It’s kinda cute, though.
But maybe try not to make it too obvious, Hinata and Kageyama!

 

Tsukishima🫧:
Yeah, your fans are definitely going to catch on, King

 

~

 

You could say Kageyama is on cloud nine. The Rio Olympics are right around the corner, and he’s just received his tickets and full itinerary for the games. There, on the last page of the document, he spots a faint glimmer of hope—his schedule is completely free for an entire night, from the closing ceremony to the flight back to Japan the next morning.

 

He wants to ask Hinata to meet him. It’s all he can think about. But he hesitates. Kageyama knows Hinata would be thrilled to see him—he can almost hear the excited chatter already. But doubts linger. What if asking Hinata to come breaks his rhythm, his focus? Hinata’s been training hard, adapting to the sand, finding his own way in Brazil. Maybe… maybe Kageyama should wait, just a little longer.

 

Before he can mull over it more, his phone buzzes. It’s a message from Hinata, and Kageyama feels a surge of giddiness, thinking about Hinata on the other side of the world, thinking of him. But his fuzzy feelings quickly turn into something a little less pleasant.

 

It’s almost like fate’s taunting him. Because right there, on his phone screen, is a photo of Hinata with Oikawa. In Brazil. On the sand. With a volleyball net in the background. That’s everything Kageyama wants right now—except it’s with Oikawa, his archenemy.

 

The only silver lining is that Kageyama has the public decency not to fling his phone across the locker room. Instead, he shoves it in Ushijima’s face, who just so happens to be passing by. Poor soul caught up again.

 

Ushijima stares at the screen, then at Kageyama, then back at the screen. “How did Oikawa end up in Brazil?”

 

Kageyama, feeling his nerves simmering, switches off his phone and decides to do what he does best: play volleyball. He will talk about it with Hinata this weekend.

 

Calm, Inhale and Exhale, he tells himself.

 

But it’s Sunday, and there is no calmness in Kageyama’s mind. Can you blame him?

 

Hinata is talking a mile a minute—“You won’t believe it, Tobio! The Grand King played beach volleyball with me! We even won our last match—it was his first time playing beach! And he taught me a few things about setting, too!”

 

Something in Kageyama snaps. “Maybe you should call him instead of me, then.”

 

Hinata tilts his head, smiling softly. “Yamayama, are you… jealous of Oikawa?”

 

The lack of teasing in Hinata’s tone makes Kageyama’s face go red. He hates admitting it, but he nods, hoping the feeling will come through the pixelated screen.

 

Hinata’s smile grows warmer. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I was just excited to see a familiar face here.”

 

That tugs at Kageyama’s heart. Hinata hadn’t mentioned it, but it’s obvious now — he’s been homesick. This was the final nail in the coffin. They both have been busy with volleyball in their own ways. Hinata, who is always so brave, has been quietly putting on a smile so as not to add to Kageyama’s worries. Guilt gnaws at him for not realizing it sooner.

 

“Sorry I lashed out,” Kageyama mutters, looking away. “I’ve been seeing it on your face lately, the homesickness.”

 

Hinata's face softens, his usual brightness dimming just a bit. “Yeah… maybe a little. It’s just… different here, you know?”

 

Kageyama takes a breath, gathering his courage. “Would you… would you like to meet me while I’m there for the Olympics? I have a free night after the closing ceremony, but I fly out early the next morning.”

 

Hinata’s face lights up with a smile that outshines the screen. “Really?! Of course, I’d love to!”

 

Kageyama feels a rush of warmth. Suddenly, he can’t remember what he was so worried about in the first place. The call stretches on, with Hinata now fully awake, preparing his breakfast while Kageyama is getting ready for bed. They chatter excitedly about their plans, making a to-do list for their night together. Hinata insists he comes over to his place—“You’ll be tired from the Olympics, and you need to meet Pedro, my roommate!”—and Kageyama can only smile.

 

All in all, Kageyama goes to sleep feeling like a kid who’s just got his favourite toy.

 

~

 

Have you ever willingly walked into a house on fire? Because that is exactly what Kageyama feels like he’s done right now.

 

Allow him to explain his predicament. Again.

 

He’s sitting with the rest of his teammates for an interview about the upcoming Olympics. The interviewer is relentless—chattering away with questions about their ambitions, their plans, and Kageyama’s eyes are already squinting against the harsh studio lights. He’s trying his best to smile without looking like he’s in pain. He can almost hear Tsukishima’s sneer from earlier: “Your smile is going to terrify the fans, King.”

 

Well, Tsukishima is wrong. He has a secret weapon. All he has to do is think about Hinata, and his smile will soften immediately.

 

Honestly, he’s practically buzzing with excitement. In just a few days, they’re flying out, and he’ll finally see his boyfriend after months apart. If he could, he’d probably run to the airport right now. But he’s learned a little patience, right? He can wait.

 

So, he lets his guard down. Just for a moment.

 

The interviewer catches him in his daydream and asks, “Kageyama Tobio, this is going to be your first Olympics, right? How does it feel to have accomplished so much at the tender age of 19?”

 

He straightens up, determined not to fumble. “I am very delighted at this opportunity to represent Japan on the world stage. I am looking forward to playing my best games.” He feels a swell of triumph. Tsukishima was absolutely wrong—he nailed that one.

 

But then, the next question catches him off guard. “Are you looking forward to anything while being in Rio? Any games you’d like to watch?”

 

Kageyama’s brain is still stuck on Hinata—his bright smile, that ridiculous laugh, the way he talks a mile a minute. He blurts out, “Yes, I’m looking forward to playing beach volleyball with Hi—”

 

And that’s when chaos erupts. Every teammate around him starts coughing simultaneously. Ushijima’s hand lands on his shoulder, a little too firm, with a very awkward smile stretched across his face. Kageyama realizes his mistake within milliseconds, his mouth going dry. He celebrated his victory too quickly.

 

“—with someone, I mean, with friends!” He finishes, face slightly flushed.

 

The interviewer, smelling blood in the water, perks up with a sly grin. “Oh, are you meeting someone there? A close friend perhaps?”

 

Kageyama stammers, trying to recover. “N-No, just… just some normal beach volleyball. I follow it... a lot.”

 

The interviewer raises an eyebrow, and Kageyama can feel the sweat forming on his forehead. But thankfully, his teammates jump in, steering the conversation back to safer territory. Soon enough, the moment passes—but Kageyama knows it’s already been immortalized across the internet.

 

He’s certain their ‘Adulting is Chaos’ group chat is probably blowing up his phone right now, with Tsukishima’s smug taunts and Yachi’s panicked “Are you okay?” messages.

 

All he wants to do is go home, crawl into bed, and fast forward to being in Brazil already.

 

~

 

Adulting is Chaos🍄☀️🏐🌈🫧

 

Hinata☀️:
Good luck Tobio!

 

Yachi🍄:
OMG, Tobio, I will be watching the match live this time!!!
I finally got a break from this never-ending assignments
I’m cheering you on! 🤍

 

Tsukishima🫧:
Me too, King
Yachi, want to come over?
Tadashi will be here too

 

Yamaguchi🌈:
I heard my name!
Tobio, I bought your jersey 🙌
(attached image of Tadashi flaunting his jersey)

 

Yachi🍄:
Sure sure, I will be there

 

Yamaguchi🌈:
The match will be live-streamed late in the night
So, a sleepover with us three
Haven’t spent time with you guys in so long!

 

Hinata☀️:
Wow, really making me jealous here

 

 

Tobio🏐:
Thank you
For all the support
Don’t be shou, I am meeting you later in the week

 

Tsukishima🫧:
This reminds me of the interview
Your red face was grossly cute, King 😂

 

Tobio🏐:
I sometimes forget how much I hate you

 

Yachi🍄:
Because you don’t, Tobio 

 

~

 

Kageyama is exhausted. Bone-crushingly tired. The closing ceremony feels like it’s dragging on for eternity. He keeps checking his phone; it’s only been a minute, but it feels like an hour. He’s fidgeting in his seat, desperate to leave the Olympic Village and meet Hinata. He’s already informed everyone and gotten permission, with strict instructions from the PR team to keep things discreet. What could go wrong?

 

“Stop fidgeting Kageyama, I am trying to sleep with my eyes open”, the libero beside him mutters.

 

"But—”

 

“We know you are excited to meet him, so relax”, the captain says with a smile over his shoulder.

 

Kageyama tries to relax, but his face settles into a deadpan stare as he imagines being anywhere but here. He hopes to get out in two hours. His mind drifts to thoughts of the sun, the sand, and Hinata.

 

Who would have thought he’d be swamped by fans the moment he spots Hinata waiting at the entrance and runs towards him? He thought his disguise—a cap and sunglasses—would help. Someone should tell him that’s exactly what makes him stand out when it’s dusk in Rio.

 

He vaguely remembers Hinata excitedly chattering about how Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population outside Japan. But before he can reflect on that, he’s surrounded by a sea of people, questions flying at him, and autographs to sign.

 

Hinata is chuckling at him from a distance, but Kageyama has to keep his focus to manage the crowd.

 

When things finally settle, Hinata runs over and tackles him into a warm hug. Kageyama buries his face in the crook of Hinata's neck, inhaling the scent of sun and salt, and Hinata does the same, his fluffy hair tickling Kageyama’s cheek. They stay like that for what feels like an eternity until Hinata breaks the silence with a soft giggle.

 

“I missed you so much Tobio.”

 

“Yeah… me too, Shou.”

 

“You must be tired. Do you want to head back to my apartment or hit the beach? I’m up for either,” Hinata grins.

 

God, I missed this so much.

 

Kageyama’s brain is screaming to head somewhere private, but he’s captivated by the sight of Hinata in a hooded tank top, looking absolutely radiant. The slight tan, the freckles on his cheeks and shoulders, the way he’s filled out more—everything about him feels new and yet so familiar. The pixelated video calls didn’t do him justice. It’s breathtaking, and Kageyama knows this will be a long night. Sleep can wait. Well, he can always crash out on his flight.

 

But he’s also curious to play some beach volleyball with him.

 

“Let’s play a couple of rounds and then head over to your place,” he decides.

 

“Sure!” Hinata replies, intertwining their fingers and tugging him towards the beach. He pulls up his hood just in case.

 

Hours later, they’re sprawled out like starfish on the sand, breathless but happy. They slip into their usual rhythm of playful bickering as if the distance had never existed. Hinata recounts his favourite moments from the Olympic games followed by laughing at the memory of Kageyama falling on his butt in the sand. Kageyama, blissfully unaware, just laughs and nods, letting Hinata's voice wash over him.

 

“Do you want to get dinner, Tobio? I’ve been dying to take you to this great place, and then we can head back to my apartment,” Hinata whispers, his voice barely audible over the crashing waves.

 

When they’re done, with renewed energy, they race back to Hinata’s place. Kageyama loses, partly because he has no idea where he’s going and also because he’s lugging a huge suitcase.

 

They finally tumble into the living room, and suddenly, a quietness falls over them. Their eyes meet, communicating a thousand words that neither of them needs to say out loud. The quiet stillness of Hinata's apartment is a stark contrast to the lively streets of Rio outside.

 

Kageyama takes in his surroundings—simple, cozy, with beach towels drying on a rack and a faint scent of sea breeze hanging in the air. There’s a well-used volleyball on the floor and a small stack of One Piece mangas along with a ridiculous amount of sunscreen beside it. It feels... homey.

 

Hinata is still holding Kageyama’s hand, their fingers loosely intertwined. He smiles up at him, a soft, warm smile that makes Kageyama's chest feel tight and his heart beats a little faster. “Welcome to my place, Tobio,” he whispers, as if afraid to break the moment.

 

Kageyama’s gaze drifts around, taking in everything. “It’s…nice,” he mumbles, trying to hide the smile tugging at his lips. “Small, but nice.”

 

Hinata grins and lightly punches Kageyama's arm. "Hey! Don’t insult my home," he laughs. "Pedro and I worked hard to make it feel comfortable.”

 

Before Kageyama can respond, the door swings open, and a tall figure appears in the doorway. Pedro, Hinata’s Brazilian roommate, steps in with a raised eyebrow and an amused expression.

 

“So, this is the Tobio?” Pedro asks in accented and broken Japanese, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe with a grin.

 

Hinata’s face lights up with mischief. “Yes! This is my Tobio!” he exclaims, proudly puffing his chest out a bit.

 

Kageyama flushes a deep shade of red, flustered by the unexpected introduction. “I’m… um, just Kageyama,” he mutters, bowing awkwardly.

 

Pedro chuckles, his laughter filling the room and continues in English. “Nice to meet you, Kageyama. Hinata’s told me a lot about you.” He winks at Hinata, who blushes but doesn’t look away. “It’s always ‘Tobio this’ and ‘Tobio that’ around here. I feel like I already know you.”

 

Hinata laughs, his cheeks tinged pink.

 

“But don’t worry, Tobio, I’m just here to grab my things. I’ll be staying with a friend tonight so you two lovebirds can have the place to yourselves.”

 

Kageyama’s ears turn crimson at the “lovebirds” comment, and he shoots a quick, embarrassed glance at Hinata, who only giggles in response. Pedro waves them off with a knowing grin and grabs his bag, disappearing back out the door with a teasing, “Have fun, you two.”

 

As the door clicks shut, an awkward silence lingers for a second. Hinata then bursts into laughter, collapsing on the couch, and Kageyama can’t help but smile, his shoulders relaxing.

 

“Well, that was… something,” Kageyama mumbles, rubbing the back of his neck.

 

Hinata grins, patting the space next to him. “Come here, Tobio. Sit with me.”

 

They settle down together on the couch, their legs tangling comfortably. Kageyama’s arm instinctively wraps around Hinata's shoulders, pulling him close. The weight of the past months apart slowly lifts, replaced by a soft, comforting silence.

 

For a while, they just sit there, listening to the distant sounds of Rio outside—the hum of late-night traffic, the occasional burst of laughter or music. Kageyama leans his head against Hinata’s, his hand absently tracing patterns on Hinata’s arm.

 

Hinata sighs contentedly, turning his head slightly to look up at Kageyama. “I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.”

 

Kageyama’s grip tightens a little. “I know.”

 

They end up on the bed, talking quietly in the dim light of the room. Hinata is lying on his stomach, feet kicking up behind him, while Kageyama is propped up on one elbow, looking down at him. They talk about everything and nothing—their plans, their dreams, the funny things that happened at practice, the games Hinata watched during the Olympics.

 

Before they know it, Kageyama's eyes grow heavy, and Hinata's voice starts to fade into the background like a lullaby. They fall asleep, Hinata's head resting on Kageyama's shoulder, their breaths falling in sync, peaceful in the knowledge that they’re together, even if just for this one night.

 

The early morning light filters through the curtains, and Kageyama wakes up to the smell of miso soup. He blinks sleepily, sitting up to find Hinata already dressed and bustling around in the tiny kitchen.

 

“Morning, Yama!” Hinata says brightly. “Breakfast?”

 

Kageyama yawns and nods, stretching out. “Yeah, thanks.”

 

They sit at the small table, quietly sharing a Japanese breakfast. The clock ticks closer to the time Kageyama has to leave, but neither of them mentions it. The silence is comfortable, filled with the soft clinking of cutlery and the rustle of newspaper pages.

 

Eventually, Kageyama sighs. “I should… probably get going.”

 

Hinata nods, but his smile is still bright. “Yeah, I know. But thank you for coming, Tobio. It means a lot.”

 

Kageyama reaches across the table, squeezing Hinata’s hand. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

 

Hinata’s grin widens. “Definitely.”

 

With a quick hug and a lingering touch on the arm, Kageyama grabs his bag and heads out the door. The streets are still quiet, and the cool morning air fills his lungs. As he walks, he can’t help but glance back once, knowing he’s leaving a part of his heart behind but feeling lighter than he has in months.

 

~

 

Kageyama, ever the clueless one, has no idea there’s a small Twitter section buzzing with energy…

 

Kana_Loves_Vball @tobiofan20 • 8 hours ago
Spotted Kageyama Tobio after the closing ceremony at Rio’s famous beach last night, playing beach volleyball!!
#TobioTheHeartthrob

67 Retweets 794 Likes 13 Replies

Replies

volley4life_ @peachyspiker • 8 hours ago
Are we going to ignore that he was suspiciously hinting about meeting someone in Rio and playing beach volleyball 👀👀👀
he is living the best rom-com life!

Notes:

Thank you so much for the kudos and bookmarks!

I initially planned to wrap the Brazil arc in 1 chapter but there's so much to add. Now I have divided it into two chapters, hehe. This fic is so self-indulgent and soft. I wrote them quite straightforward because I think they will be when volleyball and their partnership are at stake and they are blunt too. A good thing is I don't have any looming deadline, so here I am once again.
Hope you enjoyed it!