Chapter Text
It’s been more than a year since Hinata first stepped onto the beaches of Brazil. To say his time here has been smooth sailing would be an understatement. Every rose has its thorns, and Hinata has felt those thorns dig deep. There were days when he struggled to keep his head above water, days when he felt like he was drifting too far from the shore, unsure if he could make it back.
But somehow, he did. He built a life for himself here, piece by piece. And now, sitting on this beach in the early morning light, he feels proud. The kind of pride that runs deeper than victories on the court. The fifteen-year-old version of himself would have never believed he could do it— to move halfway across the world, to start from scratch, and still be standing tall.
Kageyama has always been his anchor. From the very first moment they faced each other across the net, to the days when they fought side by side, and even now, thousands of miles apart. Kageyama’s presence in his life—constant and steady—has kept him grounded. Hinata wouldn’t have made it this far without him, not with the same fire still burning in his chest.
Hinata pushes himself up, brushing the sand from his legs. As he does, something catches his eye— a glint of blue among the beige. He kneels and picks up a small seashell, its surface a deep blue with faded orange flecks. He rolls it between his fingers, then slips it into his pocket, a small treasure to keep with him.
With a quiet determination, he hops on his bike. It’s time for his morning practice; a routine as natural to him as breathing.
The practice goes by in a blur. There can never be enough volleyball, can there? But he knows cool-downs are important, and his stomach grumbles, reminding him he needs to eat. He takes a break, sits by the side, and unwraps a sandwich, appreciating the change in the scenery since early morning. The beach is busier now, filled with runners, joggers, and a dog chasing waves, making him chuckle.
Hinata pulls out his phone to send a text to Tobio. He imagines Kageyama must be back from training, settling into his nightly routine of watching volleyball matches before bed. Always asleep by 10 PM—such a grandpa. But Hinata can’t deny that after a long day of practice, sleep tugs at his own eyelids fairly early too.
A thought crosses his mind. He takes out the seashell and places it next to the volleyball resting beside him. He snaps a picture and adds a simple caption ‘night’ to it before uploading it to his Instagram story.
There’s a tingle in his veins, a craving for some indoor volleyball. He brushes the sand off himself and decides to head over there next. Nothing is stopping him.
~
On the other side of the world, Kageyama Tobio was, in fact, watching a recording of a volleyball match. The screen was paused, mid-action, as the washing machine in the corner chirped up with a cheerful tune. Kageyama sighed, getting up to unload the laundry and move it to the dryer when his phone rang.
Incoming call… Miwa
Kageyama picked up, put it on speaker, and resumed his task.
“Tobio, my not-so-sweet little brother,” Miwa’s teasing voice crackled through the phone. “When are you free for dinner? I’m going to be in Tokyo for a couple of weeks.”
“Miwa? Seriously? What brings you here?” Kageyama called back over the noise of the machine.
“Work, of course. Meetings with some big client. But enough about me! Just tell me when you’re free,” she insisted.
He paused, considering his schedule. “Hmm… I could do Thursday. Should I pick you up?”
“Thursday’s perfect! And no need to pick me up, I will meet you there right after work. Oh, and I want to hear all about Shouyou! See you, bye.”
“Wait, Miwa, don't—”
But she hung up before he could protest further, leaving him scowling at the phone. He shook his head and went back to his laundry, mumbling under his breath about his annoying older sister.
Once he was done, he padded back over to his phone to add the dinner to his calendar. That’s when he saw the notification:
Hinata Shouyou has uploaded a story
A grin tugged at his lips as he opened the app, navigating to Hinata’s story. His brow furrowed slightly at the picture—a volleyball and a blue seashell set against the blue morning sky. It didn’t take him long to catch on. The shell and the 'night'... he chuckled. Clever.
He opened their chat and quickly typed out a message:
Tobio🏐:
dumbass, did you really just send me a seashell as a hello?
good morning, Shou
He settled back into his seat, eyes flicking back to the paused match on his screen. With a small, satisfied smile, he pressed play.
Thursday couldn’t come fast enough. Practice with the Adlers had been intense—the difficulty ramping up as the season drew closer. In just a couple of weeks, his schedule would be packed with matches, training, and even more photoshoots for endorsements. His mind drifted to the Power Curry commercial he’d recently signed on for, and he grimaced. He was terrible at those. Maybe he could ask Miwa for some advice tonight.
His stomach grumbled. There was a convenience store just a minute’s walk away. He ducked inside to grab a quick snack before meeting Miwa. Browsing the shelves, he spotted a display of One Piece-themed snacks—character-shaped buns, each featuring a different face from the series. Knowing Hinata's obsession with One Piece, he couldn’t help but grin. He snapped two pictures for his Instagram story.
The first showed the entire shelf, captioned, “Which one to get?” The second one zoomed in on the Zoro bun he chose.
He chuckled to himself as he paid for it, finishing the bun in a few quick bites before heading back to the car. He reached the restaurant a bit early and gave the reservation name to the staff, who directed him to their table. Miwa was already there, chuckling at her phone. When she looked up, she waved him over.
He took the seat across from her. “Miwa, how’s it going? Have you ordered anything? I’m starving.”
“Just a starter. Good to see you, Tobio,” she replied, smiling. “How's everything?”
“Practice is good. Getting tougher.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, both studying their menus. After a few moments, they nodded in unison at their choices, then Tobio grinned when Miwa added, “And maybe this too?”
“Yes, absolutely,” he agreed, amused. They placed their order, and Miwa looked at him with a sly smile.
“So, Zoro, huh? I know someone who’s a Zoro fan. Talked my ear off about him the first time we met. Never knew you were into One Piece too,” she teased.
“Miwa, stop—”
“So, how’s he doing? When is he coming back?”
Kageyama’s expression softened. “Hinata’s great. He said hi by the way and asked me to take a selfie with you later. He’s been doing well in his beach tournaments, really kicking ass. He’ll be back in less than a year, after the Solcard Cup. I’m keeping the final day free so I can watch him live.”
Miwa’s grin widened. “I better start writing my speech for the wedding, I still have time right?”
Kageyama shot her a glare, but just then, their food arrived. He sighed. Why did the universe always conspire to keep him from properly retaliating against Miwa? But the delicious aroma from the dishes quickly distracted him.
They settled into their usual rhythm, chatting about work, training, and their upcoming plans. Kageyama brought up the Power Curry commercial, and Miwa burst out laughing.
“Tobio, just try not to look like you're about to spike the bowl,” she chuckled. “But seriously, try to relax. Smile naturally—you know, like you do when you're around Shouyou.”
He rolled his eyes, but couldn't hide a smile. “Yeah, yeah. Maybe I’ll ask him for tips on how to smile like an idiot.”
“Good idea,” Miwa smirked. “That’s something you could learn from him.”
The conversation flowed, light and easy, as they moved through their meal. By the time the check arrived, Kageyama felt a little more relaxed about the weeks ahead. As they stood to leave, Miwa reached out, squeezing his arm.
“Seriously, Tobio, you're doing great. Don’t forget to have fun, okay?”
He nodded, a small smile touching his lips. “Thanks, Miwa. I’ll try.”
They snapped the selfie Hinata had requested, Kageyama sticking out his tongue, Miwa grinning with victory. They sent it off with a quick message: Guess who’s buying dinner next time?
As they left the restaurant, Kageyama felt a familiar warmth settle in his chest. His life was busy, and sometimes overwhelming, but moments like these—small, simple moments—made it all feel a bit lighter.
~
The sun is blazing above, forcing Shouyou to squint as he raises a hand to shield his eyes. The cheers from the spectators blur into a steady roar, and he takes a moment to catch his breath, waving to his friend Heitor and the opposing team for a quick timeout after the set.
He pads across the hot sand, feeling the grains slipping beneath his feet. The morning's calmness has transformed into the lively chaos of a Saturday afternoon, the beach buzzing with energy.
Hinata rummages through his bag, fishing out his sunglasses. The relief from the glaring sun is immediate. He takes a moment to apply sunscreen, his fingers working it over his cheeks and nose. His ears pick up snippets of conversation around him, laughter mingling with the surf.
He waves at Nice, Heitor’s girlfriend, who is sitting with a group of spectators and hears a familiar call from the crowd.
“Ninja Shouyou, that last dig was insane! You were there in a flash!” a fan shouts, their excitement unmistakable.
Hinata grins and calls back in his practiced Portuguese, “Obrigado! Thank you so much!”
“You’re really living up to the name, Ninja Shouyou,” Nice chimes in with a smile.
Hinata blushes, rubbing the back of his neck. “Haha, I’m trying. Beach volleyball is crazy,” he admits, laughing at how different it feels from the indoor game.
Heitor, ever the jokester, slides up and drapes an arm around his shoulders. “I don’t know about that, but you are crazy, Shouyou. The whole crowd’s buzzing because of you!”
Nice nods enthusiastically. “You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve heard gasping at your plays. ‘Ninja Shouyou’ this, ‘Ninja Shouyou’ that. You’ve become a local legend!”
Hinata’s cheeks flush even redder. “Okay, okay, enough with the compliments! Heitor, I’m not buying you a drink,” he jokes, trying to deflect his embarrassment.
Heitor laughs, clapping him on the back. “Fair enough, buddy. Come on, let’s get back to it.”
They head back onto the sand, ready to resume the match. The rhythm of the game takes over, and Hinata feels the adrenaline coursing through him. He and Heitor win the set, and more challengers step in. Opponents switch in and out, but the fun is endless.
When the matches finally wind down, the sun is beginning to set. Hinata and his friends decide to grab dinner, a mix of laughter and exhausted chatter filling the air. It’s late by the time Hinata gets home, and his muscles are pleasantly sore from the day. After showering and changing out of his sweaty clothes, he flops onto his bed, face-first into his pillow. His hand fumbles around until it finds his phone.
He quickly dials Kageyama on FaceTime, knowing he should be back from his morning run. Sure enough, Kageyama picks up and props up the phone on the counter. The camera gives Hinata a full view of his kitchen. Kageyama is moving around, making breakfast, droplets of water clinging to the tips of his hair. Hinata smiles, thinking he must have just come out of the shower.
“Dumbass, are you going to say anything or just keep staring?” Kageyama calls out, stepping closer to the phone with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
Hinata grins, saying, “Hey, Tobio.” His voice sounds slightly off, and he wonders if it’s from the tiredness catching up with him.
Kageyama’s eyes narrow a little, noticing. “You look wiped out. Tired already?”
“Nope, just… thinking.” Hinata's grin widens mischievously. “You look good.”
Kageyama snorts, raising an eyebrow. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Hinata laughs, rolling onto his back, holding his phone above his face. “Same old, same old.”
Kageyama smirks, but there’s a softening in his eyes. “Been watching your matches, you know. You’re getting better.”
“Really?” Hinata’s voice brightens, genuinely pleased. “You think so?”
“Yeah. But don’t get cocky,” Kageyama adds quickly. “You still have a lot to learn.”
“Look who’s talking, Mr. Perfect,” Hinata retorts, his grin widening. “You better keep up, or I’ll be the one coaching you next.”
Kageyama laughs, the sound warm and familiar. “In your dreams, idiot.”
They settle into their usual banter, Kageyama sitting down with his breakfast. After a moment, he looks thoughtful and says, “Check out this link, Shou.”
Hinata opens his messages and taps on the link Kageyama sent.
@beach_is_life:
Look at Ninja Shouyou go! That smile is blinding me ☀️☀️
I am gonna go buy sunglasses, bye
(attached: a short clip of him playing, upbeat Brazilian music in the background)
Full match link on YouTube #NinjaSHouyou
42k Retweets 60k Likes 3k Replies
Hinata watches in surprise, scrolling through the number of retweets. It’s a viral post. He bursts out laughing. “Tobio, how do you know this before me? Do you secretly follow beach volleyball news?”
Kageyama looks away for a split second, feigning indifference. “Just yours, mostly.”
Hinata freezes for a moment, then breaks into a huge smile, amusement and warmth mixing in his expression. “Well, this reminds me of something…”
He sends Kageyama a link in return.
@mylifeisyoursktobio:
My eyes are blessed 😍
(attached: a hot edit of Kageyama with a thirst-trap song)
#VolleyballCrush
8k Retweets 12k Likes 1k Replies
Kageyama taps the link and chokes on his food. “Is this what you’re doing over there in Brazil?”
Hinata bursts out laughing, feeling lighter and more carefree. “Just keeping up with my favourite setter,” he says, voice teasing.
Kageyama rolls his eyes, but there's a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Idiot.”
They continue sending each other tweets and messages, their conversation flowing easily. The teasing carries on, bridging the distance between them, making it feel like they're right next to each other.
As the conversation dies down, they sit in comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. Hinata stretches out on his bed, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. Despite being thousands of miles apart, moments like these make the distance feel just a little bit shorter.
Finally, Hinata breaks the silence. “Hey, Tobio… don’t work too hard, okay?”
Kageyama smirks, but there’s a softness in his eyes. “You too, dumbass.”
Hinata smiles, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. “Talk later?”
“Yeah,” Kageyama says softly. “Talk later.”
The call ends, but Hinata keeps his phone close, his heart a little fuller than before.
~
It’s been a few months since the V League started, and it’s been going full force—back-to-back training, intense practice sessions, and relentless matches. Kageyama is enjoying the ride, playing with some of the best teammates and facing off against the toughest opponents.
If he has one regret, it would be not getting to spend as much time with Hinata. Not that their relationship isn’t going strong, but their call time has significantly reduced. So, he takes any chance he can get to talk to him.
Currently, it's 5 AM. The Adlers have an away game today, so everyone is gathered at the parking lot, ready to board the bus. Kageyama slips into his usual window seat, with Hoshiumi settling beside him.
One by one, his teammates climb aboard, each looking wearier than the last. In half an hour, the bus is a picture of exhausted athletes—eye masks pulled down, noise-cancelling headphones snug over ears, and travel pillows tucked under heads. Most of them are already drifting off, eager to catch up on sleep during the long ride ahead.
Meanwhile, Kageyama is wide awake. He got a good night’s sleep, and missing his morning run has left him itching to expend some energy. The quiet bus and the dawn sky outside only add to his restlessness.
Kageyama pulls out his phone, plugging in his earphones, and presses play on one of the match recordings of today’s opponent. He has already watched it last night but extra preparation never hurts. But just as he’s focusing on a particularly tricky spike, his phone buzzes with a notification from Hinata.
The match recording is immediately forgotten.
Shouyou☀️:
Yamaaaa!
Good luck with your match today <33
Tobio🏐:
Thanks
Are you free?
I am so bored
As soon as he hits send, an incoming FaceTime request from Hinata appears on the screen. Kageyama’s face lights up, his boredom evaporating in an instant. He glances around—everyone is fast asleep, or at least they look like it. Hoshiumi has his headphones on, so Kageyama accepts the call.
The screen lights up with Hinata’s face, his bright, cheery smile almost enough to warm up the chilly bus. He’s on the beach, taking a break from practice, the ocean glimmering in the background.
Kageyama’s voice drops to a whisper. “Shou, I’m on the bus. Gotta keep it down.”
Hinata’s smile widens, and he nods. “Got it, got it. I’ll do the talking then!”
Kageyama can’t help but smile back, settling in as Hinata launches into a lively recount of his day. His voice is animated, full of life, and Kageyama listens, replying with hushed grumbles and nods that Hinata easily deciphers. Hinata’s talking about how he finally got to chat with the granny across the street, the one with five cats who always has one napping on her windowsill.
Kageyama’s eyes soften as he listens, content just hearing Hinata’s voice. Once he is finished narrating this day, Hinata props up his phone, angling it to show half of the volleyball court. He picks up a stray volleyball, grinning mischievously.
“Watch this, Tobio,” Hinata says, his voice a little quieter but no less enthusiastic.
Hinata takes his position and throws the ball up, serving it across the court with a satisfying smack. Kageyama’s eyebrows shoot up, genuinely impressed. He lets out a hushed, “Whoa,” before quickly clapping his hands together in a silent applause.
“Wow, you’ve finally caught up with my high school serve!” Kageyama teases, smirking.
Hinata rolls his eyes, clearly unimpressed with Kageyama’s teasing. “Watch me!”
The camera pans to show the entire court now, and Hinata places five empty water bottles at the backline. He takes his position again, this time with a determined look. Kageyama leans closer to the screen, eyes glued to Hinata’s every move.
Hinata serves the ball, and it hits the first bottle dead-on. Kageyama silently cheers, his eyes wide with admiration.
The second bottle goes down, and Kageyama claps a little harder, biting back the urge to shout.
The third bottle topples, and Kageyama gives an exaggerated thumbs up, his grin widening.
The fourth bottle falls, and Kageyama does an aggressive head nod, his excitement barely contained.
Hinata sets up for the fifth serve, but just as he’s about to hit the ball, a gust of wind carries it off course. He yelps and chases after it, leaving Kageyama to boo quietly, but no less dramatically.
When Hinata finally nails the fifth bottle, Kageyama can’t help himself. “That was so good, Shou!” he says a little too loudly, his voice filled with genuine excitement.
Hinata grins and strikes Kageyama’s signature Power Curry pose, making Kageyama scoff and roll his eyes, but the fondness in his expression is unmistakable.
Then, Hinata pauses, thinking for a moment before dropping the final bombshell. “Tobio, I got my return tickets. I’m landing in Japan exactly three months from today. Mark the day.”
Kageyama’s public awareness goes out the window. “Shouyou, for real?! Send me your flight date and time! I’m definitely picking you up!! I can’t wait, I’m so happy!” His voice echoes through the bus, completely forgetting where he is.
Hinata laughs, pressing a finger to his lips in a shushing motion. “Yamayama, keep it down! I’ll send it to you, don’t worry. It’s about to be seven, so I gotta run to my part-time job. Talk later?”
Kageyama nods eagerly, his voice dropping back to a whisper. “Love you. Bye.”
As soon as the call ends, Kageyama slumps back in his seat, a content sigh escaping his lips. He gazes out the window, noticing that the city is slowly waking up, bathed in the early morning light. Everything feels brighter, more alive.
That’s when he senses it—the distinct feeling of being watched. He turns slowly, only to come face-to-face with Hoshiumi, who is staring at him like a seagull that just had its snack stolen mid-flight.
Kageyama’s eyes widen, his face flushing a deep red. He looks around and realizes, to his horror, that everyone on the bus is wide awake. Some are mildly amused, others fully entertained. Ushijima has his eyes closed, but there’s a telltale smirk on his lips, while their captain Hirugami has his headphones down but his eye mask still on.
From the back of the bus, someone shouts, “That was some entertainment! I’ve never seen Kageyama so animated!”
Hoshiumi, ever the teaser, leans in with a smirk. “Don’t worry, we’ve been awake for a while now. You should’ve seen your face.”
Kageyama stammers out a flustered, “Sorry.”
Ushijima, ever serious, asks in a calm voice, “Hinata Shouyou is returning?”
Kageyama nods, tight-lipped, and quickly throws on his eye mask, pretending to sleep for the rest of the trip. But no amount of pretending can hide the giddy smile that keeps creeping onto his face, or the way his heart feels like it’s about to burst from happiness.
As the bus rumbles along, Kageyama lies back, letting the contentment settle in. It’s a perfect start to the day, even if it did come with a side of mild public humiliation. But he wouldn’t trade it for anything—especially not when it means Hinata will be back in Japan soon.
The game ends with the Adlers clinching victory, winning 3 sets to 1. Kageyama is on cloud nine. The morning call with Hinata has left him feeling lighter than air, and he’s just played one of his most focused games ever. His precision was unmatched, his sets were sharp, and his team synergy was impeccable. By the end of the match, he’s earned the MVP title.
He’s feeling unstoppable.
But disaster has a way of finding Kageyama Tobio.
A reporter approaches him as the team exits the court, her microphone thrust into his face with a bright, expectant smile. “Kageyama Tobio, do you have any comments about the match today?”
This is easy— talking about volleyball is second nature to him. He gives an elaborate reply, breaking down the team’s strategy, his opponent’s weaknesses, and how the Adlers adjusted their play mid-game. His detailed response seems to please the reporter, and she nods along enthusiastically.
“Indeed! That setter dump to clinch the set point was brilliantly executed,” she praises.
Kageyama is about to excuse himself, thinking he’s done, when she asks another question, “Do you still keep up with beach volleyball news? I remember hearing about you playing after the Rio Olympics.”
Kageyama hesitates, caught off guard. His teammates are nearby, clearly paying attention, and he can sense Hoshiumi stifling a laugh.
“Uh, yeah, I do,” he replies, trying to sound casual. “There’s a lot to learn from beach volleyball, especially how they cover the court with just two players. I keep an eye on some of their matches.”
The reporter perks up, sensing a story. “That’s interesting! Any specific players or matches you recommend for our viewers?”
Kageyama’s mind races. He can almost hear his teammates holding back their laughter. He knows he should be general, but his thoughts are full of one person. He can’t help it—Hinata’s name is right on the tip of his tongue.
“Uh, there are a few good ones,” he says, trying to keep it vague. “You can find some exciting matches on YouTube. Um, Ninja Shouyou is one to watch, for sure.” He says it quickly, hoping the reporter doesn’t dig deeper.
There’s a brief pause. Kageyama can feel his teammates’ eyes on him, and he’s almost afraid to look back.
“Ninja Shouyou?” the reporter repeats, raising an eyebrow. “Interesting name. We’ll have to check that out. Thanks, Kageyama.”
Kageyama nods, tight-lipped, and mutters a quick, “Excuse me,” before practically fleeing from the interview, his teammates’ laughter following him all the way down the corridor.
~
Adulting is Chaos🍄☀️🏐🌈🫧
Kageyama🏐:
Shouyou’s final matches are on this Sunday
Anyone up for a watch party with me?
Or if you’re in Tokyo, come over to my place.
Yamaguchi🌈:
Oh, I’m in
Yachi and I are still stuck in semester hell
Yachi🍄:
Me too!
Definitely need a break from this internship hunting madness 😭😭
Like, I swear I’m hardworking, just hire me already!
Yamaguchi🌈:
Honestly, same, I’m ready to sell my soul for experience at this point 😩
Kageyama🏐:
Good thing I don’t need to find an internship.
Yamaguchi🌈:
You’re literally an Olympian…
Tsukishima🫧:
Field excursion here.
The network’s spotty, so I probably won’t join.
Don’t miss me too much.
Hinata☀️:
Wahh, you guys are putting too much pressure on me now!
Kageyama🏐:
Need to hit the bathroom, dumbass?
Tsukishima🫧:
This reminds me of that interview blunder you did, King:
"Ninja Shouyou is the one to watch~”
—spoken like a man drowning in love
Yachi🍄:
I love how Tsukki is always up to date on the latest Kageyama blunders
True supporter here 🫡🫡
Hinata chuckles, a warm smile spreading across his face as he reads the banter. He can almost hear Kageyama grumbling in response. Despite being spread across different corners of the world, the bond between them feels as strong as ever. Their support fills him with determination. He’s going to give it everything he’s got.
Time flies when you’re doing what you love. Before Hinata knows it, Sunday arrives—the final day of the Solcard Cup. The air is thick with anticipation. Hinata knows what's on the line, not just for him but for his teammate, too. Heitor has promised to propose to Nice if they win, and this is also Hinata’s last tournament before returning home. But he's ready. His favourite people are cheering for him, and he takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to give it everything.
One point at a time.
They fight hard, but in the end, they fall short by a hair. The loss stings, but Hinata feels no regrets. He knows a single loss doesn't define him. There are days you win and days you lose, but he's learned to keep his head up and promise to bring his best next time.
Heitor may have lost the match, but he just won at life—Nice proposes to him, right there on the court. Hinata can’t help but think of someone waiting for him back home and chuckles, knowing the little surprise he has planned.
“Alright!” Pedro shouts, breaking Hinata's thoughts. “We’ve got to celebrate tonight!”
Heitor claps him on the back, grinning, “You’re not flying out until after the wedding, right? You’ve got to join us.”
Hinata laughs, nodding. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.”
Later that night, they’re all crammed into a lively pub, the air thick with laughter and the scent of fried food. Drinks are passed around, and the group is in high spirits despite the day’s earlier disappointment. Hinata leans back in his chair, catching up on all the drama in the group chat, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Nice leans in, noticing his smile. “So, Shouyou, do you have someone you’re waiting for back home?”
Heitor chimes in with a knowing grin, “Oh, definitely! This guy is always grinning at his phone during breaks.”
Hinata looks up, a bashful smile spreading across his face. “Actually… he’s waiting for me.”
Pedro, the most tipsy of them all, perks up. “I met him once! He came by after the Olympics. Strong and serious-looking dude!”
Nice’s eyes light up, intrigued. “You have to show us pictures, Shouyou!”
Hinata hesitates for a moment, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks, but he’s too happy to care. He fumbles for his phone and starts showing them some pictures of Kageyama, his smile widening with every swipe. “This is him,” he says softly. “And this… and this one, too.”
Nice coos over the photos, while Heitor and Pedro chime in with exaggerated “oohs” and “aahs.” Hinata’s heart feels full, surrounded by friends and their playful teasing, and he realizes he’s not just looking forward to going home—he’s excited to share this part of his life with them.
~
Kageyama is buzzing with energy. It’s already past his usual bedtime, but he can hardly sit still. Instead, he finds himself cleaning and dusting around his apartment. For the third time tonight, he’s going over the kitchen counters with a cloth, making sure everything is spotless. He’s stocked the pantry with all of Shouyou’s favourite snacks, the ones he’s been grumbling about missing for months.
He moves to the living room, adjusting the cushions and wiping the coffee table for what feels like the hundredth time, when he hears a knock on the door. His eyes flick to the clock on the wall. It’s nearly 11 p.m.
His brows knit in concern as he walks over and cracks open the door. The sight that greets him is both the most unexpected and the most welcome: Hinata Shouyou, right there, rustling through his pockets as if he’s misplaced something.
Hinata looks up, sensing the door open, and his face breaks into that signature, radiant smile. Without a word, he crashes into Kageyama’s arms.
Kageyama is so surprised that he stumbles back, unprepared for the sudden weight and momentum of Hinata. They tumble together onto the floor, landing in a heap just inside the doorway, with Hinata giggling into Kageyama’s chest. Kageyama, still in shock, wraps his arms around him, holding him tight, wishing for this moment to never end.
“Hey, Tobio… surprise!” Hinata says, his voice bright with laughter.
“Shou, how are you here? I thought—”
Hinata cuts him off with a playful grin. “Can’t I surprise my own boyfriend? I planned this with Kenma. He picked me up, which is why I’m a little late.”
“Late?”
“I wanted to be here before your bedtime. I was worried I’d wake you up,” Hinata explains, glancing around the apartment. “But it doesn’t look like I interrupted your sleep.”
Kageyama chuckles, his face buried in Hinata’s hair. “Couldn’t sleep… too excited.”
God, he missed him.
“I missed you, Shou—”
“Missed you, love—”
They speak at the same time and then burst into laughter, their giggles mingling in the stillness of the night. The door is still wide open, Hinata's suitcase forgotten in the hallway.
Kageyama tightens his grip around Hinata, the new pet name “love” echoing pleasantly in his mind. He wants to stay like this forever.
“Tobio, we should close the door before the neighbours start complaining,” Hinata murmurs, but he makes no effort to move, his own arms still wrapped around Kageyama.
Kageyama nods, but he doesn’t let go. Not yet. Right now, they have everything they need, and the rest of the world can wait.