Work Text:
-~ 1 ~-
Shoyo's first day attending Inarizaki High School was intimidating, to say the least. His family had to pack their things for Hyogo and transfer him to this school early in the year before he could do much at Karasuno. There were a couple of friends he had made in his brief time trying out for the volleyball team, but not many. His closest were still those he tried keeping in touch with from middle school (with not much luck once the moving took place). He felt utterly alone tackling a big, new place like this high school and he hoped that he could befriend someone in there fast.
The uniform was a change - the military style some praised being swapped out for the blazer and tie look. The outfit he had to wear wasn't as big of a deal as he expected, though. Not in comparison to the daunting door in front of him, papers in hand and over-the-shoulder bag strap in his vice grip. The sound of sneakers squeaking and balls being launched over nets was muffled through the gym doors. A new school… a new way to the top. To his dream. To volleyball.
The inside was a bit more chaotic than the simple practice noises would indicate. Aside from serving and receiving practice between some people was someone was stretching his upper body at what Shoyo could only register as nearly a perfect 90 degree angle (he winced a little at the thought of stretching so far), another person cleaning the volleyballs that were off to the side meticulously with a rag in hand (they seemed to be half-facing away and half-facing the court as if the smallest step out of line would summon them to offer advice and correct a stance), and two people (twins, if their faces had anything to say about it) shoving at each other and elbowing each other in the ribs in front of someone else looking extremely tired between them.
Everything stopped when Shoyo set foot in the gymnasium, bowing in an apologetic greeting as a ball served from the guy with brown hair missed the one with the sort of stylish bedhead hair. His application papers crinkled in hand a little as he announced himself, feeling all eyes on him - even the twins quit their twinly bickering to stare in almost wonder.
"Hello! I am Hinata Shoyo and I just transferred here from Karasuno High. I would like to join your volleyball team, please!"
There was silence.
He didn’t look up.
Footsteps.
“Hinata Shoyo. Ya must be a first year?” The person who had been calmly cleaning the unused volleyballs was in front of him now, Kansai dialect rolling off the tongue the same as many students in the school Shoyo had encountered already. Judging by the way everyone had been staring and the way this member took charge, he was confident in pinning them as the captain. There was a small thought that passed by asking if they were the captain if he had been cleaning during practice, but his doubt was pulled away when they spoke again. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be bad to see what ye’ve got.”
It was all polite and Shoyo knew that. One of the twins was snickering, the other looked bored and irritated by him, and a few others were looking in wonder of how someone so small could actually think he could end up on a team like this (he had heard stories of the raw talent of the skulk from looking more into the school his parents had put him in).
He would show them.
And he did. The twin who was laughing, the one with a yellowish blond hair color, was asked to set for him to display his abilities. For this team… this second chance at his dream… he spread his wings. He… totally missed the spike, the ball tapping and rolling away from the setter rather than being launched over the net, but his jump put everyone into silence. He gaped in mortification for a moment, staring at his hands to try and get a grip on himself, but the captain spoke up again.
"Atsumu… try setting to him again."
It took at least three more tosses - an accidental jump into the net included - and all while whispers arose slowly about what the team could do with an asset like his jump and determined stamina. He had barely shown any signs of energy being expended after four high jumps and all that running and they could use more players that worked hard, played harder, and did both for longer .
The resulting success had been loud - a dangerous slam to the floor with all the speed he had in him on the way up in front of that net and none of the careful landing that came after.
"Those initial attempts were…" The captain frowned for a moment, hand positioned as if they were thinking. "Bad."
Shoyo deflated a little in fear of needing to go about alternative methods of practice for the next three years. His panicked first thoughts were begging any local women’s teams to help him improve, unsure if there were any local and willing to let that happen.
"There is potential, though." There was the polite little smile again (it even reflected on a couple team members). Relief was thrown on the wildfire of Shoyo’s momentary panic. "Even if ya showed up later than we expected to get applicants. If ya work hard, y’could possibly be put on the starting lineup.
"My name is Kita Shinsuke, by the way. I'm the captain." There was a discernible look on their face that showed pride in the title. Something tells Shoyo, even before he knew, that Kita deserved that number. "I feel so rude going so long without introduction. I think ye’ll be taken care of on our team."
That seemed to break the silence from others.
"I'm Ojiro Aran." The guy that had been exasperatedly standing by the twins when he walked in stepped forward with a small, polite bow of his head. "I'm the team’s ace, a wing spiker. I'm also the on-court captain."
A spark flared in Shoyo at that, his shocked nerves from his entrance to the club igniting into a sudden respect for the ace in front of him… and something of a tiny, personal rivalry. I want that spot , he thought as his smile turned into a grin, I'm going to work for that position so watch out Aran-san! I’ll give it my all!
"I'm sure ya already know me-" There was a pat on his newbie back that nearly made him wheeze. "I'm Miya Atsumu, yer new setter, but ya definitely need t'call me Atsumu since that lump of nothin' is my unfortunate twin brother and it gets confusing callin' a both Miya."
Atsumu pointed to his twin, the one Aran had just stepped away from. Shoyo flashed a polite wave and grin to the brother, but he got only what his gut could describe to him as someone wholly unamused by him. At least outwardly. The twin let out a sigh, approaching and letting his bored grey eyes flick between his brother and the new member.
"Oi, 'Tsumu, leave the poor guy alone, will ya?" He swatted the blond's hand off of Shoyo's back and shook his head. "Miya Osamu. Wing spiker."
It took Shoyo a second to realize he was talking to him and introducing himself. He got a little distracted-
"Look what ya did, 'Samu! Ya broke the new first year!"
"Broke him?! He's just standin' here, ya idiot! How's that broken?"
The argument was a little drowned out by Shoyo's thoughts, loudly declaring internally that a grey look was almost magical. He might have looked a bit - okay a lot - like Atsumu (duh, a given that they’re twins) on first inspection, but Osamu's mannerisms off the bat, his hairstyle, his eye color even - that was different. The grey of both hair and eyes was unique and he knew instantly what twin he was going to be following whether he would realize when or not.
He shook it off and smiled.
"It's nice to meet all of you!"
Introductions went on a little further - Suna Rintaro, Akagi Michinari, Oomimi Ren - until everyone was introduced.
He felt welcomed very quickly. The smile didn't leave his face for the rest of the day.
It wasn't until practice was over - Kita was apparently staying after to work on something the others filled in as routine for them - that he was approached by the twins. First it was fear that took over a little, two taller and more skilled players eyeing him with unreadable expressions, then it was just plain curiosity.
"Oi," Atsumu was the one to start speaking, an easy grin spreading onto his face. "Shoyo-kun, right?"
Shoyo nodded and, to his surprise, Atsumu elbowed his brother that he may or may not have been caught staring at for longer than necessary earlier. His neck felt warm for more than just a post-practice feeling even in the cool outdoor air. Osamu rolled his eyes and nudged Atsumu back before speaking up.
"Ya wanna come get food with us?"
Normally, he would text his mom and tell her instantly that he was making plans… hours before actually going through with those plans. This time he found himself answering with a bright grin and a nod before contacting family even came to mind. He'd just make a mental note to do it next time… hopefully there's a next time , Shoyo thought to himself as he swung his messenger bag over his shoulder and fell into step beside Osamu and chatted enthusiastically with his possible new friends.
Shoyo’s mom and sister heard all about the volleyball team and how kind they were that night over dinner.
-~ 2 ~-
Shoyo, decidedly, was a very big fan of having the Miya twins as friends. Not only did he feel more at ease with the volleyball club having a couple people to gravitate to, but the playful teasing and dumb banter made him feel like he fit right in quickly. He was the little first year with wild orange hair who had the attention of the twin second years that everyone wanted to hang out with (or date, in many cases, judging by the amount of confessions he witnessed get turned down). It even got to the point where he was close enough with them to visit their classes after his own when he was allowed to. It wasn’t too far from where he was in the layout of the school.
He sat between Atsumu and Suna, facing Osamu, whenever this setup happened and they would start talking about whatever had come to mind. Some days (most days) it was strategy for practice or matches that day and sometimes they would discuss more casual things like new movies or games that came out, places to eat, or gossip they heard. They laughed a lot and cracked jokes about and to each other, it was warm and welcoming and was more friendly than he expected to be able to be on his first day. The fondness he felt for his new team was great, even if it frustrated him in play (the bench sucks, even if he was promised it had been a temporary choice).
Actually… he spent so much time with the twins that-
"Ya know… we should go to that new place downtown. I think they've got yer favorites."
The Kansai dialect was something he was growing used to hearing so much (too much?) and his accent wasn't really thick or anything like the Miyas, but it was definitely rubbing off on him a little too easily. The twins were his closest friends since transferring to Inarizaki and spending so much time together had obvious effects he could tell from how the accent faded into his normal speech patterns until it was just… an accent he also had. It felt kind of weird, but in a way it made him feel closer to them. A weak accent on his tongue from hearing his best friends pronounce words like that rubbing off, he laughed at Atsumu and Osamu saying something stupid to each other, aware that Suna to his right was recording every second of the bickering.
It took a bit for Atsumu and Suna to leave for elsewhere (probably practice, if Shoyo stopped to look at the clock), leaving Osamu to Shoyo alone. It was a little odd, he thought, to see the twins part from each other (it wasn’t something he’d seen much of for an extended period of time in the time he knew them - he could claim them as his best friends all he wanted, but he knew they were always each other’s best friend even past the frequent brotherly bickering)… but he wasn't complaining here. It might have been obvious to just about practically everyone, but the little sideline decoy had developed a quick crush on Osamu. It would have been Atsumu , he thought to himself with his chin on his forearms that were folded on the back of a chair, eyes kept on the wing spiker in front of him, if Osamu wasn't so warm with his specially reserved smiles.
"Oi, Shoyo-kun?"
Shoyo was snapped out of his possibly endearing, possibly creepy observations about Osamu's smile. He felt a little silly, getting caught so blatantly paying more attention to everything but what was being said. Needless to say it was effortless for him to get lost in thought about Osamu’s features lately. The more they hung out, the more he could tell the difference between him and Atsumu, and the more he knew he felt for Osamu.
"Huh? 'Samu?"
Osamu huffed, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards almost made it seem like it was meant to be a shy laugh. He stood from his seat, smoothing out his shirt and putting one hand in his pocket. The other hand reached out to Shoyo as an offering, his cheeks tinted with a slight rosy tint to his complexion.
"Practice, right? We should get goin' by now. I think we’re kinda late."
Taking the offered hand and feeling himself get effortlessly yanked up off the chair, Shoyo fell into step beside Osamu with ease to get going to practice. There weren't any further conversations, but maybe the brush of their fingers, the bump of their arms together, silent comments made with a single point towards something notable that made both chuckle, said enough to make Shoyo's heart pound. He’d follow Miya Osamu anywhere.
-~ 3 ~-
Dating a Miya wasn't as hard as he expected it to be.
What Shoyo expected was a mob of angry people demanding to know why the runt of the club, someone who was only just making it onto the starting lineup for certain games, was able to slip his hand into Osamu's and expect their fingers to slot together. He expected questions pouring out of every corner of the Miya twins fan club and being told that it should be the person talking to him that got to have Osamu's jacket draped on their shoulders when it got cold and not him. He braced for the worst outcomes every time he was able to show the second year affection in quiet ways, but nothing really happened.
People whispered about them, but according to even the most honest members of the volleyball team, it was more about the fact that Osamu was dating anyone than the fact it was Shoyo specifically. The information made Shoyo breathe a sigh of relief that he didn't know he was waiting to let out.
Over the course of a few uncertain weeks since walking to practice alone, Osamu and Shoyo had made plans together - they would go for food without Atsumu, they would find each other on the way to practice, they texted at least once every night. The first week was when it took the wing spiker a fistful of small flowers and an uncertain look in his eyes to ask Shoyo if he wanted to be his boyfriend. It wasn't something he'd done often (or at all, judging by stories of Osamu turning down pretty much anyone who confessed to him) so he had been unsurprisingly nervous. He almost walked to class that day with the feeling of a kiss on his lips, but Shoyo decided it was better to accept with one to the cheek.
The next week was when Osamu asked if they could kiss for the first time - his voice was low and soft and it held uncertainty just like the confession. All Shoyo could do was nod, words caught in his throat at the idea of kissing his boyfriend, his mind running through different stages of their relationship as they both leaned in closer to each other. Shoyo's massive instant crush on Osamu, befriending him and his brother, obediently following him wherever he wanted to take him, the confession.
If he was honest to anyone else, he was sure… he was so sure that, before Osamu confessed to him so sweetly and before he found himself on the receiving end of texts in a group chat with both twins about how amazing and gorgeous Aran is, Atsumu was the one who would have confessed anything like this to him. He even had mentally been preparing a rejection in the case that did actually happen.
Atsumu-san… it isn’t like I can help it, but- Shoyo’s mind walked through his rehearsed speech like a flashback as he felt his heart flutter and ache at Osamu’s gentle kiss. -I just don’t like you that way… His eyes slid shut and his fingers threaded into the hair at the back of his head… soft. I don’t want to lead you on anymore and I don’t want to drag this out. Shoyo’s head tilted to the side as a better angle into the kiss, feeling it march straight into a less-chaste territory the more comfortable they got. At that point, he knew he was in the wing spiker's lap, fingers fidgeting with his hair and shirt. I-I actually like Osamu-san very much… not like you. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to say anything, but I think you need to know now. Oh he definitely really really liked Osamu, if that hadn't been clear to him already… his thoughts spiraled off from where he would have a well-placed bow into the touch of Osamu’s hands on his sides, thumbs rubbing circles idly through the jacket he had on. Maybe if things were different he'd have had to use it, but there… in that moment? It was just him and Osamu. It was real bonding - a first kiss. It's not like there wasn't as if they didn't know each other so well before it, but it was enough for the next words out of Osamu's mouth to be-
"Shoyo," Shoyo loved hearing his first name with nothing added to it from his boyfriend's mouth, "I meant to ask ya coming here, but we got a little sidetracked, so… will ya come home with me? To meet my parents."
He cocked his head at that.
"But… I've met yer parents? I went to yer house just the other week, Osamu."
Osamu squeezed one of Shoyo's hands in both of his, his lips in a tight, nervous line.
"Meet them as my boyfriend. I-"
Nothing but himself cut off his words, but Shoyo didn't need to hear another word anyway. He leaned in, wrapped his arms around Osamu, and hugged him tightly with his forehead touching . He was going to be known to his family as his boyfriend… that thought made him giddy, smiling into his chest as he agreed.
That night he went home to clean up, his mom fretting in pride over her son actually meeting his significant other's family as such (“It’s such a big step! I’m so proud of you for finding someone you’re that serious about, Shoyo-”). She helped dress him in his best casual clothes (something neat and tidy and let him take a few breaks to nervously shoot over texts to Osamu. She had met him before and loved him instantly - he was polite and even helped her clean up after dinner that day - and she was very excited for this dinner (even if it wasn't really her business to be in).
When the doorbell rang, Shoyo was distracted by the sight of Osamu half-dressed up in the same manner he was - casual, but the dressier end of that. Even his hair had been handled neatly, styled but not too much. He looked… really good and it took a goodbye hug from his mom and Natsu to snap him out of his thoughts and take his boyfriend's hand and follow him out the door.
(It went well that night and the Miya family was ecstatic to hear the news of someone so respectful and kind making their son so happy. He was allowed to stay the night and learned that Osamu’s breakfasts were and how he was the one helping cook it for everyone on certain days. He also learned that Osamu’s bed was rather comfortable fitting two people snug against each other. The walk to school between the twins in the morning felt warm and light, like he was on top of the world.)
-~ 4 ~-
Graduating school was a whirlwind in and of itself. Shoyo and Osamu still were going strong, keeping in touch distantly as they, after Shoyo’s third year, ended up on other sides of the world. Where Osamu stayed in Japan, following a dream of culinary over sports, Shoyo found himself in Brazil chasing volleyball as far as anyone would expect from him. It was hard, tumbling into the soft sands of Rio and waiting for laughter from a high school sweetheart at how ridiculous the small flail on hitting the ground was. He missed the little details of walking to meet with Osamu, holding his pinky linked in his own, sharing kisses and laughter on off days - he missed being able to touch his boyfriend. FaceTime could only do so much for his relentless yearning.
He knew that Osamu had stopped dyeing his hair this way - he even cut the grey out of it once long enough (to Shoyo the now shortened hair looked really cute and he couldn’t wait to slip his fingers through it to coax him into a kiss when he got back), he knew Osamu had taken up skillful cooking that even Atsumu couldn't seem to find a complaint about (the guarantee on skill, actually - Shoyo wished he could taste his boyfriend’s homemade food already), and he knew that Osamu still loved him (he told him every day - every text was easy to see the bundles of affection in). Every night that they could before he went to sleep, Shoyo sat on a quiet call with him and softly exchanged tender goodnights filled with ‘I love you’ s and ‘sleep tight’ s and ‘have a good day’ s that made the morning for him that much easier to be energized for.
Food delivery already started to remind him too much of home despite knowing it was nothing Osamu was cooking back home.
The only thing that made it a little easier to be in Brazil after a bit was meeting with another native Japanese speaker. They had met briefly at larger volleyball events and knew a name to his face - Oikawa Tooru - but not much else. Oikawa approached him at first with a vague memory of Inarizaki’s number 17? almost in disbelief and man it had been awhile since he was Inarizaki’s number 17 middle blocker decoy, but it was a launching point for their bonding. They went back to Shoyo’s, saying hello to Pedro with a few snacks to brighten his evening, and talked all night just to be able to chit-chat in a language they could speak a little easier, he even minded Shoyo's accidental default into his Kansai dialect. Their friendship spanned conversations of volleyball, to their passions, to their love lives. Oikawa told him about his high school sweetheart from Aoba Johsai - Iwaizumi Hajime, his ace he would clarify - and how much he missed him, how he would visit him as often as he could manage. Shoyo told him about his boyfriend back in Hyogo - one Miya Osamu, a chef of some level of experience that he hadn’t known yet and his former teammate - and how it was so hard to live so far away from him even if there was an expiration date on his time in Brazil.
After that night, the two were practically inseparable for the rest of their time together in Rio. They played beach volleyball together, they had dinner together, everything they did was accompanied by countless high school stories (most notably being a time where "Mattsun" and "Makki" - Oikawa's old friends and teammates he didn't really know - practically turned volleyball practice into a flash mob from Oikawa's stories and just about all if not most of the battles between the Miya twins at Inarizaki from Shoyo’s - they made each other laugh with each impression of an unknown person). Oikawa Tooru was a fun man, an amazing player, and the perfect chance to name a new rival in his favorite and personally most important sport. It seemed like the challenge was accepted too, lopsided grins showing a competitive glint in the setter's eyes every time they played.
It was really nice. Shoyo was sure to even tell Osamu about making a friend over the course of a week there that helped make it easier to get everything he wanted to do accomplished so he could come home confidently. Osamu was grateful, if not a tiny bit jealous perhaps until he told him about Oikawa's "Iwa-chan" he spent more than one night gushing about.
“Ah Chibi-chan,” Tooru said on his last day, standing tall before Shoyo with a wide, almost lazy smile on his face. His hand extended for a handshake, “I hope I’ll hear more from you sooner or later. Maybe next time we’re both in Japan you can introduce me to your lovely Osamu-kun and I can introduce you to my lovely Iwa-chan, hm? Other than that… I hope I’ll see you on the court.”
Shoyo stood a little taller, a broad and determined smile taking over his features. His hands both clamped down on Tooru's.
"I would love that, Tooru-san. I'll see ya there!" He chirped, shaking the hand between his with enthusiasm.
"Then I can't wait, Shoyo."
After Tooru left Rio, it was like a fire had been lit double-time in Shoyo. He couldn't help but feel more determined than ever to get better, get faster, get stronger to face Tooru one day rather than play on the same side of the court. The two texted about their routines every day, about what they were having for dinners that day, about cute little updates from those they loved.
The last week that Shoyo was in Brazil, Tooru got a text about how his boyfriend had a mysterious surprise and the text Tooru sent back was a loosely encouraging Good luck!! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ his way.
Shoyo almost cried when he stepped into the airport in Japan, if he was completely honest. He missed everything about it and he didn't even realize how badly after Tooru's little visit. It wasn’t even that he was miserable in Brazil - he had so much fun and improved a lot and made plenty of friends… he just missed things like the streets of Miyagi or how Tokyo looked at night or the calm sounds of his home in Hyogo.
Speaking of home… the sight of calm, grey eyes and short, dark hair that he was so familiar with seeing through a phone screen made it hit him extra hard. Miya Osamu was his home and he finally came back. The trademark Osamu smirk - light and fond and saved for special occasions when Shoyo last left him here - was something he missed seeing in person and something that quickly was blurred by the tears that welled up and stung his eyes. Osamu! Osamu is right there! was all his brain could muster, feeling strong arms wrap around him and pull him right into the most instantly comforting hug he had ever had. His face was quickly buried into the black fabric of the shirt Osamu had on, feeling familiar hands stroke his back carefully and gently run fingers through his hair.
"I missed you so much!" Shoyo cried out, arms flying from his luggage to around Osamu's waist. It was weird to have grown a little more without him to compare - especially to get as much stronger as he did as well. His head knocked into his boyfriend’s chin a little and his arms squeezed a little too tightly.
Osamu was definitely different now too and he loved every little detail of him. His shorter hair was soft to touch and even nicer in person (it was more fun to ruffle now than the styled grey he used to have), he softened up a little (mostly in the waist, just enough that it gave him even more incentive to cuddle him extra that night - it was practically perfect, really), and his hands were softer. It was obvious that he took better care of them with each recipe he perfected to treat his food with the same amount. Shoyo could attest by memory of any bento, treat, or breakfast they shared made by his hand.
"I really appreciate it, but-" Osamu huffed like there was a struggle, the hand in his hair ruffling the bouncy orange locks affectionately, "-yer kinda killin' me here."
Oh! Osamu practically wheezed and took a jokingly deep breath once he was let go of. Shoyo's hands found his bags again, but his eyes didn't leave his boyfriend. He was too happy and too jetlagged to pay attention to much else now that he found him. It was like a breath of fresh air, cool and welcoming, after almost just too long of beach heat. The beach was nice and as much as he needed to be there then, he was where he needed to be again.
"Hey… ya know any good places to stay around here?" Shoyo teased, a warm smile sitting lopsided on his face.
“Actually I might know a place…” Osamu leaned in, almost enough to leave a public kiss on his lips, and instead went a little further to murmur in his ear, “A great place to eat too. Follow me, Sho”
Shoyo let his things be split between the two of them in order to properly be able to hook their pinkies together between them on the way out. He followed Osamu all the way home, discussing things that changed that Shoyo hadn’t had many details on in Brazil (like Atsumu’s relationship that had bounced from his first crush on Aran to his first boyfriend in Suna was now something with Itachiyama’s former libero, Komori Motoya) before getting a surprise when he presented a storefront of a restaurant. It was marked as closed, presumably so the owner before him (that is, if the name Onigiri Miya boldly displayed out front had anything to say about the state of ownership) could visit the airport. The pride he felt was visible as he looked one momentarily bashful Miya in the eye (or tried to - he was never good at holding eye contact when he was nervous about something) and beamed.
“I’m so so happy for ya, ‘Samu… this is incredible!” Shoyo let his things go once again to wrap around him in a tight squeeze, this time letting his hands linger on his sides and back for a moment just to feel him under his fingers. He leaned up and pecked Osamu’s lips quickly, seeing not many people (if any) sparing them a glance, twice before sighing affectionately. “I’m so proud of ya.”
“That’s all I ever want, sunshine.”
The couple swept themselves and Shoyo’s things inside, idly chatting about the trip home and how good it was to be there again. The shorter followed Osamu up to his place above the restaurant - a home he’d only been given a digital tour of over video calls - and the minute they were behind closed doors he had no problem following him right to the bedroom (the bedroom that even had their old high school jerseys framed, the bedroom that Osamu said goodnight from almost every night through the phone, the bedroom that they shared on Shoyo’s first day back later that night) to half unpack and half get ready for some well-needed sleep.
The morning found them curled together in each other’s arms, snoozing softly in the golden light. Minutes later, one would wake up with the other’s arms around him and relish the feeling of spending a night with his loved one for the first time in so long. They said their ‘I love you’ s and began the process of syncing their morning routines or breakfast, coffee, showers, and meditation.
-~ 5 ~-
If Shoyo thought that graduating Inarizaki High School was a whirlwind, he was not prepared for how much of a whirlwind being on the MSBY Black Jackals was. There were a couple faces he knew, more than a few people relying on him to do a good job on the court and make a good first impression, and there were a lot of fans of this team who were already there. Apparently he was a hit, making good impressions both on the court and off, and that was good news for him and great news for the team. He was just glad that stress was off.
Osamu and Atsumu took him to get drinks (courtesy Atsumu’s idea, mostly) the week after he had officially made it onto the roster for the Jackals. He apparently ended up giving a partially-drunken speech that was a toast to his teammates, a long time acquaintance (or friend, if Sakusa subscribed to Shoyo’s view that everyone was a sort of yet-to-be friend until proven otherwise) from Itachiyama Institute, a fast friend he hadn’t known all too well before from Fukurodani Academy, one of his best friends for a measure of years that his alcohol-driven self couldn’t math out, and how happy he was that the rest of the members - the ones who hadn’t known him in his high school years - accepted him and welcomed him so warmly to the team.
The next morning was awful, spent hunched in the bathroom with a groggy, half-dressed Osamu rubbing his back. Never again.
Time went on and being on the team went more smoothly than that, he got closer and more familiar with all the faces… even if they never let him live down whatever happened the rest of that night (he heard horror stories of attempts at unsynchronized dancing - moves that were completely different energies to what was present there). Miya Atsumu, of course, he knew well before anyone else there. He grew up through his high school career practically glued to his side. Sakusa Kiyoomi was the teammate he had known through Atsumu purely by osmosis of information. They were familiar and being on the same team had only made Shoyo excited to crack his shell to learn more. Bokuto Kotaro was a new face when joining the Jackals… sort of. Shoyo knew about Fukurodani Academy and their success at Nationals and knew that their captain was one of the top aces in the country, but not much else. Getting to know him was really fun! He was excitable and loud and made Shoyo laugh. Aside from them, those he hung out with most of all, the rest of the team was highly impressive on the court and plenty of fun to talk to off of it.
“Omi Omi-san!” Shoyo greeted his teammate with a good mood after practice one day. There was a disgruntled response of a noise, letting Shoyo know that Sakusa was busying himself with something else but was still listening,”I’m not gonna be able to make it to dinner with you, ‘Tsumu, and Boku-san. Bwagh I’m sorry!”
"Ah." Sakusa nodded once, glancing just barely to Shoyo as his hands packed and sorted his things with a flat voice. "So you have a date."
“Ahh haha yeah kinda!” The opposite hitter just scratched the back of his neck meekly, fingertips toying with the short ends of his hair there. His eyes darted from Sakusa, to his bag, to his own bag, to the floor, and then back to Sakusa. “I guess nothing gets past ya, huh Omi Omi-san?”
“You aren’t sick and you always make an effort to stop by a team celebration.” Sakusa sighed in unamusement, hands stopping as he gave Shoyo a look that said Really? You’re saying this? and took a moment to calibrate his thoughts. Everyone on the team knew he was smart, calculating every little thing he did with such precision. Nobody understood why he looked so irked every time someone brought it up, but Shoyo just thought it was because it was one of the only things half of the people they knew bothered approaching him with knowledge about, not- “Also you know that I don’t even like when Miya uses that nickname for me.”
“Ya don’t?”
“No.”
“I only started using it ‘cause ya looked happier than usual whenever he ca-”
“Goodnight, Hinata.” With that note and a brief glance of red on his cheeks before the mask was pulled on securely, Sakusa quickly swept out of the locker room of the MSBY Black Jackals.
Interesting!
To: 💞🥺 My Rice Ball 🥰🍙🖤
Do I spy w my little eye?? Kiyoomi w a CRUSH??? 😱
Also lmk when u get here love u!! 💕💞
From: 💞🥺 My Rice Ball 🥰🍙🖤
He has a crush? Oh are you just picking up on his thing for Tsumu now? Yeah wish he could see it too.
Also meet me outside I got a couple meat buns. xoxo
Shoyo slid his phone away with a smile and grabbed his things to head outside where he always met Osamu when they walked home together. It was only once a week or so, but sometimes Onigiri Miya would be able to close a little early - coincidentally in perfect time with MSBY’s late practices - and MSBY’s #21 would skip right into the arms of his boyfriend for a good evening kiss and always some sort of food to eat either on the way home or on a bench together somewhere before finishing the route. They would walk together, hand in hand (optional food), and talk about the day so that when they came home they could simply curl up together under a blanket and pick playful fights over stupid show choices and what’s plausible and what isn’t. Usually any arguments ended in falling asleep on each other for a couple hours on the couch until they woke up to get ready and properly move to the bed they shared.
It was a different routine that night, though.
Osamu arrived and took him home without any extra treats or goodies on him, hands simply entwined with occasional swipes over Shoyo’s knuckles with his thumb. They talked, Shoyo trying to squeeze information out of his boyfriend for what was so important about the restaurant they were going to that he couldn’t know the name of it.
“Ya know I love you so so much, right?”
“Yeah… ya know I’m incredibly lucky that ya do, right?”
“Yeah,” Shoyo’s face gained a cheeky smirk. “So if we’re ending up at yer restaurant I-”
“Actually…” Osamu teased the idea, tapping his chin and looking thoughtful as if he was sincere about it. He earned a slight shove from Shoyo. “Kidding! I’m just kiddin’ around. Ya just gotta wait.”
That night Shoyo followed Osamu once again, both clad in something semi-formal, reminding Shoyo of how his first dinner was being presented to the Miyas as Osamu’s boyfriend dressed in a similar manner. They ate fine food and had a wonderful time together. Dessert came all too soon for Shoyo’s taste, time flew too fast when he was having too much fun. After the rich chocolate cake in front of Osamu was gone (and Shoyo had gently wiped off any of the ganache on his face), the weight of a hand in his hand over the table was not the only thing his fingers had balanced precariously that day.
-~ + 1 ~-
The holidays were special to the Hinata household. Family gatherings that meant a great deal for Natsu and Shoyo most of all. It had always represented a sort of unity, Shoyo thought, to come together for the holidays no matter how far apart you normally are. So despite not having been in the best spot to come home on a whim for celebrations with his family, Shoyo decided to pay for a short stay for him and Osamu. His mom was always delighted to hear that their relationship had stayed the same, if not just kept improving, and his sister was excited to see them together again after having missed more than just photos of her brother and his beloved significant other for awhile.
“Are ya sure this is even thoughtful enough? I mean it’s just-” Osamu held onto a bag carefully, keeping containers of still-warm onigiri made just before the ride over and packaged to stay fresh. He was trying to wrestle with the strap of another bag he had to make it more comfortable in the colder temperature. “Food?”
“Osamu - food is yer love language. Of course it’s more than enough. It’s a big sign ya still care about the family.” Shoyo said, hand clasped tightly in his pocket with the other using his phone to let his family know they’d just be walking inside. “And even if it wasn’t it’s still some of the best food out there!”
The pair stepped into the Hinata household, Shoyo first out of sheer excitement to see his old Hyogo home again, warm and full of nostalgic sights and sounds and scents for the smaller of the two. It made him smile almost instantly as the two of them stopped at the genkan to set their shoes aside.
“Mom? Natsu?” He just couldn’t really wait very long to tell the news he had. He saved it for this very event to hopefully make sure the holidays went off on a light and happy note. It made him happier than anything at least. His family quickly stopped what they were doing - his mother had been cooking something she always took a long time on for the time of the year and Natsu put the TV remote aside, allowing volleyball broadcasts to sit on screen as the two family members came to hug each of them.
Shoyo watched with a fond expression as Osamu and his mother had a couple exchanges of words and clarifying of what was in the onigiri he had brought. Then came the tiny hurricane of his sister giving them both the tightest hugs she could manage and beaming.
“I know this is a Hinata only holiday, but I think you’ll have to make an exception this year…” Shoyo said, cursing himself for sort of sounding cheesy in the moment. He wanted it to sound so much more special, but the setup-
“Oh, dear, you know I’ll always welcome your boyfriend here. The Miyas are like family to us because of you two.”
“About that-”
And that was when Shoyo held up his hand, wiggling his ring finger a little. There was a gleam of simple metal around it. He beamed just as brightly as the shine of it as Osamu followed his lead, shifting the bag of onigiri to his other hand to reveal his own matching band.
“I hope that means ya have room for two Miyas soon.”
The night was spent celebrating an engagement, asking about dates, and cooing over how amazing a chef one little Hinata’s soon-to-be husband was. Embarrassing stories and warm jokes were traded, games were played, and food was eaten. It was the perfect celebration for Shoyo. He had everything he needed with him right there and if he had to trade volleyball for this just a little longer… it was worth it. The peace, the love, the food - it was all exactly what he’d hoped for. Drifting off to sleep that night, sharing blankets with Osamu in a bed that was not what he’d grown accustomed to sleeping in, Shoyo never thought that chasing more than just volleyball was something that could be so fulfilling. He never thought that he could even seek both romance and volleyball, he simply expected somewhere down the line for Osamu to give in and cut him loose to run around the world for the sport he loved more than anything… but he didn’t. Instead Osamu watched Shoyo chase what he loved doing anywhere and everywhere and waited for him to come home every time to who loved him.
But the truth is that he would always follow Osamu anywhere in his own manner.