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Hinata and Kageyama started dating in their third year, though they've obviously yet obliviously liked eachother since their first year. It was a regretful start because they barely had any time to do any public display of affection before graduation started creeping up.
"Hinata," Kageyama said softly from behind him.
"Hm?" Hinata hummed, glancing over his shoulder. After graduation, they'd decided to visit the gym one last time. Just like the late-night practices from their first year, they stayed longer than planned—passing the ball around, laughing, pretending this wasn't an ending. Yamaguchi, Tsukishima, and Yachi were there too, giving them space without ever saying it out loud.
Kageyama hesitated, then asked, "Where are you headed after graduation?"
"Brazil."
Hinata stopped mid-motion, the ball slipping from his hands. He turned slowly. "And you, Kageyama?"
"Tokyo. Going pro," Kageyama replied immediately. "Of course." Hinata smiled-proud, bright, and aching all at once. Kageyama returned it with a smile of his own, softer than the one that used to frighten everyone else. Hinata stepped closer, let the ball drop, and rose onto his toes. His hands slid from Kageyama's back to rest around his neck before he leaned in, pressing a gentle, unhurried kiss to Kageyama's lips. Kageyama kissed him back without hesitation, hands settling at Hinata's waist. They pulled away smiling, foreheads almost touching.
"I'll be off, then," Hinata said quietly. "Let's hang out before I leave, yeah? See you later, Kageyama."
"...Yeah," Kageyama answered, voice steady despite the tightness in his chest.
"See you later, Hinata."
A decade later, Kageyama Tobio had become a rising star in the volleyball world, now playing as the starting setter for the Schweiden Adlers. He was unmistakably one of a kind—an almost godlike presence on the court. He and Hinata had never broken up. Distance had never been a reason to end things for them. Some (most) nights were unbearable, yes, but they had always known they could endure it. They had chosen patience. They had chosen each other. Birthdays, however, were different. They had grown harder for Kageyama to face with every passing year. He was a genius, of course he'd become a true celebrity by now. Teammates were always eager to celebrate with him, to drag him out for dinner or surprise him after practice. He didn't hate it-sometimes he even appreciated it—but most of the time, his thoughts drifted elsewhere. Toward the absence beside him. Toward the touch he didn't have.
He missed Hinata unbearably.
They video-called whenever they could, clinging to stolen moments across time zones. Still, both of them knew it never truly got easier. They just learned how to live with it. To wait. Until Hinata came back from Brazil. Now, Kageyama was turning twenty-nine in two days. Another birthday. Another reminder. His teammates had already begun buzzing about celebrations, suggestions thrown at him nonstop. He answered with shrugs and noncommittal sounds, letting the topic slide away whenever he could.
When he called Hinata a week before his birthday, something felt off. Hinata sounded busy—busier than usual. Their hour-long calls shrank to minutes, then to rushed messages.
"Can't call right now, but I'll call you later when I can, yeah? I love you!"
Kageyama would reply the same way every time.
"Okay. Miss you. Love you more. Talk to you later."
Volleyball usually grounded him. It gave his thoughts somewhere to go, something sharp and familiar to hold onto. But that week, even volleyball failed him. Every set reminded him of Hinata's jumps. Every empty space on the court felt shaped like him. No matter how hard Kageyama tried to outrun it, his body remembered before his mind could catch up. Two days before his birthday, practice ended later than usual. His teammates lingered, throwing him knowing looks and half-joking reminders. "We're celebrating, alright?" Nicolas Romero said, one of his teammates.
"Don't disappear on us." Kageyama shook his head, already slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I've got other plans." They didn't press him. By now, they knew better. By the time Kageyama had arrived home, Hinata had already fallen asleep. That night, Kageyama didn't go to sleep right away. He found himself scrolling through old photos instead—grainy gym lights, sweat-soaked jerseys, flashes of orange in midair. Miyagi crept into his thoughts without asking permission.
December 22
Somewhere between the rhythm of the wheels and the hum of the engines, his memories started flooding back-the laughter on the court, the stubbornness, the orange blur flying toward him in every set. The tiny moments, the big ones, everything Hinata had been to him. By the time he arrived in Miyagi, snow was falling steadily, covering the streets in a soft, muffled blanket. He walked familiar paths-past the quiet parks, over bridges, past the places he and Hinata had once raced through in sneakers, barefoot in sand, or just kicking up fallen leaves. Each step pressed into the snow like a private conversation with memory. It was early morning when he reached the beach. Snow drifted over the sand, turning it pale and cold beneath his feet. The shoreline looked different in winter-more still, more intimate, as if the world itself had hushed for him. He sat at the edge, letting the wind sting his cheeks, and watched the horizon blur where sky met sea. He didn't know why he had come. He only knew he needed to be here.
A notification buzzed from his pocket. Kageyama shivered, more from anticipation than the cold, and pulled out his phone. It was a message from Hinata.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOBIO, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!"
A soft, small smile tugged at his lips, but it couldn't reach the ache in his chest. He took a picture of the snow-dusted beach, the waves blurred under the gray winter sky, and sent it to Hinata. Then, he typed a simple message, trying to keep his voice steady even through the screen.
"Kinda wish you were here, dumbass." He replied.
Kageyama's fingers shivered as the cold air hit him once again, slowly typing another message as Hinata begins to ramble about missing Miyagi and Kageyama.
“When are you coming home for vacation?"
Hinata's message read:
"I'll let you know :P"
Kageyama's shoulders slumped as he read it. He had asked when Hinata was coming home for winter vacation, but all he got was a playful dodge. He sighed, disappointment settling heavily in his chest. He had just wanted a direct answer. The cold bit deeper into him, and he realized how much he missed Hinata's warmth. Alone, with only the crunch of snow beneath his feet and the rhythm of the waves, he let himself be vulnerable. Quiet sobs slipped out before he could stop them, small and trembling. Tears streaked his cheeks as he clutched his phone tightly, staring at the snow-dusted, chilly beach before him, the place that had held so many warm memories he could only hold onto as an imagination. And then—he felt it. A warmth behind him, subtle at first, almost imperceptible against the icy December air. It wasn't just the wind shifting. It was something... familiar. Something that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
Kageyama froze, every muscle tensing instinctively. His chest tightened, and his heart started to hammer—not from the cold, but from recognition.
Hinata?
He didn't turn. He couldn't. Not yet. The warmth lingered, patient and steady, as if it were waiting for him to notice. And somewhere deep in Kageyama's gut, a single thought echoed louder than any doubt:
He's here.
Kageyama's hands trembled as he reached out, gripping the snow-dusted sand beneath him to steady himself. The ache in his chest, the months of distance, the lonely nights—they all poured out at once. Hinata crouched slightly to meet his eye level, still smiling softly, letting the cold nip at him without flinching. "I'm here, Tobio," he whispered, voice carrying that familiar warmth that made Kageyama's defenses crumble entirely. Kageyama froze, heart hammering, and for a long moment, all he could do was stare. Then, the tension that had been building for years—the loneliness, the distance, the ache of missing Hinata broke in a single, sharp wave.
Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around Hinata, burying his face into the warmth of his boyfriend's chest. Hinata responded immediately, holding him tight, letting Kageyama feel the familiar, bright, and steady presence he had been craving for so long. The cold snow and winter wind didn't matter. The world narrowed to the two of them, pressed together, breathing in each other's warmth. Kageyama let out a quiet shuddering sigh, finally letting himself feel safe, loved, and whole again. Hinata rested his chin atop Kageyama's head, fingers threading gently through his hair. "Happy birthday, Kageyama," he murmured. "I missed you so much."
Kageyama tightened his hold instinctively. "I... I missed you too," he admitted, voice muffled against Hinata's shoulder. For a moment, they stayed like that, silent but unbroken, letting the snowfall and winter chill fade into the background. Everything else-the distance, the years apart, the unanswered questions—melted away in the simple, perfect warmth of the hug. Hinata tilted his head slightly, brushing his nose against Kageyama's temple. "You're really here," Kageyama whispered, voice trembling just enough to betray how much he'd missed him. "That's right. I'm here." Kageyama lifted his head just enough to meet Hinata's gaze. Snowflakes clung to their hair and eyelashes, the cold barely noticeable compared to the heat pooling in his chest. His lips parted slightly, unsure, almost asking. Hinata's smile widened, a soft, mischievous curve that made Kageyama's breath hitch. Without another word, Hinata leaned in, brushing their lips together gently at first. Kageyama responded instantly, hands sliding from Hinata's back to his shoulders, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened-not frantic, not hurried, but full of all the longing, relief, and love that had been bottled up for years.
Snow fell softly around them, dusting their shoulders, but Kageyama hardly noticed. All he felt was Hinata-warm, solid, alive-and for the first time in far too long, he let himself completely sink into it. When they finally pulled back, just enough to breathe, Kageyama rested his forehead against Hinata's. "I've missed you so much," he murmured. Hinata's grin was bright, soft, and entirely full of love. "Me too, Tobio. Me too." They stayed like that, snow swirling around them, hearts still racing, wrapped in the quiet, perfect warmth of being together again.
"Happy birthday, Tobio."
Kageyama wasn't thinking straight, his inner voice repeating one word over and over again: "Hinata, Hinata, Hinata, Hinata, Hinata." He missed his boyfriend so much, his partner, his rival, his friend-way too much to be able to comprehend this moment properly. The tears were uncontrollable, yet comforting. He finally let his emotions flow freely after pushing them down and burying himself in volleyball since their separation. He had nights wherein his eyes would get watery, just thinking about Hinata. Hinata's touch. Hinata's face. Hinata's smile. God, his smile. His eyes. His spikes. His feelings. How Hinata made him feel like they were the only two alive, how Hinata made him feel butterflies for the first time, how Hinata's soft lips brushed against his for the first time, how Hinata would tug on Kageyama's hair as a sign of pleasure whenever Kageyama would touch the right spot during their make-outs in their third year,
How Hinata would make him feel loved, comfortable, and how Hinata made Kageyama feel every overwhelming yet loving feeling all at once. Sure, they called, and Hinata did make Kageyama feel just as loved as he does physically, but when it's through mere texts and calls, Kageyama's heart longed for the physical affection they gave each other. It just gave him a sense of relief. Peace. Sincerity. He didn't feel Hinata's touch for years. He never wanted his moment to end, he never wanted to leave Hinata's side ever again. He didn't even know how Hinata knew he was going to visit Miyagi for his birthday, but he didn't care, all he wanted was Hinata, after all. "Tobio." Hinata whispered, his voice rough around the edges, like he'd been holding back, yet still holding onto a reassuring and gentle tone, "It's cold. Let's go somewhere warm, please?"
Kageyama didn't answer right away. His hands were still tangled in Hinata's jacket, fingers numb from the cold—or maybe from the fear that if he let go now, this would all disappear. Hinata noticed. Of course he did. He always did. He smiled gently, the kind of smile that didn't ask for anything, and reached up to brush his thumb beneath Kageyama's eye, wiping away a tear that had already gone cold on his skin. "I'm not going anywhere," Hinata murmured, voice warm despite the night air. "Let's go to my house. My mom and sister aren't home, we'll be alone."
That was enough.
Kageyama nodded, swallowing hard, and finally loosened his grip—just enough to let Hinata lace their fingers together instead. Hinata's hand was warm. Solid. Real. Finally. As they started walking, shoulders brushing, Kageyama realized something terrifying and wonderful all at once:
He wasn't chasing a memory anymore.
Hinata was here. Kageyama leaned closer as they walked side by side, feeling as if they aren't already close enough. Hinata just smiled and let out a warm giggle, he was always warm. Be it his presence or his touch, Hinata always gave Kageyama warmth. As if they weren't walking in cold air. He always loved that about Hinata, he missed it just as much too. Kageyama noticed something about Hinata, he had been too occupied with just smothering Hinata with all his body because he missed him too much. He took this chance to start observing Hinata closely, Hinata's palm had more callouses than before, of course. His body was bigger—he definitely had defined biceps and abs. Kageyama just couldn't tell with all the layers Hinata had on, the layers that covered his body in warmth. Those legs. Unfortunately, Kageyama couldn't see his legs, since they were covered by pants. Surely he'd be given the opportunity to smother them in kisses once they were in a private space?
The rough patches along Hinata's fingers, faint ridges at the base of his palm—callouses earned from earnest training, from weight rooms and endless reps, the sand. Kageyama's thumb brushed over them absentmindedly, tracing the texture like he was confirming that this was real and that he wasn't dreaming, for the sixth or seventh time since they reunited. Hinata squeezed his hand in response, a little tighter, grounding. "You okay?" he glanced, asking quietly. Kageyama nodded, even though his chest still felt too full, his heart seemingly jumping out of his chest every few seconds. "Yeah, just—" He shook his head, tightening his grip instead. "You feel.. different." Hinata smiled, fond and soft. "You too." They didn't let go the entire walk.
By the time they reached Hinata's place, the cold had seeped deep into Kageyama's bones, leaving him slightly stiff and sluggish, emotions still clinging to him like frost, like the snow that had fallen on his eyelashes. Hinata looked around, then he lifted the doormat and spotted a duplicate key of their house key, beaming with relief. The moment the door shut behind them, warmth wrapped around him—and before Hinata could even kick his shoes off properly, Kageyama collapsed onto the couch, pulling Hinata down with him. Hinata let out a surprised chuckle, "You missed me this much?" he yelled out as he stumbled, he landed half on top of Kageyama. "You're such a softie."
Kageyama didn't reply. He was centered on fully embracing and feeling each inch of Hinata of Hinata's body on his own. "Tobio—hey. Bed. We should go to the bed. We've gotten too big for laying on the couch." he said, though he didn't actually move away. Kageyama only tightened his hands on Hinata's waist, flopping off Hinata's jacket, revealing a graphic shirt that had been plastered with the words, 'Bom Dia'
Then, he finally buried his face in Hinata's chest like he'd been waiting years to do so—because he HAD been waiting for years. The fabric of Hinata's shirt was warm. Familiar. Hinata sighed, fond and resigned, fingers threading through Kageyama's soft hair that was covered in segments of snow dust. "You're gonna sleep all stiff like that." Kageyama huffed. "Don't care," Kageyama said immediately. His hands curled into Hinata's shirt, fingers pressing into those calloused palms again when Hinata shifted. "Just—five minutes."
Five minutes passed. Then ten.
Hinata giggled quietly, pressing a kiss to the top of Kageyama's head. "You're impossible." Still, he carefully pried at Kageyama's arms loose, standing up despite Kageyama's quiet protest. "C'mon. Bed. I'll carry you if I have to." Hinata urged, "You can't," Kageyama grumbled, "Don't underestimate me, Kageyama-kun. I've grown much stronger than you." Hinata slowly stood up and scooped up Kageyama's body up gently yet effortlessly. Kageyama gasped quietly, "For the record, I'm still stronger. I bet." He retorts, but he clings to Hinata a little bit tighter on the way to the room anyway, making Hinata's mouth form a prideful smile. The moment they reached the bed, Kageyama sank into the mattress with a relieved sigh—and immediately tugged Hinata down with him again. This time, Hinata didn't argue.
He slid under the covers, arms wrapping securely around Kageyama, pulling him close until there was no space left between them. Kageyama pressed his face into Hinata's neck, breathing him in, his body finally unclenching, allowing himself to relax. Hinata's hand rested on Kageyama's back, thumb moving in slow, soothing circles. "I've got you," Hinata whispered. "I'm here." Kageyama's fingers curled into Hinata's shirt one last time before relaxing, exhaustion finally winning. His voice came out quiet, fragile. "Don't leave." Hinata hugged him tighter. "I won't." And for the first time in years, Kageyama could feel Hinata's genuine sincerity from his affection. Physically.
Hinata was the first to move, mostly because he was starting to feel the heat from the layers that were covering both of them, including the comforter. "You're freezing and I'm burning alive," he muttered, half-laughing as he shifted under the covers. "How is that even possible?" Kageyama made a small sound of protest when Hinata tried to pull away, arms tightening instinctively. "You're warm." he said stubbornly, nose pressed against Hinata's collarbone. "Stay." Hinata snorted, "You're wearing like three layers, Kageyama." Only then did Kageyama seem to realize it. The jacket, the hoodie, the compression shirt underneath. He frowned slightly, sluggish with comfort, before reluctantly sitting up just enough to shrug off his jacket. Hinata helped tug it free, fingers brushing Kageyama's arms as he did. "Hm. Progress." Kageyama shot him a look, "Don't get used to it."
Still, a moment later, he pulled the hoodie off his head too, hair sticking up worse than usual. Hinata laughed openly this time. "Kageyama-kun... you look ridiculous!" Hinata simply pointed and laughed, "Shut up," Kageyama muttered, but his ears were pink. He flopped back down immediately. Scooting closer without hesitation, bare arms curling around Hinata's waist once again. The difference was instant—skin warmer against skin, breaths syncing without effort. Kageyama exhaled slowly, shoulders finally dropping. "That's better." Hinata raised an eyebrow. "Wow. So dramatic, Tobio."
"You literally dragged me off the couch. Then carried me away."
"For your own good." Kageyama hummed, unconvinced, fingers absently tracing the familiar roughness of Hinata's hands where they rested against his back. "Bossy now, are we?" Hinata grinned, leaning down just to bump their foreheads together. "And you're clingy. But you always have been, anyway." Kageyama didn't deny it. Instead, he shifted closer—if that was even possible—tucking his face into the crook of Hinata's neck, breath warm. "...Missed this," he admitted quietly. Hinata's teasing softened immediately, his arms tightened around Kageyama, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of his head. "Missed you." They stayed like that, half tangled, half dozing—warm, close, and annoyingly comfortable—while Hinata continued to pretend he wasn't smiling every-time Kageyama unconsciously scooted closer in his doze.
Hinata noticed the shift before Kageyama said anything. It was in the way his arms tightened again, in how he didn't quite settle—restless, warm now, breath brushing too deliberately against Hinata's skin. Kageyama lifted his head slightly, eyes darker than before, unfocused like he wasn't sure where to look. "You're not sleeping," Hinata said, amused. Kageyama swallowed. "No." His hand slid—slow, hesitant—along Hinata's side, fingers pressing into the warmth there as if checking whether he was allowed to be this close. Hinata's breath hitched despite himself. "Tobio," he murmured, warning and fond all at once. Kageyama leaned in anyway, forehead brushing Hinata's jaw, nose grazing skin. "I waited," he said quietly, voice low and rough. "I just want—"
Hinata cut him off by kissing him. It wasn't rushed. It wasn't desperate. It was warm and lingering, like they were relearning each other—Hinata's lips soft, Kageyama's careful at first, then slowly more sure. Kageyama's fingers curled into Hinata's shirt, knuckles brushing bare skin where the fabric had ridden up. Hinata smiled against his mouth. "Still bad at asking." Kageyama huffed, barely pulling back. "You didn't say stop."
"Didn't want to." They kissed again, deeper this time, breaths mixing, bodies pressing closer until the space between them disappeared completely. Hinata shifted, straddling Kageyama's hips just enough to make him freeze. Hinata raised an eyebrow. "You okay?" Kageyama nodded immediately, hands gripping Hinata's waist like he might float away. "Yeah. Just—don't tease if you're not gonna mean it." Hinata laughed softly, leaning down so their noses brushed. "Oh, I mean it." He kissed him again, slower now, hands warm and steady as they slid up Kageyama's arms, thumbs brushing over muscle, over skin still sensitive from the cold. Kageyama melted into it, tilting his head back, breath stuttering when Hinata kissed along his jaw. "God," Kageyama muttered, eyes squeezed shut. "You always do that."
Hinata grinned against his skin. "You always let me." Kageyama's hands slipped under Hinata's shirt this time, palms warm, exploratory but reverent, fingers pausing like he was memorizing the feel all over again. "Because, Shouyou, it always makes me feel good." Hinata felt a shiver run up his spine when Kageyama enunciated his name in melody. Neither of them rushed. Neither of them needed to. They stayed tangled there—kissing, touching, teasing just enough to make it dizzying—wrapped in warmth, laughter, and the quiet certainty that this wasn't something they'd lose again so easily. Hinata felt it when Kageyama stopped holding back.
It was subtle at first—the way his grip tightened at Hinata's waist, thumbs pressing in like he needed to anchor himself. The kiss changed too, growing slower, fuller, lips parting just a little more as Kageyama leaned into it, like he was finally letting himself want.
Hinata hummed softly, pleased, and tilted his head to deepen it. Kageyama's breath hitched immediately.
His hands slid higher, hesitant no longer, palms warm as they skimmed bare skin beneath Hinata's shirt. Hinata shivered—not from the cold this time—and pulled back just enough to smirk down at him. "You're getting bold," he teased.
Kageyama's eyes flicked up to his, dark and a little wild. "You're letting me." That wiped the smile right off Hinata's face—in the best way. He leaned back down, kissing Kageyama again, slower but heavier, mouths moving together like they'd done this a thousand times and were still discovering it anew. Hinata shifted his weight, pressing them closer, and Kageyama let out a quiet sound he didn't mean to. Hinata froze. "That okay?” Kageyama nodded instantly, fingers curling into Hinata's sides. "Yeah. Don't stop."
So Hinata didn't. He kissed along Kageyama's jaw, down the line of his neck, lingering just enough to make Kageyama's shoulders tense. Kageyama tipped his head back instinctively, breath uneven, hands sliding up Hinata's back like he needed more—anything. "You're unfair," Kageyama muttered. Hinata smiled against his skin. "You missed me."
"So much," Kageyama admitted, voice low, almost embarrassed. His hands still under Hinata's shirt, palms warm, exploring slowly, like he was reminding himself this was real. "I thought about this." Hinata sucked in a breath at that—not teasing anymore—and pulled Kageyama into a tighter hug, foreheads touching, noses brushing. "Hey," he said softly, grounding them both. "We've got time." Kageyama nodded, still breathless, but he didn't pull away. If anything, he leaned in closer, pressing one more lingering kiss to Hinata's mouth—slow, heated, full of promise.
Hinata kissed him again—slow, deep, unhurried—like he was making a promise rather than asking permission. Kageyama responded immediately, hands gripping tighter, breath uneven, every inch of him saying yes without a word. Kageyama pulled back just enough to look at him, eyes warm and steady. "You sure?" Hinata nodded, forehead pressing into Kageyama's. "I've been sure." That was all Hinata needed. He kissed him once more, softer this time, before guiding them both down into the sheets, bodies fitting together like they always had. "I want you, Tobio." The room stayed quiet except for shared breaths and whispered names, the world outside shrinking to nothing. "You have me, Shouyou. I haven't received a birthday gift yet. Can I see your thighs?"
"My presence is your birthday gift, you greedy asshole!"
They were alone.
The bed was warm.
The door was closed.
And neither of them were going anywhere.