January 2018

Black velvet suit pants, iron-pressed white button-up shirt, hair styled to absolute perfection and shoes shining like the sun. A gentle smile, a hummingbird heartbeat, ravenous cologne and loving eyes.

"...are you really going to show up to the airport looking like that?" Atsumu shot his twin a nasty sneer, his shoulder slumping over as he pouted.

"Too much?" Osamu rolled his eyes.

"He's been in the air for the last twenty-two hours. His jetlag is going to be insane. For whatever reason, he decided that he wanted you to be the first face he sees when he gets back so maybe give him some proper food to eat on the drive back and then just let him sleep for sixty hours straight," he shook his head. "So yeah. Too much," Atsumu huffed and started to strip.

"...a year and a half is a long time," Atsumu noted.

"Yeah,"

"Think he's changed?"

"Not a chance," Atsumu grinned.

"Good,"

Atsumu changed into comfortable jeans and pulled his Black Jackals hoodie over his head, messing up the hair in the process. He got some meat buns on the way to the airport, remembering a conversation they had once over text about how he missed his favourite food. He was landing quite late – at 9 P.M. – so hopefully he would be able to settle his body's internal clock by passing out when it was night-time.

He listened to his own music on the trip, not in the mood for the nightly radio chatter. The airport wasn't as crowded as it would be during the day, but it was still bumbling. He waited at arrivals and kept his eyes on the landing platforms, busting out a grin when the correct aeroplane moved in like smooth butter. He had a poster in his hands that he held up high, 'Hinata Shōyo' written on it just in case he forgot what Atsumu looked like. As soon as he saw the ginger and his entertained expression as he regarded the poster, he knew it was worth it.

"Shōyo~," Atsumu couldn't keep himself back, throwing his arms around the smaller man instantly. Hinata giggled at his actions, pulling Atsumu closer.

"Atsumu! I'm back!" he laughed, fatigue dripping from his words. Atsumu stepped back and regarded him closely, hands holding onto his biceps. He's bigger – more muscular. Maybe a bit taller?

"Welcome home," Atsumu gave him a welcoming smile. Hinata chuckled. "I've got some food in the car, so you can-,"

"Sorry, can you hold this," Hinata handed him his suitcases. "I need to run to the bathroom!" and he was off, Atsumu left shaking his head.

On the way back, Hinata chowed down on the meat buns while Atsumu told him all about the current happenings. Hinata was too tired to speak and preferred to only listen for now.

He was excited to hear all about the Black Jackals: his future team. He was confident in himself that he would be able to get in and play alongside Atsumu, Bokuto and Sakusa. He was excited for the unit wedding coming up. He was excited to be roommates with Kenma and fully get back into the indoor volleyball swing. He was excited to see Natsu and his mother again.

"Hmm we should go get some of your brother's onigiri," Hinata mumbled beneath his breath, his eyes closed as he laid his head back against the car seat.

"Now? Think it's a bit late for that..." Hinata shook his head.

"Nah, we can go get tomorrow. I want to pick some up and take to my family too,"

"That's an idea. Should I take you tomorrow?"

"I would appreciate it. Then you can meet my family," Atsumu smirked.

"I'll be sure to wear my best tie,"

"...that might be a bit too much," Hinata muttered.

"That seems to be the trend today,"

By the time they got back to Atsumu's apartment, Hinata was passed out in the car. Atsumu looked over his sleeping form with a gentle smile, finally happy that they were reunited again. He gently pulled the ginger into his arms, holding him close to his chest as he carried him into his apartment. Hinata woke up from the movement but only snuggled into him even more, sighing from exhaustion.

"Should I get your suitcase for your pyjamas?" Atsumu questioned.

"Nah. These shorts are comfortable. It'll be too much of a pain to look for it," he commented.

"Do you want a shirt to sleep in?"

"Unless you don't mind me sleeping shirtless in your guestroom?" Atsumu shrugged.

"Nah, I don't care," since Osamu had once lived in this apartment, it had two bedrooms and now a vacant opening he used as a guestroom. Hinata settled into the extra bed and was out like a candlelight, Atsumu settling for the night in his own room.

After having been awake for more than a full day, finally Hinata was able to get some proper rest.

Turns out, Atsumu got along just fine with the Hinata household. Natsu had grown up to be a quirky sixteen-year-old with a daredevil side. She never settled down on any activity that caught her heart and every year she attempted a different sport. This year it was fencing. Atsumu and Natsu had a bit of a competition in the backyard and it ended with Natsu standing over him, victorious in their duel. They had lunch at the household, Hinata catching up his family on everything that happened in Brazil. They gathered some of his belongings that were still in that house and headed off to Kenma's house.

Kenma, upon seeing Hinata again, had given him a brief hug that seemed out of character for Kenma but it had been so long since they've seen each other. Hinata settled in over the next couple of days and got his sleeping pattern under control. There were moments he slipped into Portuguese slang and instead of reprimanding himself, he would explain the saying and carry that extra cultural aspect along with him. The week after he moved in, he tried out for the Black Jackals and got accepted without much effort.

He had improved quite a bit since Atsumu and Bokuto had last seen him and it left them quite stunned.

His career in the professional league started and the team began to get much more wins than losses. If they had been a threatening dark knight before, then now they were a dragon. On the day he had gotten accepted into the team, he and Atsumu had gone out to celebrate.

That was when Hinata popped the question.

"Hey Atsumu?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you be my date to the wedding?" and Atsumu's cheeks burned, peering at him through lidded eyes from his coffee cup.

"Hey Shōyō?" he placed down his cup, not answering Hinata's question.

"Yeah?" Hinata sounded a bit worried.

"Will you go on dates with me even before that?" a wide grin appeared on the ginger's face.

"Yeah!" it was that simple.

And maybe that is how it should be – when you're with the person who held your heart, nothing should be complicated. When you're with that person, and you know each other, then maybe it shouldn't be an over the top confession. Perhaps all it should be is an acknowledgement – an understanding that the feelings were mutual and that both felt it was time to take a step further in the already strong relationship. With them, it wasn't about starting something new and instead, it was all about building on something that was already there.

Guess it made sense that they both ended up being demiromantic.

Hinata and Atsumu stared at each other from across the table with eyes that reflected their feelings, hearts gently beating within their own chests and smiles that revealed their excitement and hope for the future. Hinata reached over the table and Atsumu brought up his hand, fingers intertwining with his.

This was their start – or had they actually started long before? The lines were blurry, no exact time could be pinpointed when the two had realised they ­like-liked the person in front of them, stealing middle school sweetheart words. Although there wasn't a time, there were reasons. Many of them, in fact.

"I like your freckles," Atsumu leaned over, pressing his finger to Hinata's cheek.

"I don't have many," Hinata shrugged.

"That's why I like them. They're rare," Hinata grinned.

"I like that your hair is a pretty blonde now instead of mustard yellow,"

"That's just too harsh,"

"It's true though," Atsumu shook his head.

"I like that even the extremes aren't extremes for you. You're not scared to try anything," Atsumu gave him a pleasant smile.

"I like that you're honest and don't sugar-coat things. I guess in that regard, I like it that you don't underestimate me," Hinata spoke earnestly.

"I like...I like that you think you can cook when you clearly can't," Atsumu smirked.

"Actually, I've been making a lot of food for Pedro and myself so maybe that fact isn't true anymore," Hinata sounded satisfied with himself.

"You should make some dinner some night,"

"I should," Hinata considered to himself. "I like when you get all stupid and embarrassed and try to hide your face by shoving it against the table or wall," Atsumu flushed scarlet at that.

"That's a dirty move,"

"No. A dirty move would be me telling you that Bokuto sent me some videos of you interacting with kid fans and how one little girl forced you to wear a crown and tutu at a meet-and-greet," Hinata took his tea and drunk it slowly, eyes never away from the setter's form.

"...I'm going to kill him. I'm actually going to kill him," he shook his head to himself.

"Aww come on. You looked so cute in that video,"

"...please just...shhh," Atsumu pressed his face into the table. Hinata took his win with a triumphant smirk.

July 2018

"Maybe I shouldn't have gone with blue...argh, it's so silly. Maybe red?" Akaashi turned around with a sour and desperate look on his face, two ties in his hands. "Father, what do you think?" his father gave him a look that carried slight disbelief, but mostly understanding.

"You took months to decide on blue and to get the perfect one you liked. This is just the pre-wedding jitters talking," he strode up to Akaashi, patting his shoulders. "The blue will look fantastic on you," Akaashi gave him a shaky smile, not completely convinced it was that simple.

"Thanks dad," he said under his breath. His father stepped forward and placed a kiss against his forehead.

"You're going to do great," relief began to settle in Akaashi's pit.

"I also think the blue is perfect," one of Akaashi's newest friends and co-worker, Udai Tenma, spoke up. Akaashi gave him a nod and placed the red tie away where he wouldn't have to see it anymore.

In the room next door, two cats were having a brawl while a third feline just regarded them from the side.

"I swear I can style your hair! Just lemmy try!" Yaku lunged at Kuroo who easily side stepped the shorter man.

"In your dreams, demon child! The only way your hair could have formed like that is if a cow's tongue had been your comb," Kuroo pushed Yaku away.

"Well are you really going to let Kenma do it?" Yaku pointed towards the man sitting on the side, eyes focused on his game. "He has a dumpling on his head!" Kenma just gave him a glare as he peered up but quickly diverted his eyes again.

"I can do my own fucking hair, Yakkun! I'm a big boy!" Kuroo spoke through gritted teeth.

"Are you now? Because your daily rooster hair would speak differently to your abilities. Should I go get your dad to do it then?"

"NO!"

In the third room –

"Bokuto, I cannot in good conscience sent you out looking like that," Atsumu had a frown on his face, narrowed eyes directed towards the owl.

"Huh? What's wrong with how I look?" he looked himself up and down. "Is it because I chose to wear white? I don't know what the other three are going to look like..."

"The white's fine – it suits you," Atsumu admitted begrudgingly. "It's the bowtie, man. Where the hell did you find a bowtie with volleyballs on it?" he shook his head in disbelief.

"I had it personally printed!" he accounted happily.

"...why?"

"Because I love it?" he spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Atsumu almost smacked his own face.

"I'm sorry, you can wear it in your private time but I don't think you should be wearing it at your own wedding,"

"I agree," a man pressed into the corner mumbled, far away from their interaction. "Also, why am I here?"

"Because I want you here, Sakusa!" Bokuto grinned. Sakusa just sighed.

"You are unbelievable..."

"If you really want a bowtie then why don't you go with this one," Atsumu pulled out another bowtie. "It's a nice, gentle yellow. Almost like a glittering gold,"

"Gold?!" Bokuto's eyes went wide. "Winner gets gold, and I'm definitely a winner today! Gimmy that!" Atsumu smirked, satisfied with himself at the win.

In the last room, Akiteru was trying to keep himself from crying already.

"You just look so good, Kei! I'm so happy for you!" he swiped at his eyes. Kei rolled his eyes at his emotional brother, already dressed and styled to perfection.

"Why are you wearing all black?" Hinata questioned with a tilt of his head.

"I never asked you to be here," Kei said through gritted his teeth.

"But aren't you glad I am?" Kei huffed.

"I'm wearing all black to lament the death of my singles' scene," he sarcastically answered.

"You haven't been single for over five years," Yamaguchi amusedly spoke.

"Shut up, Yamaguchi!"

"Sorry, Tsukki~," he chuckled to himself. "Tsukki just thinks he looks good in all-black," Kei embarrassedly looked away.

"You do look good, Stingyshima!" Hinata grinned.

"Don't call me that,"

All four of them were nervous in their own ways but the excitement was almost overwhelming and it took everything in them to stay calm. To think, they were actually married. It was almost too much.

They were actually married already, but they didn't acknowledge it that way. The day before they had been married Shinto-style at a shrine where they wore kimonos, had been married by a priest and shared cups of sake. The only witnesses were their families who also sealed the coming together of their families. They did this since the actual marriage process was a bit of a pain and they wanted a separate event for their friends to attend as well. With their marriage, it hadn't been one unifying marriage. Instead, all of them had to marry individually as couples.

This is apparently to help administration and the possibility of divorce: instead of having to break off the unit marriage and then remarry those who remained after the divorce, one could divorce one other without the others having to. This helps when group relationships turn into relationships that had primary and secondary couples, as it sometimes occurred.

Thus, their Shinto marriage contained six individual marriages. It took almost the entire day and they were glad they had kept it a private matter. The event that was being held today was a formal event where they could take aspects from the Western countries and speak their vows in front of their friends and family. They all agreed to keep their vows short and sweet – they would have the rest of their lives to speak sweet nothings to each other, after all – and keep the day full of celebration with everyone else.

They were inside a hotel and they did it so that there were three entrances to the main hall – one at the back, and one at each side. This way they could all have their own little dramatic entrance while Akaashi waiting for them at the front of the hall. It was decided this way since he was the one who ended up doing the proposal – and he really didn't want all eyes on him as he walked in.

Before the events began, the guests were bumbling about in the entrance and already those seated in the halls. Lev was jumping from person to person to hand out his business card. Spotting his frantic actions when he entered the hall, Yaku immediately grabbed him by the ear.

"You're disturbing the guests, Skyscraper," he spoke through gritted teeth.

"But-but mister Yaku! I'm promoting myself!" he pouted.

"You're doing enough job standing out. You're a walking billboard," Lev made a strangled noise.

"That hurts!" Lev straightened up, peering at Yaku carefully. "Say, mister Yaku, did you get taller? Or wait, don't tell me...! You changed your hair!" Yaku frowned deeply. "You look amazing!" Yaku, at that point, decided to roundhouse kick Lev's ass that sent him stumbling.

"Shut up!" Yaku grabbed Lev by the shirt, pulling him to face him. It was then that Lev realised how blushed his upperclassmen's cheeks had become. It made his eyes widen. "You live in Russia now too, right?"

"Y-yeah!" Lev stuttered out.

"Then you and I should do things together!" Yaku spat in his face with narrowed eyes that Lev almost couldn't make out what he was saying. He nodded in response, eyes still wide. "Good! Then I'll see you later, you useless underclassman," Yaku let him go of him and headed off, leaving Yaku completely stunned in his wake.

"Aww what do you think just happened there?" Sugawara whispered to the man at his side, the man holding him close by the waist.

"Yaku's always been short-tempered but that's because he's very forward. He's always been on poor Lev's case," Daichi whispered back, pushing his face into his lovey man's neck.

"They would look cute together. They're complete opposites so they'll complete each other nicely," Sugawara chuckled.

"If by complete then I don't think if you add the two of them together that you'd get a normal sized man," Daichi huffed in amusement.

"Hey guys, they've got tiny foods here," Asahi bounced over, eyes wide as he held a plate full of tiny sandwiches. "It's so cute," he adoringly looked at his pallet.

"Are they any good?" Sugawara asked but stole a sandwich anyway, popping them in his mouth. "Oh that's really good. Daichi, try one,"

"Sure," he stole one as well, Asahi's face falling at the action. "They're very creative,"

"I expect nothing less from those four's wedding. Akaashi and Tsukishima won't have anything half-assed and I heard that Kuroo's a good cook so he won't accept anything that doesn't taste good," Sugawara hummed in thought before his face fell. "Still...I can't believe Tsukishima's actually getting married. They'll be the second person from our team that's married,"

"After us, of course!" Tanaka sauntered up to them, Kiyoko by his side. "Hey guys, been a while," all of them greeted each other. "I'm so happy for our Tsukki-bro," Tanaka wiped away fake tears.

"It's a shame Nishinoya couldn't come back to Japan," Kiyoko brought up. At her words, Asahi's face fell.

"Sh, sh," Sugawara waved his hand towards her dismissively. "Asahi here is super missing our Guardian Deity,"

"I AM N-...I am," Asahi didn't even try denying it. "He asked me to head out with him on one of his future trips,"

"Or really? Are you going to accept?" Asahi hummed at his, hand scratching at his neck.

"I-I don't yet..."

"You should totally go!" Tanaka clasped him on the back. "Go see your boyfriend!"

"He's not my..." Asahi just sighed. "I don't what we are,"

"Well, we know Nishi likes you, so it's all your own feelings dude," Tanaka shrugged. "Either way, wouldn't it be pretty fun to go on a trip with him?" Asahi immediately agreed.

"I'll have to see with my job..." Asahi had gotten an amazing job as an apparel designer.

"Come on man," Daichi clapped him on the shoulder. "You're still young so do these things while you're still young and free! Don't be hung up on your job!" he grinned.

"Says the person who showed up in his police uniform..." Daichi pretended he didn't hear him.

"Come on you gotta admit, a man in a uniform is really appealing," Sugawara said with a completely innocent look.

"Says the elementary school teacher," Kiyoko chuckled under her breath.

"Oh hey, is that..." Tanaka suddenly spoke, eyes squinting into the crowd. "It is him! I'm going to get him!" Tanaka disappeared into the crowd, leaving the rest confused. He returned not short after, pulling Kageyama by the arm.

"Oh Kageyama! Look at you!" Daichi nodded proudly, free hand on his waist. Kageyama's eyes widened.

"Oh, it's all you guys," Kageyama was surprised to see everyone starting to gather after so long. "How are you all doing?"

"Not as well as you, mister number one setter in the country," Sugawara grinned, bumping his fist against Kageyama's chest. Kageyama smirked.

"Thanks," he nodded. "What are you doing now, Suga?"

"Oh I'm a teacher!" he grinned, and it made so much sense. "Have you seen any of the others yet?"

"Hm? Oh. I saw Yamaguchi and Yachi a while ago. Have you met Yamaguchi's girlfriend yet?" Kageyama commented.

"Yamaguchi has a girlfriend?" all eyes went wide. "What's she like? What's her name?" Kageyama looked away under the eyes, shrugging his shoulders.

"I think it was Kana? She was really nice," was all Kageyama said, nodding. They just huffed at his simple words with amusement.

"And Hinata?" and as soon as it left Tanaka's lips, he froze up. Was it still a sore subject for him or...?

"I haven't seen him yet," he didn't show any emotions in his words. "Not since he came back from Brazil, actually,"

"Same! Wonder if he's grown," Tanaka wondered, hands on his hips.

"Doubt it," Kageyama rolled his eyes. "He'll always be a chibi,"

The six of them continued talking, Yamaguchi, Yachi and Kana eventually joining them as well. To think their biggest reunion would be at Kei's wedding. With Tanaka's and Kiyoko's wedding they had kept it purely a Shinto marriage with their family as witnesses. They had a bachelor and bachelorette party to celebrate with their friends but kept it quite small, deciding the big spending should be on the honeymoon. They didn't regret their decision one bit.

Kenma left Kuroo's dressing room with a huff, the older cat having confiscated his gaming pad for the rest of the night. He decided to slip out and leave Kuroo with Yaku while he went on a hunt for some food. He ducked away from the public eye as he snuck over to the food tables, knowing he would get recognised and pounced on by either his past team or his subscribers. He didn't want to deliver fan service right now, he just wanted some energy.

He sat in a crouch behind the tables, reaching up every now and then to take another small food item. He had his phone on him so he could at least keep himself busy with another game of the sort. At around the tenth time he subtly reached up to grab a tiny food, his cover had been blown.

"Uh..." he head snapped to the unfamiliar voice, his hair swinging around him like a curtain and his eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. "What are you doing?" and Kenma couldn't immediately answer as he was busy analysing this new face before him.

His grey hair seemed to pool around him like a halo, black wavy streaks moving alongside the length of the locks. The eyes that regarded Kenma with such curious question was amusing to the millionaire because how could someone carry the sky in their eyes? Kenma's eyes were drawn to the beauty mark below his right eye and he couldn't help but think how it rounded off his appearance to be quite dashing.

"Are you okay?" the man asked and his voice brought Kenma back to reality, taking a deep breath to ground himself.

"Uhh I'm hiding," Kenma admitted.

"From who?" the man titled his head curiously.

"Everybody," Kenma shrugged his shoulders and turned back to his game. The newcomer hummed in curiosity.

"Why?"

"...because they want to talk then," Kenma answered with a roll of his eyes, shooting a small glare with a hidden message.

"But we're talking," that was exactly Kenma's point. "So, on which groom's side are you on?" he slid in next to Kenma, the feline shifting away a bit from him.

"Uhmm for Kuroo," Kenma gave him a sideway glance but quickly looked away. "...you?" the man grinned.

"For Tsukki," Kenma noted with interest how he used Kei's nickname. "My name is Tsukibane Kaede Malek, by the way. Kaede is just fine. I used to be Tsukki's roommate," ah, so that was how it was.

"Kozume Kenma," he nodded and he wondered if his name would be recognised.

"Hmm... hey, is that Starships Mobile?" Kaede referred to the game on Kenma's phone.

"...yeah. You know it?" Kenma eyes him carefully.

"Yeah, it's one of those games I return to every now and then. I rage-quit a lot, though. I'm at that boss that uses mochi as a weapon," Kenma's eyes widened. That boss was actually pretty far in the game.

"What's..." Keade peered at him with interest. "What's your armour level?" Kaede squinted as he tried to recall.

"...Four-twenty, I think,"

"That's too low," Keade's eyebrows rose.

"Oh is it?" Kenma nodded.

"You need to get at least to four-thirty-two. You can get some at the auction. The rubber weapon is also the best to use," Kaede nodded in understanding.

"Ah sweet man. Thanks," Kaede grinned.

"...what else?" Kaede hummed in question. "What else do you play?" Kenma stole glances at him. Kaede grinned and began to call up some of the names of games he's played in the past. Kenma noted that he's attempted almost everything on his list. He quickly managed to spot a trend.

"All the games you play are in the science fiction genre," he noted.

"Yeah. Space-stuff. Anything to do with space is awesome," Kaede poke brightly. "I'm an astrophysicist, you see," Kenma's eyes widened.

"...wow," Kade chuckled at Kenma's awed reaction.

"And you? What do you do?" Kenma began to clamp up and looked away.

"Uhm...a lot," he answered.

"Such as?" Kenma took a moment before answering.

"Uhm...I do stock trading and, uh, I own a business..."

"Oh really?" Kaede's eyes widened. "Anything I know?"

"Well...Bouncing Ball..."

"Whoa, seriously?" Kaede chuckled in disbelief. "You're mister big shot CEO?" Kenma looked away in embarrassment. "You must be some prodigy then or you just worked your ass off! That's so cool man!" Kenma was taken aback by the sudden excitement.

"Uh...yeah..."

"And you still get time to play the good games? Glad you know the priorities in life," he chuckled. Kenma adorned a small smile at his words.

"Games are my priority," he confirmed. "It's the best way to see other worlds and live other lives than just your own. It would be so boring if all you ever did in your life was be yourself when you could be so many other things as well. That's why I became a Youtuber," Kaede grinned.

"Amazing. I'm so interested in space because of all the possibilities that's out there. Why would we be so self-centred and only focus on our one teeny little planet when there's an entire universe to explore?" and Kenma couldn't understand what he was feeling, but in the words of Bokuto, they were vibing. Kenma placed down his phone and turned to fully face Kaede, interested in continuing the conversation.

"Where'd he go, where'd he go~? Maybe the bathroom? Should I check there?" Hinata skipped down the hallway, eyes searching throughout the crowds. Eventually he moved into the entrance hall where everyone was bumbling around. Instead of finding the person he was looking for, eyes spotted him.

"Hey, is that him?"

"Hinata!" he felt arms wrapped around him and came face-to-face with his old teammate.

"Tanaka!" the two held onto each other, jumping around with excitement.

"You're alive!" Sugawara pulled Hinata away, reeling him in.

"Alive? Why, did you think I died?! Was there a funeral held for me? How was it? Did you cremate me and put my ashes into a volleyball or something? I want to be immortalised," Hinata's eyes had stars in them.

"You've sure got a healthy imagination, boke," Hinata peered from over Sugawara's shoulder.

"Oh, hey Kageyama! Been a while!" he pulled away from his upperclassman and struck out his fist out, Kageyama happily returning the fist-bump. Those surrounding them let out breaths of relief, happy to see no tension between the two. They chatted a bit about his trip and about Kageyama and Hinata's successful runs in their pro teams. The conversation turned to the next Olympics that both intended to partake in and for a moment, Kageyama got lost in his own thoughts. He had heard that Hinata was a true storm to be reckoned with on the court now, but had not specifically looked at any of his matches or his stats.

He wanted to see it up front and personal the first time.

In that way, he couldn't help but admit Hinata had been correct. It would be so much exciting to take each other on than be teammates year after year. Sure, Olympics would come and by that time, who knows how far the Black Jackals would have taken him.

"He's a disaster, a disaster," an absolutely drained fox slumped into the hall, body drooped over as he dragged his feet along. Yamaguchi had spotted him first and chuckled amusedly at the face, pointing over to him to point him out to the others. Hinata huffed and placed a hand on his hip, shaking his head with delight.

"Oh no, is that-," Asahi's shivered at the nostalgic memories.

"Uh-uh! You aren't allowed to be scared! They crushed us the year after you guys left," Tanaka pointed accusingly at his three Karasuno alumni upperclassmen.

"Who's a disaster?" Hinata questioned as he came up to him.

"Oh yeah, they're on the same team now," Sugawara whispered to the others, nodding in understanding.

"He's probably here for Bokuto," Kageyama noted.

"Stupid Bokuto!" Atsumu ran his hands across his face, pulling at the skin.

"I was right," Kageyama held up his fist in celebration, a confident look on his expression.

"First the bowtie, and then I find out he wants to wear khaki shorts? I can't do this anymore," he threw his arms around Hinata, placing his head on his shoulder as he fake cried. "He's a fashion disaster," Hinata chuckled, patting his back comfortably.

"There-there," Atsumu readjusted his face on Hinata's shoulder, peering over at the members surrounding. They were all watching the scene with doe eyes.

"Oh, is this the murder's reunion?" he straightened himself up, Hinata moving into his side. Atsumu's hand settled on his waist, Kageyama's eyes trailing the action with a strange aftertaste.

"Murder?" Hinata mumbled under his breath.

"Yeah. It's a murder of crows," Atsumu commented.

"What are foxes then?"

"Uhh I think it was a skulk. Or a leash," Atsumu shrugged. "Not nearly as menacing, but we're jackals now so we're a pack," Hinata's eyes glowed.

"A pack~," he mumbled happily to himself.

"Eagles are a convocation. I don't even know what word really means," Atsumu sent a direct look to Kageyama who frowned in return.

"Why do you know so many collective nouns?" Yamaguchi was the one to question.

"Oh. It's so that I can beat this one at trivia night," Atsumu answered, patting Hinata's head. The ginger frowned and looked up at him.

"There's a lot of nouns you'll have to study though. Do you just take the most common ones?" Atsumu shrugged.

"Nah, just the ones that I know are in the game," Hinata's jaw dropped.

"...I feel betrayed. I feel like I had been stabbed in my sleep. In fact, I'm quite afraid now. If you are capable of cheating at trivia night, then who knows what else you're capable of? I think I'll just sleep in my own bed tonight," Hinata shook his head with disgust, arms folded as he took a step away from him.

"Yeah, good luck with that. From the looks of it, your house is going to get another member tonight," Atsumu wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, looking over to where Kenma was happily chatting with Kaede as they walked into the venue hall.

"Aww look how happy Kenma looks," Hinata hummed, clapping his hands together. "You're not off the hook though. We're talking about this when we get home," he pointed at him accusingly, Atsumu's jaw falling in response.

"Aww," he tried giving puppy dog eyes but Hinata wasn't looking at him anymore, trying to keep up the look and not slip into a laugh.

"They're headed inside. Is it time?" Sugawara questioned, looking after Kenma and the unfamiliar face that walked in.

"Close enough. Let's get good seats," Daichi nodded.

"Think they have like four rows for the grooms' sides?" Sugawara chuckled.

"Nah, that's too much hassle. They just did whatever," Yamaguchi answered.

"Yay, let's go!" Hinata grabbed at Atsumu's hand as if nothing happened, intertwining their fingers together. As they walked ahead of the others, eyes fixed on their locked hands and connected the dots with their earlier words. Kageyama's eyes widened but he tried to keep the surprise to himself, his soul settling deep into a chasm as his worst fears from years back resurfaced. Now, a whole new wave of questioning uncertainty bubbled up and anxiety clutched as his heart.

Was the real reason Hinata broke up with him because of Atsumu? How long after the breakup did they get together? Kageyama had felt immense pain after the breakup, and now he wondered if Hinata had felt anything at all.

He thought he knew the whole story. He just wants to know that he hadn't been lied too.

"Hey, are you okay?" Sugawara whispered to Kageyama as they walked, the younger setter being forced out his mindset. He slowly nodded.

"I am, thank you. It's just... do you think Hinata lied to me?" Sugawara gave him a curious look.

"I don't think he's capable of lying like that," he explained. "Not when it would hurt you or anyone else. This is most likely a recent development and has nothing to do with you," Kageyama considered his words carefully and nodded in understanding.

"Thanks, Suga," Sugawara smiled.

"Just focus on enjoying the wedding, yeah?" Kageyama nodded and for the rest of the day he actively tried to keep his stray eyes away from the happy couple. Every time he heard Hinata's laugh and saw his huge smile connected to those sunny eyes, he couldn't help but think that he had never seen him like this before.

He never made Hinata this happy.

And it was weird, this feeling Kageyama felt. He was so incredibly insecure about the actual breakup now but seeing how he ended up with Atsumu like this... he smiled. It was a bit of a sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. Hinata was happy, and that's all that was important.

Akaashi's eyes scanned over the hall and everyone that came – all four families and their extended branches, the majority of the Fukurōdani, Nekoma and Karasuno teams, Kaede, the Miya twins and Sakusa. The house was packed and excited, the light-heartedness in the room creating a beautiful atmosphere. There had been a bit of décor done to the place with fairy lights, star-and-moon aesthetics and flower arrangements. He was rocking on his feet, excited nervousness settling in that was bubbling and popping in his innards with every passing second. From the front row, he could see his father give him encouraging thumbs up and even his mother gave a smile. He tried to calm himself.

Luckily, he didn't have to wait long before the actual event began. Kei and Kuroo headed in from the side doors and Bokuto from the back, all three of them carrying themselves different as they headed in. A piano and violin piece played that the four agreed to be perfect, not wishing for to use the traditional song 'Bridal Chorus. There wasn't even a bride in attendance. Bokuto walked in like he was running into a stadium or up to a wrestling match, arms at his sides as he clapped the hands of everyone on the sides of the rows he passed. Kei, Kuroo and Akaashi were immensely entertained in his actions and before they knew it, all four were on top of the little platform at the front of the venue. Along the four stood a woman, a staff member from the hotel on the wedding panel that was appointed to just do a little introduction for them.

"Dearest esteemed guests; we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Akaashi Keiji, Bokuto Kōtarō, Kuroo Tetsurō and Tsukishima Kei. When these four hearts came together to be one, they formed a typhoon. They revolve together and grow stronger as time passes, forever being an undeniable force that cannot be pulled apart. One cannot deny the love they share for each other and here before you all, they would like to state their vows and promises to one another," she stopped, nodding towards the four that stood in a circle on the platform, hands connected. Kuroo was the first to speak.

"Kōtarō, Keiji, Kei... I didn't go out looking for someone when I met you and I'm so grateful for that because I'm bad at directions. You three are my map, my journey and my destination. I wouldn't have been able to find myself if not for you guys. I promise to try and be a compass and always try to help you out of dark places and be with you until the tunnel runs out," Kuroo shone brightly.

"Fuck that was good," Bokuto whispered under his breath, soft enough so that only those could hear. "I have 46 weaknesses and Keiji had them all written down during our time in high school, but I would like to move them all up one to make space for the new number one spot: you. You guys are my number one weakness. You make me weak in the knees and you make my heart beat so fast that I think I'm dying sometimes. I feel like I'm under some dream spell and I never want to wake up. It's the opposite from a nightmare: a daymare," Akaashi flinched. "And I hope that I can make you guys just as happy as you make me, that I can make you feel like this too. It's fair, after all, 'cause I don't know what I did to deserve you guys and I'm so happy," Bokuto had to keep himself from crying and/or pulling them into a bone crushing hug. They felt the same. Then, it was Akaashi's turn.

"From reading my poetry out loud; to the kanji at the back of the milk carton; to the papyrus scripts up in Olympus that bind our souls together; to the absolutely ridiculous bullshit that you guys spout out some times; to the pillow talk and all the sweet nothings: I will never tire of hearing your words and the flowing emotions that come with them. Your voices bring life to me and reassure me. You comfort me, you build me up and I hope I can do the same for you. The future is so bright with opportunities and I know we won't let a single one pass. We will struggle with the elaborate instructions when we build new furniture. We'll have to sign contracts and make adult decisions. We will practice our storytelling on each other, until the day we can pass it on. We will always take on big challenges and we will overcome all of our obstacles. We are the protagonists of the world," it was getting really difficult to hold back their emotions. Now, the last one was Kei. Anyone who knew him personally were sitting at the edges of their seats, waiting to hear what type of words he would say.

"Before I met you, I was a firefly who didn't know he could fly and then Karen over here-," he indicated to Kuroo, the cat instantly groaning at the memory. "-apparently fell to my charms in our first practice match and to be fair, so did I. He antagonised me from across the net and it wasn't something he said or did but I couldn't just forget him after that. He wasn't someone I wanted to forget. At our first training camp in Tokyo, Britney-," he nudged to Bokuto. "-came over to me and instantly began to spout some cheesy pickup lines my way. I remember the very first one. He asked me if my number on the team was eleven, which at the time it was, and he told me that was what I was on a scale of ten. It was the worst thing I've ever heard in my life but clearly that first impression was one I never forgot. I met Bridget-," towards Akaashi. "-in the third gym but I only really began to see him when we both snuck out at night and he sang one of my favourite songs. He spoke about our voices, but it his that encapsulated me. If you would've told my past self that not only would those three actually get me to like volleyball and help me go pro with it, but that I was actually gay would fall in love with them; then I would've been the last person to believe it. Luckily, I guess that stupid saying is true. Love really doesn't have any bounds and truly I am unconditionally, unfathomably and uncontrollably in love with you three and I cannot wait to start this new journey with you guys," Kei wasn't about to let himself get teary eyed in front of an audience, but he would lie if he said his eyes hadn't glossed over there. Bokuto and Kuroo already had thin streaks down their cheeks, Akaashi not acknowledging how close he was too spilling over.

The marriage the previous had been quite tame, but this was a bit emotional. The staff woman spoke again:

"And now, the four will seal their bonds together. You may kiss the grooms," they immediately grabbed at whoever they can, trading faces for another as they all shared kisses with each other. Their audience was applauding from behind, some of them – especially the families, and Yamaguchi – were also teary eyes. At the end after they got everyone in, the four held hands in a line and Bokuto decided to lift their hands up and bow as if they had just finished a large performance.

Then the festivities began. Dancing, mingling, food but most importantly, cake.

The four husbands were rarely out of arm's reach, always clinging onto one another with impromptu make-out sessions. This was a day about love and hell if they were going to hold back. They varied in their levels of comfortability of how much they can take doing in public before they grew awkward, specifically portraying to the length and how invested they got in their affections. Bokuto and Kuroo had no care and one moment, Kuroo happily had Bokuto pinned up against a pillar and lifted from the floor. This was when it was getting late into the night and the family children and their relatives left. The families had been at the Shinto wedding as well, after all. Sakusa also left after giving his best wishes he could to the grooms, not wanting to stick around for their afterparty mood.

This left only their friends left and around people your own age, you tend to let loose much easier. Sugawara had made Daichi his throne and in response, Tanaka offered his lap to Kiyoko but she quickly rejected. Instead, she pulled Tanaka into her own lap. Yamaguchi and Kana were a cute couple and would never do something so daring in public. Instead, they danced the night away as Kana - the apparent ballroom expert - taught him all of her fluid moves. Out of all the people in attendance, there was another polyamorous relationship present although of a different type. Karasuno alumni; Ennoshita, Kinoshita and a Date Tech alumni, Harumi. Both Kinoshita and Harumi were Ennoshita's boy- and girlfriend, but were not together themselves. They enjoyed each other's company immensely, though.

Yaku was tossing Lev around on the dance floor and whether what they were doing was dancing or duelling was up for debate. Asahi got Nishinoya on a video call and was doing an elaborate job of showing him around the hall, from the fairy lights to the tiny foods. He took him over to Kei to give his best wedding wishes before he headed onwards. Kenma was sitting at a stray table with other Nekoma and Fukurōdani alumni, but his focus was solely on the game on his phone and Kaede giving occasional commentary as he peered over his shoulder. Kaede was happy too that he had found someone to hang around the night with, considering Kei and Yamaguchi were the only two he really knew.

Kageyama was sitting with the crows, his focus solely on the blissful couple that swayed across the dancefloor without a care in the world, as if this had been their wedding. They were chest-to-chest, nose-to-nose; the expertise they had of each other's bodies shown absolutely clear by the way they were moving without flaw. Besides trivia nights, there were so many times song had overtook and they would find themselves in each other's arms as they danced in their pyjamas in their rooms.

"Kageyama," it was Daichi this time that brought up the concern, Kageyama looking over to the table with a sigh. "If you need to go clear something up with him, then you should do it,"

"But what if it turns into a fight? This isn't the time nor place," Kageyama considered. "This is Tsukishima's wedding,"

"You think it's going to be a fight?" Sugawara frowned. "I'm pretty sure this isn't even a miscommunication, it's just you need to confirm to settle your mind and heart. You know Hinata better than us so you should know better than us that he isn't the type of person who would lie about something as big as love,"

"Actually, let's just do this quick. I'm also curious," Tanaka suddenly said, sitting up straight as he looked over the table.

"Ryū, no-," Kiyoka started but it was too late.

"Hey Hinata!" Tanaka called as the dancing duo passed close, Hinata peaking up curiously as he heard his name. "You two, take a break. Come sit, I wanna chat," Tanaka patted the chair next to him.

"What are you doing?" Sugawara had wide eyes.

"Oh calm down Suga," Tanaka rolled his eyes. Hinata and Atsumu joined the group, slipping into seats at the round table.

"What's up Tanaka?" Hinata gleamed.

"Oh I just wanted to hear about you two," he looked between the two.

"Oh?" Atsumu sat back comfortably, throwing his arm lazily over the back of Hinata's chair.

"How long have you been together?" the coupled peered at each other as they did the calculations.

"Uhhh six months about?" Atsumu offered.

"Six months?" Kageyama was the one who sounded surprised.

"Yeah?" Atsumu sounded unsure at himself with that response.

"It's just that you two seem incredibly close, like it had been much longer," Daichi offered before Kageyama could say something cringe worthy.

"Oh, well, we have been friends for years before already. Four years before, actually," Atsumu shrugged.

"Oh," Hinata's eyebrows suddenly upward at the sudden realisation as he read the mood around his ex-boyfriend. "I get it. Did you think we got together after you and I broke up?" Kageyama's flinch gave him the answer. "Oh, there's no way. I didn't move on for a while," it was a relief for Kageyama, knowing that their relationship had at least been strong and important enough that it left a lingering effect. Kageyama smirked.

"Nah. I was just thinking that the fox was your rebound or something," he commented with a sly smirk, falling into a joking mood.

"Please. I wasn't even the first person Shōyō was with after you," Atsumu thought it weird talking to Kageyama like this but what's in the past, was the past.

"Wait what?" Asahi was the one to ask who heard the conversation as he headed over and sat down.

"Can we...please, not delve into this?" Hinata offered innocently, his hands beginning to cover his reddening faces.

"OH this is interesting! Why are you so embarrassed, little man? Did you have another guy in Brazil or something?" Tanaka sat forward with a huge expression, Hinata flinching and pushing his face into his table.

"Shōyō had a bit of a thing going on in Brazil," Atsumu picked up a drink from the table, peering humorously at his squirming boyfriend.

"Is this necessary?" Hinata mumbled into the table.

"I won't tell them if you don't want me to," Atsumu shrugged his shoulders and sipped at his drink. Hinata seemed to consider his words for a time before he titled his head upward until his chin was on the cloth, his expressing adorning a scorn.

"Fine~," he swiftly sat up and leaned onto his elbows. "I did kind of have a fling, okay?" he shrugged his shoulders, eyes everyone except them.

"Dude, seriously?" Tanaka sat forward. "Was this like...a one-night hook-up type of thing or like one of those month-long relationships that end up not meaning much?"

"Uhh it was more like a week-long hook-up type of thing?" his expression grew even more unsure with every word.

"Hinata," Sugawara's jaw was on the ground. "My innocent boy, I didn't see this coming from you," as did no one else, their faces that of disbelief.

"Yeah, it's not my type of thing and I don't regret it, trust me, but I wouldn't do it again," he spoke reassuringly. "Especially not with a stranger,"

"It wasn't a stranger? Who was it, the roommate you had? The coach?" Tanaka frowned even at his own suggestion. Hinata bit his own lip, wondering how this news could be taken. Especially with Kageyama.

"Wait...wasn't Oikawa in Brazil that one time?" Asahi suddenly recalled. At the absurd implications, all eyes turned to Hinata and waited for him to turn down the unsaid allegations. When he didn't say anything and instead give them a sheepish nervous grin, they went ballistic.

"Oikawa? Oikawa? Hinata, what actually happened? I need to know," Tanaka reached over to shake his shoulders, all the others carrying slack jaws and frowned, questioning eyes.

"Oikawa?" Kei walked over, strawberry shortcake in hand. "Are you guys talking about when Hinata and Oikawa had sex? Still don't know how the fuck that even happened," he shook his head.

"How do you know?!" Hinata demanded, finger pointing to Kei.

"Oh? Kozume accidently told Tetsurō who in turn told Kō, Keiji and myself," Kei shrugged.

"Kenma did?" Hinata's face scrunched up.

"Makes my trivia night thing seem pretty minuscule, right? We all make mistakes," Atsumu shrugged. Hinata turned to him and took hold of his face in one hand, squishing his cheeks together.

"We all make mistakes, just some of them are unforgivable," Hinata shook his head.

"Like accidently slipping details about your sex life?" Atsumu mumbled through his squished and puckered lips.

"That's a one-time thing. Do you know how many times we play trivia?" Hinata's face fell. "I need to go speak to him. You go sulk in corner and think about what you've done," Hinata leaned over and placed a kiss against his scrunched up face, swiftly moving away to go speak to Kenma.

Kageyama felt like he had just been thrown into the mud and kicked in the ribs. Out of all the people in the world, it had to be fucking Oikawa. He and Hinata had never gone all the way and it ended up being Oikawa?

No – it didn't matter. Hinata was his own person and neither he nor Oikawa had pushed this into his face before now, so he had nothing to do with this. These were Oikawa and Hinata's own feelings and their own doings. That they would both hold such a close connection to Kageyama was merely coincidence. It could've been anyone.

But it wasn't – it wasn't just anyone. This felt like Oikawa announcing his continuing superiority of Kageyama by doing what he never could do, going to places he had never gone.

And he knew, knew he was being selfish my making this about him; self-inserting where he held no place. This had nothing to do with him and he kept telling that to himself about Oikawa and Atsumu but he just felt so... lost.

He was stronger than this, a lot stronger. This day just held too many surprises, was what he told himself. And perhaps, there was still something lingering for the ginger that made him jealous at these developments. Perhaps, Kageyama wasn't completely over Hinata. Perhaps he would scroll through their old texts when he wanted to remember how close they used to be and maybe he had an entire folder of photos dedicated to him.

Kageyama's greatest friend near him had surprisingly tuned out to Hoshiumi and Ushijima. They had been the ones to deal with his outfall after the break up and pickup him, both of them with their painfully brutal honesties – Ushijima more than the seagull. He had thought about brining Hoshiumi as his plus one for the wedding but decided against it, his exact reasoning he couldn't remember. Hoshiumi had begun sort of an outer conscious of his, and he had been afraid of having someone like that at his reunion with Hinata. Hoshiumi might have judged him if he ended up too close to Hinata by the end of the event, but factors like Atsumu had never been a consideration. And now Oikawa –

Hinata had moved on. He had moved on mentally, physically with every muscle fibre of his body, every programmable cell and every hair strand and neuron. Kageyama was Hinata's friend and their relationship, although meaning the world to them at the time, was nothing more than a learning experience for him. It was this realisation that made Kageyama finally able to acknowledge that there was no possible future where they would try again. The basis that they were older and more mature and would be able to communicate more and be together in Japan wouldn't work. Kageyama had been silently hoping for the day Hinata would love him again like he used to and because of that, he never allowed himself closure. He never allowed himself to move on.

And now he could. The one thing Hoshiumi and Ushijima had been telling him all this time and he refused to acknowledge, turned out be true. Hinata had no ulterior plan for them, no hopes for their future or dreams for their rekindling. Hinata discovered true love and Kageyama only knew longing.

There had been a long time after that first Nationals when Kageyama still suspected that Kenma hadn't moved on from Hinata, and now he saw how mistaken he had been. Kenma had let him go, and he had meant it. It was an entire process to move on from someone, and it was a process Kageyama hadn't exactly been following. Suddenly, he held even Kenma at a higher regard and since Akaashi managed to find his true loves –

He was the setter that was a bit behind.

"I'm going to leave early," Kageyama announced, looking up at Kei who nodded in understanding.

"It's fine. Take care of yourself," for Kei to even be a bit concerned.

"Thanks," he greeted everyone at the table. "I just need to tell Hinata goodbye too. For real this time," and they all just understood that Kageyama was a man on a mission. "Atsumu?"

"Yeah?" he had no idea what to expect.

"Take care of him," Atsumu smirked.

"Right," he just nodded. Kageyama headed off to find Hinata with Kenma, Kaede and others. They were engaging in some heated debate and he tapped on the ginger's shoulder to get his attention. He felt Kenma's eyes on him for a split second before turning back to his newest companion.

"Oh, Kageyama," Hinata acknowledged.

"I'm leaving now so I just wanted to say goodbye,"

"Oh! Want me to walk you out?" Kageyama shook his head instantly.

"No, that's fine. I'll see when we play each other," Hinata grinned at this.

"I'm excited!" Kageyama nodded.

"I can't wait to see your new wings, to see how far you've come, the new you. Hello, Hinata Shōyō," his lips turned into a sad smile. "And goodbye," he walked off thereafter. At those words, Kenma's head snapped up at the familiarity. Those were the words he had said when...

Realisation hit him like a ton of bricks.

Kageyama had never given up on Hinata.

I kind of self-inserted a bit with Kageyama about the difficulty of actually fully, deeply and 110% move on from a relationship you had so much invested in and so much love in. Two years may seem like a long time to still be thinking about someone and honestly, it is. In my case, I never got rid of daily life associations and the memories they tied back to my ex. Kageyama had so many things associated to Hinata, even Hoshuimi in himself is a bit of a reminder, and it shows he never truly did even try to move on.