When Hinata arrived home, he practically floated and landed on his bed, spreading out his arms and legs and waved them around like a snow angel. Such joy, such rapture, such abundance of positive feelings ricocheted around Hinata he could barely contain himself. He got up and went to the giant bunny Oikawa had won for him at the fair that lived in the corner of the room and hugged it as if he was hugging Oikawa. Hinata sighed, and it was like he exhaled gold dust.

But then – he checked his phone: fifteen missed calls. Nine from Kageyama. Four from Daichi and two from Suga.

Hinata’s soul darkened.

For the the first time, for the first time since he’d joined Karasuno, for the first time since he’d joined the volleyball team, a tiny miniscule nano dot of a thought came to Hinata –

I wish the team would leave me alone.

Hinata knew he didn’t mean it. Not really. But what he wanted more than anything else right now was time uninterrupted and undisturbed with Oikawa. Time that was free from what felt like a million people butting into his business. He didn’t care or want to know about anyone else’s opinion.

Hinata just wanted… freedom.

Freedom without judgment, without advice, without interrogation.

He knew it was because they cared. But could they not see that to truly care was to give him space and privacy?

But if he didn’t say something now, then he knew it would be even worse tomorrow.

Hinata picked up his phone and called back the easiest person to talk to –

‘Hey Hinata,’ Suga’s voice was calm but he’d picked up after one ring. ‘Are you home now?’

‘Uh huh.’

‘Have you eaten?’

‘I’m about to. My mom is just making donburi.’

‘Sounds yummy.’

Silence.

‘How are your grades? And homework?’ Suga asked.

Hinata sighed. Suga wasn’t sure if it he was imagining it but the sigh sounded annoyed.

‘Fine,’ Hinata replied, with a slight sharpness in his voice.

‘So… is Oikawa still teaching you how to serve? I thought that had stopped -’

‘It has. My mom doesn’t let me see anyone during the week anymore outside of volleyball practice.’

‘So Oikawa -?’

‘Just walked me home.’

Silence. A long one.

‘So Oikawa,’ Suga repeated in disbelief, ‘came all the way from Aoba Johsai to Karasuno… to walk you home?’

Hinata’s face was burning and his heart wanted to run from him. But one sentence kept repeating itself over and over again, round and round in Hinata’s mind: it’s none of your business.

‘Yes.’ Hinata replied.

‘Why?’

‘Because he wanted to spend time with me.’

Silence.

Hinata could hear Suga’s brain working. But Suga said nothing more after that. The third year changed the conversation to volleyball and Hinata went along with it.

Afterwards Hinata thought that maybe, just maybe, that would be the end of it.

But he was wrong.

Tuesday at break.

Kageyama found Hinata outside, with some classmates, under a tree full of cherry blossoms. Except the spiker wasn’t engaging with any of his classmates: he was on his phone, texting, smiling to himself. Kageyama already felt the fury of a volcano bubbling inside of him –

‘Hinata!’

Several other people looked over too. Kageyama knew he probably appeared crazy, his face was probably purple, his fists were clenched but he didn’t care. The one person who mattered looked up, surprised. His friends muttered something to him, probably along the lines of ‘your crazy setter friend’. Hinata dug his phone in his pocket and approached Kageyama.

‘Hey -’

‘Can we talk? In private?’

‘I thought you wanted to talk after practice -’

‘No. We need to talk now.’

Kageyama stomped forward and Hinata followed him. They found a deserted spot round the back of school. No sooner had they got there that Kageyama rounded on his heel, a look of madness in his eyes –

‘It’s not real.’

‘Huh?’

‘Whatever it is that’s going on, whatever it is that Oikawa is feeding you – he’s lying to you.’

Hinata closed his eyes. Five minutes. Could he just have five minutes without everyone’s opinion?

‘He knows what happened between us last Friday, doesn’t he?’ Kageyama’s eyes were like that of a wild tiger. ‘Doesn’t he???’

Hinata opened his eyes again. He could see it – the hysteria manipulating the setter like a spirit.

‘You told him and suddenly he notices you again? Do you think it’s a coincidence? Don’t you think he’s being too obvious that  this has nothing to do with you but it has everything to do with him getting at me!? It’s because he now knows the way I feel about you so even if he doesn’t like you, he knows that you like him and he’ll use it to his advantage to hurt us both!! After all of last week you acting rejected and down suddenly he’s lavishing you with attention again? Can’t you see what’s going on here?’

Hinata slowly exhaled. He would try, try to stay calm –

‘We had a misunderstanding -’

‘He’s playing you!’

Hinata stared into those fierce, overprotective eyes. And realised. He was never believed before so why would he be believed now?

‘Kageyama. This is my choice. Please respect that.’

‘If you knew your friend was going to drive down a road that led off a cliff, would you try and stop him?’

Hinata blew out air in exasperation.

‘Well would you?’ Kageyama pressed. ‘Or would you respect that it was his choice? Answer me!’

‘Break is almost over. I’ll see you in practice.’

The spiker marched around the setter, away. Kageyama kicked his foot against the concrete floor.

But.

Kageyama never showed up for practice.

‘Maybe he’s sick? Did anyone see him today?’ Tanaka automatically turned to Hinata.

‘Yeah, I saw him earlier during break, he wasn’t ill, just -’

Oh no.

‘Just?’ Tanaka asked.

No he wouldn’t.

Hinata turned to the clock. He felt as if someone had dumped an icy blanket around his shoulders.

‘I’ll try calling him,’ Suga said.

But Hinata already knew… the setter wouldn’t pick up.

‘Oikawa! You’re on top form today!’

Oikawa smirked. ‘Aren’t I on top form every day?’

‘Yahaba. Stop inflating his ego. It’s big enough as it is,’ Iwaizumi glowered at the second year.

‘And that’s not the only thing that’s big enough as it is,’ Oikawa muttered under his breath.

‘Oikawa.’

He froze. No. He’d recognise that disgusting voice anywhere. Watari and Matsu looked stunned. For fuck sake –

Oikawa turned to Karasuno’s first year setter, who stood by the open doors, defiant. With repugnance on his face, Oikawa turned back to his team, who had all stopped what they were doing to stare in shock at the sudden intruder.

‘How did… he get in here?’ Maki asked, half in shock, half in awe.

‘Ignore him,’ Oikawa said through gritted teeth, and picked a ball up off the floor.

‘Oikawa, we need to talk. Outside.’

‘Can’t you see we’re in the middle of practice?’ Oikawa wheeled  around, spitting venom, his eyes as cold as skewers. ‘Your royal highness is going to have to wait until after we’re done.’ Oikawa turned back to his teammates. ‘Watari. Send me a set.’

Just as Aoba Johsai tentatively returned back to each other – 

Kageyama grabbed a nearby ball –

‘NO OIKAWA WE NEED TO TALK NOW -!’

WHOOSH!

‘Oikawa!

Kunimi blocked the ball with his fist, that would’ve hit Oikawa in the face otherwise, just as the third year setter turned. The ball flew and hit the wall before clamouring onto the floor.

Oikawa breathed fire. Bloodlust poured from his eyes as he surveyed his enemy. But right back at him, the insolent first year’s face was just as savage –

‘Or if you want we can have this conversation in front of all your teammates. I’m sure they’d like to know why I’m here.’

If only I had a gun.

‘Outside,’ Oikawa seethed, marching past Kageyama, resisting the temptation to lash out at him.

Kageyama followed the upperclassman towards the school gates, out of earshot of the gym. His hands were balled into fists inside his pockets. Oikawa turned and Kageyama stopped, a good three metres between them. Anything less and Kageyama would have spoken with his knuckles.

‘So.’ Kageyama spoke, his voice dangerously low. ‘I figured it out. This whole thing, this whole time, has been about me, hasn’t it?’

One side of Oikawa’s mouth curled into a sneer. ‘You deluded egotistical bastard.’

‘Admit it, Oikawa! This whole charade about the earthquake, the serving, you leading Hinata on and then rejecting him only to change your mind the second you hear that something happened between us -!’

‘Think whatever you want to think. I don’t owe you an explanation. But know this – you are only the centre of your own universe. Not mine.  And not Shoyo’s.’

Kageyama clenched his teeth. ‘Stop calling him that!’

‘Why?’ Oikawa smiled. ‘Is it too intimate for you?’

‘You think you’ve won? You think you’ve gotten closer to him? I will never stop fighting for him. Not ever. He is my spiker, my best friend and I will make sure he realises you are the phony that you are!’

Oikawa’s expression changed: his face was lined with so much hatred that Kageyama unconsciously took a step back.

‘Why,’ Oikawa said through barred teeth, ‘would he ever believe you over me? You had him under your nose this whole time and never showed the slightest bit of interest or kindness until I showed up. “This is  all about me, isn’t it?” – I should be the one saying that not you. If I hadn’t showed up would you have given Shoyo a second thought? And now, what do you have to offer him that I can’t do better? Comfort, support,  encouragement, patience, gentleness – perhaps you should look these  words up in a dictionary. They’re very important when it comes to friendships. Or relationships,’ Oikawa smacked his lips together and smirked. When he spoke again, he dropped his voice. ‘Not  that you know anything about friendships or relationships. And after  Shoyo has spent time with me, do you honestly think you can… satisfy him the way I can?’

Kageyama’s cheeks flushed red.

‘You don’t even know how to talk to Shoyo let alone how to touch him.’

‘Stop. Calling. Him. That.’

‘He asked me to call him by his first name right after the match. After your pathetic hug, he ran straight into my arms -‘

Kageyama closed the gap in no time but Oikawa already knew what the crow was going to do – he dodged the punch as the force of Kageyama’s fist propelled the younger one forward past Oikawa – Oikawa stomped Kageyama down in the lower back onto the floor. Kageyama felt his skin split as his knees grazed the concrete. His back ached from the  merciless kick. With the roar of an animal he pushed himself up off the ground and blindly turned and ran at the loathsome upperclassman. But Oikawa was closer than he realised: Oikawa’s fist punched the centre of Kageyama’s stomach, the blow knocking all the wind out of him – but he  scraped and clawed at that repulsive face, determined for some kind of  vengeance, his fingers digging, clawing, pulling at hair – he heard  Oikawa make a sound as if he was in pain – good – but suddenly he was lifted off the ground, arms restrained him as Iwaizumi and Maki held back Oikawa –

‘You – don’t – deserve – to even – touch him -‘ Kageyama pushed against the cage of arms.

‘Oh yeah? Well you shouldn’t make someone touch you -‘

‘He kissed me back!’

With the force of the gods, Oikawa broke free and lunged forward, his  fist coming into contact with the side of Kageyama’s face so hard that the underclassman’s neck twisted, blood shot out of Kageyama’s mouth and  a loosened tooth rattled against Kageyama’s tongue. He coughed and spat out more blood with the tooth, the whole of the left side of his face pounding. Iwaizumi, Maki, Watari and Yahaba were all holding back Oikawa, who had murder in his eyes.

‘Oikawa. That’s enough.’ Iwaizumi said.

‘He – started it -‘ Oikawa gritted his teeth.

‘Kageyama, you should probably leave.’

But Kageyama still pushed against his restraints, the taste of blood in his mouth, eyes on Oikawa, ready to tear his nemesis to shreds.

‘Kageyama,’ Iwaizumi spoke more forcefully, ‘you picked a  fight on our school property. This won’t look good on you or your volleyball club.’

Kageyama faltered.

‘Come on hotshot,’ Kageyama heard Matsukawa’s voice behind him. ‘Let’s get you out of here.’

Kageyama was half-carried half-dragged out of Seijoh by Matsukawa, Kindaichi and Kunimi, who escorted him off the premises.

The wall of arms relaxed and released Oikawa.

‘Are you OK?’ Maki asked.

Watari stared at his captain’s face. ‘You’re bleeding.’

Three thin stripes of blood diagonally cut across the setter’s face, starting past his right eyebrow, and slashed their way to Oikawa’s left cheek.

‘I’ll go and get some tissue!’ Yahaba ran off.

‘That little shit scratched me,’ Oikawa murmured.

‘You should be thankful it’s just a scratch. It looks like he got the worst end of the bargain,’ Iwaizumi stated.

‘Hmph. Serves him right.’

‘Er, what were you, fighting about?’ Maki hazarded to ask. ‘Who did Kageyama make touch him?’

But Maki shrank back from the look in Oikawa’s eyes. After Yahaba returned with tissue, and the three had returned from the school gates, the team started slowly making their way back towards the gym. Oikawa could feel the tension in his team as they all whispered or muttered to each other, speculating about the bust up. Shit. He caught snippets –

‘Is Oikawa dating someone?’

‘How should I know?’

‘Who were they fighting over?’

‘Is it someone from Karasuno?’

‘It was a guy, right? They both said “he” -’

‘How many people is Oikawa fooling around with -‘

‘Everyone,’ Oikawa said and his teammates all turned to face him.

Only Iwaizumi stood behind him. He waited. He knew that if Iwa objected to what he was about to do then his ace would stop him. But  number four said nothing. It figures. If Oikawa didn’t say something now the last thing he wanted was for this mishap to leak to the whole school and everyone to have their nose in his business.

‘I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t repeat what you just saw and heard to anyone outside this little bubble.’

‘Well then… what was it about?’ Kindaichi asked.

Nosey son of a bitch. But he could see that his whole team were dying of curiosity. Oikawa sighed.

‘If I say, you all have to promise not to tell anyone.’

‘We promise, captain,’ the whole team said in unison.

Oikawa smirked. Maybe there was nothing to worry about at all.

‘I’m dating Karasuno’s number ten.’

Or maybe there was.

Shock, dismay, horror and doubt was apparent across all his teammates.

Great. Just the reactions I was hoping for.

Silence. Oikawa could hear the tumbleweed. Matsukawa was the first one to break the silence. With a laugh.

‘Funny,’ he guffawed. But that slowly died when Oikawa’s expression didn’t change and no one else had said anything.

Oikawa noticed Maki’s gaze rove past him, to Iwaizumi briefly before returning to Oikawa.

‘You’re being serious,’ Maki whispered. ‘You’re dating a – a first  year?! A boy?! From Karasuno?! That ginger guy?!!’ Maki’s voice had  gotten louder with every sentence.

‘That is correct.’

Oikawa could see – the fear, uncertainty and disgust in the second and first year’s eyes. But he also knew that they knew their place: they would not challenge him. That license was only given to the other third years.

‘You knew about this?’ Maki was looking to Iwa now. ‘You approve?!’

‘I do,’ Iwa’s usual brusque voice came from behind Oikawa yet never had Oikawa felt so much warmth from it.

‘Why??’

‘They’re both pretty serious about this.’

‘That nervy shouty kid is serious?!’

‘Watch it.’

Oikawa had spoken those words and hadn’t meant it to sound as threatening as it came out. Maki stared.

‘Second and first years,’ Iwaizumi said, ‘go back to practice.’

Reluctantly and quietly, they went back into the gym. Only Iwa, Oikawa, Matsu and Maki remained.

‘It’s just… a thing, right?’ Matsu’s low voice wafted through the air. ‘A bit of fun?’

Fuck. The look Oikawa gave Matsu made him want to stretch his volleyball top over his face to stop Oikawa’s penetrating stare.

‘You’ll end it soon,’ Maki continued Matsu’s enquiry. ‘Right?’

‘No,’ Oikawa stated, loud and clear. ‘I am dating him and I don’t care what anybody says or thinks -’

‘And in turn you don’t care what anyone thinks about us, right?’ Matsu raised his eyebrows.

Oikawa said nothing. He knew what his middle blocker meant. And didn’t want to think about it.

‘If it comes out that the captain of our volleyball club is fucking a first year from a rival school’s volleyball club -’

‘Wash your mouth Matsukawa or I may have to wash it for you,’ Oikawa whispered.

‘Let’s just call a spade a spade. People will talk, they will gossip, and our whole reputation will be tarnished with this stupid infatuation of yours. That is all anyone will start to associate us with -’

Oikawa opened his mouth to retort but Maki got in first –

‘You could have anyone from our school. Anyone. Any girl at least and I wouldn’t be surprised if any guy too. Even if you wanted to date a first year. So why Karasuno? And why, of all people, someone from their volleyball club?’

Oikawa looked into the confused and pained faces of his teammates and friends and would be lying if he said he felt nothing from their reactions. His heart broke: he knew there was no way to summarise what had happened in the last months into a single explicable sentence. More than that – in their ignorance he could see what they saw: a sleazy third year messing with an innocent first year. Oh but only if they  knew… how it was so much more than that.

‘He’s the most amazing person I’ve ever met,’ Oikawa murmured.

‘Yeah but it doesn’t mean you have to fuck him,’ Matsu muttered.

Oikawa took a step forward but Iwa grabbed his arm right at the same moment that Maki too held out an arm in front of Matsukawa, to shield him from Oikawa. Matsu stared stunned at the furious expression on Oikawa’s face.

‘Neither of you, none of you, not a single person from our volleyball club will speak of him disrespectfully again, do you understand?’

A shiver shot up Maki’s spine at how terrifying Oikawa looked in that moment. He swallowed and glanced at Matsukawa, whose languid features were still locked in surprise.

‘I said,’ Oikawa seethed, ‘do you understand?’

‘Yes.’ They both responded, barely above a whisper.

‘And if you are so worried about the reputation of our volleyball team… then maybe you should practice harder.’

Iwa released Oikawa as the setter strode past his teammates and continued towards the gym.

‘Oikawa.’

Matsu’s voice. The setter froze.

‘This isn’t over. It’s not OK. If you think a few commands as captain will make us approve and accept this then you’re wrong.’

Oikawa turned his head to the left so that his friends could hear him but did not turn around.

‘Like I said. I don’t care.’

And with that Oikawa walked alone back to the gym leaving Matsukawa and Maki to beg Iwa to talk some sense into their number one.