Work Text:
"Kageyama!"
The whole Karasuno team turned to look behind them, peering through the crowd inside the entrance hall for who had called out to their setter. Kageyama furrowed his brow as he looked through the mass of mostly unfamiliar faces, until he spotted someone in a bright green-yellow jacket waving at him. A moment later the figure had managed to reach him.
"Hello Komori, good to see you." Kageyama greeted.
"You too, excited?"
"Yes."
"Who is this?" Suga asked as he came to stand next to Kageyama, eyeing the newcomer warily.
"This is Komori, we met at the national training camp." Kageyama explained.
"Oh, then nice to meet you. I hope you're treating Kageyama well." Suga warned before walking off to leave the two friends to speak.
"Are they always like that? The rest of your team?" Komori asked, raising a brow at the stern stares from two second years.
"Yeah, they're sorta overprotective." the setter explained, looking over his shoulder and trying not to laugh at the very failed attempt to look scary by Noya and Tanaka.
"Right, anyways. I wanted to come and speak to you and catch up, you know? But first I need your help."
"Help?"
"Yeah, with Sakusa."
Kageyama nodded but he was still confused, so he followed Komori's gaze to find Sakusa standing in the corner, leaning against the wall as if he wanted to sink into it and disappear. He wasn't the best with crowds, or people, or cramped spaces; being a germaphobe was hard.
"I see. I can give it a go." Kageyama decided, and he turned back to his team saying he would be gone for a while.
"Alright, but be back soon so we can talk before the game tomorrow." Daichi instructed.
"Right."
"You'd better not do anything stupid." the captain added as he looked at Komori.
"I won't, you can count on me sir." Komori said with wide eyes before bowing and pulling Kageyama away, causing the first year to let out a small smile at how intimidating Daichi could be.
"I tried telling him to at least attempt to mingle but he wouldn't listen. Stupid cousin!" scolded Komori even though Sakusa was too far away to hear. "Just try and get him to leave his little corner of despair, people are giving him looks and that's going to make him feel worse."
"Okay."
Kageyama began to make his way through the crowd, saying excuse me too many times and unsurely waving to people who waved at him who were from the training camp. After a minute or two of feeling like he was going to get squished to death, he reached the edge of the crowd and cautiously walked over to Sakusa.
"Hey." he greeted as he leaned on the wall next to the second-year.
/POV CHANGE/
Sakusa looked up at the voice and was surprised to find Kageyama from the national training camp standing next to him. His posture loosened and he relaxed his folded arms, glad he wasn't a total stranger.
Sakusa and Kageyama had spoken a few times at the national training camp, and they got on well enough. Sakusa could admit the first year was an excellent setter, and was humble from what he knew when asking about Karasuno beating Shiratorizawa.
"Hello." he mumbled, barely audible through his mask. "Komori sent you didn't he?"
"... Yeah." confessed Kageyama. "But I don't mind. You're not as crazy as some people I know so I guess I'm a little less nervous around you." the setter added as he looked over at his team who were so loud they could be heard over the increasing crowd.
Sakusa looked at him with surprise once again before he settled back into his disapproving face. How could anyone let so many people into one tiny space? A mass amount of teen boys as well. He didn't dare to think how many didn't wash their hands properly; the thought made him shiver with repulse.
"Okay." was all he could reply with and the two settled into a comfortable silence, watching the crowd with analytical eyes. Every team in that room was their opposition, their blocks to winning.
/POV CHANGE/
Komori made his way over to his team, explaining he had gotten the help of a good friend to try and get Sakusa to emerge from his little hovel; their intrigued eyes all turned to where Sakusa was standing, seeing a boy with black hair and piercing blue eyes standing next to their ace.
"Where did you meet him?" one of them asked as they sized the boy up. "What position does he play?"
"He was at the national training camp. And he's a setter, one of the best out there."
"Really?" they asked with surprise.
"Definitely. His team beat Shiratorizawa, and he's only in first year. He's an all-rounder."
"So he's competition." one of them stated as they stared harder at Kageyama until the boy looked up, feeling a heavy gaze on him that he didn't like; Sakusa noticed and asked what he was doing, looking right over at his team since he knew that was where the stare would be coming from. With one look from their ace they diverted their attention: it was a scary gaze that told them to back off from Kageyama. Odd.
/POV CHANGE/
Karasuno kept sending glances over to where Kageyama and this Sakusa guy were standing. Hinata searched him up on his phone, finding out he was one of the top 3 aces in the country. At this he grew agitated: Kageyama was already making connections, and damn good ones at that?!
"Hinata stop staring." Kiyoko instructed, and Hinata immediately diverted his attention.
"Suga you too." Daichi added.
"I'm only making sure he's okay!" the grey-haired male argued as he continued to look over at Kageyama, who actually seemed comfortable.
"And he is. He's not completely hopeless."
"He kinda is." Tsuki said quietly causing Yamaguchi to laugh but tell him to stop too.
After a few more minutes, Kageyama and Sakusa seemed to be getting into a conversation as they turned to face each other and there was animation in what little of Sakusa's face was visible. It seemed to be getting quite intense as they had gotten closer too. This caused Asahi to alert Daichi and Ukai, who looked over with concern, wanting to make sure Kageyama was safe.
/POV CHANGE/
"Is it me or is Sakusa getting a little close?" Komori asked as he saw the pair were almost touching.
Itachiyama looked over to the pair and were surprised at how close Sakusa was to the first year, and that it was him closing the distance too. From what little they could see due to the bustling crowd, this didn't seem to bother Kageyama at all.
/POV CHANGE/
"Excuse me?" Sakusa asked, looking with slight shock at the blunt words that came from the setter.
"I said what I said. If you're such a great ace, then from what I saw at the national training camp, you're not really acting like one. I mean, you've not done anything special, and you're not trying to prove you're the best."
"What are you implying?" the ace asked, subconsciously taking a step closer to the setter who was now stood in front of him and had to take a step back.
"I'm saying you're lazy." Kageyama explained.
"Lazy?" Sakusa repeated, taking a step forwards, Kageyama taking another one back.
"Hm."
"And what makes you think you can say that to me?"
Kageyama just shrugged his shoulders and this made Sakusa's annoyance grow. Who did Kageyama think he was?
"Then if I'm not good enough why are you here, saying this to me? What makes you think you can?"
"Nothing. But I am anyways."
"You just are?"
"Yes."
Sakusa was too occupied by the conversation that he didn't realise at every few words they were walking out of the corner and into the crowd. He was trying to get answers and intimidate Kageyama by entering his personal space; as much as this would have made him disgusted he found he didn't mind it with the setter. Odd again. And with every step back that the first year was taking he thought it was working, but it wasn't.
"You should stop. Now."
"Or what? Are you gonna stop me?" Kageyama asked with a glint in his eye. This was fun.
"No but I-"
Suddenly he stopped and looked around. They were in the middle of the crowd, directly in the centre, and Kageyama was looking at him with an amused expression, his blue eyes gleaming. So this was his plan, huh? Rile him up and get him to follow him, luring him out? That was hot- sneaky! Sneaky! Why would it be hot?! No way. Nope. Not hot. Annoying. Yes! Annoying!
"Komori!" Kageyama shouted, looking over to where a few meters away his team were standing with amused faces, some laughing at the shock on Sakusa's face.
Komori came over and congratulated Kageyama who just shrugged and looked warily at Sakusa, slightly worried he would get really mad. But he didn't, and instead looked at him in a way he couldn't figure out.
"So Sakusa, how is it mingling with the living?" Komori asked.
"Disgusting." Sakusa replied and went to turn around and return to his hovel before a hand was on his wrist stopping him.
He looked down and saw it was Kageyama grabbing his wrist, stopping him from walking away. Even the first year was a little surprised at his actions because he pulled away immediately and apologised.
"Don't put Kageyama's efforts to waste Kiyomi!" Komori pleaded.
"I should get going." Kageyama began. "My team look a little worried."
"But we haven't hung out yet!" Komori argued. "I wanted to catch up?"
"Catch up? Not just to get Sakusa for you?" Kageyama asked, tilting his head with confusion.
"Gosh you're just as bad as Kiyomi. Sakusa, tell him he can hang out with us."
"You can hang out with us."
"No, you have to say yes- wait, you said yes? That easily?" Komori questioned with surprise, looking at his cousin to decipher his eyes. "Hm..."
It was quiet for a moment, with Kageyama and Sakusa looking at Komori for him to continue speaking, for he had zoned out with a thoughtful expression on his face. A moment later he was back and told Kageyama to go and ask his captain if he could hang out for the afternoon. The setter nodded and disappeared into the crowd.
Sakusa watched his retreating figure before looking down at his wrist that had been grabbed. Touching was a big no for him and everyone who met him knew that, so then why had Kageyama done it? It was an accident, he guessed, as the setter said sorry.
Komori watched his cousin and could see the cogs working in his brain as he tried to figure out the situation. He had already come to a conclusion himself and laughed at the frown on Kiyomi's face.
"You like him." he teased, laughing at the surprised look on the ace's face.
"No I do not." Sakusa replied bluntly.
"Then have this hand sanitiser for your wrist that Kage-"
"No! No, it's fine."
"Ha! See, you do like him!"
"Shut up Komori you filthy germ."
"Ouch. Better put on your best smile, Kageyama's coming back."
/POV CHANGE/
Kageyama left the two cousins and returned to his team. Karasuno all looked over at his approaching figure, Ukai immediately asking if he was okay.
"Yes. Why would I not be?" Kageyama asked with confusion.
"Didn't you notice the way he was looking at you a minute ago?" Noya asked with shock.
"Oh, that. That was intentional."
"Huh?" Tanaka exclaimed.
"I had to get him out of that corner somehow. People were starting to stare."
"What did you say?" Hinata asked with wide eyes.
To their surprise Kageyama let out a small smile and shook his head, saying it was nothing. This made them all even more confused but were assured that their youngest was alright.
"Oh, Komori wanted me to ask if I could hang out with him and Sakusa for the afternoon. I'll be back by dinnertime, promise."
"Hm..." Ukai mused the idea for a moment, still uncertain about the two strangers.
"I think that's a good idea." Takeda agreed and gave Kageyama a thumbs up, making the setter bow his head in thanks. "Be back by 7pm, alright?"
"Yes sir. See you later."
And Kageyama disappeared back into the crowd, Karasuno watching with surprise at how different Kageyama was acting. Seeing him with people he was friendly and comfortable with was new, but a good new.
/POV CHANGE/
"What did they say?" Komori asked eagerly.
"They said I can but to be back by 7pm."
"That's plenty of time. Come on then, I thought we could do some sightseeing."
"Sightseeing?" Kageyama and Sakusa asked in unison.
"Yes!"
"With people?" they asked, again in unison.
"Yes!"
"No." they disagreed, again in unison, causing them to give each other a glance.
"Fine then, what do you want to do?"
"Stay inside." Sakusa decided.
"Get a drink?" Kageyama suggested.
"Urgh, okay. Let's grab a coffee then we can go back to our room. Sound good?" Komori asked and the two ravenettes nodded their heads.
/TIME SKIP/
Kageyama learned some new things about Sakusa that afternoon. One, that he likes his coffee really sweet. It was surprising as the setter thought the second year would like intense dark coffee or something, but the four sweeteners disproved that.
Second, that- limited as it was- Sakusa did have a sense of humour. But it was sort of dark and it made Kageyama laugh when he understood the joke. And third, that Sakusa was actually really nice. When he wasn't obsessing over cleaning everything he touched, he was down to earth and chill.
Sakusa learned some new things about Kageyama that afternoon too. One, that he didn't like coffee. He thought the setter would like coffee but he was actually a milk fanatic; when they went to a coffee shop to get drinks the setter brought three milk cartons. Yes, three, he did count correctly. When Komori asked him about it he said coffee tasted disgusting and milk didn't.
Second, Kageyama was really awkward and shy. And- as much as the ace hated to admit it- he was awkward and shy in the damn cutest way possible. He wasn't the best with making conversation, and sometimes seemed unsure if he should say something or not. But he was a great listener, and gave you his full attention when you spoke.
And third, Kageyama was not as angsty as he first appeared. He was actually quiet and soft, but passionate and strong too, especially when talking about volleyball!
The afternoon passed quite quickly, and all of them enjoyed being in each other's presence. They all balanced each other out in some ways. But Komori enjoyed himself the most. He soon found out an hour or so into their hanging out that Kageyama was the most oblivious boy in the whole universe; he probably wouldn't know if someone was asking him out even if they said the exact words. So, he used this to his full advantage. He would tease Sakusa mercilessly and Kageyama would watch with a raised brow, sometimes asking why the ace was so red. He loved making his cousin annoyed, but could see that he wasn't wrong with the way he acted around the first year.
The extra long stares, the inquiring questions, all of it. Even if sometimes it wasn't on purpose, it was there, and to anybody watching it was obvious.
So when it was nearing 7pm, Komori said he would go and check up on the rest of the team who were chilling in the other room. A few of them came in every so often to get their things or to chat, and they all greeted Kageyama kindly enough, after all he was still competition. Anyways, when Komori stood up he asked Sakusa to walk Kageyama back to his place.
"It's okay, it's not too far so I'll be fine."
"No, Sakusa can take you. We wouldn't want you getting hit on." he added, looking at his cousin who looked like he wanted to murder him.
"Hit on?" Kageyama asked, confused. Why would anyone hit him?
"It's fine. Let's go."
Sakusa stood up and Kageyama followed, waving goodbye to Komori before heading out the door. The walk back was quiet between them but not awkward as they were both people that didn't need conversation all the time. Frankly, they felt talked out from that afternoon.
It was a short walk, their hotels being only a few blocks apart, and during that time Sakusa received a text. He took out his phone and sighed at the contact name before opening the notification.
Komori: asK HIM!!!
Sakusa: Shut up.
Komori: wkdbwkdibepwi DO IT!!! Or else I will spit on your toothbrush
Sakusa: you wouldn't!?
Komori: ... ask him!
Sakusa sighed and put his phone away, glancing at the setter. He was looking around at the tall skyscrapers and busy streets, but most of all the sky. You couldn't see the stars as well as in Miyagi, probably due to the pollution. Speaking of pollution, Sakusa made sure his mask was on perfectly: who knew how many germs were in the air right at that moment and why was nobody else concerned by it?!
Sakusa was unsure about how to approach asking Kageyama out. He had to admit he was interested in the setter, even if he was still figuring out all the reasons why. But he had to ask in a way that Kageyama would understand but in a way that wasn't too explicit also. Why was this so hard?
"This is it." Kageyama announced as they stopped next to a small hotel.
"Hm." Sakusa replied, nodding his head.
Kageyama said goodnight, and thanks for walking him home, and was about to turn around to head inside when a hand on his wrist stopped him. Just like this morning but the roles reversed.
"Kageyama, wait."
Kageyama faced the second year and then down at Sakusa's hand that was still gently grabbing his hand. Sakusa didn't like contact so why was he holding his hand? He didn't have to if he wanted to get his attention.
"Yeah?" Kageyama asked.
"Uh... would you, um... want to hang out again... sometime soon? Like, during this week... or after?" Sakusa managed to get out eventually.
"Sure, it was fun today." Kageyama agreed.
"No! No."
"No?" the setter echoed, tilting his head as he frowned with confusion.
"I'd like to hang out... with you... but, uh... just us."
"No Komori?"
"No."
"Okay, maybe it will be more quiet. Komori talks a lot." Kageyama added as an afterthought, then blushed as he was sort-of insulting Sakusa's cousin even if he didn't mean it.
But to his surprise Sakusa laughed, like really laughed. It could be heard clearly through his mask and it brought a small smile to Kageyama's face too.
"I agree. And then I look forwards to hanging out with you."
"Me too. Well, goodnight Sakusa."
"Kageyama!"
"Yeah?"
Kageyama stopped again, turning around just as he slid open the door to the hotel. Sakusa asked if he still had his number that he gave the setter at the national training camp and Kageyama said that he did. Sakusa nodded and said he would text him soon so they could decide a date. Kageyama agreed and they parted ways at last.
/POV CHANGE/
Sakusa was taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart as he walked back to his hotel. Why was that so difficult? He could play volleyball in front of millions of viewers and not be as nervous! He sighed and took out his phone, texting Kimori before his cousin really spat on his toothbrush.
Sakusa: I asked.
Komori: really?!?! Did he say yes?
Sakusa: yes
Komori: Great! But how did you ask him?
Sakusa: None of your business!
Komori: Aw! Just wait until you get back, the whole team has questions hahahahah
Sakusa: I hate you.
Komori: I'm your cousin?!
Sakusa: IDC
He shut off his phone and enjoyed the relatively quiet walk home, wanting to take all the alone time he could before his team attacked him later on. He thought about what he could do to hang out with Kageyama. Personally, he didn't want to do anything that involved too many people, so maybe they could just go for a walk or a small coffee shop? That sounded nice.
Damn! His cheeks flushed at the idea of going on a date of sorts with Kageyama. He wouldn't mess this up!
/POV CHANGE/
"I'm back." Kageyama greeted as he walked into Karasuno's room.
"Right on time." Daichi said approvingly. "They have manners."
"Did you have fun?" Suga asked.
"Yeah."
"What did you do?" Hinata asked excitedly.
"We just grabbed drinks and I went back to where Itachiyama is staying. We just talked and caught up."
"Sounds good. I'm glad you had a good time." Takeda said, and Kageyama agreed before he grabbed his things to go and have a shower.
/TIMESKIP/
Kageyama had gotten a shower and the team had all eaten dinner. They had finished up discussing about their strategies that they would use for their first game tomorrow and were now all relaxing before sleep. Kageyama was watching a match recording on his phone when Noya slid up next to him.
"Um, hi?" the setter asked warily.
"So, what did that Sakusa guy ask you before he left, huh?" Noya asked, giving Kageyama a grin.
"How did you..."
"Me and Tanaka totally weren't watching from the balcony!"
"Oh. He asked if I wanted to hang out again. But just us, no Komori."
At first Noya was deflated by the news, but when he mentioned it would be just him and Sakusa, he began to laugh devilishly and exclaimed loudly:
"So he basically asked you out?!"
This grabbed everyone's attention, and the team looked between a confused Kageyama and delighted Noya.
"Who asked Kageyama out?" Daichi asked looking stern.
"That guy called Sakusa who was sulking in the corner!"
"Really?" Asahi asked.
"Yeah! He said he wanted to hang out with Kageyama again, but just the two of them, not that other guy as well."
Tanaka joined in the shouting whilst Kageyama just watched them confused. Suga and Ennoshita sat next to Kageyama and asked him to go through what Sakusa said again. He did, and they also caught onto what the first year didn't.
"Kageyama, I think he likes you." Ennoshita stated.
"I like him too."
"No, as in more than a friend like."
"..." Kageyama was quiet for a moment and thought what that could mean until- "Oh. Like, like like?"
"Yes. Do you like like him?" Suga asked warily: he didn't want Kageyama to be taken advantage of.
"Um, I've never thought about it."
"Then when you next hang out notice how he acts around you." Ennoshita advised.
"Then see what you think about him after." Suga added. "But you don't have to rush into anything."
"Okay." Kageyama agreed, and after a stern shout from Daichi the subject was dropped.
Once it was lights out and everyone was asleep in their futons, Kageyama thought about what he felt for Sakusa. Sure, he was nice and funny yet serious and strong. He was a germaphobe but it wasn't that big of a deal for him. He knew he liked Sakusa, but to what extent he wasn't sure. He would have to wait and see on their hang-out date.
But he pushed that thought to the back of his mind for now. It was Nationals! And he was going to focus and work hard so Karasuno could win as many matches as possible!