#my babe killed it with this one I've read it over 12 times ngl

[heartsywritesthethings]

Karasuno Secret Santa 4

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Kageyama slurped on the milk carton straw. Last week’s game against Nekoma went relatively well, even without their ace or libero for a good part of it. It was great practice for him and Hinata though. Even when Nekoma thought that they had gained the upper hand, Hinata was always just a few steps ahead of them. It did put a smile on his face to remember how competitive both teams became when it came to the torment of Hinata. Some players from both teams wanted to take Hinata down a couple of pegs, while others were attempting to carry him away to safety. It was unfortunate, but it seemed like so many players on both teams got a chance to give Hinata small little tickles as he was passed around. Well, everyone got a chance except for Kageyama. It would definitely be his time today, after the practice game he would jump on that little half pint.

The practice game…

Kageyama took one last sip of his milk before squishing the carton with one hand. The possibility of having to play against Aoba Johsai made Kageyama’s stomach turn uncomfortably. He took a deep breath before tossing the empty carton away in the nearby trash bin. He had been extremely nervous last week too, just before learning about their surprise opponent. It felt like a breath of fresh air to see those dark uniforms. 

“Kageyamaaaaaaa!” Hinata yelled as he raced across the school grounds and over to where Kageyama was standing. The Karasuno school setter smirked, wiggling his fingers at his sides in preparation. Maybe he wouldn’t have to wait for the end of this dumb practice game. It would definitely help with his nerves.

A firm hand settled on his shoulder and Kageyama looked up to see his captain staring down at him. While Daichi was smiling, there was something else behind his eyes that made Kageyama freeze.

“Don’t you dare tire him out before the game,” Daichi said, looking pointedly at Kageyama’s hands. With a small pout, Kageyama crossed his arms over his chest.

“You guys are no fair. He got one on me,” Kageyama said right before Hinata tackled him to the ground in a huge bear hug. 

“What’d you get on the test, Kageyama?!” Hinata asked, perched on top of him like an excited dog. 

“The…test?” He asked, rubbing the back of his head. He wasn’t hurt from the fall, but it definitely wasn’t comfortable.

“Yeah, dummy.” Hinata laughed.

“Don’t call me dummy….dummy.” Kageyama retorted before shoving Hinata off of him with a grunt. Hinata just laughed. He took out a piece of paper and shoved it in his face. That bastard had gotten a 41 on their last test. Hardly anything to brag about, really, but Kageyama felt a pang of jealousy. He had only gotten a 40.

“Great job, first year.” Daichi said, ruffling the red head’s hair fondly. Hinata began performing a victory dance, waving his test paper around as if it were the winning lottery ticket. Kageyama had to force himself not to smile at him, especially not in front of Daichi. 

“Who are we playing today, captain?” Kageyama asked as the captain helped pull him to his feet. Daichi just shrugged.

“Dunno, but–” He began before Hinata jumped in between them and held onto Kageyama’s shoulders.

“But it doesn’t matter, because we are going to win!” He said with a smile so bright and brilliant, that even the stubborn Kageyama had to smile back. The little bastard’s enthusiasm was contagious to put it lightly. 

“Alright then, let’s go warm up,” Daichi said with a soft chuckle.

“Last one in the gym is a rotten egg!” Hinata yelled and began sprinting over to the gym. Kageyama was quick to follow. 

When Daichi arrived at the gym, Hinata and Kageyama were stuck in the doorframe, each too stubborn to let the other one get ahead. Both insisting that they had won. Daichi put a hand on both of their backs and shoved them both into the gym. It didn’t matter which one of them hit the ground first, they were both losers. The pair landed in a heap on the floor.

“Looks like the other team hasn’t shown up yet,” Sugawara said, popping in the door just a moment after Daichi had. 

“Maybe they just got scared and ran away!” Tanaka yelled, leaping over the two first years on the floor and tearing off his own shirt.

“Please put your shirt back on, Tanaka,” Daichi said, his eyebrow twitching.

“Oh my god, who killed the first years?!” came Noya now, kneeling next to Hinata and Kageyama. “Why do the good have to die young?!”

“We could always tickle them and see if they’re still alive,” Sugawara said mischievously, reaching down with wiggling fingers. Both Hinata and Kageyama jumped to their feet, bumping into each other as they did so.

“You’re alive!” Noya announced, pulling the two of them in a group hug. 

“Noya, would you leave those two lovebirds alone for two seconds? I need to practice my serves.” Asahi sighed, waving for Nishinoya to follow him to the court. 

“The other team is here,” Tsukishima announced as he walked in with their remaining team members and managers. Captain Ukai wasn’t too far behind as well.

“Who are they?” Kageyama asked and though he tried to keep his nerves under control, he felt the anxiety bubble in his stomach again. Hinata looked at him up and down for a moment before resting a reassuring hand on Kageyama’s shoulder. 

“Aoba Johsai,” Tsukishima replied, his eyes narrowing at Kageyama. He was trying to read the setter’s reaction.

It wasn’t good. Most of the color drained from Kageyama’s face and he felt a chill run up and down his body. He could still remember that day that he was almost struck by Oikawa. A player that he had looked up to (and maybe…maybe something more) had raised a hand to strike him. The pure hatred in Oikawa’s eyes haunted him to this day. Who knows what would have happened had Iwaizumi not been there to stop it?

“Hey,” Hinata’s voice said, piercing through Kageyama’s spiralling thoughts. Kageyama looked at him. “This isn’t going to be like when they were on your team. I’ll always be here to hit your tosses, no matter where you set it to.”

Of course that’s what Hinata thought it was, which was certainly a part of it even if not the main concern. Kageyama couldn’t help but smile slightly, trying to put their prized decoy at ease. It was a kind gesture on his part to try and make him feel better, even if he could only guess at what the cause was. 

It was true, two of Aoba Johsai’s volleyball players used to play with Kageyama, further adding to his nerves. They had dubbed him the “King of the Court”– a nickname that Kageyama was proud of… until he learned the true meaning of it. It meant that no one trusted him, no one even wanted to play with someone with such tyrannical sets. 

The combination of Oikawa’s strike against him and his former team leaving him…it had left Tobio Kageyama feeling as if he could never trust anyone again. Though, truthfully, he felt as if he had gotten better with the help of the other Karasuno players–especially Hinata.

“Well, if it isn’t the high and mighty King of the Court.” Came that sickly sweet voice as the Aoba Johsai setter strutted into the crow’s gym. Kageyama immediately tensed up, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

“Kage–” Hinata began.

“Let’s go, guys. We’re winning tonight,” Kageyama said, pulling away from Hinata’s grasp and walking over to the bench. 

“That is some mighty big talk, your majesty. Are you going to be bossing everyone around to get your way again?” Oikawa continued, smiling over at him. Kageyama averted his eyes and picked up a stray volleyball from the court floor. He wanted to scream, to yell, to tell Oikawa to just fuck off already. His focus was solely on Oikawa today, the rest of his world seeming to just warp around him. 

The warm up drills, the coach’s talk, all of it seemed like it was happening from far away. Kageyama was just scowling, either at the floor or over at his rival, Toru Oikawa. Honestly, he felt sick just being in the same gym as him. Just knowing that he was there. 

Then, before he could even properly register anything, the game was beginning. The net was up, Tekada stood as the ref, and Kiyoko and Yachi stood by the point board. It was Asuhi first up to serve with Daichi and Noya also in the back row with him. Kageyama was up front with Tsukishima and Hinata, ready to block or send over spikes whenever they were able. 

“How are you feeling, your majesty? You look a little pale.” Oikawa said from the other side of the net. Kageyama tried to distract himself, watching the ball instead of Oikawa. Suddenly, a hand was flying towards him.

Kageyama flinched.

Hinata stared at him, his hand still up in the air for a pre-game high five. They looked at each other for a moment longer until Kageyama weakly smacked Hinata’s hand in return. Then, Asahi sent over a serve. The rally went on for a while, the ball bouncing from one side of the court to the other. Hinata kept throwing concerned glances over at the setter. That sort of reaction was…concerning to say the least. 

Kageyama sent over a set to Hinata, the ball flying higher than usual, but Hinata adjusted and slammed the ball down on the other side of the court. To anyone else, it looked just like their regular quick attack play. 

Oikawa frowned, looking through the net to glare daggers at his former apprentice. 

“Hey, Kageyama, is everything–?” Hinata tried again, but Kageyama just waved him off. It was Asahi’s turn to serve again since they had won the point. 

“Don’t get too comfortable in your throne, King of the Court.” Oikawa said, crouching down in a defensive position again as the ball flew up in the air. 

The rally went on for longer this time, Noya saving them more than a few times as Oikawa set up multiple balls for his spikers. Kageyama felt as if he were moving through honey, the world around him going too fast for him to keep up with. Tsukishima tugged him close to block a ball, purposefully grazing his side. Kageyama didn’t even blink. When they jumped, he was face to face with Turo Oikawa. Oikawa smiled as he hit the ball, and Kageyama flinched again. When he touched the ground again, it seemed as if his legs just gave out from under him. He fell on all fours, his palms stinging as they struck the hard gym floor. 

“Tobio-chan, you don’t have to bow down to me just yet, I still have a whole set to beat you.” Oikawa laughed, crouching down so as to be on Kageyama’s level.

To beat you.

“You alright?” Daichi asked, kneeling in between Kageyama and Oikawa, blocking their view of the other.  Kageyama looked up, feeling dizzy.

I have to win.

“I��m fine. Just landed wrong,” He explained, getting back up to his feet. Daichi looked concerned and Kageyama could tell that if he messed up again, Daichi would insist that Sugawara replace him on the court. 

No, I have to prove myself to him.

“Let me know if you need to rest,” Daichi said, patting Kageyama on the head before heading back to his position. 

Everyone is staring at me.

One of Aoba Johsai’s players set up for a serve. Oikawa inched closer to the net, close to where Kageyama was.

“Hey, hey, King Tobio.” Oikawa whispered.

Stop it. Stop talking.

“Still want me to teach you how to serve?” Oikawa continued. Kageyama gasped, looking up at Oikawa with wide eyes. All the upperclassman did was smile. An evil smile.

“Kageyama! Net ball!” Noya yelled.

Kageyama looked up to see the ball slowly falling right at the net. Kageyama jumped, reaching to push the ball over the net and gain the crows another point. He glanced over and saw

Oikawa’s hand going straight for him again.

This time, it’s going to land! There is no one here to save you! Duck!

Kageyama brought his arms up to his face to shield himself from the incoming slap. Nothing. Oikawa lightly tapped the ball over and it bounced harmlessly on the floor.

But Kageyama didn’t notice. He was on the floor yet again, but this time, it felt as if he would never move again. He was shaking hard, his breath quickening in his chest. 

I can’t breathe. I’m not safe. I can’t breathe. I’m not safe.

Kageyama squeezed his eyes closed as tears began to fall. He couldn’t seem to breathe properly. He could barely hear as Oikawa laughed, taunting him and saying that he had never grown out of his crown. Calling him a sore loser over just one point. Daichi was with him again, kneeling next to him and rubbing a comforting hand on his back. Hinata was yelling at Oikawa, but Kageyama couldn’t make out what. Coach Ukai was yelling now, pointing and waving his arms around. Oikawa was whining about something, arguing back.

Everything is so loud.

Daichi scooped up the crying first year, carrying him over to the nearest safe place that he could–the utility closet.

“Tobio. I need you to breathe, okay?” Daichi said, sitting with his back against the wall and Kageyama cradled in his arms. Honestly, he had no idea what he was doing. All he knew was that Kageyama felt as if he were in danger and that loud environment was not the right place for him. Asahi stepped into the closet and walked right to where Kageyama was. He took Kageyama’s hands and looked at him straight in the eyes.

“Hey, man, I don’t know what Oikawa did to you, but he’s gone now. You’re safe. He’s not gonna hurt ya, okay?” Asahi said calmly. With how often Noya had panic attacks and nightmares, Asahi had plenty of practice calming people down. Even if he didn’t know what exactly the trigger was, he knew that he needed to make the panicking person feel safe. 

“He’s gone. You’re okay. We’re here. Kageyama, breathe.” Asahi said, taking deep breaths himself. Without really realizing it, Kageyama began mirroring the breathing. Sugawara was the next one in the closet, with a towel in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. He set them both down before stepping out. Daichi saw a glimpse of Hinata, Tanaka, and Noya trying to see what was going on. 

“Focus on me, not them,” Asahi said, trying to grab Kageyama’s attention. Apparently he had noticed the three loudmouths of the team trying to get inside. Kageyama used his shirt collar to wipe at his tears hurriedly. 

This was a little embarrassing. Not only did his entire team see him break down, but Oikawa had as well. 

“You’re okay, man. Really.” Asahi said with a smile. He pat Kageyama on the head lightly and Daichi awkwardly pat his back. Kageyama took a deep breath and took a sip from the nearby water that Suga had dropped off. 

“Sorry for tanking the game,” Kageyama grumbled, pulling himself up and off of Diachi. Daichi got up as well and cuffed the back of the setter’s head.

“You know none of us care about that, right?” Daichi said, raising an eyebrow.

“But you all want to stay on the court for as long as possible. And I ruined that after two points.” Kageyama grumbled.

“Kags, are you serious?” Daichi asked, shaking his head. “It was a practice game. We care more about your injury than we do about the game.”

“My…injury?” Kageyama asked. Daichi poked him in the head.

“I think that the captain is trying to say,” Asahi chuckled. “Is that your mental health is just as important as your physical health and you gotta take care of yourself.”

“But…I’m not injured. I’m fine.” Kageyama insisted. The two third years stared at him and Kageyama huffed. “Okay, I get it.”

“Good. Now, I’m gonna tell Kiyoko to get the projector and Yachi needs to spray this closet. It smells so gross.” Daichi said, giving Kageyama’s shoulder one last squeeze before heading out of the closet. 

As soon as the door opened, Hinata burst through and lept onto Kageyama. Thankfully, Kageyama was standing right in front of Asahi and the Ace’s strong body stopped him from falling over. Hinata clung to Kageyama like a koala to a tree, arms wrapped around his neck and legs latched around his waist.

“I’m so sorry that I didn’t know! Kageyama! You gotta tell me next time! We were right in front of  him too! You’re so brave!” Hinata wailed, being over dramatic as usual. Sugawara grabbed Daichi and whispered something in his ear.

“Oikawa tried to do WHAT?” Daichi yelled “Is that punk blue bastard still here?”

Kageyama watched as the captain of Karasuno stormed out of the gym, yelling about how they would never have Aoba Johsai back in the gym again.

“Uh, what happened?” Kageyama asked, shifting his weight so that he could hold Hinata better.

Wait, why am I holding him again?

Kageyama dropped Hinata and the orange-haired spiker dropped to the ground before immediately springing back up on his feet. It was like he was a ball or something. Always bouncing back.

“Well, after you fell, Oikawa was saying stupid stuff and then a bunch of us started yelling. Oikawa was being a huge dick, and I thought that maybe he was just trying to be competitive and mean, but he was just being mean. And then Coach Ukai came in and he was all like BAM and then Oikawa went ZOOM–” Hinata rambled, waving his arms around for emphasis. Kageyama chuckled, watching the little guy try and retell something fairly simple.

“In proper terms,” Tsukishima said, pushing his glasses up his nose “Oikawa kept calling you names while you were in your panic attack. Hinata, Noya, and Tenaka had to be held back. Iwaizumi told us the…incident that happened in your middle school. Then, Coach Ukai chased Aoba Johsai out.”

“My version was better,” Hinata grumbled.

“Your version didn’t make any sense,” Tsukishima retorted. “Next time, try and use some proper words and maybe breathe in between your sentences.”

“So, what are we doing for practice time?” Kageyama asked, seeing Tanaka along with the other second years putting away the net and the stray volleyballs. 

“Kiyoko and Yachi are getting the projector and some blankets so we can have a movie night!” Hinata said excitedly, throwing his arms up in the air. Kageyama looked at how everyone was working together in the gym.

Even after an incident like that…even though everyone here loved the game, loved volleyball…they were all willing to drop everything to make sure that he was feeling better. It really made him think that this team was really something else. It was more than just a volleyball team. 

It felt like a family.

(I think 4/25)

Ga!babe