Notes: So this is the second part of this series. I have such a soft spot for College AUs. So this will become an Mature fic in about seven chapters, so please bare with me until then. Thank you.
It had taken some time, all healing did. Whether a physical injury or one dealt to the heart, time healed all. At least that was what it felt like. It had been almost a year since Asahi had come back to him, all sad and forgiving and Nishinoya was still stunned he's accepted the apology. Not that he hadn't wanted to. It had just been his pride that had stood in the way of their relationship progressing further, but once he'd pushed that aside, everything had become easier.
They still lived quite far apart but in the age of technology, phones and the internet, it made Asahi feel close even though he was so far. An early morning message before practice, goodnight photos before bed and suddenly the whole world seemed a little brighter, it was what Asahi did to him. In the few times they could actually meet, Nishinoya felt like nothing had changed. Beyond the crippling fear of his exams, slipping grades and adult responsibilities. But none of that matter when he was with Asahi, the man was like a tall drink of sunlight, all lanky limbs and soft smiles. Everything was better when he was around. Holidays and scattered weekends felt like a dream, the intense training camps they both worked hard in, surrounded by friends and team mates were amazing. It had all felt too good to be true, and now he was off to do it all over again.
Standing on the chilly train platform, Nishinoya turned his collar up against the brisk breeze blowing through the station. It was a long day of travel before him and worst of all he hated trains. Hated being cramped in so very close to so many people for such a long time. But it was a necessary trial, especially with the reward of seeing Asahi on the line. Stepping back into the crowd as the train arrived, Nishinoya stuck his elbows out and pushed his way through for a seat. He was small enough to weasel his way through most large crowds and as such was successful in finding a seat and claiming it. Bunkering down for the long journey, his put on his headphones and sighed. Listening to the gentle hum of music sooth his unsettled nerves as he thought over his plans.
A week in Kyoto with Asahi, a week with Asahi and only Asahi. It would be the longest he'd have spent with the other boy in sometime, at least until since they'd been in high school together. It was exciting and made his stomach jump. Asahi was still Asahi, regardless of the distance, and change in status, he still loved him. Still loved him madly. Their friendship had grown in the last couple of months, much closer and quicker then Nishinoya had expected. Falling back into love with the giant was easy, Asahi was easy to love. But he wasn't sure his worries and fears had been completely unwarranted. With the end of his schooling arriving so soon, things had changed again. Changed much quicker then he'd expected and in a small moment of clarity, he'd understood Asahi's actions the previous year. Why he'd been so scared about committing to a situation and a relationship he was so unsure of when his own life was in scrambles. Shaking his head, Nishinoya leant against the window, pressing his nose against the glass and watching the landscape pass by.
Thinking back to one of their last meetings Nishinoya felt his face flush. They'd almost kissed, almost. He remembered the chill of the night and the warmth of Asahi's arm around his shoulders. The gentle rasp of his beard on his cheek as he'd leant in for a kiss. But it hadn't happened, instead Nishinoya had lost his nerve and ruined the moment. He'd lain awake at night for hours at a time, thinking of what would have happened if he'd let Asahi kiss him, if things had gone differently and they'd started a new relationship together, without the fear of rejection. Squeezing his eyes shut as a shiver of anxiety ran through him, Nishinoya knew he couldn't focus on the past, things were happening now and that was all that was important.
The time flew by, the evening slowly darkened outside the train windows as the flat lands worked up into towns and eventually cities. Nishinoya had been to cities before, places like Tokyo was where they'd won their finals the year previous and while Kyoto was something entirely different, it would surely feel the same. But the whole lay out of the city was different, less urban with more tress and the shadow of low laying mountains in the distances. Hoping off the train in a flurry of people and lights, Nishinoya's mind raced. It was much easier when the whole team was there, with tall people acting as look outs and the few who knew their way around leading the team out and into the open air. In a dizzying moment of worry, Nishinoya followed the crowds of people up and out of the underground system to the upstairs open area, surrounded by stores and a food court. Slinking his way out a large group, the small Libero ducked into a Lawsons, taking a moment to catch his breath.
Asahi had said he'd be waiting for him at the platform, but Nishinoya had struggled to spot the tall boy among the masses. Even if he had been at the station, he doubted he'd have been able to spot him. Straightening his bag and walking down the isles of the store, Nishinoya took his time to look around, settling his racing heart and trembling hands. Big, loud cities with lots of people were most definitely not his thing, especially without someone having his back. Picking up some chicken bites and two Gari Gari-kun, he paid and settled down on the bench in the front window facing out onto the station. Munching his spicy chicken dinner and slurping at his icy pole, Nishinoya tapped at his phone, sending a message through to Asahi with his location. Licking his fingers, the ace sat back, awaiting his friend's arrival and finishing his favourite treat with relish.
The buzzing in his pocket caused him to jolt. Patting himself down Asahi located his phone in his coat. Stepping away from the platform, he read quickly through the message with a sinking feeling in his stomach. Groaning out loud, he dashed up the near by stairs, reading the overhead signs as he went. Nishinoya's train was supposed to be arriving at platform six and yet Nishinoya was already in the food court, he'd either missed the train by a half an hour or had mixed up the platforms. Putting his head down and waiting for the crowd of people to shuffle on, Asahi chewed his lip in worry. He'd planned this down to the very minute and yet he'd already messed it up. If Nishinoya's previous adventures into the city were any indication, the small man would be far out his comfort zone with all the people and noise.
Groaning again as the crowd ground to a halt around him, Asahi rolled his head back to stare at the low laying ceiling with sick lunge of his stomach. This week had to be perfect. For the last couple of days he'd worked himself into a fit of worry and fatigue thinking about Nishinoya and what chances they had for the future. It was silly of course, he tried reminding himself again and again that it was just for the week and it wasn't some make or break situation. If things didn't play out positively, they could try again, it was what had saved them over the last year. But he couldn't let any small mistakes ruin the chance they had at starting again.
Letting out a heavy breath as the crowd started moving forward, Asahi set his jaw in a practice smile. This would be the week he could win Nishinoya back, this was his time to prove to the Libero that they should be together, regardless of the distance. Their last meeting had been a little awkward but hopefully this trip hoped to set things straight. Rounding the corner, Asahi zoned in on the window shop front of the Lawson's in the centre of the food court.
Nishinoya's hair was distinct, tall and bright against the harsh artificial light of the underground eatery. Walking up to the convenience store, his fake, practice smile replaced with a real smile of joy and excitement. Nishinoya noticed him immediately, jumping out of his seat, racing out and into the busy court.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't there when you arrived, I mixed up the platforms. You okay?" Puffing out his chest and grinning, Nishinoya offered him an icy pole.
"I'm fine, a city explorer they should call me. I wonder if I can get that on a shirt." Taking the Gari Gari-kun, Asahi smiled lovingly.
"With your sources, probably. Have you eaten dinner? Or do you want to get something here?" Waving him off, Nishinoya looked around wildly, trying to pin point an exit as the sugar and carbohydrates hyped up his system.
"Already eaten, it's all good. Where's the way out? I'm not a fan of this concrete sky." Resisting the urge to put a hand on Nishinoya's almost bouncing head to still him, Asahi pointed towards a staircase, leading upwards.
"Just through there, we have to catch another train though. Sorry." Nodding, Nishinoya pushed his way towards the exit, Asahi followed the path he made with his elbows and rough grunts.
"So how was your trip?" Once out of the subway and onto their small metropolitan train heading out beyond the city centre, Asahi had a quiet moment to talk with his fidgeting friend.
"Good, quick. Quicker then I expected." Face against the glass of the window, Nishinoya cocked his head to the side, straining his eyes to stare out at the brightly lit night. Sitting back against the uncomfortable train seat, Asahi stretched around, his arm resting on the seat behind him.
"It is, isn't it? So no need to feel bad for forcing me to come up there on the weekends." Grinning as he sat around properly in his seat, Nishinoya punched his arm lightly.
"If I knew it'd be that quick I would have forced you to come up more often." Unable to keep the smile from his face, Asahi played into the tease.
"I would have been very willing to come visit you more often." He paused, shyly looking back down the train and avoiding Nishinoya's eye. "And I would have come every weekend if you wanted me to." Nudging his shoulder against Asahi's board chest, Nishinoya could help the satisfied look that crossed his features.
"I would have been very willing to have you every weekend." Blushing at his flirtatious tone, Asahi watched the stations fly by as his college stop approached.
"We're getting off here." Not giving up on his teasing smile, Nishinoya followed Asahi off the train, from the platform and down onto the street.
"It's not far from the college." He was babbling, he could hear himself doing it, but couldn't stop. Running a hand through his hair, Asahi clearing his throat, watching Nishinoya's wide eyes as they walked through the busy streets. "Are you warming enough? Your coat looks kind of thin." Hunching his shoulders against the chilly open air, Nishinoya was inclined to agree.
"It is. But it's Kyoto, I thought it'd be warmer." It usually was but the cold snap had caught them out this year, with the seasonal change coming in quicker then anyone had expected.
Forced to walk shoulder to shoulder as those coming the opposite up the street pinned them closer, Nishinoya leant subconsciously into Asahi's thick, warm coat.
"Lend me your pocket?" Confused, Asahi's tilted his head to the side, shouldering off his coat, he offered it to the small boy. Shaking his head, Nishinoya pushed it back at him, slipping his hand into one of the coat pockets as he did. The small ace was forced to walk side by side his lanky friend with stiff step. Slowly their pace awkwardly, Asahi felt his ears burn hot as his hand meet the cold skin of Nishinoya's fist deep within his pocket.
"Your hands are so warm, you're usually so cold." The tiny hand beside his, wrapped around palm in a small fist. Threading his digits through Asahi's long, slender fingers, Nishinoya fumbled with the strange angle of his arm. Their height was making things difficult, but the smaller boy would not let that spoil the moment. Warm against the chill of the evening, Nishinoya could help but look up into Asahi's blushing features. "Thank you for sharing." Laughing nervously, the giant shrugged, looking away and up the street, trying in vain to ignore the grin Nishinoya was throwing him. Small fingers soon started stroking up and down his palm, Nishinoya rotating little circles with his thumb against Asahi's wrist, making the tall man shiver.
Swallowing thickly, Asahi almost missed their turn off, gesturing before them to the large inner city campus.
"My college, and the dorms." Eyes wide Nishinoya stared the huge estate up and down, grinning wildly.
"I can't wait to see the rest of it."