It seemed, at this moment, opening his eyes was a difficult task for Sugawara Koushi. He knew he had to, he was awake after all but his eyelids were heavy, too heavy for it to be normal. Even though he couldn't see, Suga could move his fingers, clenching and unclenching them. He could dig his fingers in what he assumed was dirt or maybe even sand as it was oddly. . . smooth? Grainy? Suga couldn't come up with the right words, his brain muddled as if in a dense fog. His toes could feel it too and now he knew that for some reason he wasn't wearing shoes. The ground was digging into his back and he noted numbly that his legs were cold, he must be wearing shorts, or maybe even just his boxers. . .

And through all of these thoughts he still couldn't open his eyes.

Deciding to rely more on his other senses for now he turned to hearing out his surroundings. Near him was the soft crashing sound of waves hitting sand, and he could smell the salt of the water. The corner of his eyes started to burn slightly.

The ocean.

He was near an ocean?

Where was he? Wasn't he just heading to volleyball practice?

His memories were hazy but he could remember walking with Daichi, who was telling a joke that Suga would admit now wasn't that funny. He remembered seeing Hinata and Kageyama arguing near the net(maybe over a toss?), Asahi looking at the scene, his face showing that he really didn't know what to do with the situation. Not too far away Tanaka and Nishinoya were gushing over Shimizu, who was blatantly ignoring them, as she walked away with a slightly skittish Yachi. Ennoshita sighing with Narita and Kinoshita behind him, Yamaguchi and Tsukishima talking in the corner, Coach Ukai thinking with a hand on his chin. All normal everyday things.

Well, Suga revised, normal for his team anyway.

Lying there for a bit more Suga tried again, blinking his eyes only to close them quickly as the sun overhead shined into them. He opened them slower, tilting his head to the side slightly to avoid the bright light. After a couple seconds Suga got rid of the annoying blue residue clouding his vision. Sitting up, one hand clutching his stomach and the other on his head, he looked around him.

He was rightfully confused by his surroundings.

How?

Why?

Where?

These were the first questions to pop into his head as he stared on. Suga was in a clearing, more of a path or trail if he was being honest, one opening facing what Suga had correctly guessed was the ocean, the water lapping at the white sand generously. In and out. In and out. It was relaxing, Suga thought, as he turned his head to the left. On the other side was a large open space that lead to a trail going further inland, entrance surrounded by trees. It had to be man-made as there was wooden hand rails lining the edges and Suga could even make out a bench up the path a ways.

Taking it all in slowly, his head still fuzzy, he looked down at himself discovering, thankfully, that he wasn't wearing his boxers but his volleyball shorts he used that day for practice. His white shirt was crumpled and dirty, sticking to his skin. His arms and legs had small scratches and bruises. Possibly from lying on the ground or. . . maybe a struggle? It was hard to say really, considering Suga had no idea how he even got here in the first place.

On the ground a few feet away from him were his school bag and volleyball jacket. Suga reached out and pulled them closer, leaving a trail in the dirt. Grasping the jacket, Suga shook off the sand that had collected on the black fabric and put it on, glad for the warmth it provided. Turning back to his bag he zipped it open to find that it didn't have his school work in it. Instead it had a change of clothes (still no shoes. . . ), a couple of energy bars, two bottles of water, and a few books he was reading in his spare time.

No phone in sight.

Well there goes that plan, Suga thought, the hope to check the GPS or call someone for help, dashed with the revelation.

Still. . . none of these were in my bag last time I checked. How did they get there? Suga shook his head slightly, I shouldn't be asking that. The more important question is why am I here?

"What's going on?"

There was no reply.

Sighing, Suga dug through the contents of his bag and took out the socks that came with the change of clothes. Just your everyday, completely average, white ankle length socks. Figuring it was better than nothing he slid them onto his bare feet. Once they were secure he zipped up his bag and got clumsily to his feet, slinging the bag over his shoulder, it hitting his side with a dull 'thump'.

I'm not gonna figure anything out if I stay here, Suga thought as he started making his way up the man-made path, leaving the ocean behind. Now, Suga was responsible and knew in situations when you're lost you supposed to stay put but Suga figured that he, technically, wasn't lost yet.

". . ."

I guess my team's rubbing off on me, Suga thought, bringing his hand up to his face in silent exasperation.

Gliding his fingers along the handrail as he walked Suga noted that he was surrounded on all sides by trees, he wasn't sure if recognized any of them, which wasn't very helpful. The path was uneven and roots were growing across it as if having the malicious intent to trip travelers. His socks were having little effect protecting his feet and before long they started to ache from rubbing on the ground. It wasn't painful yet but Suga knew if he kept at this for a long, it would be.

After a while Suga stopped, having come to a fork in the path.

Left or right?

Suga couldn't decide. Debating to himself he saw that the paths looked the same. Same trees. Same dirt. Same hand rails. Same bench down the path. Same stupid roots that have tripped him more times than he can count. There wasn't even a sign to point him in the right direction.

Great.

Taking a breath, Suga continued, taking the left path on impulse. The wind wasn't as intense as it was when he was next the ocean, just a light breeze that flicked his hair gently. The air still smelled of salt but Suga didn't mind it, if anything it was a nice change. Suga wondered what time it was, it couldn't have been to late in the afternoon as the sun was high in the sky but it was hard to tell with nothing to check the time with.

Suga winced, the ache in his feet was becoming painful. Looking up Suga was relieved to see a bench up ahead. Collapsing grateful onto it, Suga pulled one of his feet up towards him, rubbing at it gently.

Ow.

Letting his foot drop Suga leaned back and sighed. Tilting his head back he closed his eyes, just breathing in the fresh air around him.

Just . . . breathing.

"Oh, I remember you!"

"Ah!"

Suga's head flew upright, startled, his eyes growing wide. He stood up fast, almost falling with the effort, flinging his head from side to side. Spinning a circle a couple times; Suga didn't see who had just spoke to him.

"Pfft, look above you."

Doing as the disembodied voice advised, Sugawara looked up. Above him was a boy around his age. He was hanging upside-down, legs tangled up in what Suga realized was cords attached to a parachute, the fabric lodging itself in the branches of the tree. The vest to secure him to the chute was undone but he was so tangled up that it didn't do anything to help his situation. His arms were hanging down as if the boy had long since given up trying to free himself. He was wearing a plain white T-shirt, which had fallen down to show his abdomen because of his orientation, and purple shorts. His red hair didn't look any different upside down, as it always seemed to defy gravity. He blinked his down-turned eyes, giving off the impression that he was sleepy.

Suga gapped," Wha. . . "

The boy tilted his head but didn't say anything, his red eyes staring at the one below him.

Blinking rapidly, Suga's brain caught up to itself and he exclaimed, "You're T-Tendou! From Shiratorizawa!"

Tendou pursed his lips slightly, "Hmm, the one and only."

"What are you doing here!" Suga yelled," What is going on!"

"I could say the same to you," Tendou said crossing his arms and sticking out his lip childishly," but I would rather get down from here first. My legs are going numb."

"Oh! I'm sorry, I'll help you down! Just give me a second!" Suga ran up to the tree that Tendou was stuck in and started to climb.

"One. Time's up," Tendou said as he watched Suga struggle to get up the tree, uncrossing his arms and letting them hang down once again.

Suga huffed,"Very funny."

It was hard going, the lack of shoes hindering his progress. The branches were digging into his feet making Suga wince in branches were also far apart so he had to stretch to reach the next one, but Suga was grateful that none of them snapped. Finally Sugawara reached the top, balancing his body weight as not to fall," I'm going to lower you down slowly, alright?"

"Go ahead, beauty mark."

Deciding not to say anything to the 'beauty mark' comment Suga gently untangled the cords from the branches, giving him some slack to work with. Once he was satisfied he slowly let the cords slip through his fingers, lowering the redhead inch by inch down to the ground. Tendou stretched out his arms to brace himself and eventually he was able to touch the dirt path. Pushing with his hands while Suga continued to lower him, he angled his body so that he was lying down on his back. Once he was completely down he gave Suga a piece sigh," Good job, Crow."

Tendou sat up and threw away the vest still on his shoulders before reaching out to undo the cords around his legs. Once Suga was on the ground he came over to help him as he wasn't having much luck getting untangled. After a minute or two Tendou was able to wiggle himself out, kicking the cords away once he was done.

"Phew! I thought I was going to be stuck like that forever!" Tendou said as he stood up placing his hands on his hips, laughing.

"How did you end up like that anyway?" Suga asked sitting down on the bench to check on his feet again.

Ow, this sucks.

"Hmm, I don't know really. I just woke up like that," Tendou said taking a seat next to Sugawara,"I opened my eyes to realize I was up in the air and upside down. It's was a surprising thing to wake up to."

"Yeah, that would be," Suga agreed pulling off his socks, grimacing. His feet were now covered in small cuts, some of them bleeding slightly. Great.

Tendou leaned in closer to take in the damaged foot ",What happened to you shoes?"

Suga laughed slightly, reaching into his bag,"'I don't know really. I just woke up like that.' That pretty much sums up everything that happened to me today."

Tendou hummed, leaning back," What do you think's going on? Do you think were in, like, a Btooom! kind of situation? That would suck."

Suga raised an eyebrow as he looked for anything to help with his feet,"'Btooom?'"

Tendou glanced at him before looking away," It's a manga series where people are trapped on an island and are forced to kill each other using different types of bombs. It's pretty fucked up."

Sugawara's eyes widened in alarm," You think we're in that type of situation!? Oh God, what if we are!"

Tendou turned to him his eyes softening just the tiniest bit at the terrified look on Suga's face," I don't know if we are but something definitely happened to us. We can't rule out anything as long as we don't know what's going on. But if it makes you feel any better if we were in something like Btooom! they would have given us something to start with right? You know, like a weapon or something. Plus I doubt that what happened is as messed up as that. This is real life, not fiction."

Suga looked at Tendou for a long while as he calmed his breathing. Taking in a long breath he went back to looking in his bag," Yeah. Yeah you right. It's probably a prank or something."

Tendou smirked, leaping up from his seat," Right!"

"You have way too much energy," Suga said jokingly as he decided to grab one of the bottles of water, opening it. He poured it slowly on one of his feet. It helped a little. He put the sock back on then did the same thing with the other foot.

"What should we do now?" Tendou asked as he watched Suga work.

"I was just going to follow that path and see where it took me. That's all I have at the moment," Suga shrugged," You got any ideas?"

Tendou scrunched up his nose slightly," Not really."

"Well, you welcome to join me. If you want."

Tendou shrugged," Not like I have anything better to do. I'll go with you, I guess."

"Okay," Suga put his half used bottle back in his bag.

"You ready?" Tendou asked after a moment, turning his head way too far to the side. Suga had seen him do that before. Suga pushed himself up, zipping his bag closed. He slung it over his shoulder.

"Yeah."

The odd duo continued down the path, leaving the forgotten parachute behind. The wind started to pick up a little and it blew at the dirt of the path sending it up into the air. Suga was walking slower than he did before but Tendou was generous enough to match his pace and not leave him in the dust. Literally. They were silent for a long time before it seemed that Tendou couldn't handle it," So how's that short number ten doing? You know, the one that can jump really high?"

Suga blinked, thinking about the question for a second," Oh, you mean Hinata. Last time I checked he was fine. Still needs to work on his receives though."

"Hmm."

Another long awkward silence, the only sounds were the wind and the scuffing of Tendou's shoes in the dirt as he walked. Suga, who can almost taste the awkwardness on his tongue, decided to try to spark up another conversation with the Guess Monster.

"So. . . how has your team been?"

Tendou gave him a side eye," Not doing much sense you beat us."

Suga grimaced,"Uh. . .What about you! Anything interesting happen to you lately?"

Tendou gave him a look and just motioned to himself, the path, Suga, then around in a circle to indicate his overall surroundings.

"Okay, dumb question," Suga admitted," I meant like College entrance exams or a girlfriend. Something like that."

Tendou made a movement as if to put his hands in his pockets only to realize his shorts didn't have any. He flopped them at his sides instead. He leaned in close to Suga's face," Don't you think that's a little personal, beauty mark?"

"You can call me Suga. And I'm sorry if I was intruding," Suga said bowing his head in apology, "Just trying to make conversation."

Tendou leaned back with his lips pursed, crossing his arms in an almost condescending way," What about you? You dating anybody?"

Sugawara blushed," No."

"Huuhhh?" Tendou smirked leaning in closer causing Suga look away in embarrassment," Really?"

"Yes, really."

Tendou eyed him for a long time and Suga felt like he was digging into his brain, searching for all of his secrets. It was unsettling.

Tendou finally looked away only to laugh," Ha ha. Well then, little Suga-chan has a crush!"

"What!?"

Tendou smirked," Who is it? A girl in your class? A boy? I won't judge."

"D-Didn't you just say that I was being too personal!" Suga said flustered.

Tendou took a few quick steps so he was in front of Suga. He then placed his hands on his back and leaned until he was facing Suga with his face upside down,"Oh, oh? Not denying it?"

"What! No! Wait, that isn't the point!" Suga blushed red,"You're being way too personal! I don't have to tell you about my love life!"

Tendou righted himself, chuckling,"Kidding, kidding."

Suga sighed," You-"

"How 'bout this," Tendou interrupted, "I'll tell you who I'm dating and you'll tell me who you have a crush on? Deal?"

"So you are dating someone," Suga observed, trying to direct the conversation.

Tendou made a signal as if he was zipping his mouth shut and Suga sighed. He wasn't going to have much say in this, is he? On one hand their conversation was pushing the boundaries, they weren't even friends, just acquaintances. But on the other hand: did it really matter? It might be embarrassing, sure, but Tendou would indulge first lessening the burden. Also they didn't know when they would see another person or how long they would be together and they were actually talking instead of that awful silence.

Suga felt like being reckless.

What did he have to lose?

"Fine," Suga consented after a long moment.

"Ushijima Wakatoshi."

Suga stopped walking and blinked up at Tendou, he must have heard him wrong," What?"

"Ushijima Wakatoshi. Is the person I'm dating," Tendou walked further ahead. Speeding up to match his pace Suga stared at him, analyzing his face to see if he was messing with him.

Tendou just blinked sleepily at him and let the information sink in.

"What! You dating Ushijima Ushijima Wakatoshi? Are we talking about the same person here? Your captain?"

"Yep, Waka-chan is my boyfriend," Tendou eyed him," What, thought it would be someone else? A girl? Not everyone swings that way, you know."

Suga waved his hands around, trying to defuse the situation," No! There's nothing wrong with you dating him! I'm just surprised that it was Ushiwaka- I mean Ushijima. You guys just seem so different is all. I wouldn't have guessed that you guys would get together."

Tendou's smile reached his eyes as he chuckled," Waka-chan is tame compared to me but I still love him. He accepts me for who I am and he is actually really fun to hang out with once you get past his lack of social skills."

Taking in Tendou's expression Suga could see that Tendou really did love Ushijima. It just couldn't have been a joke on the other's part. Tendou was serious and Suga found it sweet. Suga smiled wide as he said truthfully," Well, I'm happy for you guys."

Tendou hummed.

They were both silent for a minute or two, both lost in thought. During Tendou's confession the path had gone from dirt to asphalt. There was still roots growing under it, pushing the ground up, but it was less likely for them to trip now. Suga was grateful to get rid of the tripping hazard but it was a double-edged sword. The hardened surface irritated his feet making it almost too painful to walk.

Just a little more. We have to be close to something.

Tendou suddenly coughed and turned to him," So you going to tell me who you have a crush on or what?"

Suga almost choked on his spit.

"I said who I was dating after all," Tendou's smile was vicious," Now you have to hold up to your end of the deal."

He's having way too much fun with this!

"Uh. . well. . ."

Tendou leaned closer, smirking," Hmmm?"

Suga regretted agreeing to this.

Tendou had a skip in his step," Is it someone I know? Is it someone on your team?"

Suga stayed silent as Tendou continued," It is, isn't it? From the face you're making that must be the case. Let's see. . . it can't be that number ten or that crazy other setter of yours. There's way too much sexual tension between those guys-"

Suga spit out his metaphorical drink.

"-so those two are out," Tendou didn't skip a beat," Hmm. Going through the other options it has to be that tall ace of yours or your captain. I can't see you liking anyone else."

Tendou looked down his nose at him,"So Suga . . . which is it?"

Sugawara's eyes widened and he blurted,"Daichi! It's Daichi!"

This sucks!

Tendou blinked,"Daichi? Which one is that?"

Suga stopped walking, putting his head in his hands," It's our captain. Sawamura. . . Daichi."

"Oh ho! On a first name basis. That's cute."

Suga started to walk again at a much faster pace," Can we just change the subject!"

Tendou caught up to him quickly," Oh is the little crow embarrassed? Don't be, Suga. I'm pretty sure you got nothing to worry about."

"What do you mean?"

Tendou chuckled," Nothing, It's nothing."

Sugawara eyed him suspiciously before his intense stare broke when pain shot up his foot," Ow!"

Tendou's face almost looked worried," Oh yeah, your feet, I almost forgot about that. Must suck."

Suga's face pinched. He lowered himself to the ground and groaned. Tendou looked at him for a moment and pursed out his lips. Suddenly he crouched down in front of Suga, his back facing him.

"What are you doing?" Suga asked, perplexed by other's sudden action.

Tendou huffed," What does it look like. I can't have you moaning the whole time. Get on my back."

"You mean-"

"Just do it before I change my mind."

Suga smiled and climbed onto Tendou's back, the redhead hosting him into the air. Soon Suga had adjusted into a more comfortable position and Tensou got a steady grip,"Thank you, Tendou."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't mention it."

Suga couldn't see Tendou's face but he guessed that he just had his normal sleepy expression. Nothing special.

Which was perfectly fine.

After that it was much easier for Suga. To be honest, even though Tendou was kinda a bean pole, his shoulder was steady bounce as the taller walking was soothing. Before long he was closing his eyes.

In that moment it was easy for Sugawara Koushi to fall asleep.

Thanks for reading!