Kageyama POV

"There, that should do it," Sugawara stated, looking pleased with his handiwork. With a small snap he closed the compact that held a small pallet of foundation.

Kageyama looked in the bathroom mirror, the bright naked bulbs above the unframed reflecting surface making his skin look paler than usual. A few minutes ago the black eye that he had been sporting for a few days had been a sickly yellow-green colour, but with the foundation one could hardly tell he had anything wrong with his left eye unless you knew what to look for. "How… do you know how to do this?"

A pink flush tinted the older man's cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck while avoiding eye contact, "Uh, you know… drama club in high school?"

What kind of answer is that? The raven haired man thought, brow raised in suspicion.

"Sometimes Daichi-san likes to get a little bit rough, so Suga-san needs to cover u-" Tanaka began explaining as he exited the neighboring stall. Sugawara was fast to react as he landed a devastating karate chop just below Tanaka's bottom ribs on the right side. Kageyama watched with a flat expression at the usual display, the pair mock fighting as Tanaka attempted to wash his hands while avoiding blows before fleeing from the room.

It was fairly common knowledge that Sugawara and Daichi were more than just childhood friends; though they didn't have a label, nor were they as constant in their affection as the secretive Nishinoya and Asahi. They dated other people off and on, both men and woman each, yet always seemed to gravitate towards each other when their relationships fell apart. It was a reliable cycle- though many members of their patchwork family were waiting for "mom and dad" to finally figure themselves out and become an item for real. He'd never thought much about how many people he was surrounded by that were on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Most, if not all of his friends and family he was sure had dabbled, if not committed. Perhaps that was just how it was, like minded people flock together? Or perhaps they were influencing each other? He wasn't sure how it worked- Kageyama paused his thought, realizing that he'd just included himself in that pot of gold and rainbows. He was straight- right? Maybe? Perhaps? The more he thought about it the less convinced he became. It was all so confusing. Just because he'd thought about a certain redhead a number of times didn't make him-

"Kageyama?" He blinked, realizing he'd just been standing there absently in thought, "earth to Kageyama?"

"S-sorry, got lost in thought. Thanks Sugawara-san." Kageyama gestured to his eye, and offered a bow.

"It's fine, just try not to stick your nose in anyone else's business tonight? It'd be nice to have your wounds heal entirely before you collect new ones." Just like a mother hen, Sugawara shook his head and exited the bathroom to get to work.

Kageyama fixed his hair and uniform, giving himself a once over in the mirror. He'd lost some weight during his stay at Hinata's place, his jawline appeared sharper, and his black apron fit better. He double checked the buttons on his white shirt, and straightened his tie before heading out of the staff washroom.

The night was going pretty smoothly, and with his body still healing, Kageyama was stationed as a greeter. He was arranging the happy hour menus that were about to be placed on tables when the small bell jingled, hardly audible over the low chatter from seated guests, and the calming jazz music playing in the background. Turning with the most pleasant smile his body could muster he prepared to greet the newcomers. That smile was fast to fade as two familiar faces appeared.

"Would you like a seat at a table, or at the bar?" Kageyama asked through gritted teeth. Before him stood two men in business casual dress. In the front was a man almost equal in height to him, with hair just a shade off from Sugawara's, and a stare equally as glowing as his own. He blinked slowly, his greyish-brown eyes evaluating the younger man before him. Kageyama stopped himself from glaring as best as he could. Just off the first guest's left shoulder stood a slightly shorter man with short and slightly spiked brunette hair. His eyes were evaluating the room, counting heads, looking for trouble. On the edge of his vision Kageyama could see the golden reflection of a badge on the shorter man's belt, mostly hidden by his navy blue sports jacket.

"Bar, thank you," the man in front answered, curt, straight to the point. His gaze didn't leave Kageyama for a single second.

"This way," Kageyama moved aside gesturing with an open arm and flat hand towards the bar. He sat the pair on the end, closest to the exit, on Asahi's side. Retreating to his post he absently polished some silverware in the bussers stand while keeping an ear trained on the newcomers.

"What can I get you?" Was the ever polite voice of Asahi.

"A light beer each please," They were polite, yet short with their responses.

The pair sat in silence for a time before Daichi became available, sliding behind the bar with a warm smile on his face as he approached the men. "It's not often we see you two in these parts- what brings you to our little hole in the wall?" He was speaking quietly enough to be masked by the music and whitenoise as to not appear out of place, but loud enough to not appear "secretive".

"We stopped by to see how you were all holding up, what with all the ruckus in the northern warehouses a few weeks ago…" They were fishing, the lighter haired man's face unchanging with his words as he sipped his cold beer.

"Ah, I heard about that. Lots of casualties? Didn't catch much in the way of details." Daichi set his elbow on the bar, his hand cupping his chin in -much to Kageyama's surprise- believable interest.

"One might call it a bloodbath; but then again, in your world that's like describing a painting by Monet," The guest sounded dry.

"In my world? I assure you, bar keeping hardly ever involves blood- perhaps some broken glass here or there…"

The stranger simply stared, his expression turning sour. "Daichi-san, two of our younger subordinates are facing suspension because your boss decided to involve them in this business. I don't get into your personal space, unless you make it damn personal." The lighter haired man was flexing beneath his sports jacket, his knuckles white on his thigh. His partner set a firm hand on his shoulder, as if keeping the man from standing.

"No need to make a scene Semi-senpai," he spoke in a calm, tone trying to diffuse the tension. A few patrons were starting to observe the conversation.

Semi stood abruptly, pushing the hand of his partner off. He fisted his pocket and pulled out some coin, paying for the beer before growling between clenched teeth, "So much as make a ripple Daichi… or ever involve one of my fellow detectives, I will bring hellfire down upon the Dahlia." He turned and left, ignoring that his partner had yet to stand.

The other man finished his beer, paid and slowly stood. "He means well- but I'd recommend taking his word seriously. Keep your nose clean," he nodded behind Daichi to Asahi and Tanaka, "all of you."

"You're not a bad guy Yamagata-San, watch your back, and we'll watch ours." They shook hands, and the detective departed with a nod to Kageyama. Once they had left, it took a few minutes for the tension in the room to relax, and thankfully that concluded the excitement for the rest of the night.

A knock on his door woke him, eyes feeling sticky with sleep as he yawned. Kageyama stretched, his feet sticking out from the bottom of his blanket which had rotated in his slumber. "'m comin' 'm comin'..." He pulled on some track pants and shuffled to the door, his hair sticking out at weird angles as he removed the chain and unlocked the door.

Saeko leaned against the catwalk railing, the sun shining brightly off of her bleached hair. "Jeeze, it's nearly noon!" She scolded, looking him up and down, "You seriously just wake up?"

"It was a late night nee-san, some of us work when the sun is down you know." He was never the morning type- even if it was nearing the afternoon.

"Go shower, I'll brew some coffee," it wasn't a request, she snapped her finger and pointed towards his bathroom in the depths of his small apartment. Without more than an incoherent grumble, Kageyama obliged. The water felt amazing on his skin, warm- not hot as he stood under the stream, the foam from his shampoo pooling at his feet while water drained down the grate. From under the bathroom door he could hear the sound of life in his apartment, the kitchen being used and the smell of coffee beginning to brew. His stomach grumbled. He would rather a milk than coffee, but he hadn't gone grocery shopping, and Saeko had brought over some grinds a few days ago so she knew it was there. He shut off the water and looked at himself in the semi-fogged mirror. His bruise was nearly gone, perhaps one more day. Wrapping himself in a towel he exited the bathroom and moved into his bedroom as Saeko made herself comfortable on a floor cushion next to his small table.

Kageyama threw on his clothing haphazardly, grabbing the first pair of clean boxer-briefs he could see, some black jeans, and a dark blue v-neck. Towel drying his hair he joined his neighbor at the table. "What did I do to deserve a wake up call?"

Saeko pushed his mug of coffee towards him before settling back in her seat. "Hinata-kun got discharged today."

Kageyama blinked, thinking about how long it had been since he'd last visited the hospital.

"Ukai-san says you've behaved well enough this past week that you can go see him, but no funny business. No getting into fights- oh and I'm your babysitter." Her smile was somewhat terrifying. Kageyama gulped.

"I'll… take transit."

"Nonsense, I just filled the beast with gas and she's rearing to go!"

He could feel the blood drain from his face at the thought of Saeko driving. "I thought you babysitting me was supposed to keep me in one piece?" He felt a foot impact his shin and immediately regretted opening his mouth.

"At least I can drive!" She snapped, glaring at him over her half finished coffee.

"I guess you could call it that- OW!" How did she manage to target the most sensitive spots of the leg without even looking?

A/N: Welcome back, and I again apologize for the length- Still trying to figure out my momentum to get to those big juicy chapters! Perhaps we need some action? These boys have had it easy these last two chapters...