Daichi stood behind the altar and addressed the two blindingly happy men standing before him. How they both managed to get through the ceremony without derailing him off of his notes, he didn't know.
"And now, for the rings."
Both men turned to their respective sisters for the bands.
To Daichi's right, Hinata Shouyou, in his sleek black suit, turned to Natsu behind him. Hinata Natsu, a promising wing spiker at Niiyama, wore a lacey, pastel pink dress and her bright orange hair was tied into a neat braid. She smiled brightly as she handed her big brother a golden band, holding onto his hand for a moment.
To Daichi's left, Kageyama Tobio, in an elegant white suit, turned to Miwa on his side. Kageyama Miwa, an accomplished hair stylist and makeup artist, wore a flowy, lilac dress; her water-proof mascara worked overtime because, try as she might, she could not hide how happy she was for her little brother. She handed him an identical golden band, and gestured to the small locket on her neck. It held a picture of their grandfather, Kazuyo, because there was not a chance he would miss this day. Tobio nodded at her: he knew he was there with them.
Both men turned back to each other, rings in hand.
Daichi cleared his throat, trying to hold himself back from tears because seeing the wedding between these two was hard enough. Being the one to marry them was a whole other deal and wow, the view from the summit of the altar hurts.
So many people were in attendance: everyone from Karasuno, some friends from Nekoma, Aoba Johsai, the Black Jackals, and the Alders.
And absolutely no press.
Daichi glanced at Suga on Kageyama's side of the altar- as best man to Kageyama, he had to stay there during the ceremony. Not that he looked bothered by it. On the contrary, he couldn't tear his eyes away from his little crow, his lower lip quivering subtly.
He also looked very sharp in his navy suit, Daichi thought to himself with a shy smile.
He turned his attention back to Hinata and Kageyama, still grinning at each other, love bouncing in between their eyes like balls in a volley. (too corny? idc)
Daichi tapped the altar with a finger and continued with the ceremony.
"Hinata Shouyou, do you take Kageyama Tobio as your husband, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, until death parts you?"
Hinata nodded quickly; his bright orange hair, shorter than it was during high school but still floofy nonetheless, bounced lightly, seconding the vow.
"I do!"
He took Kageyama's right hand and gingerly secured the ring onto his finger. He quickly raised the hand and placed a kiss on the knuckle before returning the hand with a cheeky, sneaky smile.
The taller man rolled his eyes at his stupid, adorable almost-husband; an affectionate "dumbass" falling in a whisper from his wobbly, upturned lips.
Daichi turned to Kageyama and repeated the vow: "Kageyama Tobio, do you take Hinata Shouyou as your husband, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, until death parts you?"
The setter answered easily, without a second thought. "I do. Always."
He took Hinata's hand and secured the ring onto his finger, slowly running his thumb over the band and the warm knuckle above it.
Daichi checked his notes even though he didn't need to- he knew there was one last step, he just needed to make sure he did this right.
The word "pronounce" burned a hole on the page; the word, the action, the creation of something new suddenly overwhelming.
He glanced at Suga who met his gaze. Suga gave an encouraging smile, a quick, nearly unnoticeable nod to Daichi, urging him to keep going.
Thank you, Koushi.
With a breath, Daichi said the magical words. "By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss your spouse."
The two men dashed to kiss the other first, instead meeting in the middle, as they always had. Hinata on his tiptoes and Kageyama leaning down a bit, catching Hinata's face in his hands while the spiker held onto his wrists. They kissed sweetly, joyfully, lovingly, both men incapable of stopping their smiles.
The guests exploded into cheers. The tears Suga was holding back finally fell as he clapped.
Daichi held his hands together on his chest and he felt the weight of the last ten years lift away. Seeing these two in middle school, disjointed and playing on opposite sides of the net. He vaguely thought they could play better if they were on the same side. How right he was.
These two crows are going to fly together for the rest of their long lives.
The newlyweds held each other, sunshine and shadow beaming at each other from where their foreheads met, pressed against the other.
"I love you, Shouyou, so much." Kageyama whispered softly.
Hinata nudged his setter's nose with his own before whispering back, "I love you too, Tobio."
Daichi had really tried to keep his composure but that broke him.
A tear fell down his cheek as the newlyweds turned to the still-cheering guests. Karasuno was on their feet- yes, even Tsukishima- and they were easily the loudest. Kenma clapped quietly from his place behind Natsu, while Kuroo, who sat in one of the chairs, loudly applauded. The members of the Alders and Black Jackals showed their appreciation for their teammates and rivals in tandem, celebrating this union.
Hinata turned back to Daichi, his cheeks pink. "Are we supposed to announce where to go or do you do that?"
"I do that. You two go and get changed," Daichi instructed. The part after the wedding was a bit of a surprise, but the invitation alluded to it, so he didn't know if anyone really would be surprised by what came next.
Hinata nodded, his eyes bright with love and tears that were yet to be spilled. "Thank you!"
The new husbands walked back down the aisle, hand in hand. They high-fived any hands that came out for them, happily connecting with old friends. About three-quarters of the way to the end of the ballroom, Hinata pulled his husband down by the shoulder and whispered something into his ear. Kageyama looked back, deviously, and together, they rapidly took off, sprinting towards the double doors.
Daichi slapped his forehead. Those two really couldn't wait five minutes to start competing with each other, could they?
He heard Miwa groan to herself. "If Tobio ripped the suit…"
He clapped, drawing the attention of the guests back to him and he spoke loudly, full of authority. "Don't mind them, they are heading for the reception. Please gather your belongings and make your way down to the beach."
Suga crossed his arms in the same way he did earlier when they practiced this little bit. "The beach is where the reception is?"
Daichi grinned, looking at all of the volleyball players. "Following this hill down to the beach," he pointed beyond the spacious windows, "and making your way to where the volleyball courts are set up is where you will head. There are tables and changing sheds there as well."
Daichi had grown to be adept at reading body language, both as a competitive athlete and as a captain, he had a decent sense at reading the people around him. Right now, before him, excitement spread like a wave, perking up many of the guests even more than they already were.
Because of course there is gonna be volleyball at Kagehina's wedding.
Suddenly, the clause in the fancy wedding invitation that asked the guests to bring a pair of gym clothes made sense.
He heard Suga giggle to himself at the realizations taking place. Tanaka and Noya were gaping at each other before they began hugging (probably because there wasn't enough space to lift Noya above his head like Tanaka wanted to). Ushijima nodded silently to himself, while Hoshiumi, in the seat next to him, nearly cheered out loud. Aone nodded at a smirking Futakuchi and a happy Koganegawa; the setter of which was trying to make eye contact with Tsukishima- who looked regretful and tired, hanging his head while Yamaguchi laughed. Even Yachi was grinning!
Miwa and Natsu linked arms in the middle of the aisle and gracefully walked down, followed by Suga and Kenma. Guests began shuffling and grabbing their materials.
Daichi gathered his notes and couldn't help but overhear a conversation from the seats reserved for the Black Jackals.
"Omi-Omi! They're gonna play beach volleyball! We have ta play!" The setter with light blond hair exclaimed to the masked, calm presence next to him.
Sakusa didn't budge. "Those two are going to play volleyball on their wedding day. They won't take even one day off."
Atsumu pouted and focused on his outside hitter and long-term boyfriend. "Yeah, Omi, which is why we can't either. That and, if we are on the courts, we'll be away from the crowd," he hummed, having 'how to convince Omi-Omi' down to a science.
Sakusa stood at that and collected Atsumu in his hand, pulling him along before the rest of the crowd began leaving. Daichi heard the light trill of the setter's sweet, loving laugh.
As the guests neatly filed out the double doors, Daichi walked back to the side of the old ballroom where he had left his coat and bag on a small gray bench. This ballroom was built a few decades ago for beach-front parties. Hinata had told Daichi that when he and Kageyama were on vacation, they stumbled across this space completely by accident. He had loved the hardwood floors, grand windows, and the beautiful views of the ocean; it reminded him of his time in Brazil. Well, that, and the beach volleyball happening below on the sand.
Daichi plopped down onto the bench and rubbed at his temples. He didn't notice a clump of silver hair walking up the side aisle towards him until he was seated on the bench to his left.
"Great job, Mister Minister!" Suga chriped with a smile, his navy blue jacket folded neatly in his arms.
Daichi breathed out a laugh and rolled his shoulders. "Thanks. I'm just happy the ceremony didn't have a problem. Those two…"
He loved his two volleyball idiots very much, but they definitely took some years off of his life from the stress.
"You did fine. Now we just have to make sure they don't play until midnight," Suga chuckled, laying his jacket down next to Daichi's.
"They might. Maybe that's why they planned the ceremony for now."
Daichi rose and strolled across the room, Suga by his side, to the expansive windows. The nearly setting sun painted the sky in vibrant streaks of blush pink, sunflower yellow, and 'Hinata's hair' orange. The deeper blue hues would be coming out soon, ending the day and causing the lights of the reception to turn on.
Kageyama and Hinata had planned this in advance, once the light of the sun began to disappear, the many stringed and intricately patterned lights on the beach would turn on, illuminating the courts, tables, and dance floor. Daichi had heard something about the two of them taking waltz lessons, so he guessed the guests would see how successful (or how very not) those lessons had been.
The former captain leaned against the window and gazed at the clear Pacific ocean. He felt Suga lean against his side and sigh. Daichi smiled and naturally wrapped his arm around the former setter's shoulders.
"I thought you told me this morning you weren't gonna cry," he teased.
Daichi frowned at the love of his life, who had a real knack for bringing up unfinished bets. "I said I thought I wouldn't, Koushi. Not that I wouldn't."
Suga hummed from the crook of Daichi's neck. "Sure. Speaking of which, I have to find-"
A throat cleared from behind them. Turning around, they found the current apparel designer and former Karasuno ace.
Asahi was in motion, walking to them from the seats. He wore an exquisite wine-colored suit with golden stitching. His long hair was loose and in their natural curls, elegantly styled.
"Daichi, Suga, he-"
"ASAHI!" Suga exclaimed, startling their friend. He let go of Daichi and threw his arms out (nearly hitting the former captain) in a fake 'homie' handshake. Suga started the tradition of always greeting Asahi like this as a joke at the first Alders VS Black Jackals game and quickly found that that in and of itself, is a pretty sick handshake.
Asahi laughed at his dorky friend and gave a quick nod to Daichi, who still stood by the window.
"You did an amazing job with the ceremony," he complimented warmly.
Daichi nodded his head in appreciation.
Suga pouted and crossed his arms.
"You did a good job too, Suga."
Suga perked up onto his heels. He aggressively nodded his head in a cocky 'yeah I know I did' way.
Asahi rolled his eyes. His two best friends, so ridiculous, so demanding, so near and dear to his heart. He kept his gaze on Suga's superficial pout as he brought out his wallet.
"I can't believe I lost." Meticulous fingers find the bill.
"I never thought they would fall in love. In hindsight, I never should have taken your bet. But I did and they seem," he remarks wistfully, "like soulmates."
Asahi hands Suga a bill for 500 Yen. It's not very much at all, but the silver-haired man still takes a sharp inhale when he realizes.
"Bet paid. I don't think I'll bet with you again, though."
Suga cracks a grin. He folds the bill and shoves it into his pocket.
"Thanks, Asahi. I was ready to hunt you down for it!" He cackles.
The tall former Ace rubs the back of his neck. "I know, Suga," he says, content with his choice. He was perfectly happy, even though he lost.
Daichi glances back to the window and sees a familiar streak of orange on the sand below.
"Hey," he calls to the two men, "there they are!"
Suga and Asahi join him and take in the sight.
The sun is about halfway sunken into the ocean, the streaks of pink and orange still vibrant but now being nipped at the heels by a deep, starry, royal blue.
The many tables held lamps and above them all were dozens of strings of lights, illuminating the sand and giving it a truly magical feel. Beyond the tables were a few tall, thin fabric sheds, a wide table for catering, and a portable wooden dance floor off to the side. The volleyball courts were set up, the lights on the net drew the attention of the two newlyweds who ran onto the sand at top speed.
Hinata jumped in the air, his arms outstretched in what looked like celebration when he hit the first court a hair faster than his new husband. Kageyama barked at him but even from this distance, the former third-years could tell there was no real bite to it.
Behind them, some of the guests were beginning to join them on the sand.
The two newlyweds turned around to the impending hug assault from their friends and family. They were so loved.
Daichi's fingers stretched to find Suga's hand, curling his digits around his palm, protectively. Suga squeezed his hand back and delicately, he rubbed his fingers against Daichi's knuckles, intimate circles where he would certainly mark up with kisses when they got home.
Daichi sighs and nuzzles into Suga's hair, relaxing. With the ceremony over, his job was done. He could just… have fun. It felt like a wild concept, frankly.
Suga squinted at something on the beach, his head jerking forward with the exaggerated movement, abruptly over-ruffling Daichi's face with his soft hair.
"Is Nishinoya wearing your exact jacket?" He asks.
Daichi focused on the fast-moving Noya on the beach and sure enough, his jacket was the same wine-red color as Asahi's.
The gentle giant chuckles. "Yes, I designed us matching suits."
In sync with each other and slowly just for the sheer drama, Suga and Daichi turned to face Asahi on their left. Suga pouted with an eyebrow raised. Daichi gave a blank stare, because it was simply too obvious and he was too tired.
"What? Does it look bad?" Asahi asked, a hint of nerves quivering in his voice. "I thought the color would compliment him."
Suga snickered all too suggestively. "It looks good. It's interesting that you decided to make custom matching suits for a wedding."
"Interesting? I mean I had leftover fabric. I wanted him to look good! I wasn't sure if he even had a suit of his own."
"He probably didn't," Daichi conceded, "besides it looks like it worked out, right? You both got nice suits."
The former ace nods. "Yeah. On our next trip, we were thinking of visiting France so I could study some of the fashion and -"
Suga could not find it in himself to stop his quick, mercilessly loud laugh.
"What?" Asahi asked, now a tinge annoyed.
Suga took a breath and responded. "Sorry. France? Paris, France?"
Daichi squeezed Suga's hand in warning. Suga cleared his throat, taking effort to relax, "I'm so excited for you that you both are going there! Have fun in the most romantic city in the world. You *snicker* and your matching suits."
Another snort and Asahi rolled his eyes.
Daichi looked fondly at his friends. Asahi, the gentle giant with a creative eye and love for everyone. Especially for a certain former libero, it would seem! Suga, the love of his life and sometimes, quite the little shit. But a sweet, compassionate man who is expressive to a fault.
Laughing with them threw him back to high school for a moment. He loved those memories and he knew he always would.
A yelp of pain from Asahi brought Daichi out of his sentimental moment. The tall man rubbed at his side which, Daichi could guess, had just been the victim of an attempted implailing via Suga's elbow.
"Hey, I'm 500 Yen richer, how about I buy you a drink?" Suga asks.
Asahi's face pulls into a dorky grin. "Sure, Suga, sure."
Suga claps his hand on Asahi's back, affectionately and with only a little sting behind it.
"Alright, you two, let's get down there," Daichi reasons before Suga can start 'NeGaTiViTy BeGoNe'-ing their poor friend.
Suga and Daichi stroll back to the bench on the other side of the room to grab their belongings. Asahi offers to help Daichi carry his coat and bag, to which Daichi declines.
Together, the three former third-years, the ones who made Karasuno high school into a powerhouse school once again, left the ballroom. Beyond the double doors, the cool breeze swirled and Daichi swore he could smell Brazilian food coming from the beach.
He had done his part. He had done it with Koushi by his side.
Daichi took a deep breath and relaxed. The night was just getting started and the wedding guests needed to be reminded what a proper foundation on the court looks like.