Hey guys! Life is crazy and I've been working hard on my stories when I get the chance, but time is scarce so I was still a little late with this chapter update. Sorry to make you wait, but thank you so much for reading, enjoy! 3

Walking down the hall gave Daichi a creeping sense of sickness. He hadn't been in a hospital since their first year of high school when his grandmother had passed away. He'd always felt anxious in hospitals, never knowing what to do or say even though there was pressure for him to be the strong and composed firstborn son. The day his Gran passed, Daichi felt anything but strong and composed. He felt lost and heartbroken. As the eldest, he held a special connection with the wise and stubborn woman, the two of them inseparable when he was little, and every Sunday spent helping her around her house as chores grew to be too much. When she took a turn for the worst, Daichi did not take it well, but he worked hard to pretend he was fine. For the most part, he succeeded until one day he snapped at Asahi with more frustration than necessary.

"If you keep acting like a frightened child, no one will ever treat you like an ace!"

The silence that echoed in the gymnasium after Daichi yelled those words was far louder than any spike. The upperclassman looked to the first years with curiosity as Daichi huffed, and Asahi balled his hands in the fabric of his white practice shirt, his eyes large with hurt. Beside them, a young Sugawara looked between his friends with concern. As if something came over him, Daichi shook his head and slapped his face a few times, his cheeks turning bright red, and gave a full bow.

"I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, Asahi. I'm sorry."

His voice cracked on the last syllable, but he quickly clenched his jaw shut tight to cease the sob that tried to get through.

Sugawara and Asahi looked to one another as he remained bowing before Asahi stammered a soft. "It's okay."

Straightening abruptly, he swallowed and made a brisk walk past them and toward the gym doors.

"Excuse me."

Up in the club room, Daichi was scrubbing his forearm over his face and muttering as he paced back and forth. He needed to get his emotions under control, but all he wanted to do was scream and punch something. Settling for a locker, he turned and slammed his fist into the flimsy metal and flinched at the clanging echo it made. A decent-sized dent was left behind, and he stared at it feeling the urge to throw another swing.

"Daichi?..."

Head snapping up, he turned to find Sugawara peeking his head in through the door, his fair hair clinging to his forehead with sweat from practice, but his eyes filled with empathy. Daichi stood like a deer in headlights, unsure of what excuse to give for his unacceptable behavior and overcome with an irrational irritation. Couldn't they leave him alone to melt down for a little bit? What he didn't expect was the compassion in Suga's voice.

"Hey… Are you okay? You can talk to me, you know?"

It was an innocent question, and yet massive tears welled up in the young brunette's eyes, his lip wobbling and he began to shake his head. As the wetness spilled over his cheeks hot and streaming, he dropped his head.

"She's dying-" His words broke off as his shoulders quaked and he sucked in a ragged breath.

Alarmed, Suga let himself the rest of the way into the club room and shut the door behind him. In a flash, he was at Daichi's side and steering him to sit down on one of the benches.

"Hey now… You're alright. I knew you've been acting strange..." Suga said, gently rubbing Daichi's back. "Tell me what's going on, you said… Someone's dying?"

His words were gentle, but Daichi still trembled with soft sobs, his face in his hands. When he spoke a few minutes later, it was muffled and broken.

"My Gran… She's sick. They think she'll pass any day."

The pain in Suga's tone matched the ache in Daichi's heart, and for a moment he would have thought they shared the same grandmother.

"Oh… Daichi. I'm so sorry." The hand rubbing his back gently moved to his shoulder, and Suga gave a firm squeeze. "Have you been keeping this to yourself all week?"

Unable to say anything, Daichi sniffed and nodded his head.

"You have? How have you been functioning, no wonder you bit Asahi's head off."

In truth, he hadn't been functioning. He was sure he flunked both pop quizzes he'd had that week, and even after three days of lectures in class, he couldn't tell you a single thing they were supposed to be learning. He was exhausted from the late nights at the hospital, from consoling his younger brother, sister, and his mother, all while trying to help his Father keep the household together. He had no energy for class, and as much as he loved volleyball, his heart and mind were sitting in a worn maroon chair beside an occupied hospital bed. An angel on earth laying there with tubes running from her veins and nose, saying her final goodbyes, and preparing to leave them. Him.

Breath hitching, Daichi curled his hands into fists and shook his head back and forth.

"I'm not ready for her to leave, Suga- I- I don't know how to be the strong man my family needs me to be, not without Gran there… Not alone… I can't do it; I can't say goodbye."

He's not sure when it happened but at some point, Suga pulled Daichi into a hug, the slightly taller brunette burring his face in his friend's collarbone as the latter held on tight. He hadn't cried in front of anyone, not even his family and it felt relieving to be this vulnerable with someone, to let someone else hold him together.

It was a few minutes after Daichi's sobs eased that the silence was finally broken, and if it weren't for the fact he was resting his forehead on Suga's shoulder, he may not have heard him.

"So don't say goodbye."

Confused, Daichi lifted his head to look at Suga with red eyes and a tear-streaked face. "What?"

"You said you can't say goodbye… So don't." He repeated, his eyes still compassionate but insistent.

Unsure if his friend doubted the severity of his grandmother's condition, he tried to explain. "Suga, she doesn't have a lot of time. If I wait- If I don't do it-"

"Don't say goodbye, tell her you'll see her again."

Daichi stopped mid-sentence, his mouth partially open and his breath halting as he looked wordlessly at his friend. Suga's expression was fierce, and he nodded his head as he reached out and gripped the other boy's shoulder. "And don't do it alone, let me come with you. I'll be by your side, we can figure out the manhood thing together. You don't have to say goodbye, Daichi… And you definitely don't have to do it alone. I know it's gonna be hard, but I promise… It's gonna be okay."

His voice was a whisper, but his words were filled with disbelief. "You… You'd do that?"

Giving that soft chuckle, Sugawara smiled with kindness touching every corner of his face.

"Of course, Dai."

And that's how Sugawara ended up at the hospital with Daichi on the day she passed away. Sitting side by side in those worn maroon chairs, they allowed his Gran to pinch their cheeks with what little strength she could muster and smiled through their watery eyes.

Clearing his throat as a few tears managed to spill over, Daichi took her hand in his.

"Until we meet again, Gran… I'll miss you."

His words were thick and his chin trembling, but she smiled at him before her eyes peacefully shut. There was a content expression on her face as she whispered, "Until we meet again, my strong boy."

It wasn't a minute later when the machines indicated his Gran was no longer with them, and just as he promised, Suga was by his side the whole time. He wrapped Daichi in a crushing embrace after the nurse politely ushered them into the hall, and he didn't let go until the grieving brunette stopped shaking. After drying most of their tears, Suga led him back to the entrance of the hospital with an arm slung around his shoulders, only to find a sheepish Asahi waiting for them on a bench outside. Offering a small smile, he held up a plastic grocery bag from Sakanoshita's.

"Uh- Hey… Wanna go for a walk? I got us each a soda…" He was meek as ever his shoulders hunched, and his head ducked.

Grinning at the appearance of their other friend, Sugawara yanked Daichi against his side and squeezed.

"That's a great idea, Ace!"

"Suga, I'm not the ace…"

"Not with that attitude you won't be. What do you say, Daichi, wanna skip rocks down at the river?"

It was obvious his friends were trying to distract him, to give him a break from the sadness, and trying to cheer him up. As his heart ached with loss, he felt the urge to put on a brave face and pull away, but then he realized something. Surprising even himself, Daichi began to chuckle, the sound growing until it was a lighthearted laugh, his fellow first years stared at him with concern. Before they could question him, he threw his own arm around Suga's shoulders in return and walked them forward to throw an arm around Asahi's much higher shoulder as well.

Cringing at the sudden weight draped over him, Asahi eyed Daichi wondering if grief had made him lose his mind. What could be funny at a time like this? He attempted to ask and hoped he didn't sound incredibly rude.

"Uh, Daichi… Why are you laughing?"

Continuing to chuckle a moment longer, he sighed and smiled softly.

"Because," He said, beginning to walk away from the hospital and tugging them along. "I'm an idiot."

Suga sputtered at the unexpected response, giving a little laugh of his own. "Why do you say that?"

He didn't answer immediately, instead, he let his expression grow thoughtful as they departed from the hospital and walked toward the sidewalk. Asahi and Sugawara were patient as they allowed him time to speak, going along with the direction he tugged them in. As Daichi's laughter dissipated, he looked up at the sky with tired but unburdened eyes. The evening around them was an odd mix of greys and pinky-orange as a drizzle fell, but the setting sun tried to shine.

"All week I've been trying to act like everything was normal like nothing was wrong. I threw myself into school, practice, and chores at home… Even though I was in a constant state of wanting to either scream or break down. I was so scared to lose Gran, I wasn't ready…" His voice was soft and Suga's hand squeezed his shoulder.

"I… I didn't want to lose someone I was so close to, I still don't… But… Looking left to Suga and then right to Asahi, Daichi gave a watery smile. "Even if my Gran can't be here, I know you guys will."

Asahi's face filled with emotion, tears sparkling in his large brown eyes as Suga's brows pulled together, touched by the sentiment.

"I'm sorry I was kind of a jerk, I hope you can forgive me."

At that, Asahi ducked his head into the crook of his arm. "That's- That's so nice-" He sobbed loudly into his elbow, dragging the three of them to a halt.

Rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish laugh, Daichi shook his head at the weeping brunette beside him. "I'll assume that means I'm forgiven."

Continuing to cry, Asahi nodded his head, so he turned to Suga. He had his hands on his hips and his lips were screwed up as he gave Daichi a pointed glare. Worried his apology hadn't been accepted, he gripped the back of his neck tighter. "…Suga?"

"You really are an idiot."

With his anxiety spiking, he tried to give another apology. "I really am sorry, I promise I'll-"

"Stop apologizing!" Suga blurted, shaking his head, and stopping Daichi in his tracks. He stared at his fair-haired friend with wide blinking eyes, unsure of what was expected of him. "I- I'm not really sure what you want from me." He admitted.

Sugawara huffed, but then he relaxed his posture and dropped a hand heavily onto Daichi's shoulder.

"I want you to tell me when somethings wrong next time. We're not going to be mad at you for being short-tempered, especially when you're going through something, but I will let you have it for suffering in silence. Isn't that right, Asahi?" Suga shot his pointed glare over to the teen in question and he shivered.

"Those guys haven't bothered me since you threatened to blackmail them, I promise!"

Brow hitching, Daichi's head snapped back to Suga. "Blackmail?"

He waved away the question. "Not important. What I'm trying to say is, friends don't let friends suffer and when we're being idiots, we're supposed to tell each other. I want to be here for you guys and-" Cheeks flushing a delicate pink in the evening light, Suga's hazel eyes glittered with unshed tears. "Well, I hope you'll be there for me too."

"Daichi? …Daichi? Are you mad at me? If I did something wrong, you have to-"

"Hunh? What? Why would I be mad at you?" Daichi said, blinking out of his memories and looking to a distraught Asahi as they continued down the hall.

"I said your name like four times, and you didn't answer." Asahi explained, his brows scrunched together, and his face showing just how worried he was.

"Oh," Daichi said, rubbing at the back of his head with his free hand. "Sorry, I was thinking about something, I guess I didn't hear you."

"It's okay… What were you thinking about?"

Daichi hummed, looking down at the bright yellow banana he carried in his other hand. "Something Suga said. It was 'friends don't let friends suffer' or something like that."

Asahi nodded with acknowledgment. "Back when you're Grandma passed away?"

"Yeah. Being in the hospital reminded me is all."

Asahi was quiet, and then he looked to Daichi, his soft expression one of sadness.

"Suga's suffering…"

"…Yeah."

They were both quiet then and stopped as they arrived at room 123, lingering before they knocked on the door. They looked up at the same time, different variations of determination on their faces.

"He always helps us and everyone else, we have to help him too," Daichi said, Asahi nodding and clenching his fists.

"Yeah, but uh-" His shoulders sagged. "What are we supposed to do? Isn't he upset because he wants to go home? We can't really do anything about that."

"I think that's part of it, but there's something Suga's not telling us." Daichi murmured, his voice hushed, careful not to let the people inside the room hear them. Asahi's brows scrunched together again.

"Something else is wrong?"

The captain nodded. "I'm sure of it. The way he's been acting all night… It's not just because he's in pain. He looks… Really sad." Daichi said, for lack of a better word. "When Kageyama ran into him and knocked him off the bench, he was really reluctant to go to the infirmary. At first, I thought it was because he was afraid of doctors or something, but then I started to think it was because he was afraid to leave the team behind. I think he was worried about not being there for us but didn't want to say anything."

"Oh… That does seem like something Suga would worry about. You think he's upset he had to leave before the match was over?"

Daichi exhaled. "Maybe, it's my only guess. I think we should keep an eye on him and when he's feeling better, try to get him to talk. We won't know for sure until he tells us."

Asahi nodded his agreement. "Yeah, okay, let's do it."

With their plan in place, Daichi turned back to the door and knocked lightly. They could hear a soft 'Hang on' and then Yuuto's face appeared.

"Hey, come on in. He's in bed and it's already past visiting hours so we can't stay much longer. We can say goodbye but then we've got to head out."

"Okay." They agreed, stepping inside to find a very tired-looking Sugawara.

Propped up with a couple of pillows and attached to an IV drip that was taped to the inside of his elbow, Suga sat with drooping eyes. When Asahi and Daichi left, it was so Yuuto could help him change into the speckled blue hospital gown he wore now. A little clip with a wire running to machines beside the bed was attached to the index finger that wasn't bandaged, and a steady beep of his measured heartbeat was the only noise in the room. Sitting in the stiff white sheets of the hospital bed, the poor setter looked even more miserable than he did before.

Approaching the bed, Daichi tried to smile at his friend.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"I'm not dying, don't look at me like I'm on my deathbed…" He muttered, his expression doleful despite his words. "It's just a concussion."

His black eye had bloomed into a deep blueish purple, and it accentuated his blatant exhaustion.

Daichi gave a soft laugh in return. "Yeah, a level two concussion. Stitches, bruised ribs, a black eye, should I continue?"

Suga's unamused glare told him he probably shouldn't, so he gave another laugh and held out the banana he'd carried back from the cafeteria.

"Alright fine, I'll stop. Here, I brought you something to eat. I know you haven't had food all day, you've got to be starving."

Sinking back into his pillows, Suga shook his head. "Thanks, but I'm not really hungry. I don't think I can open a banana one-handed anyway."

Frowning, Daichi looked to the fruit he held for a moment, and then promptly began to peel it. When the sweet soft inside was exposed, he offered it to the setter again.

"At least eat half of it, you can't go to bed on an empty stomach."

Beside him, Asahi nodded. "I think he's right, Suga… You probably should eat something."

Letting his gaze roll to the taller teen, Suga blinked annoyed. "You find your voice now of all times?"

Huffing, Asahi balled his hands up. "What's that supposed to mean?! I talk all the time." He argued, an offended pout in place.

"Quit changing the subject, are you going to eat this banana or not?"

"Not-! MMH!"

Mid-sentence, Daichi shoved the banana into Suga's mouth, causing him to startle and take a bite. Satisfied, the captain withdrew the banana as he coughed and chewed.

"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

Sputtering, Suga swallowed the mouthful and coughed a few more times. "Are you trying to kill me? I'm sitting in a hospital bed, and you shove a banana down my throat?" He demanded, flinching as the volume of his own voice made his head pound.

"Yeah, but it's only a concussion, right?" Daichi reminded, to which Suga huffed.

"Okay… Maybe it's a little more than a concussion."

"Yeah, just maybe. Do you want to finish this banana, or should I feed the rest of it to you?"

It was a question and a threat all in one.

"Hand it over," Suga muttered.

"Good choice." Daichi grinned, offering him the rest of the fruit as Dr. Asada knocked lightly on the door frame and let herself in.

"Ah, I see Nurse Toshi did a good job setting up your IV." She said with a calm smile, approaching the side of his bed and tucking her hands into her coat pockets. "How are you feeling?"

The question was the same as Daichi's, but this time Suga gave a response.

"Uh-Honestly? I feel the same." He admitted.

The doctor bobbed her head, reaching up to adjust the bag attached to his IV and then moving her hands to her pockets again. "That's pretty normal, it can take 30 minutes to an hour for the treatment to start working. When it's all done, you should feel a little more refreshed."

Coming to stand beside his brother, Yuuto rested a hand on Suga's shoulder.

"Is he able to have anything for pain? I bet it would help him sleep." Yuuto said, eyeing the dark bruise on the younger boy's face.

Dr. Asada shook her head, although her expression said she was regretful. "We want to make sure there are no surprises from his concussion, so it's best if there aren't any drugs in his system. If he makes it through the night without hiccups, we'll send him home with an antibiotic and something for pain."

Disappointed, Yuuto nodded. "I understand. Do you know when he'll be released tomorrow?"

She picked up her watch to check the time and did some quick math in her head. "It should be… Exactly 10 AM. Will someone be able to pick him up at that time?"

Yuuto took in a quick breath and swore quietly. His grip on Suga's shoulder tightened and it caused the injured teen to look up.

"Nii-san?"

"Ah… It's just that Mom and Dad will already be at work, and I was supposed to meet the guys from my high school team for brunch."

Sinking even farther into his pillows, Suga stared at the banana in his hand forlorn. "Oh…"

Seeing his brother's reaction, Yuuto quickly waved off any concerns. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'll tell the guys I'll catch up with them next time. No big deal." He promised.

Suga was about to protest, but then Daichi spoke up. "I can ask my mom to pick him up, she doesn't work so she's generally available. Is that okay?" He asked, directing the question to Dr. Asada.

"Yes, I don't see why not. It just has to be an adult over the age of 18 to sign his release papers."

"Sawamura, I can't ask you to do that." Yuuto sighed, rubbing at the back of his head, but glancing down to Suga.

Even injured, the setter didn't miss the significance behind the gesture. Yuuto was a great brother, but it was obvious how much he wanted to see his high school friends.

"I'll go with Daichi, Nii-san, go meet with your friends."

The offer was tempting, and it caused the older Sugawara to look between his brother and his friend. "But- Are you sure you'd be okay with that? I really don't mind, I can make new plans—"

"Yuuto," Suga said, dropping the honorific. "Go see your friends." He gave a tired smile. "I'll be fine, right Daichi?"

The captain could see the disappointment in his friend's eyes, but he decided to respect his asking him to play along and agreed. "Yeah, of course. We'll get him home safe, go to brunch."

As Yuuto debated what to do, Dr. Asada interjected as politely as possible.

"I'm sorry to do this to you guys, but I'm going to need you to make a decision. Koushi should rest, and since visiting hours are over, I've got to kick you out for tonight."

A few seconds later, Yuuto conceded and let out a heavy sigh.

"Okay fine, but you'd better get him home safe, Sawamura. I don't know where you live, but I can find out." He warned.

"Noted." Daichi chuckled.

Turning back to Suga, Yuuto leaned down and gave his brother a gentle hug. "I'll home sometime in the afternoon, you'd better be alive when I get there."

Giving the softest of laughs, he patted Yuuto's back with his bandaged hand. "No promises. See you tomorrow, go home and sleep."

"I mean it, Koushi. You get some rest too, you need it more."

When he straightened, he let out a yawn and nudged his head toward the door. "Come on you two, I'll drive you home."

They both murmured their thanks, but when Daichi peered at Suga from the corner of his eye, he saw him staring at the banana again, a look of melancholy consuming his features. As much as he tried to convince them he was okay, Daichi was only reassured his assumptions were correct. Something was bothering Suga, and when he was in better shape, he would get to the bottom of it.

As the three got to the door, Daichi stopped just at the threshold and gave one last attempt to cheer him up.

"Oh Suga, I almost forgot to tell you."

Looking up, the setter was late to hide his despondency but gave a half-smile anyway. "What's up?"

"The score was 15 to 10, we won the match. I don't think Hinata and Kageyama have ever worked that well together, they scored the winning point." He laughed.

He had assumed Suga would be excited, but his reaction wasn't what he expected.

"Oh." Was all he said, his expression empty.

"Um… So, yeah." Daichi said, unsure of what his lack of response meant. "I just thought you might want to know."

His nod was so slight, Daichi would have missed it if he weren't watching closely, and then he laid back on his pillow and stared up at the ceiling.

"Thanks."

He stood there continuing to watch his friend with concern, but then there was a voice pulling his attention away.

"Sawamura, we've got to go," Yuuto called from the hall.

Looking over his shoulder and then back at Suga, Daichi frowned. Yes, there was no question about it, something was wrong, and he couldn't do anything about it tonight. With reluctance, he turned and followed his friend's older brother.

"Sorry, I'm coming."