Maybe it was because Kageyama was dense, but in the two weeks he'd known Oikawa and Iwaizumi, he'd never put two and two together. He'd never noticed that "Iwa-chan" was Iwaizumi or that "Shittykawa" was Oikawa. He'd never even thought about that possibility.

But now that he saw the same writing Oikawa had shown him earlier that night on his arms, there was no way to deny it.

Oikawa had called him disgusting when he thought Tobio might like him. Was that only because he thought Iwaizumi was his only soulmate?

He knew that was wishful thinking. It wasn't because of anything other than the fact he was Tobio. That was why Oikawa hated that he liked him.

Practice was always boring in the social department. Nobody ever talked to him, and Tobio had no idea how to start an actual conversation.

People had tried to ask him to hang out after practice, but Kageyama had to go right home. He knew his parents would never approve of him going out with people they'd never even met

Eventually everyone stopped asking.

Most didn't talk to him either, because Oikawa disliked him. As if that meant something. The only person who was remotely nice to him was Iwaizumi, but he couldn't even accept that because he knew how his senpai really felt about him.

He felt like an annoying burden on everyone. So he trained harder, faster, longer. It was like his parents always told him.

He didn't want to be the weak link.

Which in this case he was.

So he had to try harder.

"Tobio-chan, don't practice so hard. You're going to get hurt."

"You of all people, don't get to lecture him about over-practicing, Shittykawa."

Oikawa pouted, "You're being mean Iwa-chan. That was so rude, I don't over-practice that much."

Kageyama stared at the two of them, their flawless exchanges. Two soulmates who've known each other since kindergarten. And then there was him. The one who didn't belong. He didn't know why the universe was so cruel, making these two of all people his soulmates.

He would love them, he honestly wouldn't be this happy had it been anyone else. But he knew they didn't feel the same way. It made his heart clench. "Oikawa-san, Iwaizumi-san…" Tobio started, gripping the volleyball tightly in his fingers. Should he tell them?

They turned to him expectantly, Iwaizumi questioning, and Oikawa's lip already curling into a sneer. "Can we… uh," think Tobio! "Go somewhere. After practice?" shit, no! That was terrible! His parents had never met them, he had promised he would come home on time today. What was he going to do now? His only hope was that they said no.

"Why the hell would I want to hang out with some snotty kid like—"

Iwaizumi sent a sharp jab into Oikawa's side and said, "We would, but we're busy after practice today. Maybe some other time, Kageyama."

"Oh that's alright, I had something to do today, anyway."

"Weren't you the one who invited us?"

"I forgot, Oikawa-san."

Oikawa laughed, and for once it sounded amused instead of spiteful, "Silly Tobio-chan. Just like you to forget things."

Kageyama blushed and turned on his heel, hurrying over towards other members of their team to practice more.

As practice was coming to an end, Oikawa came over towards Kageyama, which surprised him because the older boy often liked to stay as far away from him as possible, claiming he had 'cooties'.

"Tobio-chan~," that voice was never a good thing, "I've got something for you."

"Um… what is it?" Kageyama asked cautiously.

Oikawa, who looked as though he could barely contain his glee, reached into his bag and pulled something out, shoving it in Kageyama's face so he could see. "Look Tobio-chan, it's a nightlight. Since you're such a little baby, scared of the dark."

So he had been obvious last night. What Oikawa didn't know, was that he actually liked the present. Not Oikawa's teasing, but the gift in and of itself was something Kageyama had actually never received before. "Oikawa-san, you got me a nightlight?" he'd wanted one for a while, for the past four years. But his parents had refused because big boys didn't need nightlights.

"Yes, I did. Got a little nightlight for the baby. Maybe I should get you a pacifier next."

Kageyama glared at that part and snatched the present out of Oikawa's hands. "I don't need a pacifier." He spat.

"Why not? Aren't you a little baby that cries just because it's a little dark."

Kageyama scowled harder, because he didn't cry, and he wasn't supposed to either. "I don't cry!"

"Yes you do," Oikawa teased, his lips pulled back into his perpetually evil smirk.

"No!"

"Can the baby carry all that stuff by himself? Maybe he needs a lighter load."

Kageyama only heard of this happening in movies, where the big dumb bully would take the main character's books. He didn't know it was an actual thing. But Oikawa did take Kageyama's books, took his entire bag in fact.

And no one was coming to help him, they were all caught up in their own stuff, either oblivious or uncaring. Not even coach noticed. "You always go straight home after practice you know, how come you never even change out of your dirty clothes before going back?"

"Because!"

Kageyama, when it was time for gym, always got a private changing room, and no one found that weird because there were a lot of people in his class. But there were only about fifteen kids on the volleyball team, and none of them had any trouble changing in front of everyone, so he figured it would be even weirder if he went to a private changing room.

"Because why? Tell me and I'll give your stupid bag back."

"Because I don't like getting undressed in front of everybody." Because he didn't want anyone to see his soul markings.

"Hm, I guess I should've known little Tobio-chan was shy. You seem that type."

"Give me my bag back!"

"What's the magic word?"

"Now."

"That's mean of you Tobio-chan." Oikawa was pouting now and slowly handed Kageyama his bag back

"You're the one being mean, Oikawa-san!"

All Oikawa did was sneer and stick out his tongue, walking away before Tobio had the chance to look displeased at Oikawa's expressions.

Kageyama didn't know what that was about, as Oikawa had made it pretty clear the other night he hated him. He didn't understand why his senpai was talking to him, even if he was just trying to make fun of him.

Kageyama couldn't answer his own questions so he just pulled on the right shoes, slipped his bag over one shoulder, and took off down the street.

If he got home and did his homework fast enough, maybe he could get in some extra practice before dinner.

When he arrived home, his mother was cleaning. He didn't understand why she never took a break. He didn't understand why she did a lot of things like why she barely looked at him anymore. She used to take him in her arms, and used to comfort him, used to care if he wore a coat to school or not, used to go to the store and buy him anything he wanted when he was sick.

Now all she did was call him pet names, that sounded oddly cold and regarded him with polite smiles and robotic gestures of affection. Somewhere along the way, she'd turned into a complete stranger he didn't even recognize. His own mother. He did know she loved him, and he wanted to please her, wanted her to keep loving him.

"Tobio, welcome home."

He gave her a small smile and took off his shoes and set his bag down, moving into the main room. His father was still at work, and he wouldn't get home for another hour or two. "Hi, mama."

"How was your day?"

"It was good." His mother was always a little different when his father wasn't home. There wasn't much of a difference, but she seemed more relaxed when he wasn't home.

Tobio didn't notice a lot of things, but he'd lived with his mother all his life, he could read her easily, his father too. He'd learned to soon after he'd gotten his soulmarks. He knew which topics not to bring up with them, knew how to act, so he could cause as little conflict as possible.

He didn't like when his father yelled, didn't like the look on his mother's face when he did. It was like she was disappointed in him, and that was almost worse than his father's rage.

"Um… what are we having for dinner?"

"It's a surprise."

He knew that would be her answer, but he wasn't sure what else to discuss with her. "Alright. Well, I have homework so I'll do that now, unless you need help."

"I'm fine, dear, go focus on your studies."

He knew that would be her answer too, and nodded, starting up the stairs.

Sometimes, he wondered if he knew his mother at all, or if he'd made up things about her, things he wished she'd done. He couldn't remember much from back then, but he didn't remember this icy chill he always felt upon entering his home when he was little. Then again, he hadn't known much of anything back then. Maybe he just hadn't noticed until now.

He tried to focus on his schoolwork, but his mind kept wandering, and he had a hard time focusing. He knew he was supposed to get his homework done soon or he wouldn't get to practice anything.

His fate was sealed when he heard the front door slam shut. His father was home, which meant it would be dinner time soon.

Kageyama sighed, leaving his homework incomplete, and stood up to shower before dinner.

He went to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and stripped out of his clothes. There on his arms was new writing from his soulmates, and thankfully the conversation wasn't about him this time. He couldn't help but read over their words and trace them with his fingers. Words from his soulmates, words they didn't even know he was reading. This was wrong.

He was startled out of his thoughts from a knock on the door, "Tobio, dear, hurry up."

"Uh, yes mama!" he quickly pulled back the shower curtain and hopped in, scrubbing at his arms viciously to get rid of the ink.

After that was gone he quickly washed his hair and then turned the water off.

He came downstairs a couple minutes later, wearing an oversized sweatshirt and sport shorts. His father was at the table, and his mother was finishing setting the table. "Do you need help mama?"

"No, you can sit down."

So Tobio did and waited for her to finish. The silence at the table was deafening as they ate, like a cloud settling over him, but it was heavy, and suffocating. He had no idea what to say. All they ever talked about was schoolwork. His father didn't like the mention of volleyball, and Tobio had nothing else besides those two things.

"Did you finish your homework?" his mother asked.

"Almost."

"What marks have you been getting lately." His father finally spoke, looking up from his meal, gaze burning right into his own.

Kageyama didn't know what to say. His marks hadn't been the best as of late, but he couldn't tell his father that. He would assume it was because of volleyball, and partly it was. But volleyball had finally given him some sort of passion he hadn't known he was missing his entire life. And he would be devastated if that was taken away from him now. At the same time, he couldn't lie to his father. The man would eventually find out anyway, and then he would be in real trouble.

"They've been lower." He admitted vaguely. "But not by much." He added quickly, "I'm still adjusting to the new schedule, but in a week I'm sure I'll have them back up to normal."

His father did not look happy and his mother glanced between them before her gaze fell on Tobio. Her smile was tight, but it was always tight. This time it looked strained, though.

"Tobio, after how I convinced your father, this is what happens?" her tone suggested disappointment, and her lips were drawn so tight it couldn't even be called a smile anymore. Now it was more like a grimace.

"Indeed, what is this foolishness? I told you that stupid sports club wasn't a good idea."

"No papa, I promise it is! I'll work harder on my studies, I will!"

He watched as his father's grip tightened around his utensil, "Since when have I taught you such disrespect. Did you just tell me no? You don't get to say that to me, whatever I decide is best, is best!"

Kageyama was afraid to ask what he thought was best. Afraid to ask because he already knew the answer.

"No! Papa I love it! You can't make me quit!" Kageyama shouted and saw his father's jaw tighten. He knew he'd made a mistake, knew that emotions never worked with his father as they might his mother. Knew that showing how upset he was lost him this. He cursed himself, because he should've remained logical and explained his argument. But he couldn't help it because he was emotional about this. He loved volleyball, couldn't imagine his life without it. Even if his team was cold, even if Oikawa hated him and Iwaizumi thought he was just some kid, he loved that sport. Loved it more than he'd ever loved something before.

"You will not talk to me that way! Do you understand me!" His father was yelling now, much like that day when he'd turned eight. The sound always startled Kageyama. He knew his father had a bit of a temper, but Tobio was always so good at tip toeing around it that he was always surprised when his father shouted at him. "Do you understand!" he screamed.

Not trusting his voice, he nodded, trying to hold back tears. Because he wasn't supposed to cry. "You selfish, ungrateful brat! Do you know all that I do for you! I clothe you, feed you, give you the best education I can. Your mother and I slave away for you everyday and you're completely ungrateful! You never do anything in this house, so you don't get to tell me no, and you don't get to tell me what I can and can't do!"

With every word yelled, Kageyama felt himself crack more and more inside. He was right, Kageyama was acting ungrateful, he was acting selfish. "Stop yelling at him." His mother finally cut in. "I think he understands. Now darling," her smile was still tight, but not as much as before, "your father is right. You said this sport was supposed to help you, but your grades are going down. You understand why you can't keep playing."

"I'm only adjusting." He still tried to argue, but it sounded weak and useless, even to his own ears. "I promise it'll get better." Don't cry.

She turned to his father, "Why don't we give him another week. Just one." She suggested.

His father narrowed his eyes, obviously reluctant, but his mother's calm, logical gaze always rattled him. Finally his grip loosened and some tension slid out of his shoulders, "Fine. But only one. You better get those grades up, and if you don't, you will quit that team."

"I-I understand papa."

Get his grades up. He could do that. He would have to.

But he had a math test coming up, he was terrible at math. Unfortunately, he knew who was great at it, but didn't want to ask them.

After dinner, he and his mother cleaned up while his father went upstairs. "Mama?"

"Yes, darling."

"Um… thank you." His mother paused washing dishes and looked at him, still smiling, but instead of a polite one, it looked tired this time. And he for once noticed how dull her eyes seemed.

She reached a hand up and ruffled his hair, something she hadn't done in years. And though her hand was cold, wet, and soapy he knew that was her form of acknowledgement. "Why don't you go upstairs. You look tired." She said.

He wanted to tell her she was the one who looked exhausted, but he nodded and went upstairs instead.

He'd learned to read his parents from an early age, but the more he grew up, he started seeing the tiny things. How cold his parents were, how his father viewed him as ungrateful, how his mother always sided with his father if he put his foot down. How tired she looked, how angry he looked. And how numb their actions made him feel.

The next morning, he woke and dressed hurrying out the door so he could get to school early. Maybe study more before class started, maybe get a little ahead. He had a math test Friday, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He had until next Tuesday to prove he could get his grades up, if he got a bad grade on the test, it would destroy those chances.

He knew he couldn't do it on his own. "Tobio!" his mother shouted, startling him out of his thoughts. "You forgot your lunch."

"Oh! Thank you, mama." He rushed over to take his lunch and before taking off again he paused. "Um… mama, I have a math test on Friday."

She crossed her arms, "Alright?"

"Math isn't my best subject so I was going to ask a classmate if they could help me study for it. Just study! We won't do anything else, I promise!"

"Your father won't be happy about that."

"I'll be home before he is." Kageyama hoped his mother understood what he was really saying. He won't even know I was gone.

No recognition passed through her eyes at his hidden meaning, but she did nod. "Alright, well, as long as it's to help get your grades up I suppose it's alright. But if you want to do anything else, you must introduce this classmate."

Kageyama nodded enthusiastically, celebrating his very minor win. His father always got the final say, but he couldn't get a say at all if he didn't know there was something to discuss.

He felt bad lying, and he felt bad for even hinting that his mother should lie for him too, but he needed volleyball. He was willing to do just about anything to keep doing what he loved. Even lie to his father for the very first time in his entire life.

A/N More Oikawa and Tobio action, and delving deeper into family dynamics. Let's see where this goes. Reviews loved and appreciated!