"Yes." Kageyama managed to stutter out, the only real thought running through his mind being shit. "I mean, no…" he changed his answer, feeling an imaginary pressure double down on top of his shoulders.
Tobio sighed and started again, this time with something he wanted to say in mind. "No, I wasn't. It's just that um, I was coming over to catch up with you and accidentally tripped. Um, because I was hurrying."
"That's a load of garbage. I may look dumb Tobio-chan but I'm not completely stupid."
"Why would I lie?"
"To save your ass, obviously!" Oikawa growled and rolled his eyes.
"No I wouldn't!" Kageyama refuted with a pout.
"What's your problem?" Oikawa continued to berate, ignoring Tobio's protest, "Don't you know that eavesdropping on people is wrong? That conversation wasn't yours to hear."
Kageyama clenched his fists, "Why? Because you were talking shit?"
Oikawa rolled his eyes, "So you were eavesdropping. And not only that you tried to lie to cover it up. You know, Tobio-chan, some things are just not meant for you to hear, okay? Sometimes I don't say things to your face because I don't want you to know how I feel. I get that might be a hard concept for someone as stupid as you, but maybe try to comprehend it some time."
Oikawa's words reminded Kageyama of what his mother had said when she was arguing with his father that night.
She hadn't wanted him to know she had said something either. She said she hadn't meant it, and that's why she hadn't told him.
Was that what was happening here? Did Oikawa not want Kageyama to know this because he said it in the heat of the moment and didn't mean it, or did he not want Kageyama to know because he meant every word?
"It's just that I… I didn't mean to, I was going to try and catch up with you so maybe we could walk together, but then I thought maybe I would bother you, but I was already close enough and heard you were talking about me."
"I would call bullshit," Oikawa said, "except that sounds just like you."
"I didn't mean to listen in."
"But you did! You would've been less bothersome had you not spied on us. I told you he stalks us Iwa-chan!" Oikawa cried, sending in exasperated look at Iwaizumi.
"No, he doesn't. At least I'm pretty sure."
"I don't stalk you!" Kageyama shouted, "Why would I ever wanna stalk someone as boring as you, Oikawa-san!"
"How would you know I'm boring if you didn't stalk me! Also, I'm not boring!"
Kageyama gritted his teeth, knowing he was in the wrong here, but also knowing that he felt angry and hurt by what Oikawa was saying to him. "Why do you always have to be so mean."
"Mean? Do you know how many times Iwa-chan and I have helped you!"
"I don't care, you're still mean! And you're ugly too!"
"I'm what!" Oikawa squawked. Iwaizumi snorted and covered it up with a cough. Oikawa made a sour face and glared at Iwaizumi before turning back to Tobio. "Fine, then I won't make you look at me anymore."
"Good!" Kageyama said, even though he knew he didn't really mean that, and felt his heart constrict painfully at the thought of Oikawa leaving.
"Wait, Tooru, don't go." Iwaizumi said, sending a small, disapproving look at Tobio and seeming slightly disappointed in himself before walking after Oikawa.
When Iwaizumi and Oikawa finally weren't paying attention to him, and were engaged in their own conversation, Kageyama let the tears well up in his eyes.
He didn't want to admit it. He wanted to just be able to block out all his emotions and stay away from Oikawa and Iwaizumi forever, and not care one bit that they didn't like him.
But the truth was he wanted them.
He wanted them so fucking much that it physically hurt to keep what he felt at bay sometimes. He just wanted to tell Iwaizumi, wanted him to hear that he was Iwaizumi's soulmate and be welcomed into their lives.
He knew it was selfish.
All he was supposed to want was volleyball and friends.
He wasn't supposed to care whether his soulmates were a part of his life.
He wished he could condemn them in his mind. Hate them like his parents hated theirs, because it would be easier than feeling this way, he was fairly sure.
But he couldn't.
Because he just wanted to be loved too.
He didn't care if they texted him back quickly, or if they bought him gifts, or if they kissed him. All he wanted was for them to hold him when he felt sad, wanted them to like him, wanted them to be happy with him and laugh with him.
He just wanted to be with them.
But the only way to have that was to tell them.
And even if he could work up the courage now was not the time for that.
"Oikawa-san!" Kageyama finally shouted, interrupting whatever he and Iwaizumi were talking about.
"What?" Oikawa snapped.
"Um…" Tobio twiddled his fingers like he did sometimes when he was nervous before murmuring, "please don't go."
Oikawa raised an eyebrow and Kageyama elaborated, "I mean please still come to the party. I didn't mean to say you're ugly or mean. You're really nice sometimes, and handsome, and I don't want you to go." He said, wiping his face of any remaining tears and giving a small sniffle.
"Handsome huh?" Oikawa smirked.
Iwaizumi elbowed him in the side, and from the looks of it, it did not to appear to be a playful jab. "Iwa-chan, I know, I know, okay?" Oikawa grumbled, glaring and then turned to Kageyama who slowly stood up straight again.
Oikawa took a minute before sighing and mumbling out,
"I forgive you… this time. But for future reference, crying is cheating."
"What?"
"Crying. Is. Cheating." Oikawa repeated. "Remember that, mkay Tobio-chan?"
Kageyama had no idea what he meant by that, because how was crying cheating? Cheating at what?
Before he could dwell on the subject too much, Iwaizumi spoke, "I also want you to know that eavesdropping is wrong, and I better not see you doing it on anyone else's conversations. It shouldn't be made a habit of."
It was a little late for that but Kageyama nodded anyway, opting to stare at his feet instead of looking either of them in the eye. Because on top of all the anger and sadness, Tobio was a little embarrassed at being caught doing something so shameful.
It didn't repress any urge to know things, but it did give him a reality check. The things he listened into he wasn't supposed to know, and if he got caught there'd be consequences. "I know, Iwaizumi-san." Kageyama finally murmured.
"And another thing, you shouldn't have been running to catch up with us. You could've fallen and hurt yourself again, and that would've been an absolute disaster. Those shoes you have on aren't running shoes and you really shouldn't be running on the concrete regardless of your shoes. I also—"
"Iwa-chan, would you shut up?" Oikawa interrupted and before Iwaizumi could respond, grabbed Kageyama's hand and tugged him forward gently. After that, they both started taking off down the sidewalk for whatever reason, leaving Iwaizumi behind far behind.
"Get the fuck back here Oikawa! I will deck you!"
"How are you going to do that, Iwa-chan?" Oikawa turned around and taunted when he was a safe distance away. "You won't catch up if you can't run. And you wouldn't want to set a bad example for your little kohai, would you?" the older boy said, a devilish smirk on his face.
"Why you little…"
Kageyama wasn't sure this was a good idea. He could see Iwaizumi's face contorting in rage from all the way over here.
"Come and get me Iwa-chan~."
And Iwaizumi did. Kageyama blinked and the other boy was barreling down the sidewalk, his gaze piercing into Oikawa's body like a knife.
Oikawa screeched and turned around to keep running.
"Where are we going?" Kageyama huffed as they ran.
"To your birthday party, silly Tobio-chan."
"I thought you weren't coming."
Oikawa shrugged, "I changed my mind. Humans are allowed to do that you know."
Kageyama flushed red, "I know!" he cried, glancing down at their hands, feeling a warm feeling that he usually only felt with Iwaizumi rise in his chest.
"Your welcome, by the way, Tobio-chan."
"I never thanked you." Kageyama retorted, not moving his hand any way not necessary in case that made Oikawa realize they were still holding hands. Oikawa rolled his eyes and gave Tobio a small, though slightly strained smile.
He wasn't sure if that look was because Oikawa was still a little upset, or from exertion.
"Maybe you didn't say it out loud, but I know you were thinking it."
"Um… okay." Kageyama said and looked behind him at Iwaizumi who was quickly gaining on them at speeds probably only achievable when being fueled by endless amounts of irritation.
"Is he coming?"
"Uh," Kageyama's response was shaking off Oikawa's hand, which was something he never thought he'd do willingly, but it proved to be the right choice when Iwaizumi grabbed the back of Oikawa's shirt, almost making them both tumble downwards if Iwaizumi hadn't been able to stop their decent.
"You asshole." Iwaizumi grumbled.
"Tobio-chan, you traitor!" Oikawa pouted and crossed his arms while Iwaizumi had his arms snaked around Oikawa's waist, effectively trapping him.
"He's not the traitor here," Iwaizumi grumbled. "You two could've gotten hurt."
"So could you running after us but that didn't stop you. Don't be such a stick in the mud, Iwa-chan."
Iwaizumi scowled slowly let go of Oikawa. "We should get going, the party is starting soon." He said instead of responding to Oikawa's provocation.
"Okay!" Oikawa sang, smirking at his small victory, and started following after Iwaizumi, and Kageyama followed behind Oikawa.
They got to Hinata's house about fifteen minutes late, which Kageyama felt bad about since Hinata had done so much for him, but it couldn't really be help. When Kageyama knocked on the door, he heard a lot crashes and bangs inside and then what sounded like a woman's voice yelling something before Hinata opened the door.
"Hi!" Hinata chirped and immediately grabbed Kageyama's arm and yanked him inside. Kageyama barely had time to take off his shoes before Hinata yanked him forward again. "Okay, so I have to show you everything, and you have to meet my mom, all of you, come on."
If Tobio had to guess, he'd say that Hinata was anxious and excited about him coming.
Hinata dragged Kageyama to the kitchen, Oikawa and Iwaizumi trailing behind them after Iwaizumi shut the door. "Mom, this is Yamayama-kun!" Hinata yelled before they were even in the kitchen, "And these are his two soul… old senpais, Iwaizumi-san, and Oikawa-san."
Kageyama sent a small glare at Hinata for his almost slip up, who smiled nervously at him. Hinata's mom turned and she gave a small laugh, "Yes, Shoyo, I know, we first met at the park, remember?"
Her smile and laugh mirrored Hinata's exactly. Kageyama could say with confidence that Hinata was definitely his mother's son. They both even had the same bright orange hair and cheery aura about them.
Then Hinata's mother turned to Iwaizumi and Oikawa, "And it's nice to meet you two."
"It's nice to meet you too ma'am." Oikawa and Iwaizumi both said at the same time, bowing slightly.
"U-um, and thank you for having us." Kageyama added, bowing as well.
Hinata's mother smiled, "Oh it wasn't any trouble, I'm happy you all are here." She said and then turned to her son, "Now then, why don't you show them your room, Shoyo."
The suggestion had Hinata nodding rapidly and bolting upstairs without even waiting to see if anyone was following him.
"Your friend is really excitable." Iwaizumi commented with a small smile.
"Yeah, he gets like that a lot." Kageyama admitted as they followed Hinata upstairs to his room, which was surprisingly covered in volleyball posters and a few family pictures. It was surprising because Kageyama had no idea Hinata's passion for volleyball was enough that he would spend so much money on trinkets like that.
To the right of the door, buried in the corner was a small desk, and taking up a majority of the small bedroom, was Hinata's bed. There wasn't much more than that in his room.
"You play volleyball?" Oikawa asked, looking around
"Kind of. I don't have a team or anything, but I'm practicing all I can for high school." Hinata said, plopping down on his bed before continuing to talk, "So you two are soulmates? You and Iwaizumi-san I mean."
First, Tobio was startled by Hinata's extremely abrupt change in conversation. Second, if Kageyama could strangle Hinata without Oikawa and Iwaizumi noticing, he would.
"Oh, yeah, we are." Oikawa said, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.
"So, what was it like? Do you feel a special kind of way when you first meet your soulmate, even if you don't know they're your soulmate yet?"
Did he have no shame? Was embarrassment not a word in his vocabulary?
"Uh…"
Before Oikawa could respond, Tobio opened his mouth. "So, Hinata," Kageyama interrupted quietly, "about playing volleyball, what position are you going to be again?"
"I'm gonna be a spiker!"
"Even though you're short?" Kageyama bit out, sending a fairly obvious scowl towards his friend.
Hinata rolled his eyes and didn't even answer the question, but got Kageyama's message loud and clear.
Shut up.
Everything went silent for a while after that, and not a comfortable silence where you could lie back, and say nothing and everything at the same time either.
It was extremely awkward, and Kageyama wholly blamed Hinata for making it that way, because he would've been just fine talking about volleyball for a while but then Hinata had to go and ruin it like an idiot.
The silence continued for several more minutes before Iwaizumi broke it. "So uh… anyway, what do you guys want to do first?" Iwaizumi asked trying to ease some of the tension and awkwardness out of the room.
No one said anything for a while until Hinata timidly suggested, "Well, maybe we could play board games." The orange haired boy shyly looked over at Kageyama for his approval on the activity.
"Sounds fun."
At that, Hinata grinned, hopped up from his bed, and practically flew out of the bedroom.
After he was gone, the atmosphere in the room calmed a little, and Kageyama felt some of the awkwardness fade. Hinata certainly was a friendly person, but having to deal with not only him but two other people reminded Kageyama that dealing with Hinata's energy and with it awkward situations, could be exhausting. Plus, Hinata could be embarrassing. When they were alone it didn't matter because it just stayed between them, but when they were with others it became uncomfortable.
"It's kinda funny you two are friends." Oikawa said after a little while of more silence.
Kageyama felt himself instantly getting defensive, but instead of lashing out he asked, "Why?"
"It's just you're so different." Iwaizumi said before Oikawa could tell Kageyama anything. "That's all."
Thankfully after that exchange, and when Hinata came back with games, the party continued without any other hitches for the most part. They played board games, and talked, and in general had fun.
They sang happy birthday, which really embarrassed Kageyama, as he had no idea what to do while being the center of attention. Should he sing too, should he smile, should he be doing something with his hands? Was there anything he could do to feel less awkward?
The answer was apparently no, but afterwards, they had cake and that made Tobio feel better.
It was later into the afternoon when Hinata said, "Okay, there's one last thing we have to do. Something that everyone does at any party ever."
"What?" Iwaizumi asked, sounding cautious.
"Truth or dare." Hinata said, wiggling his eyebrows whilst Kageyama held back the urge to groan. Seriously? Did they really have to play that now? Of all days?
With everything else the orange haired boy had pulled that day, Kageyama just knew he was planning something.
"Sounds fun," Oikawa responded, meeting Hinata's eyes with a small smirk, as if this were some sort of competition. With those words Oikawa had made the situation a hundred times worse and sealed Kageyama's fate.
"Okay, great. I'll go first." Hinata sent a similar look back at Oikawa before starting.
"So, Oikawa-san. Truth or dare?"
Oikawa stared at Hinata, as if trying to analyze him and figure out which choice would bring him the least harm.
"Truth." He finally murmured.
Kageyama agreed with that choice at first, because truth generally was always safer, but with Hinata's look Kageyama knew he was wrong. "First of all, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"I'm not on trial here, but sure." Oikawa shrugged.
"Okay. Then tell us how you feel about Iwaizumi-san and Kageyama-kun. Spill all your feelings."
Hinata sent a glance at Kageyama and gave him a subtle thumbs up. In response Kageyama just dragged a finger along his neck and sent a pointed glare in Hinata's direction.
"All of them?"
"Yeah!"
Oikawa frowned and stroked his imaginary mustache in deep thought before he spoke. "Well, I like Iwa-chan, obviously since he's my soulmate. But he's really mean all the time," Iwaizumi scowled, "and he always scowls," Iwaizumi's scowl deepened, "and he acts more like my mother than my boyfriend."
"Okay, well with your attitude, you need two mothers!" Iwaizumi growled, rolling his eyes.
"See? Mean. Anyway, Iwa-chan also takes good care of me, even if it's in a mean way." Oikawa's eyes shifted to Kageyama. "As for Tobio-chan, Tobio-chan can be very annoying and weird a lot of the time but sometimes he…" Oikawa paused, trailing off before finishing weakly, "yeah."
"No, you have to say it! And I can tell you have something to say." Hinata cried. "It's the rules. You swore to tell the whole truth."
"What if I was lying about that?"
"You can't lie if you swore!"
"Shittykawa, finish your damn sentence." Iwaizumi grumbled.
Oikawa only held out for a few more minutes but with Hinata's pushing and Iwaizumi's annoyance he finally broke down, "Fine, sometimes he can be cute okay!"
The entire room fell silent after his outburst. Kageyama honestly just felt confused. He had thought Oikawa saw him as ugly, because compared to himself and Iwaizumi, Kageyama certainly wasn't anything special. Sure Oikawa had called him cute before, but he'd always thought it was just teasing, which was why he was confused of Oikawa's initial refusal to admit it. He was also confused why Hinata looked so impishly gleeful over the admission.
"He worries about him a lot too." Iwaizumi added.
"Do not you traitor!"
Iwaizumi said nothing, but looked more pleased with himself than he usually did.
Oikawa's face scrunched in a scowl. "Whatever, Iwa-chan! I'm grabbing my stuff and you can hang out here with your new best friends since you obviously like them better and always take their side." Oikawa said, making his point with and overly exaggerated glare and huff as he walked off.
"Wait, Oikawa-san what do you worry about?" Hinata bolted up and ran out of the room before Kageyama could yell at him to stop.
"Fucking idiot." Kageyama huffed, crossing his arms before realizing he was in the room alone with Iwaizumi.
"If you're talking about Oikawa, then yeah, pretty much. I don't know enough about Hinata to judge." Iwaizumi said, fixing him with a small smile.
"Well, I was talking about Hinata-kun but…" Kageyama trailed off, feeling himself go red at Iwaizumi's stare.
When it was clear Kageyama wasn't going to continue, Iwaizumi chuckled and said, "Yeah, I better go make sure that idiot doesn't actually leave without me and walk home by himself." He rolled his eyes before settling his gaze back on Kageyama. "Are you coming with us? We could walk you home too."
"I can walk home by myself." Kageyama said, not sure his presence would be welcome.
Iwaizumi smiled, "I'm not sure Tooru would like that."
Kageyama didn't really understand that, because he'd walked home plenty of times by himself.
"Why would he care?" The words were out of Kageyama's mouth before his brain understood that phrasing might sound rude even though he had meant it as a genuine question.
Iwaizumi sighed, and looked like he was contemplating something before opening his mouth, "I'm going to tell you something, but you can't tell Oikawa-san, alright?"
"Okay." Kageyama said.
"Tooru sometimes says things he doesn't mean when he feels insecure. Especially about volleyball. Do you… understand what I'm trying to say?"
"That…" Kageyama frowned as he thought of the implications of Iwaizumi's words, "that I make Oikawa-san insecure?"
"Um… well, sometimes." Iwaizumi paused. "But I'm also saying that a lot of the things he says, isn't a reflection of you. It's a reflection of him."
Kageyama had no idea what that meant, but he nodded anyway.
"What I mean is," Iwaizumi huffed as he tried to find the right words to use, "if he's upset at you, it most likely isn't your fault. It's just him." Iwaizumi paused and then sighed again, "I just… don't want you to walk around thinking he hates you."
"He doesn't?"
"No," Iwaizumi said, letting out a short laugh that held no humor, "he cares about you. He just doesn't like to show it."
"Like a tsundere." Kageyama observed, connecting some dots he didn't even know were there.
"Right… kinda? How do you know about that?"
"Hinata-kun is really into anime." Kageyama explained. "I know all the deres, and I also know about harems, and there's this thing called—"
"Okay, okay… I think I got it." Iwaizumi said, holding a hand up. "Anyway, we should go." Iwaizumi said, motioning for Kageyama to follow him.
Kageyama did so, and they both made their way downstairs, where Oikawa was waiting with his coat on, and Hinata was talking his ear off. "Finally Iwa-chan. I thought you weren't coming!" Oikawa said, and crossed his arms.
"Weren't you the one who told me to stay with my new best friends?"
"That was obviously a test. A test that you barely passed, by the way. I really was about to go home without you!"
"Sure." Iwaizumi said, walking up and kissing Oikawa's forehead before grabbing his own coat.
"Ew…" Hinata whispered and Kageyama almost smacked him right there.
They thanked Hinata's mom one last time before deciding to head home and while Hinata waved to Oikawa and Iwaizumi, Kageyama walked up and hugged him. This startled Hinata into complete silence, because Kageyama didn't make physical contact. "You better stop whatever shit you're trying to pull here." Kageyama growled in his ear.
"Make me." Hinata whispered back, almost startling Kageyama into letting go, because Hinata usually backed down when he got intense like that.
"I'm serious." Kageyama hissed.
"Um, yeah, so am I. You're too passive, Yamayama. If you really want to be with them you have to be more proactive."
"I don't have to do shit, okay? Stop interfering."
Hinata rolled his eyes, "Fine, if that's what you really want, but I'm telling you, if you don't seize them by the throat, they're going to get away."
"What are they, rabbits!"
Hinata shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'll see you later." Hinata said and smiled and waved as Kageyama walked outside too. Tobio gave a wave back, a little unsettled by the strange interaction, but glad Hinata agreed to stop all the excessive and awkward attempts to get Iwaizumi, Oikawa, and him together.
"So, are we walking you home first Tobio-chan?"
"No. Well, I mean you don't have to, I can walk myself." Kageyama was sure he could get home before it became dark anyway.
Iwaizumi opened his mouth to speak but before he could Oikawa interrupted, "Of course we're taking you home, it's getting dark out, I was just wondering if we were gonna drop you or Iwa-chan off first."
"What? You're not dropping me off first. You think I'd leave Kageyama with you?"
"Mean, Iwa-chan. I'm responsible. I even did walk him home once. By myself."
"And let me guess? You had no idea what to do and Kageyama got you both out of trouble."
"No!"
"Yes." Kageyama responded, knowing he was the one who'd found his way back home for the most part.
Oikawa pouted and crossed his arms. "You two always team up against me."
"No, we don't," Iwaizumi rolled his eyes. "And we really should start walking back, before it gets dark."
"Okay," Oikawa grumbled and then without warning started speed walking down the hill without either of them.
Tobio decided Oikawa seemed to have a habit of running away to piss Iwaizumi off.
"Tooru, don't go so fast!" Iwaizumi cried, hurrying after him with Kageyama following behind.
When they got down the hill, Oikawa stopped walking so fast and slowed to what felt like a snail's pace to Kageyama.
They walked in silence for a long time, and they said nothing. It was a comfortable silence though, Kageyama thought, and he much preferred silence anyway for the most part. "So," Kageyama murmured, ruining his own plan to stay quiet the entire way. "You think I'm cute sometimes?"
"Not when you're being a little shit." Kageyama opened his mouth to respond when Oikawa added, "Like right now," making him snap his mouth shut again.
"Don't call him a little shit." Iwaizumi said.
"Oh right, because you don't call me 'Shittykawa' whenever you feel like it."
"That's different because you actually are a little shit."
"You're a little shit." Oikawa rebutted.
"Maybe sometimes. But still not as much as you."
"Whatever." Oikawa murmured, giving a small pout.
They kept moving down the mountain together, the sun setting in the distance, and the sky slowly darkening. Kageyama took out his phone just in case his parents had texted him, but they hadn't. And Kageyama wasn't sure if he was happy about that or not.
They didn't really talk the rest of the way to Kageyama's house, but that was fine with him. He decided to accept it this time, and promised himself that if he opened his mouth again he'd throw Hinata.
Soon enough, they came upon Kageyama's house just as it was getting dark. "Bye, Kageyama. I will text you. I promise I won't forget this time."
"Bye Tobio-chan, never talk to me again~."
Iwaizumi elbowed Oikawa for the second time that day, making Oikawa let out a small squeak. "Learn to take a joke Iwa-chan." Oikawa wheezed, rubbing his side with a frown.
Kageyama opened his front door with a small smile, hearing the two still bickering, and shut it again behind him.
Maybe today hadn't been the most conventional birthday ever, but it was definitely the best one he'd ever had, even with everything that had gone wrong.
A/N I've determined that Hinata is that one friend you love to death, but can't take anywhere because he embarrasses you lmao. Anyway, hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading (I feel like I keep having to tell you guys something but can never remember what). Reviews appreciated as always!