Kageyama took a deep breath as he approached the kitchen. Telling them about his soulmates before the tournament might not be the best idea. Telling them at all wasn't the best idea, but what else could he do?

In the kitchen, his mother was finishing up with dinner. He almost felt bad that whatever evening she'd planned would most likely ruined. "I'm back." Kageyama announced quietly.

She didn't turn around as she told him, "Go sit at the table. I'll be there in a moment."

Kageyama didn't argue and went to the table. His nerve was failing him. Even the speech inside his head didn't sound quite right. How would it sound actually coming out?

His mother sat down at the table after the food was set out. "Your father is on his way. He'll be home any minute."

Kageyama stayed quiet for a while after she said that, trying to work up the courage to at least get the words out of his mouth before his father returned. "Mama."

She looked at him, possibly waiting for him to continue.

"I have something to tell you. Can you promise not to be mad?"

"Well… no. I can't, but it'd be best for you to tell me anyway."

Her answer did not help Kageyama calm down, it just made the words harder to choke out.

Before he could say anything Kageyama heard the front door open and close and he knew the opportunity was gone. The sound of large shoes and a jacket being taken off all but confirmed.

His father walked through the entry way, his mouth set in a grim line. Kageyama hadn't seen his father all weekend and had almost forgotten what he looked like after coming home from work. Today was worse than usual however, and when he sat down at the table it was more like he fell over. Kageyama thought it was just because he was tired, and that was likely, most of the reason. But then his mother spoke.

"Have you been drinking?" She asked calmly.

Narrowing his eyes, Kageyama's father brushed her off. "Just a few with coworkers."

"You know it makes you more irritated."

"I'm aware." His father said curtly.

"And Tobio—"

"Isn't a toddler. He knows adults drink sometimes."

His mother fell silent. She usually didn't talk about it, not directly with him, but Kageyama knew from their fights, that before Kageyama was born his father liked to drink a lot, and stay out late. Even for a little while after he was born because his mother would sharply say he left her all alone on those nights.

It was probably something she would never let go of.

He understood why she was irritated since she probably blamed the alcohol for making him more irresponsible. Kageyama didn't need his parents to always have their eyes on him anymore though. Even if his mother went out now and did something for herself, Kageyama was pretty sure no one would complain. He wouldn't, at least. In fact he wanted to tell her that she could do those things if she wanted too, not like she needed his permission. But maybe saying it would help her understand.

Before he could think of anything, his mother turned back to him, "What were you about to say to me again, Tobio?"

"Oh…" Kageyama almost didn't want to say anything anymore. His father didn't usually drink, but if he did then things were especially tense between his parents because of his mother's distaste.

But there wasn't any other way to say this, and there would never be a better time. It wasn't like he could keep his relationship a secret, they were bound to find out somehow. It might as well be from him.

"Mama, I was going to tell you that… I mean I suppose I'm telling both of you now. But I was going to tell you that I'm dating someone. Two people actually." Kageyama paused. He lifted his eyes from the table to gauge his parents reactions. They looked almost surprised which wasn't out of place because to their knowledge he'd never been interested in any person, much less dating them.

"They're my soulmates." He added.

Kageyama decided not to say anything else and wait for them to respond. Eventually his mother did. "How long… have you known them?"

"Four years now. I met them playing volleyball."

Kageyama saw his father's hand clench into a fist. "Is that why you wanted to play?" He asked.

"Initially. But along the way I realized I loved the sport. I would never change that decision."

"So you've decided to date them even after we've told you what happens with soulmates? Most aren't the happily ever afters everyone would love to have you believe."

"I know." Kageyama told his father simply. "But I've decided that my experience will never be the same as yours because if anything, I would be the terrible soulmate."

His mother frowned. "You shouldn't say that—"

"It's true." Kageyama took a deep breath, his hands gripping the edge of the table. "I'm the one who lied about who I was and what I was to them for four years. I'm the one who ran away, who was jealous of their relationship. Even though it was something I could've had if only I'd asked. I was so scared of them knowing, so scared of rejection, that I ended up pushing them away before they'd even decided what they wanted. I kept everything I was feeling inside because I thought it would be better for everyone. But honestly, it only made everything worse."

He was trying to get better at that, trying to speak up for what he wanted and not allow his self-doubt to control his life. It was probably one of the hardest things he'd ever tried to do. But so far the results had been worth it. So far, when he stopped ignoring and postponing the problem, things usually worked out better. For everyone involved.

"I'm not saying they didn't or don't have their faults. But if anyone intruded and made a mess it was me." He was always the one making it complicated for himself by overanalyzing and being scared and worrying for something he had no possible way of controlling. The outcome.

In fact, being honest in the first place, might've gotten him farther faster. Looking back, he was pretty sure Oikawa had always liked him in some aspects. He'd probably just been annoyed with him, and honestly Kageyama had felt the same.

They were rude and immature to each other a lot, but throughout it Kageyama had never given up hope, had never not wanted to be Oikawa's soulmate. Who could say whether Oikawa liked him at all back then? Maybe he had. Maybe he should ask.

And as for Iwaizumi. He had a bad habit of accidentally throwing his and Oikawa's relationship in Tobio's face. He'd had no way of knowing how that would affect him though, so Kageyama didn't blame him for it. He also had a bad habit of oversimplifying soulmates. And sometimes he could be a bit hypocritical.

Weren't they all though?

His father was probably one of the biggest hypocrites Kageyama knew, although he was trying to be better to not control or manipulate or other things he said he hated.

"I know how you two feel about soulmates. But I don't feel the same way. And… and isn't part of growing up making mistakes?"

Kageyama's father snorted. He couldn't tell if it was sarcastic or not. "That's true. But I still don't agree." He finished harshly. "Young people 'in love' don't usually make it."

"We aren't in love." Kageyama felt that was a lie. Not when he'd admitted to himself that he did. "And maybe we won't make it."

It would hurt less if he thought that way.

But after texting them, and calling them, and going on a date with them. Wasn't that a little sad to think? Wouldn't it be a little better just to hope for the best?

Maybe it would hurt less. But would those thoughts make it hurt to even stay? The fear would always be there.

But maybe it was better to not think or worry about it.

"We're going to try though." Kageyama finished. They were going to try their hardest.

"Isn't that what they all say? I've heard that before. From the mouth of my own soulmate. You want to make it so bad just to prove everyone wrong. To show them how in love you are, how strong and smart you are. But that's you and every other young person on this planet."

"You don't know us then."

"That was almost funny. You're just full of romantic drama movie lines aren't you?"

Kageyama instantly almost felt embarrassed at saying that. It was cliché, and it was a romantic drama line.

"Well… you don't know me then."

"I fucking raised you!"

"I know." Kageyama bit out.

"We both did." His mother interrupted firmly. "In fact, I'd say I did most of the raising."

Shit, here it came.

"Just because I wasn't up every single night hovering over the baby doesn't mean I wasn't there!"

"Yes, well who took care of him while you were at work? Who put him to sleep, fed him, helped him learn to speak, potty train!"

"So you're using the fact that I had to go to work to invalidate me as a parent?"

"No. I'm saying your statement was false as you didn't really raise him."

"Well maybe that's where he's gotten all these ideas from. What've you been putting in his head!"

"Nothing! We've barely spoken since Thursday!"

"Well apparently he's had these thoughts from four years ago and he certainly didn't get them from me."

"Maybe—" Kageyama interrupted, "I'm a fucking human being who can formulate my own thoughts and opinions without needing your guys' influence!"

"Don't cuss at us. I've told you exactly what happened with our soulmates."

"Which is why it's ludicrous that you would think I put any ideas in his head." His mother grumbled.

"My soulmates aren't yours and I am not your soulmates!" Kageyama said simply.

"Weren't you just saying something about how you were the 'terrible soulmate'."

"In comparison to the other two! Not in comparison to whatever yours did!"

"No, of course not, you aren't trying to pay someone to get rid of a fucking baby."

"And that would probably never happen right now because we're all still in high school! And the only thing that any of us are interested in doing, is playing volleyball and going to nationals!"

His father pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long sigh. "This is ridiculous. I'm not arguing with you about this. Make your own damn decisions and be ready to deal with the consequences."

"What consequences!"

"Whatever comes your way! Manipulation, degradation, control, I guess you'd better be prepared to know what they look like."

"Oh I know damn well what they look like because I learned them from you." And Kageyama meant that in the worst way possible. The moment the words flew out of his mouth, he regretted it. But at the same time… wasn't it true?

Even his mother had something akin to shock on her face. And Kageyama's father looked as angry as he did the day Kageyama slipped back into his room through the window.

They were all silent for a long time and all Kageyama could hear was blood roaring in his ears and his heart thundering inside his chest. He felt numb inside, just waiting for something to happen. Waiting was almost scarier because of how uncertain he was about what was going to happen.

"Give me your phone." His father said finally. Kageyama handed it over without a word. "Now go to your room."

"Papa—"

"Go."

Kageyama fell quiet and slowly got up to go to his room. He laid down on his bed, curling his fingers into the pillow. He almost couldn't believe what he'd said but he had. It was said in bitterness and in anger and Kageyama was still shocked by the fact he meant it.

It was only the truth after all. For the longest time during his childhood he remembered his parents forcing him to hide his emotions, forcing him to be things he didn't want to be. He remembered the shirts and the closet and the night lights and all the horrible, horrible things.

He remembered crying late at night, remembered the helplessness and vulnerability. He remembered the boredom, the lack of freedom, the anger.

He remembered all the bad things that made his eyes well up with tears.

And he remembered the good times too. Remembered his father holding him, remembered his mother playing with him. He remembered shopping with her and holding onto her skirt as he followed. He remembered the sweets his father sometimes brought home, even when they didn't have much money, and he remembered the stories he used to tell.

Kageyama remembered all the good things that made him cry even harder.

Because while the good didn't make up for it, didn't cancel all the horrible memories he had. It made everything more complicated. It made him want to see his parents change, made him want to be closer with them.

He didn't want to hate them. That was the last thing he wanted. And he didn't. They were the only mom and dad he would ever have and he knew in their own way they had always cared. That didn't make any of it right. But it helped him understand at least some things.

And it gave him hope to know they had decided to try to be better.

He hoped they still kept trying.

…

His mother called for him a few hours later and Kageyama went down, trying to be strong for his own sake. The last thing he wanted was to cry in front of them or anybody right now.

He didn't know what it would be like when he got down. He hadn't heard his parents fighting or talking but there were times they hid a lot of problems from him. If they wanted to hide one more argument they probably could.

Not to mention what they still might have to say about his soulmates.

Kageyama finally gathered up his courage and went downstairs, over to a chair in the living room. Across from him were his parents on the couch. They sat on opposite ends, a clear sign of how distant they'd grown.

He wondered if along with their financial struggle when he was young, they had hid the cracks in their relationship from him too. He was willing to bet their problems ran farther back then he'd originally thought.

If he stopped to consider it, getting married just because of him and to get away from others, wasn't a very good foundation for a relationship. He was surprised they made it work so long.

No one said a word for longer than Kageyama wanted so he spoke first. "I'm sorry about what I said." Kageyama said, to break the silence and get the conversation going. He was sorry he'd said it, he knew it would be hurtful when he said it and that's why he did. After he reflected he knew that just because it was true didn't make it right to say. Not that what his father had said was right either. He most likely wouldn't formally apologize for it though.

"We know." His mother said gently. "We discussed it, and you can have your phone back after this week."

From the look on his father's face he'd argued to keep it for longer. "We also think we should talk about some things. About your soulmates."

Kageyama sucked in a breath and then slowly released it, waiting for what his mother had to say. She couldn't ban him from seeing them, Kageyama would just find a way. He always found a way. But he did hope they didn't decide to negatively view the relationship.

"You can make your own decision about that." Kageyama felt his heart speed up. "If you have questions you can come to me about them." She continued.

Before Kageyama could say thank you, or anything, his father interrupted. "Another thing, we want to meet them." He said bluntly.

Kageyama almost cussed aloud at that but sucked it back in to a tight lipped expression. "I assume you've already met their parents." His father continued.

"Yes."

"Then they should meet yours."

This was terrible and probably couldn't go well. But he couldn't refuse. And he didn't necessarily want to. He wanted his parents to know about his soulmates, and meet them, and accept them. He just knew that it would never be so simple. They just wouldn't get along well and Kageyama didn't want to start a fight.

"What are their names?" his mother asked. She seemed genuinely curious as he thought she'd be. She was always a little more open to the idea of soulmates than his father was.

It was clear her own left a sour taste in her mouth and he could see why considering all the hateful and threatening messages he'd seen scrawled all over her arms that day.

But that didn't mean she couldn't be open to other soulmate relationships, and maybe she was starting to see that too.

"Oikawa and Iwaizumi. They used to be my senpais in middle school. But we aren't on the same team anymore."

"Well we want to meet them. So talk to them when you get the chance."

Kageyama nodded, knowing he would have to. His father might forget about it, Kageyama sometimes relied on him forgetting things. His mother on the other hand, was unlikely to. Especially not with that expression on her face.

"One more thing." His father chimed in. Kageyama almost groaned. What else could they possibly want from this?

"Your grandparents are coming for another visit." His father said.

Kageyama was not expecting that and felt himself tense up at the mention of his grandparents. He didn't have to ask them to specify since his mother's parents had died when he was young.

He didn't remember them much but they seemed nicer in his memories than his father's parents did.

"When?"

"In a week or so. They actually had the decency to let me know this time. They said they wanted to come to see your games and 'catch up' or something like that."

"Okay." Kageyama said because there was nothing else he really could say. He didn't want his grandparents visiting, as terrible as that sounded. They made him uncomfortable, judged all of his father's life decisions, and talked about his mother as if she wasn't even there.

Worse than that they put their entire family on edge. He still remembered that horrible night years ago when they grabbed his arm and almost ruined everything by repeatedly talking about his soulmates in front of his parents. Even their names were almost exposed.

Which, now that his parents knew, he could probably change their contact name on his phone to their actual names or something.

"So… are they staying for a few days?"

"Something like that. At least they're getting a hotel so your mother doesn't have to put up with their shit while I'm at work all day."

Kageyama was about to agree when his mother glared. "That's no way to talk about Tobio's grandparents." She said.

His father didn't look sorry. He wouldn't be.

Kageyama knew his mother wished for him to have a good relationship with his grandparents, but he didn't think they'd ever be close. They rarely visited and the only memory Kageyama remembered was that night.

His father said nothing for another moment before speaking. "I'm going to bed now. It's been a long day."

That was something Kageyama could agree with. The stress and the weekend and the traveling finally all came crashing down, making Kageyama realize how badly his body ached and how tired his mind was.

His father didn't kiss his mother like he might have a few years ago. They barely spared each other a glance now. "Goodnight." He said, hand barely squeezing Kageyama's shoulder before he went upstairs.

"We should be heading to bed too." His mother said after his father disappeared. Kageyama nodded in agreement. He hugged his mother goodnight before heading upstairs. Despite her words he noticed her not making a move to get up to the bedroom. And it would be a while later until he heard the creak of the floorboards as she went into her bedroom.

After crawling in bed, Kageyama let himself finally relax. Today could've been a lot worse in his opinion. He had his grandparents visit to keep in mind, but what was even more nerve wracking was the tournament itself.

Kageyama needed to do what was best for his team. He would do his best to make sure they won and went to nationals. It might be his senpais last tournament after all, and he wanted to help them make it as far as they could and even farther.

He sighed and slowly closed his eyes, dreaming of good times and the future.

A/N Um so... I was just procrastinating at this point. I'm done now though...

Basically what happened is I've had this chapter edited since like two days ago but I did one more comb through cus I felt like it. Glad I did because there were a few minor changes I almost forgot I wanted to add.

Also I've already started writing the chapter after Seijoh and Karasuno's first game before I've written how they got there XD may or may not keep it. Thanks for reading, can't believe we've made it this far. I appreciate the continued support! See u next time!