Authors Note: First thank you all soooo much for your reviews! In this chapter we finally make it to the training camp. I had a lot of trouble getting ideas for this part since it wasn't really part of the dream. Sorry it took so long to get it up. It's been crazy busy for me. I threw in a little something for all the Free! Iwatobi Swim Club fans. This is not really a cross over and you won't be seeing much of the couples but I couldn't resist. I didn't make it all the way through the training camp so there will be more chapters to follow.
Also, I received a review from someone logged in as a guest. Since I can't reply to you personally I want to say thank you, whoever you are. And this chapter should answer your question. I also received a few PM questions on why Oikawa thought Hinata was still natureless. It's because Oikawa didn't know the Hinata had presented and Kageyama sure as hell didn't tell him that part. Oikawa won't find out till their match during the spring tournament. Forewarning, I am not an Oikawa fan.
Dr. Ryugazaki sighed as he pinched his eyes closed and rubbed his temples. Thing really could have gone better. Granted, they hadn't gone as bad as they could have. He felt a headache forming. Honestly he was really lucky. The cabinet members really could have screwed him over for withholding Kageyama and Hinata's name and information. The fact that the boys were only 15 is the only thing that had saved him. It had taken every connection he and his mate had to get the opportunity to address Japan's National Cabinet as a whole. When he had walked out to the center podium he was tense. Everyone was paying attention now. It was rare for someone outside the cabinet to make a formal address much less a petition and most of the members would be familiar enough with his line of work to know that this had something to do with fate mates. Nervously, Dr. Ryugazaki cleared his throat and told the entire cabinet exactly why he was there, "There's a new set of fate mates in Japan." Shock and surprise rushed through the room.
Though this was headliner news it wasn't the only reason he had addressed the cabinet. He went on to state the real purpose for his visit, to petition the cabinet not to release the names or personal information about the fate mates as was customary. Needless to say, they weren't happy, especially when he had refused to divulge the information himself. One cabinet member even threatened to throw Dr. Ryugazaki in jail and charge him with obstruction. That had not gone over well with a few other members. Dr. Ryugazaki had known he was skirting about not only a national law but an international one as well. Fate mates were seen as a status symbol for countries. The more pairs you had the more you could gain leverage on the international stage to get the things your country wanted. As such, general information about fate mates were common knowledge such as name, age, sex, and occupation. Fate mates could even be considered idols in a way and a new fate pair in Japan, one of the world's leaders in economy and technology, would be big news across the globe… and this was why Dr. Ryugazaki had worked hard to keep the boys out of the media light until they had settled a bit more.
Unable to persuade the cabinet members to come to an understanding Dr. Ryugazaki told them just how old the boys were and just what his opinion was as a doctor. The boys were only 15 years old. They were first years in high school. They had school and club activities to deal with, and that was tough for anyone to get through. Add on top of that being fate mates with Hinata just presenting as an Omega. Now they had to figure out how to deal with each other on an intimate level, deal with a very short and troubling trigger so they weren't mating like rabbits or mating in very public places, and parents who didn't care for their life partner. They didn't need the media swarming around them.
Mentioning the age alone had probably been enough to quiet everyone down, though it was probably more a factor of shock than that of understanding. In recorded history there had never been a fate pair at such a young age. The youngest recorded pair was the last new pair of fate mates in Japan and had been personal friends of Dr. Ryugazaki's. It was one of the main reasons he had gone on to be a world renowned expert on fate mates. Nanase and Tachibana had been 47 when they mated, a complete shock to everyone who had known them. Nanase had been one of those rare occurrences, completely natureless, well until he was 47 when he went into heat and mated with his long time childhood friend Tachibana. Their story was widely known since Nanase had already been in the spotlight as an Olympic swimmer for Japan.
But 15 years old was a whole other thing. And it was during this shock that Dr. Ryugazaki finally made his petition. He moved for the government to petition the International Council to put a law in place to protect under aged fate mates, that their names and personal information be kept out of the media until they reached the age of adulthood in their respective counties. This would give the boys and any other fate pairs at this age (or even younger), a chance to get on their feet as a pair and as adults.
After much debate the cabinet members agreed to have a formal voting session on the petition. The doctor was allowed to keep the boys names and information to himself until a decision was made but they would not keep the announcement of a new pair of fate mates from the media. It was major news for the country. Dr. Ryugazaki agreed and the cabinet adjourned for the rest of the day. Worn out Dr. Ryugazaki had gone home to await the decision that would be made tomorrow. Dr. Ryugazaki had closed himself in his office going over his notes, hoping he would be able to present his case to the cabinet tomorrow and convince them to give the new fate mates a fighting chance. The outcome looked bleak. He could hear the sounds of his mate in the kitchen and sighed. Kageyama and Hinata deserved a chance to get to know each other and to figure things out without the rest of the world watching.
When the door to his study opened the doc looked up from his notes to see his mate come in the room carrying a steaming cup of what smelled like tea.
"Here Rei, you looked like you could use something soothing to take the edge off." Dr. Ryugazaki smiled at the sight of his pregnant mate.
"Thanks Nagisa." He replied taking the cup and blowing across the top and taking a small sip.
"When do you have to go back in tomorrow?" Nagisa asked as he positioned himself on the only clean edge of his mates desk.
"About 7," Ryugazaki answered. "Hopefully things will be decided quickly so I can give the boys a heads up before they get back from Tokyo at the end of the week." Nagisa nodded and waited patiently for Ryugazaki to finish his tea. Normally he would leave his husband to his work and Nagisa knew this specific work was important but he just couldn't take it. His body was crazy horny and there was no way he would get to sleep tonight if he didn't take proper care of it. When the last drop of tea finally left the cup Nagisa all but pounced on his husband, pulling Dr. Ryugazaki off to their bedroom for the rest of the evening.
Tsukishima frowned as he glanced from Hinata to Kageyama. It was apparent they hadn't patched everything up. They were standing next to each other now and there was visibly less tension between them. Kageyama seemed back to normal, though a bit clingy, but it wasn't hard to see that Hinata was still hung up on something. Every few minutes Hinata would glance over at Kageyama and the expression on his face would go blank for a moment. Tsukishima sighed. This was going to be a long week. Deciding to ignore it Tsukishima made his was on to the bus, Yamaguchi following close behind. He sat at the front of the bus physically pulling Yamaguchi into the seat next to him when it looked like the boy was going to sit further back. Yamaguchi smiled and settled himself down.
Hinata and Nishinoya made a racket as usual and moved all the way to the back of the bus to sit on the long bench with four seats. Kageyama followed silently. When Nishinoya made to sit in the middle next to Hinata, Kageyama didn't bother holding back a growl of annoyance. It wasn't the he minded the two sitting next to each other, Nishinoya was an omega so there was no threat there, but Kageyama had spent long enough away from his mate over the course of the last month and he just couldn't tolerate more separation at this point, even if it was only a foot or so. Hinata blushed in embarrassment at Kageyama's reaction, mixed feelings of happiness and annoyance swimming through him.
Nishinoya smiled, "Don't worry, just making room for Asahi to get in the other corner." Though he was a little disappointed that he wouldn't get to sit next to Hinata he quite understood that it would be a while before the two of them sorted through all the confusion of being mates. Satisfied that Nishinoya understood Kageyama moved out of the way for Asahi to climb into the corner. Nishinoya promptly scooted over but was surprised when Kageyama motioned for Hinata to get up and move out of the way. When Kageyama situated himself in the corner Hinata next to him and Nishinoya. The two omegas continued to chat animatedly, excited about the prospect of seeing the Nekoma team again.
It didn't take long for everyone to get situated and for the bus to get on its way towards Tokyo. After an hour or so most of the conversation had tapered off as everyone on the team dropped off to sleep. Hinata and Nishinoya were the last two talking. However both of them blushed and conversation stalled when Kageyama not so subtly put his arm around Hinata's waist and pulled the boy closer to him. Satisfied, Kageyama closed his eyes, trying his best to fall asleep.
What the hell? Hinata shouted at Kageyama in his mind not wanting to wake the entire bus, embarrassment coursing through their bond. Though Hinata was getting used to having Kageyama around and touching him at home and in private, they didn't do that stuff outside of the house. They had both subconsciously agreed that nothing would change between them in their relationship, they were still figuring out how to deal with each other and how they felt about such things. It was why he had been glancing at Kageyama for most of the evening. Kageyama had been unusually close over the course of the evening.
Kageyama didn't open his eyes. I know it's awkward, he answered, and I don't want things to change yet either. But I need this. Kageyama fought the blush making its way to his face. He felt Hinata's surprise at his confession through the bond and knew his mate was staring at him. Unable to put the feelings into words he sent everything he was feeling and thinking over at Hinata, trying to explain why. The alpha inside him was demanding the contact, only at ease when Hinata was within reach or in his arms. Hinata sighed, but he understood. After all, he had battled against the same thing over the last month he had forced them apart. They weren't meant to be apart. That's just the way it was. Deciding it best not to say anything else Hinata relaxed into Kageyama's arm, leaning against his mate's shoulder. The desire to connect passed over them both as they curled into each other but there was not lust or heat in it. Perhaps they should have stayed connected longer earlier in the evening.
This whole thing was confusing for both of them but for that moment they understood as they drifted off to sleep. Things would never be the same between them again. They could no longer function as rivals or friends. They were mates and partners on the same team.
When the team arrived in Tokyo Hinata was the first to bounce out of the bus in the morning, Nishinoya right behind him. As energetic as he was, Hinata made sure to stick close to the still sleepy Kageyama, that feeling of clinginess still present in their bond. Kageyama yawned trying to keep his eyes open as they walked up to the gym, content with Hinata close to him. It was best to satisfy that clingy feeling as much as possible before the matches started, and start they did.
When Kageyama's first toss for the day paused in the air and fell short, Hinata stared in surprise. They hadn't shared with each other how they had trained. Whatever that toss was, it was something new, and something difficult if Kageyama messed it up. On the second toss the ball went long and almost floated in the air for a second. Hinata reacted moving his left hand underneath the ball expecting it to drop just like the last time. Hinata connected with the ball as it fell, barely getting it over the net as he fell unceremoniously on his ass. The whistle blew with the point going to Karasuno. Kageyama turned to stare at Hinata startled at the difference just one month had made. Before, if anything was off with the toss Hinata would freak out, but this time he had stayed calm and reacted. Just what kind of training had he done?
Hinata stood turning to stare at Kageyama also in surprise. He bit his lip as he fought the feeling welling up inside him. Even though they had fought and Kageyama had been so against Hinata wanting to stand on his own two feet and fight with his own strength, he had still gone to the trouble training in some way to make that happen. That falling toss was just another confirmation of just how much Kageyama wanted Hinata to play volleyball with him. It also somewhat pissed Hinata off, Kageyama was improving again. If Hinata didn't keep up he really would be left in the dust. The conflicting feelings welled between them but determination from the both of them came out on top. They were going to make this work, no matter what! Kageyama nodded and Hinata smiled. With this, they really might be able to beat Aoba Jousai.
With renewed enthusiasm they returned to the game, ready to figure out this new quick.
Kenma watched from the sidelines along with Kuro and the rest of the Nekoma team. It was going to be a lot harder to deal with that quick than the previous one if they mastered it. Kenma made sure to keep an eye on their progress as he tried to think of ways to limit the new freak quick if they had to. About halfway through the day and after more penalties than Karasuno cared to count things took quite a turn. It was really hot, and running up and down that huge hill for penalties made it even hotter especially since Karasuno was doing more penalties than any of the other teams. That and Hinata never seemed to stop moving. Makeup just wasn't meant to hold up under all that movement and sweat. After a particularly hard match against Nekoma Hinata wiped the sweat off his face and neck with a towel, the makeup covering his fate mark coming with it. With luck, all eyes were on the match on the next court over as Bokuto hit an amazing slide shot right pass three blockers. Well, all eyes but Kenma's.
Kenma had had his suspicions that Hinata had mated with Kageyama. Hinata was generally open about everything when Kenma spoke or texted with him, but whenever Kenma mentioned Kageyama or asked about Hinata presenting as an omega, Hinata would get super quiet. Plus Kageyama had been overly aware of the small orange ball of energy. Kenma had wondered how it had happened. The two of them hadn't gotten along that great in the beginning from what he understood. And surely their parents would have forced them apart or reacted horribly to the two of them mating, but with a glimpse of that mark on Hinata's neck, it all made sense. Apparently it was something Hinata didn't want to share.
Quietly Kenma walked over to Hinata feeling Kuro's eyes on him from the moment he moved and Kageyama's eyes on him as soon as he came within arms reach of Hinata. Kenma glanced up at Kageyama calmly looking at his neck. Close as he was now he could tell there was makeup there but unlike Hinata it still concealed the mark. He swung his eyes back to Hinata and grabbed the Hinata's sleeve effectively getting the boy's attention off the match next to them. Kenma leaned in and whispered in Hinata's ear, Kageyama scowling at him.
"Your fate mark is showing." Hinata's face, already pink from heat, deepened in color his hand immediately coming up to his neck to cover the volleyball mark from view. Hinata's eyes grew wide in panic as he looked up to Kageyama. Kageyama frowned and grabbed Hinata's other hand and pulled him towards the coach.
"Thanks…" Kageyama mumbled begrudgingly as they moved away from Kenma. Kenma simply turned around and walked back over to stand next to Kuro.
"What was that about?" Kuro asked looking down at Kenma. Kenma just shrugged and turned his attention back to the game. Not wanting to push the matter further Kuro just watched the freak duo speak with their coach and leave the gym. Kenma wasn't the only one that was observant on the Nekoma team.
Hinata followed Kageyama out the door towards their room, pulled forward by his hand. It was a little awkward, but still he didn't pull his hand away. Hinata knew Kageyama was dealing with a very real need to be connected, though neither of them understood it. When they weren't on the court Kageyama was always so close to them that they would be touching in some way. It had been that way all morning and seemed like it would continue for the rest of the day. Still, at times Hinata was unsure of how to act around that sort of thing. But if he was honest it was sort of soothing at the moment. A bit of panic had set in when Kenma had whispered in his ear that his fate mark was showing. Hinata had been so careful that morning to recover it in the bathroom, even going so far as to ask Kageyama to check it for him.
When they reached the room Kageyama let go of Hinata's hand long enough to fumble through his bag and grab the concealer his mom had given him. Hinata just stood and watched Kageyama hunched over his bag, his hand still covering the mark on his neck. Hinata didn't really like covering the mark up. He liked the idea that the two of them, genius and idiot, shared something so unique. But he understood more than anyone why they had to cover it up. Hinata had talked with Dr. Ryugazaki about what exactly would happen if others found out about them being fate mates and he wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea that their relationship would become common public knowledge. He wasn't ashamed or anything, in fact he was quite proud to be Kageyama's omega and mate. And the idea of the media being around meant a good possibility that Kageyama might have a better shot at becoming a pro volleyball player, something he very much wanted to see happen. Hinata was concerned about what that would mean for himself.
Kageyama was tall, handsome, an alpha, a genius setter, and a gentle mate. He didn't mind the world knowing that. But Hinata was none of those things. He was short, an omega, with unruly orange hair, not very smart and his only skill was jumping. With media around the whole of Japan would see just how much of a miss match this whole thing really was. Kageyama's mate should be as amazing as he was. Hinata sighed softly. This was the whole reason he wanted to get better at volleyball. It would be his one redeeming quality. He was the only person in Japan who could hit Kageyama's pinpoint toss. Lost in his thoughts Hinata didn't protest when Kageyama grabbed his hand a gain and pulled him off to the bathroom without a word.
That freak toss, Hinata smiled. That toss sure had changed over the course of a month. Even though Hinata didn't know if he could hit that toss gyuun toss with his eyes open, Kageyama had trained hard to create a toss that Hinata might just be able to hit. Even when Kageyama doubted Hinata, he had spent the time and effort to do everything he could to make what Hinata wanted a possibility. Kageyama wanted to win and he wanted to do it with Hinata by his side. Hinata smiled even more at that thought as they finally reached the bathroom. To Hinata's surprise Kageyama didn't hand over the concealer.
Kageyama maneuvered Hinata to sit down on a stool. "What are you smiling about dumbass?" Kageyama grumbled as he opened the concealer and tilted Hinata's head to the side. "Now the whole Nekoma team is going to know about us thanks to you." He went on not really giving Hinata a chance to answer. Kageyama wasn't really upset with Hinata, he knew it was only a matter of time before their marks would be seen. Makeup wasn't a sure cover during practice or games and Hinata had never really been one to stay still for very long. He was more upset that the Nekoma setter had whispered into Hinata's ear in such a way. It really shouldn't have bothered him, Kozume was an omega and couldn't order Hinata to do anything against his will, and he seemed to be good friends with Hinata. But the alpha in Kageyama had been overly possessive of Hinata since the night before and he didn't understand why. Most of the team seemed to have noticed and steered clear of touching Hinata in any way.
Hinata only chuckled. "Kenma won't tell anyone about it, so don't worry so much." He replied as Kageyama gently covered up the fate mark. Kageyama only frowned more as he dabbed more concealer over Hinata's neck. It really didn't help that Hinata called the Nekoma setter by his first name.
"Still it's not something to smile about dumbass." Kageyama groused, his mood not improving. Hinata's smile widened as he grabbed Kageyama's hand, effectively stopping it.
"Wha…" Kageyama had been about to object when Hinata leaned forward and kissed him. Kageyama's eyes widened with shock. It wasn't a long kiss, just a simple brushing of lips together, but it was enough to completely halt Kageyama's thoughts in complete surprise. Hinata pulled back slightly and smiled at Kageyama's stiff, blank expression. Before Kageyama could even form the question in his mind Hinata leaned in again to whisper in his ear.
"Thanks Tobio…" Hinata whispered, a shiver running down Kageyama's spine, his first name echoing in his ear. Hinata then stood up to look in the mirror checking his neck to make sure everything was covered. By the time Kageyama recovered any semblance of coherent thought Hinata had turned towards the door.
"Thanks for what?" Kageyama asked in complete bafflement closing the concealer and standing up to face Hinata. For the life of him, he couldn't think of anything he had done that would warrant such a sincere thank you. He'd been obstinate, head strong, possessive, and clingy… none of which he could see being a good thing. Hinata simply shrugged and looked at him in the mirror.
"For just being you." Hinata answered as if it was the simplest thing in the world a smile on his face. And with that Kageyama felt the alpha side of him calm and his chest became lighter. Hinata held out his hand to Kageyama and though the contact wasn't needed anymore Kageyama took Hinata's hand as they left to return the makeup to the room. They held hands all the way back to the gym. Kageyama content and Hinata smiling.
They dropped each other's hands when they got to the gym but there was no awkwardness in it. A few eyes here and there stared at them with curiosity but when the next matches started everyone's attention turned to the games. It was obvious something had changed between the two. Kageyama stayed just as close to Hinata as before but he seemed less menacing when others came around. Hinata no longer glanced at Kageyama worried about his close proximity, instead he felt safe, happy, and content with the closeness. It was like they had found a bit of balance. Finally they could focus a bit more on volleyball, their uncomfortable feelings finally gone.
Now if only it would stay that way. But nothing is ever easy and by the end of the day they hadn't made any progress on their new quick. Even after private practice that evening it hadn't improved at all. Kageyama couldn't get the toss placed right and Hinata couldn't seem to react just right. It was frustrating, for both of them and by the end of the evening they were exhausted. They went from dinner straight to the shower. Too tired to bother with the makeup they both put a large icy hot patch over their fate marks and went back to the team room. Kageyama crawled into his futon pulling the blankets up leaving Hinata to socialize with the others like he usually did. But Hinata didn't even bother socializing with the members of the Nekoma team or even care that they were there. Without thought Hinata crawled into Kageyama's futon, much to everyone's surprise.
What are you doing dumbass? You're supposed to wait till everyone is asleep. Kageyama thought at Hinata, his cheeks pink in embarrassment. Hinata didn't answer and simply curled himself around Kageyama.
"Oi… dumbass." Kageyama called, this time out loud as he looked down at his mate. All eyes in the room were on the two of them, everyone paused in their conversation, observing the unusual action. Most of Nekoma had pretty much deduced that the two of them were definitely 'together', perhaps even mated, but they had never seen such overtness about their relationship before. Sure something had changed between the two of them but that didn't mean they wanted to advertise the fact that they were together. What was going on in Hinata's brain, especially after Kozume had seen Hinata's fate mark today?
Hinata only tightened his arms around Kageyama sending his frustration and sadness from all their failed attempts at the new quick that day to Kageyama over the bond. Tiredness was evident in the lack of push Kageyama felt in those emotions. Kageyama sighed and wrapped his arms around his mate hugging him tight. We'll get it tomorrow. He thought, somehow understanding exactly what it was that had Hinata in a funk. Hinata smiled, his frustrations melting away from his mates embrace as he slid off to sleep.
Things began moving again after that as everyone else went about their business. Kenma only shrugged going back to his new Mon Hun game that he had started over. Kuro smirked returning to his conversation with Sawamura who also seemed to have recovered from the shock of the moment. Kageyama was quick to follow Hinata to sleep. The rest of the Nekoma players were dying to ask what exactly was going on between the two but kept their questions to themselves for the night.