Author's Note: I own nothing… *cry*
SPOILER ALERT! *The Anime has not gotten this far. Season 2 ended just before the match with Shiritorizawa. If you watch the Anime only or have not read through the manga, this chapter contains content from the cannon story. If you don't like spoilers wait to read this chapter.
Now, I am skipping over the match with Shiritorizawa. I am not changing anything that happened with it in cannon (the only thing I might want to add is a smexy scene between Hinata and Kageyama to celebrate the win.). But anyways… go and watch/read that part of the cannon story if you want. I am starting out this chapter with what happens after that win.
Also this is where my dream ended. I only got snippets of their lives in college and as adults. That doesn't mean I won't write more… there is definitely more to come for this story, just expect there to be a lot of time before you get an update. I want to get things resolved with the parents, include the recent material from cannon about the special training camps, and probably go a little further and that will probably be the end of this story.
I want to write a few side stories as companions to this piece, one on Tsukishima/Yamaguchi and one for Kuro/Kenma. I don't know when I will get to those but I will make an effort since you all really like the idea of seeing more of those couples. I also want to write another story for their college/adult life which will include Hinata getting pregnant. Ah... Kagehina babies... but that is a long ways off. Just thought I would give you all some food for thought so you can see what my plans are for this story and others.
Kageyama smiled as he and Hinata headed home from practice. Practice had been going amazingly well since the match against Shiritorizawa. In a few days they were going to measure everyone's height and jumping statistics. Hinata was super psyched about it as was Kageyama. They may be mated now but they would never completely stop competing with each other. Hinata was determined to jump higher than Kageyama and the only thought in Kageyama's head had been 'BRING IT ON SHRIMP'. Hinata had then declared it a competition as they left Sakanoshita and headed for Kageyama's apartment.
When they got home Kageyama and Hinata were surprised to see visitors at the house. Mrs. Kageyama ushered her son in quickly, leaving Hinata to trail behind. She introduced him to what turned out to be the head and vice volleyball coaches at Tokyo University. Both Hinata and Kageyama were completely astounded mouths dropping open in shock. Kageyama was still just a first year and even though he was considered a genius setter, this was out of the norm. Everyone exchanged pleasantries, the coaches even paying Hinata a compliment on his performance in the prefecture finals against Shiritorizawa. Hinata beamed with happiness. The compliment meant a lot to him and even though he knew the coaches were there for Kageyama, they still knew who he was. Hinata was also happy for Kageyama. If anyone deserved to get noticed it was definitely his mate, the genius setter who always gave the best tosses.
Not wanting to intrude Hinata excused himself to the bathroom to shower off and get ready for bed. He'd get the details from Kageyama later about the visit and how everything went. It wasn't hard to guess why they were there. They were probably scouting him to see if he was interested in playing volleyball through college and to check and see if he would be a good fit for their team. Hinata got undressed piling his clothes on the floor and putting his special watch on the bathroom counter. It was about halfway through his shower when Hinata frowned at the situation. It dawned on Hinata that if Kageyama went to Tokyo University, the top school in the country, it was very likely that they wouldn't be on the same team in college. Try as he might, there was no way Hinata could pass the entrance exam to get into Tokyo University. If by some miracle (or fluke) he did manage to scrape a pass, his parents wouldn't be able to afford such a prestigious university unless he got a recommendation like Kageyama.
He wasn't sure he liked the idea of being on a different team than Kageyama. Hell he didn't even like the idea that they would go to different universities. For a while now he had just been taking it for granted that they wouldn't be separated from each other ever again. They were fate mates, that meant if you took one you had to take the other, at least in Hinata's mind. But now that he thought about it more, no one knew they were fate mates. Even though it had been announced that there was a new fate mate couple in Japan their names were still off the record. The International Council hadn't made a formal vote yet, it was two weeks away, so things were still up in the air concerning their status. Hinata was much more troubled about the situation now, but he was startled out of his thoughts by a knock on the door.
"Oi, I'm coming in." Kageyama's voice said from the other side of the door before it was opened. Hinata pulled the shower curtain over just enough to pop his head out and see his mate step in the room, closing the door behind him.
"What's up?" Hinata asked, surprised to see Kageyama. Surely the meeting couldn't be over already.
"My watch buzzed." Kageyama said in return. "It's been 30 minutes, and I don't quite fancy going into rut with visitors around."
"Oh…" Hinata said letting go of the shower curtain and moving back into the water. He didn't say anything else expecting Kageyama to leave and return to the guests as soon as possible. But he didn't.
"Would you be upset if I told them I didn't want to play for Tokyo?" Kageyama asked Hinata.
"Why the hell wouldn't you want to?" Hinata sputtered in shock at the abrupt and unexpected question.
Kageyama sighed. "Well to be honest, I don't really want to decide my whole future tonight. And I can't really see either of us getting accepted at Tokyo University, even with a recommendation." Hinata paused, frozen for a moment at the response. He tried to choke down the overwhelming feelings of love and gratitude he felt for his mate at that statement. Here he was standing in the shower panicking on his own about the whole situation when he didn't need to. Kageyama had already thought it all through and included Hinata in the process. Hinata swallowed as he tried to form words.
"Do what you want." Hinata said in return, unable to think of a response. "But don't reject it just because of me." Hinata quickly continued, he didn't want Kageyama to throw away such an amazing chance because of him. "You should keep your options open." Yeah that sounded like what he was supposed to say. He was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to say much else. Kageyama nodded and left to return to the coaches who were quietly chatting to his parents and waiting for his return. They all talked for a bit longer and the coaches finally came to the point, asking if Kageyama would be interested in visiting the university to see if he was interested in playing volleyball there.
"To be honest, not really." Kageyama stated bluntly. The coaches and his parents stared in shock at the response, expecting him to graciously accept the offer of a visit. Deciding it best to be a little more polite Kageyama continued with his answer, after all he didn't want to say no completely, just no right now. "I'm only a first year." He explained. "I'm really happy playing volleyball for Karasuno right now and the National Tournament is coming up. I can't afford to focus on anything else." Kageyama bowed in apology, inwardly smiling that he had been able to give a polite reason for refusing. Maybe Hinata was finally starting to rub off on him a bit. When he stood again the coaches were still at a loss for words but recovered quite quickly.
"You don't have to decide now," the head coach replied. "We don't want to take your focus off nationals and we are more than willing to revisit the matter after Nationals are over." Kageyama nodded in response happy that the coaches seemed to understand his reasoning. But his mother definitely hadn't. She knew exactly what it was that had Kageyama refusing.
"Tobio, can I speak with you for a moment?" Mrs. Kageyama said in a dangerous tone. She got up and made her way towards the master bedroom. "If you'll just excuse us for one moment gentlemen." She said as she exited the room. Kageyama frowned but got up to follow none the less. After all, he had been expecting his mother to say something about the whole situation. When he went into the room his mother closed the door behind him, too mad to check that it properly latched, a small gap in the door letting her voice carry out into the hall and living area.
"What do you think you're doing Tobio? Why would you reject their offer right from the start? This is Tokyo University we're talking about here, THE TODAI!" Mrs. Kageyama hollered. Mr. Kageyama frowned as did the coach from Tokyo University. Mr. Kageyama had been about to apologize and hopefully usher the men out before things got worse but they heard the bathroom door open, and they all turned to see Hinata step out. Hinata's attention was immediately caught by the raised voice of his mate down the hall, everyone in the apartment now listening to the conversation.
"Because, you know no matter how much we study, even if we receive a recommendation that we'll never pass the entrance exam to get in." Kageyama shouted right back at his mother. He knew exactly where this was leading.
"What WE?!" Mrs. Kageyama shouted right back. "This has nothing to do with Shoyou. This is about you and I will not allow you to throw away your chance at the best education in the country and your best opportunity to become a pro volleyball player all because of that useless, idiot boy!" Mrs. Kageyama fumed, hoping she could badger some sense into her idiot son. This had been the exact kind of thing she had been worried about the moment she found out about her son mating.
Pain erupted in both Kageyama and Hinata's chests, the bond between them lit with identical feelings. "He's NOT USELESS" Kageyama hollered right back.
Hinata looked down hanging his head as that one word sunk in… useless. He really hated that word. Why did everyone always say that about him? He was unable to listen to the rest of the conversation, Kageyama's mother still hurling insults. It was finally out in the open. He had known that Kageyama's parents resented him but he had finally started to think that maybe if he proved himself they would eventually come around. But the simple fact that the coach of Tokyo University had come to Kageyama's house and not his spoke loud and clear. Hinata probably wasn't going to make it into college volleyball, let alone go pro. No matter how much he improved or how many people he won over and showed that a short omega could play too, he was never going to make it. And what's worse, he was possibly holding his mate back from achieving their mutual dream because Mrs. Kageyama had made that quite apparent now. According to Kageyama's parents, if it weren't for him, Kageyama might actually have a real shot at going pro.
Hinata couldn't stop the tears as they came out one by one. His hand moved up automatically to wipe at them. But it was no use. The tears kept flowing one by one. Mr. Kageyama stood hastily and made his way over to Hinata, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. Mr. Kageyama knew he had to say something to the boy, Hinata hadn't been meant to hear that. It wasn't that they hated the boy, they were just frustrated with the whole situations and the abrupt changes it had mean for the family and the future.
"Shoyou…" Mr. Kageyama began but Hinata pulled away almost violently.
"Don't." Hinata shouted backing away from Mr. Hinata tears still streaming down his face. Unable to take it anymore he ran to Kageyama's room shutting the door behind him. Stunned Mr. Kageyama stared at the door for a moment before he remembered their guests for the evening and subsequently the cause for this whole mess. He turned to the gentlemen and apologized profusely and asked if they could perhaps reschedule a meeting with them once things had calmed down a bit. The coach nodded even though he didn't understand the entirety of the situation. They bowed and let Mr. Kageyama show them to the door.
Hinata moved around the room in a flurry, packing all of his stuff. He wanted to go home. He didn't want to stay here a moment longer. He didn't want to be away from Kageyama but he couldn't handle being here and facing Mrs. Kageyama after everything he had just heard. After all, she was right wasn't she? Hinata was just a burden to Kageyama and it was apparent what Mrs. Kageyama thought about him as a person and her son's mate. A knock sounded at the door but he ignored it, zipping up his bag as he wiped at the tears still flowing down his face.
Mr. Kageyama came into the room. "Shoyou…" he said again but got no acknowledgement from the boy. Hinata moved to grab his volleyball near the closet. When he turned to return and grab the bag on the bed Mr. Kageyama stood in the way. "Just calm down son." Mr. Kageyama said.
"I'm not your son." Hinata choked back between sobs. Of all things that was very obvious.
"No, but you're Tobio's mate and..."
"A mate that you HATE." Hinata shouted.
"No," Mr. Kageyama returned quickly. "We don't hate you Shoyou. We just…" Hinata didn't listen to anymore. He simply turned and left, dropping the volleyball in his hand and leaving his bag on the bed behind Mr. Kageyama. He didn't need that stuff anyways, he just wanted to go home. Hinata ran out of the apartment and down the stairs towards his bike. He didn't expect to see Kageyama waiting for him there. Hinata stood there shocked, the tears stopping at the sight of his mate standing there with a frown on his face leaning against the wall next to his bike. Without words Kageyama opened his arms motioning for Hinata to come to him. Hinata ran straight into his mates arms, no words needed to understand. Through the bond he could tell that Kageyama had been hurt from this whole thing as well.
I want to go home. Hinata thought to Kageyama. Kageyama brought Hinata out of his arms giving him a kiss.
"Then let's go." Kageyama said with no intention to come back here for a long while. Not until his mother could understand. They rode back to Hinata's house only to be surprised at Hinata's parent waiting for them on the front porch. Mr. Kageyama had called ahead to let them know that the boys were probably on their way and that a fight had happened. He hadn't given Hinata's parents the particulars of the fight but said that he would be speaking to his mate about the whole horrible ordeal and that he hoped the boys could be forgiving.
They ate dinner quietly enough, Kageyama entertaining Natsu to leave Hinata some time to himself to think. Hinata's parents asked about what had happened as they put the dishes away. When Kageyama told them what had happened and what had been said, from his perspective at least, Mrs. Hinata was livid with anger.
How dare that woman, Tobio's mother or not, speak about her son that way. It had taken almost an hour for Mr. Hinata to calm her down enough so she wouldn't go over and start another screaming match for the evening. The boys finished cleaning up the kitchen and dining room in the meantime and helped get Natsu off to bed for the evening. It kept them distracted for a little while at least. Kageyama readied everything for bed, doing everything he could to help Hinata along with the process. When they finally made it to Hinata's room Kageyama shut the door behind them. He turned to Hinata and brought him into a hug. Hinata returned the embrace.
"I'm sorry." Hinata said as he snuggled into Kageyama's embrace.
"Why?" Kageyama asked in return holding Hinata tighter. "I'm not." Kageyama continued. "We're not supposed to be apart. That's what it means to be fate mates. I'm still going to play volleyball, I'm still going to try and go pro. And I'm going to do it with you right by my side. You said we'd take on the world together didn't you?" Kageyama questioned. Hinata nodded in response. "Then that's exactly what we're going to do." Kageyama moved back just enough to tilt Hinata's head upwards to bring him into a passionate kiss. Hinata moaned into the kiss bringing his arms up and around Kageyama's neck automatically opening his mouth to deepen the kiss even further. Kageyama's tongue slipped into Hinata's mouth coaxing his mate into a sensual battle. Their tongues wrapped around each other in a slow almost erotic dance. Hinata gave a breathy moan as Kageyama captured his tongue, gently sucking on it. When they pulled apart for a breath they were both panting hard. Kageyama leaned his forehead against Hinata's.
I want to connect with you. Kageyama thought at his mate as he moved and guided Hinata back towards the bed. Hinata flushed but didn't refuse. Hinata wanted… no he needed to connect as well. Hinata let Kageyama push him down on the bed. They took things slow, grateful they were finally getting over the awkwardness of being intimate without heat or rut driving them into it. Hinata was vocal as always much to Kageyama's delight, and when they were finally connected they both sighed in relief.
They laid together on their side, Kageyama's head propped up on one of his hands, his other moving gently through Hinata's hair. Hinata had his eyes closed a small smile on his face as he relished the feel of Kageyama's hand brushing through his hair. Hinata used their connection to sift through all of what he dubbed as his favorite 'Kageyama memories'. From Hinata's memories came Kageyama's first toss, their first freak quick, and all the soft and gentle looks Kageyama had started giving him before they were mated. From Kageyama's memory, much to Kageyama's horror, Hinata pulled up the memory of the first time Kageyama had uttered his name during rut, so many months before Hinata had realized he felt the same. Hinata sorted through the memories of their first night together as mates and their first connection just like this one. They had both been so happy to learn so much about the other and the truth of how much volleyball had meant to the both of them. He remembered all of their arguments of stupid little things and how Hinata would never miss a chance to challenge Kageyama. Kageyama smiled at how the intent behind those challenges had changed over time. It wasn't for the sole purpose of defeating a rival anymore. It was to prove to each other they were important.
Kageyama simply watched the beautiful expression on Hinata's face, trailing behind Hinata's lead, happy to let his omega be the one to push forward. This was how he liked Hinata best, happy, safe in his arms, and free to push forwards as himself, no restraints and nothing that could stand in his way. Kageyama sighed.
"You're not useless you know." Kageyama said softly his mind going back to the fight with his mother. "And you can do much more than jump." Kageyama continued on. "I know you've been thinking such discouraging thoughts that all you can do is jump, but there's so much more to you than that." Hinata frowned at the abrupt change in Kageyama's thoughts as memories of Kageyama's mother shouting things in anger came up through their connection. But soon Hinata was fighting back tears as Kageyama thought through the memories that accompanied everything he said next.
"You're more passionate than anyone else I know." The memory of their first match together popped into Hinata's mind followed but snippets of Hinata practicing so hard on his own during class breaks and with Sugawara during lunch. "So determined…" then came the image of the last ball Hinata had returned to Kageyama right before that first toss. "So trusting…" an image of that first freak quick. Then the first night they had mated. How Hinata had been so sure that Kageyama would be gentle and care for him even though neither of them had done such things before. "So hopeful…" the memory of Hinata telling Kageyama how amazing he was and how he knew Kageyama would get that new toss perfect, right after their first successful new quick. "So beautiful…" Hinata blushed as Kageyama brought up image after image of Hinata through their connection. Hinata the first time he jumped in their Jr High match, Hinata smiling open and happy with the team when they got accepted into the club, Hinata jumping for joy with Yachi after passing his first quiz, Hinata, that first night they had mated, Hinata the first time they were triggered, Hinata sleeping soundly sprawled across the bed, Hinata sleeping soundly curled up in Kageyama's arms, Hinata's eyes after their first new quick, Hinata climbing into his lap in the gym, right in front of Lev, Kuro, Bokuto, and Akashi. Hinata smiling as he joked around with Nishinoya…
"Sometimes I'm glad that no one else sees the things I do" Kageyama said as he brushed his thumb across Hinata's damp cheek. "Not that I don't want them to see how much potential you have in volleyball," he clarified with a smile, "but if they saw you the way I did they'd want to take you away, make you theirs, and I'm really happy that you're all mine." Hinata smiled nuzzling into Kageyama's hand. "Someday, the world is going to see just how wonderful you are as a person, not just a volleyball player. And this…" Kageyama's fingers moved to brush against the fate mark on Hinata's neck, "this will show them all that you belong only to me, that you're meant to be right by my side."
I love you Kageyama thought at Hinata.
Hinata buried his face into Kageyama's chest. "I love you too." Hinata replied. They stayed that way till they fell asleep, so wrapped up in each other they didn't notice the creak of the door or the light footsteps fading away. Mrs. Hinata headed back to the room she shared with her mate. She had meant to scold them for being so loud this late at night and that Natsu could have woken up to such loud activity, but she couldn't bring herself to fully enter the room. She had missed some of the conversation but had heard enough to understand. She sighed as she climbed back into bed, Mr. Hinata still sound asleep. It's true, neither of them much cared for Tobio. In one fell swoop it felt like their only son had been taken away. He was only 15 and had his whole life ahead of him. Having a mate was only going to hinder his future. But as she thought about it again, Mr. and Mrs. Kageyama probably felt this much stronger. After all, their son was their only child.
Mrs. Hinata sighed. She knew she should be happy for her son. He had found his one and only mate. But she felt protective. She didn't like seeing her son upset or hurt, which had happened more often since the boys had mated. Mrs. Hinata curled her hands into the blankets. She was at war with herself. She didn't want to hurt her son's feelings or reject her son's life partner but she wasn't ready to give her son up to a family that clearly didn't appreciate Shoyou. Well outside Tobio that is. Tobio obviously adored her son. But what she had heard about the fight earlier made her want to reject the connection with everything in her.
She gazed at the sleeping form of her mate next to her and tried to think about the whole situation from the boy's perspective. The idea of her parents rejecting her mate after their bond had been established was hard to think about even though they had been bonded for more than 120 years. If she were to deal with that situation it would be hard but, unlike Tobio and Shoyou she was well into her adult years, she knew that patience would be the only way to deal with it. Tobio was like her son, young, with very little experience. They had been mates for months now so they were both probably at a loss as to how to change the situation, patience not being something they could handle just yet.
Perhaps they really should try and accept Tobio into their family as much as possible. It wasn't' like the situation was going to change. To be honest she still didn't know much about the boy besides the fact that he liked volleyball as much as Shoyou did and it seemed that they argued quite a bit. She sighed again as she glanced at the clock. It was late and she needed her sleep. She would think about how to handle the whole situation better tomorrow.