Author's Note: I don't own these character as much as I would like to!
For whatever reason, this went really fast. Hope you all like this chapter. This is more Kageyama centric than the previous chapters. Also thank you all for your reviews. They really keep me going! And I'll say it now, I am open to questions, suggestions, and criticisms (put nicely). So if you have idea's you are more than welcome to share them!
Oh and by the way, didn't check spelling or grammar on this one, sorry. Just wanted to post it as fast as I could.
Over the next week Kageyama had tried to call his parents but every time he ended up tossing his phone aside. He was still mad at his mom but also a bit mad at his dad as well. His dad hadn't even attempted to call him over the course of the last week. Neither had his mom, but he hadn't really expected her to either. He knew it would be a while before they could talk civilly to each other. So, he chickened out and put the permission slip he needed signed for the training camp into a small envelope and taped it to the outside door of his parent's apartment. If they signed it then good, if they didn't then he'd find some way to talk Takeda-sensei into letting Hinata's parents sign it anyways.
But he didn't need to worry. Two days later Takeda-sensei told him to tell his dad thank you for dropping off the permission form. Kageyama had nodded and said he would the next time he talked to his dad. Problem was, he didn't know exactly when that would be. He had thought his dad would have at least called him to check up. But after a second week of not seeing or speaking to his parents, he began to understand that his parents were waiting for him, he had to be the one to reach out. They were probably letting him cool his head and figure it all out before they tried to talk. Problem was Kageyama wasn't having any luck figuring it all out.
So he decided to ask for help. He hated doing that, but he couldn't work his feelings out on his own, and if he had learned one thing from Hinata since they met, you didn't have to do everything on your own. But he couldn't exactly talk to Hinata about the whole mess either. With that in mind, as soon as Hinata got in the shower late one evening, Kageyama shuffled out to the living room where Mr. and Mrs. Hinata were sitting on the couch conversing. It felt weird to ask them for help but he didn't have many options and they had told him he was part of the family now. That meant he could come to them if he needed help like Hinata did, right? "Can I talk to you?" Kageyama asked awkwardly, his hands balled at his sides in apprehension. This was extremely awkward.
Both of them looked surprised and a little unsure. To them Kageyama's tone didn't seem like this was a light or easy question. They glanced at each other before Mr. Hinata answered him. "Of course Tobio, you can always talk to us." Mr. Hinata tried to assure him as he set the papers on his lap aside and gave Kageyama his full attention.
Kageyama let out a breath he hadn't even known he was holding. Alright, one obstacle down, and about a hundred more to go. Kageyama shifted from one leg the other a bit uncertain. How he was supposed to do this? They weren't really his parents, they were Hinata's, but he couldn't exactly ask his own parents for advice because his parents were the problem, specifically his own mom. "Um… I uh…" Kageyama started but he was having trouble getting the words out. Why did communication have to be so damn hard? Kageyama took a deep breath in and then a deep breath out. "I don't know what to do." He finally got out. It wasn't an easy thing to admit but he really didn't know what to do.
"About what, sweetheart?" Mrs. Hinata asked trying to hide the conflicting feelings inside her. She was happy that Tobio had started feeling a bit more comfortable around them and felt more like a part of the family. Even so she understood that Tobio didn't open up easily so she was worried. If he was to the point of asking for help then it meant he was really struggling and that this was a serious problem to him.
Kageyama looked down at the ground to solidify his resolve to ask for help. He took another breath and then looked back up. "My mom." He said firmly, but didn't continue. Mr. and Mrs. Hinata stayed silent as they waited for Tobio. It had been almost two weeks since Tobio had been home and as far as they knew he hadn't really talked to his mother yet. They were worried. The International Council was supposed to make their vote at the end of the week on making it globally illegal to announce the identities of under aged fate mates. If things didn't go well it was going to be an extremely hard time for both of the boys and it would be easier for Tobio if he and his mother were at least talking.
After a moment Kageyama started talking again. "I'm still mad at her." He said in explanation. "But I don't want to be. I mean, she's my mom. I've been annoyed with her before but…" Kageyama looked down again. "I've never been this mad at her. I've never been this mad at anyone before." Well with the exception of Sumita. "I don't…" He hesitated. "I don't want to hate my mom."
Kageyama had tried to get beyond it, but every time he remembered the fight he felt hurt that his mother could care less for his mate or how he felt. And then he would remember how broken and devastated Hinata felt when his mother had called him useless and he would get unbearably angry. Had it been anyone other than his mom he would have beat the crap out of them. Hinata was his, and anyone that wounded his mate so deep should experience that anguish a thousand times over.
So, what was he supposed to do?
Mrs. Hinata looked at Kageyama with sympathy. She understood what he was trying to say. It was a great sadness to her that Kageyama was put into such a tough situation but there was only one way for him to get through this situation, and that was to try talking to his mother and understanding where she was coming from.
"I'll be honest with you Tobio. I don't particularly like your mother." Mrs. Hinata said.
"Honey…" Mr. Hinata cautioned. They didn't need to listen to her go off again. Kageyama frowned. He was aware that Mrs. Hinata was still very upset at his mother for calling her son useless. He was too, so her statement about not liking his mother didn't bother him too much.
"But," Mrs. Hinata said immediately continuing. "She wasn't completely in the wrong. How she went about everything, her reaction, her words, and not weighing how much each of those would affect you directly, or affect you indirectly through Shouyo, was wrong. Your anger at your mother because she hurt your mate is normal and to be expected." That made Kageyama feel a bit better. It was okay to be angry. "But." Mrs. Hinata continued, "She didn't do it with the intention to hurt you or Hinata. She's your mother, she loves you just as much as I love Shouyo and I don't think she could do anything with the intention of hurting you. She only wants what she thinks is best for you and as your mother that isn't wrong."
So it was out of love? Kageyama frowned. It hadn't felt like that. It had felt like his mother had shoved her bare hand in his chest and ripped his heart to shreds. "Then why would she…" Kageyama started to ask but Mrs. Hinata had already anticipated his question.
"Because she hasn't adjusted to the fact that she has to share you with Shouyo now and that Shouyo is a permanent part of your future and your happiness." Mrs. Hinata answered.
Kageyama sighed as he tried to put his feelings aside and look at things from the perspective Mrs. Hinata was giving him. When he couldn't really understand it he tried substituting a similar situation he would have to deal with. He thought about how he would feel if Hinata gave up on his dreams to become a pro player with him and he imagined how he would react and what he would say. He would most definitely say something stupid in anger only to regret it later. But mostly he wouldn't understand why Hinata had chosen to give up. Was that it? Did he just need to get his mother to understand why he had put off the coaches and why it had hurt so much when she said the things she did? "So I just need to get her to understand how I feel?" Kageyama asked with uncertainty, needing to clarify that he was on the right track at the very least.
"And understand why she feels the way she does." Mr. Hinata added. "You need to meet in the middle. It won't be easy and you need to have patience. You need to give your parents time to adapt and your parents need to make a conscious effort. It isn't going to be easy on any of you so expect a lot of frustration."
Kageyama nodded in understanding. He could try to do that. "Thanks." Kageyama bowed before he left and headed towards the bathroom. Maybe he could join his mate in the shower and spend some time with him before they talked about all this.
Kageyama took his time walking towards the bus stop letting his mind catch up to his emotions. So much had changed so quickly. All those months ago he had been content with his life. He hadn't been ready for so many things to change.
When he first saw Hinata in high school his first thoughts were that the runt hadn't gotten any stronger. He was a waste of potential and passion. When Hinata had declared that he wanted to become the ace Kageyama had felt nothing but disdain for the boy. But he had been so wrong then. Kageyama had no idea everything Hinata had fought through in Jr high. When he thought about that and remembered asking Hinata what he had been doing for three years he felt his chest grow tight. Those had been cruel words to Hinata, even if he hadn't known that at the time. Somewhere along the way he had come to respect Hinata, as a player and as a person. He'd never met anyone who loved volleyball as much as he did and was openly passionate about it. It was because of that passion that he and Hinata had somehow become friends. Kageyama chuckled to himself. Kageyama didn't make friends. Most people either hated him or were scared of him. But not Hinata. For Hinata it had been neither, just pure rivalry that turned into companionship on the court as teammates and then eventually friendship. Kageyama sighed as he came up to the bus stop to wait, his mind still preoccupied with his thoughts.
He had never imagined being mated to Hinata, though he couldn't say he hadn't imagined them in bed together. More often than not Kageyama's mind would wonder towards Hinata during rut, only for him to blush and be mortified afterwards. No mating had not been on his mind.
So after it happened everything changed overnight. It was confusing to say the least but even now he couldn't bring himself to be upset about it. He had connected with Hinata, seen everything about the new omega and shared everything inside himself with Hinata. Truth be told it had been liberating. Finally there was someone he could share everything with and he didn't have to do it verbally, a skill he very sorely lacked if it didn't involve volleyball or yelling. But it had also been really hard. He hadn't been sure what their relationship was after that, and he didn't have much time to process it after the fact either. That first day back to class and dealing with the team and Sumita… he had to help Hinata. It wasn't until he and Hinata had made up after their big fight that Kageyama really understood. Hinata was his omega, half of him, but more importantly Hinata was the half that contained his heart. What Kageyama couldn't deal with or sympathize with Hinata did and it made him love Hinata all the more. When he finally understood that and Hinata had accepted him as his mate by choice, his alpha had stood up and laid claim to Hinata and everything finally he settled in. They had found their balance that day in the bathroom at the training camp. Right at the moment Hinata had thanked him just for being who he was.
Kageyama blinked in surprise as the bus stopped in front of him and he came out of his thoughts. He got up and boarded the almost empty bus. He made his way to the back of the bus sitting in one of the corners. He gazed out the window watching the scenery go by as he sunk back into his thoughts. Kageyama really had been happy that day and the months that followed. They practiced hard together, won their matches together with the team, and explored the new and very exciting physical aspect of their relationship. Kageyama blushed at the memory of their first time together without heat or rut driving them on. He remembered the smile he had worn all the next day even though it creeped Hinata and everyone on the team out. He had thought his mother would see the change in him and see just how happy Hinata made him, but she hadn't. He only wished now that his mother would look closer. He wanted her to see how important Hinata had become to him. And he would do everything he could to make her understand.
All too soon though, Kageyama stood in front of his parent's apartment alone, debating. Should he knock or just walk in? This was his home, where he grew up, so he shouldn't need to knock. But somewhere along the way this didn't feel like home to him anymore, so he knocked. His dad was the one to answer the door after a moment with a look of puzzlement that turned to sadness on his face.
"You don't have to knock," Mr. Kageyama said moving aside to let Kageyama inside. Kageyama didn't say anything as he slipped his shoes off and made his way to the dinner table. His dad made no move to stop him or greet him in any other way and he was grateful for that. This was going to be emotional enough, they didn't need to start it off that way. His mother was a different story. She stood up and hugged him as soon as he came in the room. Kageyama didn't return the hug but he didn't push her away either. He wasn't sure which he wanted to do more so he decided to do nothing. When her son didn't embrace her back she dropped her arms and moved back, sadness etched on her face. They all sat down at the table in silence. No one was sure where to start.
"Where's Shouyo?" his mom asked uncertainly.
"At home." Kageyama replied. He decided not to pull any of his punches. He would let his mother see exactly what her words had done. "He doesn't feel comfortable coming here anymore." He watched his mom look down at the table.
"I know," she said, "and I'm really sorry." Kageyama frowned.
"Are you really?" He asked in skepticism. She might be sorry that she drove her own son out of the house but he fully doubted that she felt any guilt or shame towards his mate. Unable to control his anger he finally let his feelings loose. "Do you have any idea how much you hurt him? How much you hurt me?" Kageyama's voice rose in volume as he continued. He wanted his mom to understand the fullness of her actions so he laid everything out as bluntly as he could. "If you weren't my mom I would have hit you for what you said."
"He wasn't supposed... I didn't mean to…" Mrs. Kageyama began, wanting her son to understand why she had said what she did but Tobio didn't let her finish.
"I know you didn't mean to, but that's not the point. The fact is, you did. You know, our relationship isn't like the one you and dad have. I don't just understand Hinata's feelings and know what he's feeling through our bond. I share those feelings with him, like they're my own." Surprise lit on both his parent's faces but he didn't stop. He wanted his parents to understand, specifically his mother. So he told them something they had only told Dr. Ryugazaki. "And it doesn't matter that he overheard what you said. He would have seen it later and been hurt just the same."
"How…" his dad started to ask.
"We don't just share our feelings, we share our memories as well. Every time we are triggered and every time we mate, our minds connect to each other. So even if he hadn't overheard it at that moment he would have seen it in my memories and still been hurt deeply." Kageyama continued. "I don't think you could have chosen a worse insult than to call him useless. He was already struggling with his inadequacies before we mated. And after we mated it became twice as hard for him to deal with, especially being a new male omega. We went from being rivals to being mates in one night. It was confusing for both of us but even more so for him. Now he can't blame me for being better than him in volleyball like he had before. Now he blames himself for his lack of skill and he's terrified that he'll be left behind, not just in volleyball but as my mate. So I tried to show him. I spent that entire night after we left showing him exactly how I felt about him and how I saw him. I know it meant a lot to him to know that I valued everything about him but he still doesn't believe he has a single redeeming quality, as a player or as a person, besides jumping. And the thought that he might prevent me from going pro or going to a good college simply because he's my mate was devastating to him. He was already doubting himself, and to have you shove the word useless right into his face almost had him wishing he'd never existed. He'd rather die than face the prospect of holding me back from reaching our dreams."
Kageyama was fighting back tears of pain and anger as he spoke. He'd bottled all this up inside for two weeks. He had tried to reason with himself that he was just over reacting because of Hinata's feelings but if he were honest he knew that wasn't it. He had been hurt just as deep by his mother's words. But he had continued to bottle everything up, not ready to face the fact that he practically hated his mother. He didn't want to hate his mother. But now that it was all coming out he didn't want to stop it.
"So what if he isn't as good as I am yet? Who's to say he won't get a recommendation as well? You don't even know what his volleyball skills are like anyways. It's not like you've seen him play or come to any of our matches." And that was the truth. His parents had never seen Hinata play. Hell, they hadn't seen him play since elementary school. They'd always been too busy to come to matches. Another thing he'd been bottling up. "You haven't been to a game in forever. It's like you don't even care about watching..." He stopped abruptly.
Kageyama took a breath, calming himself down as much as he could after finally stopping himself from going on. His parents not coming to games was another issue for another time and he promised himself that he would come back to it again, perhaps after things settled down. This was about the fight the other night and they needed to resolve that before they went on to anything else. "I know that you love me, and I know that you want what's best for me. But Hinata is a part of me now and I can't be happy without him. None of you understand that, not even Hinata understands it fully." Kageyama sighed again. "It feels like you don't care how I feel or what I want. I know I'm only 15 years old. But I have my own thoughts and feelings, my own wants and my own dreams. I am going to do everything I can to realize those dreams. Hinata is a part of those dreams now. But… you're my parents and I don't want to choose between you Hinata."
Mrs. Kageyama looked down at the table again and wiped at her own tears. "I really didn't mean to hurt you both so much. I just… I love you and I…"
"I know mom, and I love you too. I'm not asking you to love Hinata like you love me, but I need you to accept the fact that he is a part of my future and my happiness now. And that's never going to change."
"I know Tobio, I know that he is important to you. I know that Shouyo isn't useless. I shouldn't have said it. And you're right, I've never seen him play to know what his skills are like…" Mrs. Kageyama bit her lip in apprehension as tears spilled from her eyes. "I was upset and I said things in my anger that I shouldn't have and I'm truly sorry," she said, eyes pleading for her son to understand. "I didn't mean to hurt either of you. Can you ever forgive me?" she asked.
Kageyama couldn't speak. He'd never seen his mom cry before. He opened his mouth to answer her question but nothing came out. Instead he nodded. Of course he would forgiver her. She was his mother and he loved her. Mrs. Kageyama stood and rushed to hug her son. This time he returned her embrace. How could she doubt his forgiveness? When she pulled back he spoke again. "I'm not the only one you need to ask."
"I know." Mrs. Kageyama said as she backed away and wiped her hand at her tears. "And I'm ready to ask him whenever he wants to talk."
Kageyama nodded. He hoped Hinata would be ready to talk soon. This whole situation was hard for him. He didn't want his parents and mate to hate each other. That would be torture for him. He rarely got close with others but once he did they became an irreplaceable part of his life. With the three closest people to him fighting and/or hating each other, he was in the middle of it, unsure of how he was supposed to feel and whose side he was supposed to support. He knew if he asked Hinata to try they'd be back over here the next day, Hinata wanting to do everything he could to show Kageyama that he was worth something. But Kageyama didn't want that. He wanted Hinata to come to terms with this on his own. He didn't want a patch job. He wanted this to be fixed for real. So he would do his best to wait.
"I'll bring him over, but only when he's ready." Kageyama answered his mother's previous statement.
"You're both welcome over here any time you want." Mr. Kageyama said. "And there's no pressure. Make sure he knows that."
Kageyama nodded and stood. He wanted to get back to Hinata and let him know how things had gone. "Do you want a ride back?" his mom asked as he headed towards the door. Kageyama thought about accepting but he really just needed some time to himself.
"No, I'm okay. I can walk." Kageyama answered. He knew his mother was about to argue that she could drop him off but he saw his father shake his head at her. At least his father understood. He needed time to think and get things in order before he got back to Hinata. He bid his parents goodbye and headed out the door. He let out a deep breath. He wasn't sure if that had gone better or worse than he expected. He sure hadn't expected his mother to cry.
Kageyama headed back towards Hinata's house where he met with something else he definitely didn't expect. Hinata was waiting for him at the bus stop near the house. That dumbass. What were they going to do if they got triggered out here? Kageyama sighed. It more than a kilometer to Hinata's house, there was no way he'd make it that far, especially with how much he'd been wanted to jump Hinata lately even without the trigger. But he was also very grateful that Hinata was there. It had been a very hard day for him, very emotional, and he couldn't think of anything more comforting than being with his mate at a time like this. Any annoyance there was dissipated as he stepped off the bus and walked up to Hinata.
Hinata kept his head down as the bus pulled up hoping Kageyama was on this one. He'd been out here for almost 2 hours waiting. He hadn't been able to wait at home too anxious to know how things were going. He'd felt Kageyama's stress and uneasiness the entire time he'd been gone. Maybe he should have gone with him. The bus moved on and he let out another sigh of disappointment before he saw Kageyama's shoes come into his view and stop right in front of him. Hinata opened their bond as wide as he could, searching through their emotions to gage Kageyama's mood. He felt a bit of arousal, but mostly he felt a sense of relief, from both of them.
"I was only gone for a few hours, did you really miss me that much?" Kageyama smirked as he teased Hinata."
"No." Hinata scoffed automatically, never mind that it might actually be part of the truth. "Just wanted to make sure you didn't get lost."
Kageyama smiled. Him, lost… yeah right. "Come on, let's go home." He said walking back towards the house. Hinata smiled and followed after his mate. Seems things were finally on the mend.