Tetsurou is pissed off. For the first time in his now four years of High School he actually cares what his juvenile peers are saying about him. He's not particularly sure why he cares, or, more specifically, why now. They've been talking about his fictional sexcapades for years but it's gone too far and for some reason, no matter how many times Tetsurou reminds himself it won't make any difference, he wants to confront the situation. Confront the perpetrator.

Strolling up to a table of chatting girls confidently, Tetsurou smiles politely.

"Hey girls, mind if I borrow Ana for a sec?"

A teasing 'ooo' rises loudly around the table as Ana stands from her seat, winking at her friends before sauntering away. Tetsurou gives a tight, annoyed smile at the girl who says 'going for a quickie' and follows after Ana. Her long, brown hair sways as she walks with exaggerated hip movements. He used to find her ridiculously long, silky hair attractive, but now it just seems obnoxious; it's too much, she's trying too hard. Seriously who needs that much hair?

Ana stops, away from the cafeteria tables and students, leaning against a wall in a way she probably thinks is sexy, her hip popped and her chest pushed out. Tetsurou contains his intense need to grimace – shit, I've been spending too much time with Kei – and focuses on the issue at hand.

"What's up, Tetsu?" Ana asks, his nickname in her voice making his stomach churn unpleasantly.

"So I can't help but notice how many lies are being told about me right now. Kinda difficult to miss really," Tetsurou says, keeping his expression relaxed and the conversation amicable. He may be annoyed but he's not angry; it takes a lot to push him over the edge. "The funny thing is, I don't remember us ever having sex."

She laughs airily. "It's not like it matters Tetsu, the whole school knows how much of a player you are and how many girls you've messed around with other the years."

As Ana reaches out to touch his arm playfully, Tetsurou flinches away from it and her smile drops. His jaw clenches as frustration swells in his chest, tight and uncomfortable. He wants to growl that it's not true, he wants to stand on a table and tell them all he's a freaking virgin, but he knows all too well that they won't listen.

"Just please stop spreading rumours about me?" Tetsurou implores.

"Why?" she asks, raising a perfectly tweezed eyebrow. "Gotta girl to impress?"

Tetsurou frowns. "What? No... I'm just not particularly fond of the person I thought I could trust continuously lying to everyone about me, even when I continuously tell her to stop."

"Look, Tetsu, if you want access to my mouth you have to deal with the consequences."

With that Ana turns on her heel and walks away, as if she's in the right, as if she's not being a complete asshole in spreading rumours about him, as if he was asking for it. The most frustrating thing is this isn't the first time this has happened, and like an idiot Tetsurou went and did it anyway. If he could go back in time he'd punch his past self in the face.

Heaving a disheartened sigh, Tetsurou turns away and continues on like he always does. Ignoring it until it fades away. At least that's what he's been trying to do. But this time it's different, this time every whisper about his fictitious sex life makes him cringe and want to shake the truth into whoever spoke the lie.

Koutarou and Keiji look up at him as he slumps down into his chair across from them with his tray of lunch. They're sitting close to each other, leaning in, Koutarou's hand on Keiji's knee. Apart from the occasional comment – that doesn't affect them anymore – they're free to be as close and couple-y as they like. It's wonderful to see them so openly relaxed and happy in their relationship.

"What'd she say?" Koutarou asks, hopeful.

Tetsurou shakes his head, tearing off a piece of his sandwich and not meeting their gazes. "That she won't stop, I guess. And I quote: 'if you want access to my mouth you have to deal with the consequences.'"

He sees Keiji grimace at the edge of his vision. "I can't believe you wanted access to begin with. Tetsurou, I told you that—"

"Yeah, I know, you told me. I didn't listen. I fucked up. I get it," Tetsurou snaps, then rubs a hand over his face and sighs. "Sorry Keiji, I'm just… Tired."

"I know, I understand."

It's been two weeks. The rumours started small, murmurs about Tetsurou and Ana's 'relationship' in the first week and then changing into talk about physical activities. 'How far do you think they went?' and 'I bet he's all over her, I mean, look at her.' Tetsurou could live with that, the suspicions and assumptions. But then, after last night, when they did nothing more than make out in Tetsurou's car, Ana decided to make false confirmations.

It's only been half a day of discussions about how she moaned when he 'wrecked her' and already Tetsurou is so fucking done. He's not like that. He doesn't want his teammates to think of him like that and, most importantly, he doesn't want his friends to think of him like that. Not that Koutarou, Keiji or Kenma would believe it for even a second. But what about Kei? Does Kei believe the lies? Does Kei see him as some kind of man whore?

"But bro, I mean, this isn't the first time this type of thing has happened," Koutarou says while munching on his apple. Keiji elbows him and reminds him not to talk with his mouth full, so he swallows immediately, almost choking. "There was that thing with Natalie last year, I mean sure that wasn't sex talk, just BJ talk, but what difference does it make? We all know it's not true. Your friends know it's not true."

Tetsurou meets Koutarou's bright-eyed gaze. "What if they don't know it's not true? Kei hasn't known me for that long, what if he believes the rumours and sees me differently? What if he treats me differently?"

"Kei?" Koutarou questions, his face scrunched in confusion.

"Tetsurou, I think Kei will understand this better than you know," Keiji reassures, his voice low and compelling. "And even if he's so much as questioning the rumours, which I highly doubt, he'll listen to you. He'll believe you."

He nods, knowing Keiji's – always – right. "Yeah, I guess."

"If you're concerned about it just talk to him."

Kei confides in Tetsurou, has opened up to him more than he ever thought possible. Kei has shown vulnerability Tetsurou doubts anyone else has seen and trusts him. So why shouldn't it go both ways? He's never thought of Kei as anything other than a trustworthy person. Kei's his friend, one of his closest friends.

"Also, for those of us in the know," Koutarou says, puffing out his chest and wiggling his eyebrows. "Everything about you screams 'virgin.'"

Tetsurou rolls his eyes. "Bro, you've only had sex three times, don't act like you're some kind of sexpert now."

Koutarou's eyes go wide. "Sexpert Koutarou, I love that!"

"Don't give him ideas," Keiji complains quietly.

Chuckling with amusement, Tetsurou listens to Koutarou ramble on about his sexpertise and 'how to spot a virgin', while Keiji scolds him for speaking too loudly. Bless Koutarou's natural ability to put a smile back on Tetsurou's face, to help him forget the bullshit that's swirling around him and laugh instead of feeling trapped and on display.

Ignoring the congratulatory slaps on the back, Tetsurou gets through the rest of his school day with much eye-rolling and Koutarou's distractions, which are greatly appreciated. His last class, however, is without Koutarou, so Tetsurou escapes quickly to avoid his classmate's questions after they're set free by the final bell.

Thank fuck tomorrow is the last day before break.

He dashes to his locker as subtly as possible, shoves his books into his book bag and grabs his sports duffle. A few guys cheer and call out to him on his way over to the gym but Tetsurou ducks his head and pretends he can't hear them. He feels childish for letting it get to him like this, but he can't help it, the whole situation irks him.

As he approaches the locker room he sees someone standing by the door. Tall, lean and blond, Tetsurou would recognise that figure anywhere.

Kei's leaning back against the wall languidly, headphones over his ears and head tilted back with his eyes closed. The pose reminds Tetsurou of how Ana was leaning against the wall at lunch, but Kei is the polar opposite, effortlessly attractive and completely relaxed in his total indifference in how people perceive him. The long line of his pale neck, the poise with which he holds himself, the waves of his perfect golden hair falling around his brow; Kei looks like he belongs on the cover of GQ magazine.

Realising he's simply standing there staring, Tetsurou is about to announce his presence and reach out to nudge Kei, when golden eyes open and focus intently on him. Hurt lines Kei's expression, but it's gone so quickly Tetsurou's certain he imagined it.

"You're not usually this early," Kei comments dryly, pushing his headphones down around his neck and straightening.

"And you are?" Tetsurou asks, raising an eyebrow. Kei shrugs.

"I don't like people."

Tetsurou gasps dramatically, clutching his chest. "Does that mean you don't like me?"

He rolls his eyes, a smile pulling the corner of his mouth. "You're not 'people', Tetsu."

Grinning broadly, Tetsurou pats him on the shoulder playfully as thanks before turning to unlock the door to the locker room. Kei seems fine, he's acting like his usual self and treating Tetsurou no differently. Keiji must be right after all, Kei is far too intelligent to believe the rumours idiotic teenagers spread.

Once inside, they move to their separate lockers to get changed. Kei is quiet, but there is nothing unusual about that. Tetsurou sorts through his things slowly, feeling oddly awkward and unsure of how to breach the topic. He wants to talk about it, make sure Kei understands, make sure that everything is good between them and that there are no misunderstandings. They've spoken about deeper and more confronting things than a couple of rumours at school, so why does Tetsurou feel so uneasy?

"Hey, Tsukki?" he starts, turning to where Kei is sitting on the bench between the rows of lockers and fiddling with the laces of his green and white Adidas basketball shoes. Kei looks up at him in question. "You've, um… I assume you've heard all the shit they're saying about me?"

Kei nods slowly. "Not exactly hard to miss."

"Right," Tetsurou says, snorting a wry laugh. "Well, I know you're not naïve enough to believe the rumours, but, just in case, they're not true. I've never—um," he swallows, throat feeling dry. Why is this so difficult? "I've never had sex with anyone and I certainly wouldn't with someone I don't l-love."

Did I just fucking stutter?

"I just don't want you to see me that way, the way they talk about me, because that's not who I am," Tetsurou continues. "I've only been on a couple of dates – I guess you could call them – with Ana. We've only ever made out, and that one time she blew me over the summer, but that's it."

Gold eyes narrow on Tetsurou in the silence that follows his odd rambling. Kei's lips purse firmly together as he regards Tetsurou, but he merely turns his gaze back to his shoe laces.

"I know who you are, Tetsu," Kei says, his voice low and almost inaudible. "You don't ever have to worry about the way I see you. I know you're a good person. A good person who makes stupid decisions."

Tetsurou's grinning, broad and bright with relief, until the last line.

"I already got a lecture from Keiji, I don't need one from you too," he grumbles, not lacking humour.

"As long as you learned your lesson."

"Yeah, yeah, you reap what you sow or some shit."

Kei laughs and Tetsurou can't help but smile at the rare sound of it, even if it is at his expense. He likes making Kei, who's usually so stoic and controlled, laugh genuinely, it feels like a real accomplishment. Tetsurou watches as Kei stands up and moves to his locker, his fingers working to unbutton his shirt, his every movement measured and precise.

"Thank you for listening, Tsukki," Tetsurou says, sincerely grateful.

"You're welcome," Kei says, glancing at him, only for a moment, before turning away. "That's what friends are for."

Tapping his foot and waiting impatiently, Kei glances at the time on his phone screen for the umpteenth time. He can hear Akiteru grumbling about how early it is and the shuffle of sleep addled movement as he gets dressed. Kei agrees, it is early, but his nervous excitement had him jittery and restless half the night so he's very much awake, even if he's exhausted.

"I told you so many times that you didn't have to drive me into school. That Tetsu offered to pick me up," Kei says as Akiteru wobbles out of his room and towards the front door.

"I know, I know," Akiteru grumbles, with uncharacteristic grumpiness. "But as your guardian it is my duty to see you off when you're going away for a whole week."

Kei rolls his eyes and follows his brother out the front door. They shove Kei's large bag in the backseat of the car and Akiteru slaps his face before starting the engine.

"It's just so damn early," he continues to complain. "The suns not even up yet! I mean, who thought leaving this early was a good idea?"

"We have to leave early so that we have the rest of the day to train."

Staring out the window at the dark, lamp lit street, Kei worries away at his lip as he half listens to his brother complain. Kei will be spending and entire week away from the safety of his own space and with his often noisy and annoying teammates. And with Tetsurou. He has no doubt that the couples will be doing their couple-y things, which means he will have less time with Keiji, Tadashi and Kenma, and he will be left to spend time with Tetsurou. Constantly.

Not that he doesn't like spending time with Tetsurou. No, quite the opposite, Kei relishes the time he spends with Tetsurou. He would spend all of his time with Tetsurou if he could. But spending long periods of time of time with him is becoming more and more difficult. As much as Kei represses his feelings they always bubble to the surface and he finds himself wanting to lean into the heat of Tetsurou's body, or push the hair out of his eyes, or kiss that stupid grin off his stupid face.

Kei's worried. What if he does something stupid? What if Tetsurou discovers how he feels? What if he ruins their friendship with his idiotic one-sided feelings?

"So what are the sleeping arrangements going to be like, Kei?" Akiteru asks, the hint of mischief in his voice drawing Kei's attention.

"Ah, I think we're all camping out in the one room, or maybe two. Hence the sleeping bag."

Akiteru smirks at him. "Oh? So more opportunities for snuggling with Tetsu then."

"I can't believe you saw that…" he grumbles under his breath, huffing. "And didn't I tell you not to bring it up. I don't want to remember it or talk about it."

"Oh come on, Kei. There is no way Tetsu was cuddling you like that in his sleep accidentally, that's just not something people do."

"I was doing it accidentally in my sleep."

"Yeah, because you're in love with him," Akiteru says, chuckling. "Therefore, if you were doing it subconsciously because you have feelings for him then so was he."

"I'm not in love with him," Kei grinds out between his teeth. "And this conversation is over."

"Just think about talking to him about it. You might be surprised," Akiteru says, thankfully not continuing the conversation even when Kei doesn't respond.

Folding his arms over his chest stubbornly, Kei is relieved to see the Nekodani school gate as they drive around to the gym entrance. The parking lot is filled with cars and a large bus preparing to leave. His teammates are spread around in their red and gold Nekodani sweats, talking to each other even though most look dead on their feet.

As Kei gets out of the car Tetsurou ambles over, looking ready to go straight back to sleep.

"You're finally here, was about to call," Tetsurou says, smiling sleeping and pushing his phone back into his pocket.

"Yeah, sorry I'm late."

"Nah it's cool, you just missed Keish's traveling debrief. How long it'll take, when we'll be taking rest stop breaks, no dry humping or making out on the bus etcetera."

Kei averts his gaze at Tetsurou's blunt words, grateful for the excuse of getting his bag out of the car. "Yeah, well, someone wouldn't get out of bed because it was 'too early.'"

"I did offer to pick him up, Aki," Tetsurou says, turning to Akiteru, whose eyes are narrowed on them.

"Would you two—just—" Akiteru mutters irritably, pushing his hands together in a gesture that Kei knows means 'get together', because Kei had said the exact same thing. Luckily Tetsurou is frowning in confusion.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing, he's just grumpy in the mornings. Let's go," Kei says, hurrying away before his sleep silly brother says something even more stupid and suspicious.

"Hey, where do you think you're going? I didn't drive you here to simply dump you out of the car," Akiteru calls after them. "Come here."

Tetsurou takes Kei's bag without a word and grins as Kei trudges back to his brother. Akiteru pulls him into a tight hug, which is incredibly embarrassing. Nonetheless, Kei returns it.

"Just think about it, Kei. He might reciprocate," Akiteru says quietly, patting him on the back. Might, Kei thinks, but he won't say it. And what if he doesn't? "If you have any personal problems I suggest Keiji; I trust that kid with your life. Or Koushi, he's a damn angel."

Kei sighs as he pulls away. "I'm not going to away to war, I'll be back in a week."

"Just look after yourself, okay? I love you, Kei."

"Love you too."

Turning to walk away he finds Tetsurou watching them with a lazy, fond smile curving his mouth.

"S'okay Aki, I'll make sure he stays outta trouble," Tetsurou reassures, his speech lazily slurred.

"Thanks Tetsu."

Refusing to give Kei his bag back – carrying it for him and ignoring his grumbles of complaint – Tetsurou swings his free arm around Kei's shoulders and walks them over to the bus where everyone is starting to file on. Tetsurou dumps his bag into the storage compartment under the bus and the team greets Kei with varied levels of tiredness.

Kei climbs onto the bus, watching as all the couples take seats next to each other. Tadashi, sitting next to a half-asleep Hitoka, gives Kei an apologetic smile as he walks past but Kei merely shrugs. They used to sit next to each other for school trips but Kei understands his best friend's desire to sit next to his girlfriend and won't begrudge him for it.

Tetsurou catches Kei's wrist and pulls him down into the seat beside him, grinning that stupid grin. He doesn't say anything though, Tetsurou tends to be far less talkative when he's tired.

The entire team is quieter than usual. Koutarou looks wide awake, but next to a perpetually scowling Keiji he doesn't dare say a peep under fear of death. Shouyou is bouncing in his seat excitedly, but Kenma rests his hand on his arm and he stills. Even Lev is quiet, but then he's… got Morisuke's fingers laced tightly through his own?

Kei frowns at them and nudges Tetsurou. "When did that happen?"

Tetsurou follows his gaze and smiles as he sees the two holding hands.

"Two days ago, apparently Lev just kissed him," Tetsurou whispers, way too close to Kei's ear. "Oblivious idiots finally got their shit together."

Morbidly amused by the irony of Tetsurou's words, Kei grunts in response and turns his attention to the end of Keishin's refresher speech.

"…if I so much as hear lips smacking, so help me, I will turn this bus around," he reminds them, his cheeks pink with embarrassment like an awkward dad giving his children the birds and the bees talk. "We should arrive at Shinzen Lodge around 10am, so get your rest for a long day of training ahead."

Despite Keishin's clear discomfort and worry that he has a bus full of horny teenagers, the bus is quiet, most of them too tired to do anything. Most of the team's couples are too shy or new to try anything in public – even though the buses seats are rather tall and hide them fairly well – they all know the warning is mostly aimed at Koutarou and Keiji. But Keiji is far too tired and murderous for Koutarou to even move from where Keiji's is adorably asleep on his shoulder.

"It'll be nice to get away from this teenage cesspool for a while," Tetsurou remarks, his eyes on the school grounds as the bus exits the gates. "To just not have to worry about all that… shit. To just play basketball with my friends."

Usually drama and gossip about Tetsurou doesn't seem to affect him, like water off a duck's back, but he's been weary and irritable for weeks. Kei can't say that the truth of the situation – Tetsurou's hook ups with Ana – doesn't hurt him, but it's not greater than his concern for Tetsurou. He just wishes Tetsurou would take more care of himself, would consider how his actions affect him.

"To just hang out with you, Tsukki," Tetsurou murmurs so quietly Kei would almost believe he imagined it if not for the way Tetsurou's smiling wearily at him.

"Mm, it'll be good," he manages to get out without stuttering or even blushing.

"I don't wanna be rude or anything," Tetsurou says softly for consideration of the others, his eyelids are heavy and he looks about to pass out. "But I am not a morning person and will definitely be sleeping the entirety of this journey. As much as I would love to get more dirt on Karasuno's playstyle from you."

Kei blinks. "That's… fine."

Tetsurou rests back and wriggles to get comfortable in his seat. He's been like that lately, oddly worried and mindful of Kei, reassuring him about the smallest of things. Initially Kei was annoyed because he thought Tetsurou was treating him too cautiously after Kei confided to him about his parents. But it's different, it's like Tetsurou's concerned about how Kei thinks of him, how Kei sees him.

Which isn't an issue considering that Kei thinks the world of Tetsurou and adores him… Not that Tetsurou will never know that.

Pulling his headphones over his ears, Kei settles back and listens to Mozart – his meditation music – while he considers strategies their team can implement against Karasuno. With the genius point-guard, Tobio Kageyama, rounding out their first-string line-up, Karasuno will be incredibly difficult to combat. It's a good thing Nekodani will have the opportunity to practice against them as they will certainly make it to the final rounds of the State Championship.

Something heavy settles on Kei's shoulder and he thinks it's Tetsurou trying to get his attention, until he turns his head and gets a face full of messy black hair. Kei freezes as Tetsurou relaxes against his shoulder, comfortable and content. He freezes, immediately hating and loving the weight. He wants it gone because it floods his chest with the most pleasant warmth, and yet he doesn't want to move for fear of waking Tetsurou and making it go away…

Closing his eyes shut tightly, Kei leans his head back and forces himself to take deep breaths. It's fine, it's nothing, he tells himself. Changing his music to something far more distracting, Kei focuses on the lyrics and not the feeling of Tetsurou's knuckles pressed against the side of his thigh where his hand has fallen or the heat of his body or the steady rhythm of his breathing.

Four hours passes painfully slowly and Tetsurou only ends up leaning into him more throughout, his hand gripping Kei's arm, subconsciously seeking comfort. No matter how much Kei told himself to relax he was still sitting stiffly, his muscles aching with the tension of his body.

"Hey, hey, hey! We're here!" Koutarou shouts as the bus comes to a stop in the Lodge's gravel parking lot. It's enough to wake everyone.

Pushing his headphones down around his neck, Kei carefully sets his scowl in place as Tetsurou wakes slowly, his fingers digging into Kei's arm as he uprights himself. Tetsurou looks up at him with heavy-lidded, dark eyes and a small, apologetic smile curls at his lips.

"You drooled on me," Kei deadpans.

Tetsurou chuckles, rubbing at his eyes adorably. "You could have just pushed me off, I probably wouldn't have even woken up."

Shit, I should have done that, Kei thinks, his cheeks flushing pink with the implication of what not doing that means. But Tetsurou only looks amused, barely looking at him as he stretches his arms above his head.

The team gets off the bus, most of them wobbly legged with having just awoken, and Kei quickly rises, needing to get away from that close proximity to Tetsurou that he's been trapped in. Outside Keishin is trying to get them all moving in an orderly fashion to collect their bags, but the half-asleep team amble around without paying much attention. He gives up after a while, too tired himself to care.

The Shinzen Lodge is a sprawling property surrounded by pine forests. There are three main buildings, built of stone with strong timber embellishments, the place is rather imposing. Instead of heading towards the building of guest rooms, they enter the main building where the team will be staying inside one of the conference rooms, camping on the floor together – to promote team bonding apparently. Except for Hitoka who will be staying in a guest room with some of the female managers from the other teams.

The coaches have given them half an hour to explore the Lodge before they have to meet at the first gym to start practice. Most of the team are exploring the main building where the games room is but an excited Shouyou, Koutarou and Tetsurou are all practically bouncing to get to the gym. Kei merely follows along with feigned hesitance as Tetsurou tugs at his sleeve.

"I'm so excited! It's like, a whole week of basketball. How are we even this lucky?" Shouyou babbles with a gigantic grin as they make their way to the gyms. Kenma had somehow managed to disappear before his boyfriend could drag him along, therefore all of Shouyou's chill has flown out the window. "How many other teams are there? Are they strong? Can we beat them?"

Koutarou laughs heartily, tousling Shouyou's orange hair that is far brighter in the morning sunshine. Still nowhere near as blinding as his smile though.

"That's the spirit kid!" Koutarou cheers.

"There are three other teams," Tetsurou explains. "Shinzen, Ubugawa and Karasuno. They're all very strong teams; Shinzen especially has won the State Championship three times in the last ten years. But we beat them last year, we can certainly do it again!"

"Do they have amazing small forwards?"

Tetsurou frowns, humming with thought. "Shinzen and Ubugawa tend to play taller, focusing on outside shooters and strong power forwards."

"Karasuno has a small forward you won't beat," Kei deadpans, as if it isn't incredibly insulting to Shouyou. But it's true.

Shouyou glares at him, looking like an angry puppy. "What did you say, fishing pole?"

"That's a new one," Kei mutters, snorting a laugh. "He's older than you, smaller, quicker and more agile. He's Karasuno's strongest player and best scorer. Precious little sophomores like you who can't pass efficiently don't stand a chance."

"Yeah right! Say that to my face!"

"…I just did."

"Guys this really isn't the time to—"

"Tsuuuukiiiiiishiiimaaaaa!"

Tetsurou's words stop with shock more than anything as something small and nimble flies towards them, flinging himself at Kei. Speak of the devil, Kei thinks, stumbling back a step but remaining upright thanks to all the core strength workouts he's been doing lately. He's met with a bright grin and a stupidly spiked hairstyle of brown with one section of blond falling onto his forehead.

Yuu Nishinoya clings to Kei, his legs and arms wrapped around him like a toddler clinging to their parent.

"Sup, turd-stick," Yuu says, ridiculously proud of himself for the immature nickname.

"Get off," Kei grinds out, annunciating each word.

Yuu gasps dramatically, his eyes alight and grin becoming mischievous. "I'm not going to get you off in public Kei! Maybe later," he says, wiggling his eyebrows.

Raising an eyebrow, Kei leans so he can look at the two bulky guys approaching. Asahi Azumane is tall and broad – a vast contrast to Yuu – with long, brown hair tied back into a bun and a headband holding back stray strands from his forehead. Beside him, hands stuffed into his pockets and shoulders slumped like a wannabe thug, is Ryuunosuke Tanaka. Despite the awkward smile on Asahi's friendly face – and the fact that Kei knows them for the dorks they truly are – they would be a rather intimidating sight.

"Your boyfriend is literally right behind you," Kei remarks.

"And you want him to join us? Geez Kei, Nekodani has turned you into a kinky fucker."

"Hey, get off him," Ryuu grumbles, grabbing Yuu by the collar and thankfully detaching him from Kei. "It's my turn to hug the kinky fucker!"

This is not better, Kei thinks as Ryuu envelopes him in a tight hug that is completely characteristic despite his shaved head and delinquent scowl. Asahi gives him an apologetic smile and waves his greeting, saving him the further annoyance of more hugs.

It's only been five months since Kei's seen them, he won't say he's missed them but seeing them again isn't so bad. Their idiotic antics are somewhat amusing at least. He has missed playing basketball with them though. Asahi and Ryuu's explosive power, more controlled and precise than Koutarou's. Passing to Yuu who has a freakish ability to move in and out of players like they're standing still. Quiet conversations with Daichi and Chikara about practice sessions. Late night game strategizing with Koushi…

Kei can feel the eyes of his Nekodani teammates on him; Shouyou and Koutarou in awe and Tetsurou grinning as if this is the most amusing thing that's happened in his life.

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Kei complains, pushing Ryuu away.

In an attempt to win back some of his manliness, Ryuu punches him in the arm. "Yeah, well, we missed you, you asshole. You're such a shitty communicator, it's so hard to keep up a messaging conversation with you."

"He messages me back just fine," Asahi says, frowning with innocent confusion.

"Yeah, that's because you're his favourite," Yuu says, backhanding his boyfriend in the gut as he unceremoniously gestures at him.

"No, no, Suga's his favourite," Ryuu adds, the other two agreeing aggressively. Then his dark eyes trail from Kei to the three boys in Nekodani red he's surrounded by. "Oh shit, you're Koutarou and Tetsurou. Watched you guys at Nationals last year, you're pretty fuckin' awesome. But we'll definitely beat you," he says, folding his arms and setting his stance assertively.

Koutarou is beaming with pride, his chest puffed out and his hands on his hips in a superman pose while Tetsurou chuckles and scratches the back of his head. Kei rolls his eyes. How has he managed to gather the weirdest and most idiotic group of friends he didn't even want in the first place?

"Oh we're not all that," Tetsurou says with fake modesty.

"A-And I'm Sh-Shouyou! It's a pleasure to meet you!" Shouyou all but yells, his cheeks red as he bows to them.

Kei covers his mouth as he snickers. "Did you just bow?"

"Sh-Shut up! Noya's amazing and I want to be just like him!" he gushes, eyes wide and starry. "I look forward to training with you and playing against you Noya!"

Yuu's blushing deeply and seems to be at a loss for words, which is quite an achievement. "Woah, thanks kid… I like you Shouyou! Ima take you under my wing!"

"Nah uh, no your not! He's already under my wing!" Koutarou protests, his thick grey brow furrowed.

"But he plays the same position as me," Yuu argues.

"How do you know that? You just met him!"

"W-Why can't he be under both of your wings?" Asahi offers, moving forward to stand between them and attempting to mediate the ridiculous argument.

"Don't be stupid Asahi, you can't fit a baby bird under two wings," Yuu complains, frowning at his boyfriend.

Koutarou rubs at his chin, face scrunched in thought. "Hmm, what if we fold one wing over the other…"

"Fine, but my wing gets to go on top."

"What? My wings are clearly bigger and should go on top!" Koutarou says, flapping his arms.

"Jesus fuck," Kei groans, backing away from them quickly. "And with that foolish comment I'm going to take my leave."

"Suga's in the first gym," Asahi informs helpfully, "the team's already started warming up. Coach Takeda sent us to greet Nekodani and Coach's Ukai and Nekomata. I guess Shouyou and Koutarou are coming with us…" he trails off, glancing at Shouyou who looks like a kid in a candy store, being argued over by two of his idols. "I'll keep an eye on them for you."

"Thanks dude," Tetsurou says, patting Asahi on the shoulder as he moves to follow Kei. "Kou may be big but he's all bark and no bite."

Kei walks away, knowing that the most idiotic of his friends will be fine with Asahi, they're all harmless despite their bravado. He really hopes that Keiji can distract Koutarou enough over the week to keep him away from Yuu and Ryuu; there is a trio that will cause havoc. Adding the overly enthusiastic and naïve Lev and Shouyou and you have a recipe for disaster.

"So, who's Suga?" Tetsurou asks, his voice laced with curiosity as the familiar weight of his arm settles on Kei's shoulder.

"Koushi's my closest friend from Karasuno."

"The one who helped you, contacting Aki when you were in hospital?"

Kei nods slowly, remembering the helpless sadness in Koushi's large brown eyes when he came to visit Kei in hospital. 'I wish you would have told me you were coming out to them, I would have been there for you,' Koushi had said, his voice soft, protective. He had threaded their fingers together and kissed Kei on the uninjured side of his forehead; nothing intimate in the act, simply pure concern and support.

"He's helped me a lot more than once," Kei responds under his breath.

The words are spoken quietly but Tetsurou is close enough to hear them, and yet he doesn't respond. Kei can practically hear the onslaught of questions Tetsurou has swimming around his mind, and yet he's silent, regarding Kei as if searching for something.

Were you and him…?

Kei can hear it, hear the words in Tetsurou's exact tone, heavy with implication and curiosity. And yet he doesn't ask. For the first time Kei feels uncomfortable in Tetsurou's presence, the awkward question hanging between them, ugly and unpleasant. More awkward than when Tetsurou was about to ask if he was gay and Kei has no idea why.

Squeaking of sneakers and echoing thuds of basketballs draw Kei's thoughts away from the tension that's suddenly fallen between them. They enter the main gym, an expansive space of two full sized courts and stands at either end. From what Kei's already seen, the facilities here are rather impressive.

The remainder of the Karasuno basketball team is here, mostly only freshman Kei doesn't recognise are shooting hoops and running passing drills. His eyes move across the room until they land on the cropped black hair of a solidly built figure Kei would recognise anywhere, he's certainly ogled Daichi enough over the last two years.

"Kei?"

The voice is gentle but clear over the sound in the gym. Kei turns at the sound of his name and is met with warm brown eyes, crinkled at the corners with the smile that's brightening his face. Without hesitation Koushi approaches him, his pale, round face with the beauty mark under his left eye as attractive as Kei remembers.

Tetsurou's arm falls from his shoulders as Koushi reaches up to wrap his arms around Kei's neck. Without hesitation Kei returns the embrace because he certainly did miss Koushi.

"Hey you, long time no see," Koushi says, a smile ever evident in his voice.

"It hasn't been that long," Kei mumbles, his cheeks warm with Koushi's affection. "And you talk to me all the time."

Koushi chuckles as he pulls back, settling back from standing on his toes to hug Kei and grinning.

"Geez you've changed though, what's all this?" he asks playfully, his hands moving down to Kei's chest and stomach, muscles tightening instinctively under the familiar touch. Kei can feel Tetsurou's dark eyes on them. "You've been working hard I see. Nekodani's been good for you then?"

Kei shrugs. "It's okay, I guess."

"Meaning you love it."

Tucking away a stray strand of soft grey hair that's fallen into his eyes, Koushi's eyes move Tetsurou and his smile widens. "You must be Tetsu, nice to finally put an incredibly accurately described attractive face to all the stories."

Kei's eyes widen and he grits his teeth against the need to deny the fact that he called Tetsurou attractive, which he did, on numerous occasions. With Koushi being a complete outsider in the situation, Kei's confided in him the most about his feelings for Tetsurou. Which he now realises was a big mistake; he really should have foreseen Koushi saying embarrassing things, he knows him well enough. Tetsurou only gives his trademark cocky grin though.

"Oh? Tsukki's been talking about me has he?" Tetsurou questions, teasingly nudging Kei in the side.

"Of course! He says you're a great friend and an amazing captain."

"Not better than me I hope," Daichi says, his voice filled with good-humour but his smile is tight with a competitive edge as he approaches to shake Tetsurou's hand. "Daichi Sawamura, pleasure to meet Nekodani's famous captain. We appreciate the invite."

Tetsurou returns the shake firmly, his smile just as tight and scrutinising as Daichi's. "You're very welcome, it's always good to have fresh blood to battle at the training camp. Let me show you around, it must be overwhelming for small town folk like yourself."

"That won't be necessary, we're more than comfortable enough here already."

"Oh God, here we go," Koushi sighs.

"Just be thankful Koutarou isn't here as well," Kei murmurs, watching Daichi and Tetsurou aggressively shaking hands.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

"Spoke too soon."