The makeshift hospital ward was, all things considered, a pleasant place for Yamaguchi to find himself. When he woke up from his explosion-induced coma some week after his escape from the colosseum, he was just happy to be alive.
It was quiet when he first came to, a blessed quiet borne from the exhausted peace that had settled over Odanii. Yamaguchi could, from a close distance, hear the laboured breath of other bedridden patients as they rustled their thin bedsheets, restless even in sleep. Yamaguchi, too, had a need to move. Even though the outside world was void of the usual screams and clashing metal that indicated battle, Yamaguchi felt the need to be useful, to do something. So, in the dead of the night, freshly awoken, he got up and made his way for water.
Or, rather, he attempted to.
It was dark in the medical ward, and Yamaguchi was half numb; attempting to walk first thing after his wakefulness wasn't his cleverest idea. Instead of the shaky but efficient strides that he expected, Yamaguchi instantly lost his balance as his right foot failed to connect with the ground, and he collapsed to the floor. In his doing so, he made a grab for his cot and brought it down on top of himself in a loud clatter.
Near instantly, from somewhere off in the far side of the building, a lantern light bobbed closer as whoever carried it ran towards Yamaguchi. The dimly glowing thing was held by none other than Akaashi, who, with his furrowed brow and watery eyes, looked very worried indeed.
"There you are, up now, maybe save the walking for a little bit later, hmm? You still need to rest." Akaashi murmured as he righted the cot and helped lay Yamaguchi back down.
Despite everything, Yamaguchi smiled up at his friend, "Akaashi! You're here, Tsukki brought you, then? Please, tell me, how is everyone?"
Akaashi's eyes softened, and he pulled a wooden stool to Yamaguchi's bedside, "I'll fill you in as best I can, but you'll get a better story when the rest of us come to visit." He spared a glance at the undefined forms of the others who slept in the room, "And perhaps keep your reactions as quiet as possible."
And thus, while he sipped on tea given to him by Akaashi, Yamaguchi learned of the Nekarasi crew's journey and struggle to find him. It was all a very touching story, and in the state he was in, Yamaguchi couldn't help but cry. His friends had done so much, all for his sake. Everyone had left the only security they had ever known, potentially forever, all in the name of helping Yamaguchi. Tsukishima had worked ceaselessly and ran himself ragged, all in the hopes that Yamaguchi could be reached. A great part of him was thankful for these wonderful people, without their help, Yamaguchi's efforts surely would have failed, but another part felt immense guilt for endangering his dear friends. The rush of emotion was all very much for Yamaguchi to process at once, and Akaashi, ever patient and saintly, sat calmly and spoke words of reassurance as Yamaguchi broke down.
When Yamaguchi had finished crying, Akaashi shot a pitying glance at the other, "I'm not sure how much of your escape you remember," he started.
"I know all of it, up until the explosion took me out." Yamaguchi didn't much like where the conversation was headed.
Akaashi nodded grimly, "Well, that makes things a bit easier. You know, then, that you have lost your left arm."
Yamaguchi waved the bandaged stump that was the remaining half of his left forearm, "What? No, surely not?"
Akaashi chuckled, "I'm glad to see you've still got your wit about you, at least. I'm sorry to say, however, that your hand isn't the only loss you've suffered."
It was then, and only then, that Yamaguchi spared thought as to why he couldn't feel his right leg and why he had failed so spectacularly at the simple task of standing up. Tentatively, although he already suspected what he would, or rather wouldn't, see, Yamaguchi pulled back the linen covers.
There was no moment of shock, no dramatic realisation and grief, not for Yamaguchi. His right leg was gone, from the knee down, and that was just how things were. It was only adrenaline and confusion that had allowed him to ignore the fact until now, not a willful disbelief.
Yamaguchi had lost his right leg, and that was all there was to it.
Akaashi smiled grimly, and patted Yamaguchi on the shoulder, "It could be worse, I suppose. And, hey, Kenma made me a prosthetic, they're already working on yours; it won't be long before you get a replacement for your arm, and then you can work on your leg with them. But for now, you have to rest."
Yamaguchi heaved a disappointed sigh but nodded and settled back into his cot. Akaashi's tea, which Yamaguchi suspected was meant to put him back to sleep, had begun to work its magic. As he slipped into slumber, Yamaguchi saw a glint of hope in Akaashi's eyes, and that was enough to comfort him.
When he next awoke (Yamaguchi rather felt he had spent half of his recent time in slumber) the world seemed significantly livelier. It was light in the building by then, although whether it was morning, evening, or afternoon, Yamaguchi could not tell. The medical ward positively hummed with wakefulness as the nurses flitted from bedside to bedside, and the patients made conversation with visitors and each other.
Yamaguchi had his own visitors to attend to, and he couldn't be happier to see them. Hinata, Yachi, and Suga spoke animatedly, but in hushed voices, as Kenma sat cross-legged on the floor and fiddled with a mechanical arm.
Hinata was the first to notice Yamaguchi's wakefulness, and he practically squealed in delight. The others, just as excited but significantly quieter in their joy, leapt up and rushed to surround Yamaguchi's bedside.
Hinata vibrated with excitement and unspent energy as he immediately launched into fast-paced conversation, "Tadashi, Tadashi! You're up! Uwwah, I'm so excited to see you again! The Nekarasi just wasn't the same without you, Cranky-Yama was all grumpy, and everyone missed you loads and loads, even the train missed you! She started acting up again, getting all clankety and not working as nice, isn't that right, Kenma?"
Kenma stood up from their spot on the floor, stretched, and slowly plodded over, "I finished your arm. Akaashi said his was difficult to use at first, but you should get the hang of it quickly enough." Kenma hummed quietly as they helped Yamaguchi put on the prosthetic, and smiled as they straightened up, "I'm glad to see you alive, Yamaguchi, even if you're a little worse for the wear. And, yeah, the Nekarasi did miss you, we'd love to have you back with us if you, you know..." they trailed off with a shrug.
Yamaguchi grinned, the first genuine smile he'd been able to manage since his capture, "I've missed you all, too. And you know I would love to come back home to the Nekarasi, so long as you'll have me." With that, he opened up his arms for the hug Hinata had obviously been itching to give.
Sure enough, Hinata practically leapt onto the cot with Yamaguchi and captured him in a death grip of a hug. Not even a second later, Yachi clambered up to join in, and with a shared look of fondness, Kenma and Suga joined in on the cuddle pile. They stayed like that for a good five minutes all curled up precariously on Yamaguchi's cot as they basked in each other's company.
They would have likely stayed like that for much longer if one of the nurses hadn't reluctantly come up and reminded them that the cot couldn't handle the weight of five people at once. To make up for it, she brought over a wheelchair and not so subtly encouraged the group to give Yamaguchi some fresh air.
Eager to leave his cot, and even more eager to see those whom he'd missed out on, Yamaguchi all but hurled himself into the wheelchair.
The stroll through the city was pleasant, save for the first few minutes when Hinata pushed Yamaguchi's wheelchair at full speed over the cobblestone. Once Suga took the reins, however, the ride was much smoother.
People milled about in the streets, faces set with determined hope as they picked through the rubble of their decimated city. Many waved and shouted friendly greetings to the group, with a special interest in Yamaguchi. Hinata cackled as he informed the taller man that he had become something of a war hero.
For once, Yamaguchi allowed himself to relax; the war had ended, and peace had been, albeit forcefully, achieved. His friends were safe, unharmed, and despite it all, they had welcomed him back with open arms. Yamaguchi felt content, and safe, even if he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't deserve any of it. Instead of dwelling on that thought, he contented himself to enjoy the early summer day and revel in the fresh liberation of a nation.
The roads were still covered in rubble, but no matter how he shook and rumbled in his wheelchair, his spirits were not dampened. The sun shone brightly, and the humid sea-salt air felt refreshing after the time in the infirmary. Such simple pleasures, constant facts of life, but Yamaguchi took each in as if they were new experiences.
They stopped when they had reached the castle ruins, and Yamaguchi felt his heart leap as he saw the rest of the Nekarasi crew gathered there. Each stood tall and proud with authority as they directed groups and conferred with themselves. Kuroo directed groups of people as they carefully removed the rubble and cleaned up the surrounding area. Kageyama stood to the side, closest to where Yamaguchi and the others had stopped to watch, as he conferred with and occasionally sent out soldiers in uniform. Akaashi sat on a rather large piece of the castle as he spoke with Yamiji and Tsukishima, faces earnest and impassive as ever. Bokuto hung casually off the prince's arm as he intermittently scanned the area, gun tight in hand.
Hinata, never one to wait, announced their arrival with a call that seemed impossibly loud, given his stature. Yamaguchi had but a moment to brace himself before Kageyama barreled towards him and grasped him in a tight, if not somewhat stiff, hug. Ever emotive and maybe still a bit tender after his time in the infirmary, Yamaguchi promptly burst into tears. Kageyama had been the start of all this adventure, the inciter of chaos that he was, and while they hadn't been apart for all that long, just under a year, but it seemed like ages. The two had been entirely inseparable since childhood; through thick and thin, Kageyama had always been there to be the brother and family that Yamaguchi so desperately needed. It was good to see him again.
Kuroo, too, rushed over and gave Yamaguchi a hug, trademark Cheshire grin wide on his face. "There he is, the man of the hour! The myth, the legend!"
Bokuto bounded over, Akaashi's hand still firmly in his grasp, like an overexcited puppy and joined in with Kuroo's over-exuberant lauding "Yamaguchi, our hero! Greatest mechanic alive, long may he reign! Uh... No offence Kenma."
The energetic bunch fed off each other as they traded the exaggerated stories they had heard about Yamaguchi. The freckled boy didn't think he had all that much of an impact on the war efforts, but nonetheless, tall-tales about his mechanical and fighting prowess had been shared far and wide. Based on Suga's delighted expression and his embellished stories that most certainly weren't true, Yamaguchi felt he knew where the rumours had originated. The only person missing from the conversation was Tsukishima.
Just as he noticed the distinct lack of the beanpole blond, Yamaguchi felt someone pull his wheelchair backwards. Just as quickly as he started moving, Yamaguchi was spun around and found himself face to face with none other than his beloved Firefly prince. Tsukishima took a step back from his close proximity and sheepishly rubbed at the back of his neck.
Sheepish, Yamaguchi decided, was not a good look on Tsukishima. Something had to be done about it, so before Tsukishima could say so much as a word, Yamaguchi flung himself up out of his wheelchair and into the prince's arms. Where the confidence had come from, he wasn't sure, but Yamaguchi, emboldened and tired of waiting, grasped Tsukishima by the back of the neck and pulled him into a kiss. Tsukishima tightened his grip on Yamaguchi's waist and, not one to be outdone, or perhaps simply looking for any reason to show off for the other, fluidly swivelled Yamaguchi into a dip.
Somewhere beyond them, the voices of their friends hooted and hollered in celebratory approval, but Yamaguchi elected to ignore them in favour of fully experiencing the moment with Tsukishima.
His lips were soft and smooth, something that surprised Yamaguchi; he had expected them to be chapped like his own. Tsukishima's hands were large and warm against his hip and back in a way that left Yamaguchi feeling safe and cherished. As the kiss tampered out, Tsukishima gently raised Yamaguchi as the two revelled in finally being together.
"So," Tsukishima said, as he ran his fingers through Yamaguchi's hair, "I got your letter. Sorry, it took so long for me to get to you."
Yamaguchi huffed out a small breath fondly, "Never doubted you for a second, Kei."
"I did. I doubted me. You were so close to gone, Tadashi. I almost- you were almost-"
Yamaguchi silenced him with a quick kiss, "I know, but I'm not dead, and neither are you. It'll take a lot more than a war to keep me from you." He punctuated the thought with another kiss, "And besides, I think we've got a lot to talk about yet."
Akaashi, who had snuck up on the two, cleared his throat, "Indeed we do. I hate to break up this reunion, but I really do need your assistance, the both of you."
Yamaguchi chuckled and sat back down in his wheelchair, "Of course, what do you need?"
"We need to start discussions of reconstruction as soon as possible. Won't you all come with me to the old courthouse? It's been repurposed for the time being." Akaashi's request was simple enough.
Together, the Nekarasi crew, with the addition of Suga and Yamiji strolled onward in the direction of the courthouse, unbothered and unhurried. Much of it was the tedium of politics and discussions of what to do in the aftermath of the war. Each voice was given equal weight in the discussion, which Yamaguchi rather appreciated, considering that Akaashi was the effective standing King of Fukoni and he didn't actually need to consider the opinions and advice of others.
Many agreements were reached on that half hour of walking. The sun and high spirits, it seemed, were highly conducive to efficient decision-making.
The Slithering Isles had been decimated by the war, as had Fukoni, and while neither would be able to fully rebuild on their own it was decided that the two nations would merge and that the Slithering Isles would be subsumed into Fukoni and treated as valued citizens, so as to prevent any future disgruntled conflict.
The subject of a new ruler was also discussed. Akaashi, Yamaguchi thought, would have made an excellent king, but it was obvious to anyone who knew him that he wanted no part of royal life. Akaashi and Bokuto hadn't come to Fukoni with plans of reclaiming the throne, and no one had expected to stay for as long as they had. The Nekarasi crew all longed for their real home, the Nekarasi herself. Perhaps the natural idea would have been to instate a new monarchy, heralded by one of the higher-ranking generals, but Akaashi had another idea.
What he suggested seemed outlandish, even impossible, but everyone agreed it was at least worth a shot. Instead of a king, Akaashi proposed a different government entirely. He called it a democracy, a word for which Yamaguchi knew no meaning; perhaps Akaashi had just made up the term. The idea was that the citizens of the country would come together and choose their own group of leaders, who would, in turn, set and change laws to benefit and protect the people of the land. The concept was certainly outlandish, and it seemed like a great deal of work to organise, but Yamaguchi held hope for its success.
When they reached the courthouse, Yamaguchi fully expected to start an extensive discussion of politics and methodology. What he saw instead was a truly pleasant surprise. People of all types milled in and out of the courthouse, each with food and drink. Inside was set a grand table full of food, and many other tables around it were already fully seated with people enjoying their meal.
Bokuto laughed at the incredibility on Yamaguchi's face, "Oh come on, Tadashi, you've just woken up! Did you expect us to bore you back to death with planning? Now's not the time for that, politics, and reparations and all that grim stuff can wait one day more, don't you think? Tonight, we feast!"
"Yeah," Yamaguchi breathed out, "Yeah, let the future be a worry of tomorrow. I've just woken up from a week-long nap, let's eat!"