KAGEYAMA

"You're such a good dancer," yells Akaashi in my ear. I laugh feeling myself blush. I barely dance. This is all new to me. I'm glad he thinks I'm decent. I was praying I didn't look stupid.

"Thank you," I replied, being bumped by someone behind me. It causes me to move forward a bit. Akaashi grabs on to my waist looking over my shoulder.

"It's getting crowded," he replies. "Would you mind joining me outside for a smoke?" He smokes? I think about what Hinata said deciding to be open. I'm not a fan of smoking or secondhand smoke. It's important I protect these lungs. However, I will take a chance. One time can't hurt.

"Yes," I reply. "I could use some fresh air." I follow Akaashi off the dance floor knowing that Hinata will hold the table. We weed our way through the crowd on the down floor. I'm following Akaashi because he clearly knows where he is going. We step outside seeing a few other smokers there. Just 3 people. I'm surprised the crowd back here is light. Akaashi pulls out his cigarette lighting it up as he walks to a corner for privacy. I appreciate him doing that. Akaashi inhales looking at peace.

"I can see you're surprised," he replies.

"I am," I admit.

"I started a little after high school," he explains. "Bokuto use to ride my ass about it but he gave up some time ago. Sometimes I regret it but after the clients I did with it is welcomed." I raise one eyebrow.

"Are the customers that complicated?" I ask. He does hair. How bad can it really be.

"It's almost like being a therapist at times," Akaashi explains. "Some people like to rant, some like to cry, some bare their souls while others are quiet. I don't mind the quiet ones. It is nice once in a while."

"Sounds like you are a good listener," I reply. He smiles lowly.

"Um hm," he replies. A few people leave the smoking area making me thrilled to have more space. "So….um how long you been into guys?" He's so blunt. I shift my eyes blushing once more.

"Since forever," I reply. "I'm gay. I don't want to be with women at all."

"Same," Akaashi replies causing me to look at him. He chuckles. "Yeah I personally don't have a problem with bi men however down low men are the worst. I thought you were going to be one of those." This feels like so much information at once.

"You knew I was gay?" I ask. Akaashi nods his head yes. I'm surprised. Not even Hinata knew I was gay. "What gave me away?"

"It's not anything you did," he replies tilting his head to the side a little. "It's more of an energy I feel. It's hard to explain." That sounds so complicated but enticing.

"What about Hinata?" I inquire.

"I been knew he was bi," Akaashi says with a light shrug. "Again, energy."

"I see," I reply.

"Have you dated anyone?" he asks.

"No," I exclaim. I glance away feeling stupid. Most people my age have gone on at least one date. I have done nothing like that. If not for Hinata showing me the ropes I would be completely in the dark. "I focused on volleyball and currently college. It's senior year so I won't have much time for that anyway."

"There is always time," says Akaashi. "People make time for what they want." Whoa, that is a fact. I never understood why people never made time to train. Those who take volleyball serious have made it from what I've seen. I want to be one of those people. "This is also a small test in a sense. If the guy doesn't understand your career, he isn't the one for you." I smile. Akaashi is pretty cool. He is the opposite of what I look for as far as look. He is tall, slim but lean. He has nothing going on back there but he is attractive. I'm an ass man for sure.

"Good point," I reply. Akaashi earring glem under the street lights. "When did you get your ears pierced?"

"Two years ago," he replies. "You thinking about doing it?"

"No!" I exclaim. Akaashi laughs.

"Relax," he says cooly. "I think you would like hot with some studs in your ear." I cover my eyes making him laugh. "You're not use to compliments are you?"

"Not at all," I reply dropping my hand. "Hinata compliments me all the time but he doesn't count."

"Like when Bokuto compliments me," he replies. "I love that man but not romantically. You and Hinata seem to have the kind of relationship we have. More like brotherly love." I never really thought of Hinata in a romantic way. I always had my mind focused on our goals. Dating was the furthest thing from my mind. I thought he was the same way until I discovered he has sex. I had no idea he was having um relations.

"You been in many relationships?" I ask. Akaashi appears taken back I asked a question.

"I have but they all ended for one reason or another," he replies. "I dated two down low men and one guy who was bi. The one guy I knew was on the DL, the other one I didn't. He hid it from me. Soon as I found out I ended things. The guy was married at that. Disgusting." Akaashi takes a drag off his cigarette. The annoyance is all over his face rightfully so.

"Holy shit," I mutter. No wonder he doesn't care for down low men. Not saying they are all the same but this certainly doesn't leave a good impression. At the same time I can understand being afraid to come out. The difference with me is I never dragged anyone into it.

"Right," says Akaashi agitated. "I felt like he tricked me. Tricking me into caring about him knowing I could never truly have him."

"That is fucked up," I state. "What about the guy who was bi?"

"He ditched me to date some girl," he says with a shrug. "After all that shit I had to take a god damn break."

"I think it is healthy to take a break in between relationships," I encourage. "I'm sure now you can read better than ever after what you went through."

"You are wise Mr. Kageyama," he says with a smirk.

"I have my moments," I reply proudly. He laughs.

"You think Hinata is okay in there?" he asks glancing at the door.

"He would call me if he needed me," I replied.

"You guys have a buddy system," he states.

"Not really," I replied, pulling out my phone. "It's just something we do. Um it's after midnight?"

"Is it!" exclaims Akaashi. "That is shocking. I'm usually leaving around this time."

"Same," I replied. "I don't like being in the club when it is late. Never been to a bar like this but I stand by my decision to cut out early."

"No kidding," says Akaashi while putting out the cigarette. "Soon it is going to smell of body odor and ass." I shudder at the thought. Seriously, some people just don't wash up before going out or something. I don't know but I do know I am getting the fuck out of there before it gets bad. We head back into the bar which currently looks like I am at a concert. All I see before me is a sea of people. "Jesus christ….."

"My god…" I mutter, beginning to squeeze past people. I make my way back to the table seeing Hinata on his phone. The music is blasting. I honestly don't know how he can focus with the speakers shaking. Hinata looks up smiling.

"There you are," he slurs. What the hell? "Y-you guys were gone for a while."

"Um okay," says Akaashi staring at Hinata. I know for a fact he is thinking the same thing I am. I close the gap between Hinata and I. I lean down grabbing his chin forcing him to look at me. His eyes are glazed over, pupils slightly dilated.

"You're cut off," I replied, taking his glass from him.

"What!" he slurs. "No…." He weakly tries to grab the glass from me. Akaashi flags a server down. I don't know what Hinata was drinking but it had to be more than beer. I glance at the table but I only see two glasses. It looks like the table was cleared off.

"I guess I will take my leave as well," says Akaashi.

"Great," I reply. "I can walk you to the car, ensure you're safe." Akaashi nods as Hinata plops back down in the chair. He can't stand for very long. I can tell it is taking a lot of him with the visual damp forehead he is sporting. The server comes with me signing off on the tab. "Come on Shoyo." He groans standing back up. I wrap my arm around his shoulder pushing him into my body as we head outside. "Akaashi, where are you parked?"

"In the back," he replies. He shifts his eyes to Hinata. I can tell he is slightly concerned. So am I. I have known him for years and he has never been this trashed. Not since our freshmen year of college when he was learning how to drink. Hinata eyes are drooping as we make our way to Akaashi car. I whistle his vechile. He has a Ford Fusion in black.

"This car is nice," I reply. It looks so sleek and clean.

"Yeah this is my baby," says Akaashi pulling out his keys. "I wanted to go for some color but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I love black."

"It fits you," I reply.

"It does," agrees Akaashi. I become a little nervous as I think about what I want to do. I never had to ask someone for their number that I might be interested in romantically.

"Is it okay if we exchange numbers?" I ask. I chuckle nervously, rubbing the back of my neck with my right hand. "You can vent to me about the crazy clients." Akaashi grins covering his mouth with his hand. I can't tell if he is laughing with me or at me. I realized he was smiling as he dropped his hand reaching for his phone.

"I would never subject you to that," he replies. "I wouldn't mind a little casual normal chit chat from time to time." I let go of Hinata going into my own pocket unlocking my phone. I hand my phone to him as I take his. I plug in my number.

"Let me know when you get home safely," I reply. Akaashi nods.

"Kiss kiss!" cheers Hinata before hiccupping.

"Shoyo!" I hiss glaring at him. I turn back to Akaashi. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay," he replies. "Hinata, it's not like we're on a date. Even if we were I'm sure your bestie doesn't kiss on the first date." He is right. I wouldn't.

"Not on a date y-yet," slurs Hinata pointing his finger at Akaashi. I grab his hand pulling it down. I hold his hand in mine at my side.

"I'm so sorry!" I apologize.

"It's okay," he replies, opening his door. "Get that little guy home and plenty of water."

"I had water," says Hinata defensively. "I had 3 glasses!" He holds up 3 fingers with his free hand. Akaashi gives a casual nod before getting into the car. He glances at me waving before pulling away. I watch him until he is on the main road. I feel a poke in my cheek from Hinata. He giggles.

"I knew you could do it," he says before wobbling.

"We're getting you home," I replied, pulling his hand leading him to my car. We walk a ways against people leaving. Akaashi was in the back while we were in the middle close to the front of the parking lot. He must have arrived after us. We both get inside my car with Hinata immediately leaning the seat back covering his eyes. I start up the car. "What the hell were you thinking Shoyo."