18 Years Prior
Seven year old Tsukishima glared down at the bright orange presence that had decided to invade his home.
"Tsukishima," Takeda told him gently, one hand comfortingly placed on the intruder's shoulder. "This is Hinata. He'll be staying with us from now on, okay? Why don't you show him to your room?"
Tsukishima's room was his room. Tsukishima had lived in it since his parents had given him to the castle when he was still a baby. There was no way he wanted some annoying boy he had never met before seeing it. Let alone staying for an indeterminable amount of time.
He looked up at his guardian. "No. I don't want him in my room."
Takeda sighed and gave him a disappointed look. Tsukishima shuffled uncomfortably but didn't take it back.
"Hinata," Takeda looked down at the boy and gave him a comforting smile. "Why don't you go back and talk with Suga for a bit while I speak to Tsukishima about something."
The intruder nodded immediately, smiling brightly. "Yes, Mr. Jack, sir."
With that, the boy rushed back over to the Queen, still standing by the entrance way. The boy pulled on the Queen's hand and started talking exuberantly about something that Tsukishima couldn't quite hear. Rather than looking irritated, the Queen gave the boy a smile in return and nodded along to whatever the boy was saying.
Annoying.
Turning away from the two, Tsukishima looked back up at Takeda. The Jack of Spades was frowning heavily at him.
"I don't know him," Tsukishima told his guardian. "He looks irritating and I don't want him in my room."
The Jack sighed again. "Tsukishima, that boy is the Ace of Spades. You're going to have to get to know him whether you want to or not."
Tsukishima turned his head sharply back to the intruder.
"He's the Ace of Spades!" Tsukishima whispered disgustedly. "But, he's so short!"
Takeda gave him the disappointed look again. "Yes, he is but he is also your Ace." He looked at Tsukishima seriously. "And more important, he's a boy your age that just had his entire world fall down around him. This palace is his right as much as it is yours and mine. He needs a place to stay and that place will be with us. So, I need you to show him to your room."
Tsukishima swallowed, recognizing that it wasn't a request.
"...Fine."
Takeda smiled at him, eyes softening. "Good, now if anyone asks, tell them Hinata is my recently orphaned nephew, who I decided to take in." Tsukishima nodded sullenly and Takeda quirked a lip. "And, Tsukishima, don't worry. I have a feeling you two could be great friends someday."
Tsukishima seriously doubted it.
"Hinata, come over here and let Tsukishima show you to your new room," Takeda called.
"Okay!" the boy said, running back over to the Jack and smiling at Tsukishima.
Tsukishima glared back.
"Tsukishima's going to be your new roommate. Okay, Hinata," Takeda told the boy and Tsukishima fought the urge to groan. "But, I'll let you in on a secret. Tsukishima's also going to be the Jack of Spades one day and you two are going to help run the kingdom."
"Wow," the boy said, eyes shining. "The Jack!"
Takeda gave the boy a fond smile. "Now, you two go on while I talk to Suga some more. I'll come see you in a few minutes."
With that, the Jack of Spades walked off and left Tsukishima with the intruder.
"Come on," Tsukishima huffed, pulling the boy towards the stairs and then up to his room.
Once there, the boy looked around excitedly. "This room is awesome. It's so much cleaner than my room at home used to be."
Tsukishima scowled again but decided to focus on something other than his new roommate's possible messiness.
"Are you really the Ace," the next Jack demanded.
The boy looked at him surprised.
"Oh! Yeah," the boy nodded, pulling down the neck of his shirt until his shoulder could be seen. "Sorry, I'm not used to being able to tell anyone."
"Well, don't tell anyone else," Tsukishima snapped, looking at the spade symbol with the very distinguishable "A" inside it. Darn, it looked like Tsukishima really was stuck with him.
"Are you really the next Jack," the boy asked, curiously.
"Of course, I am," Tsukishima responded angrily, pulling down the back of his high collar to reveal the mark he wasn't old enough to Claim.
"Cool," the boy said happily.
Tsukishima glared again. "How can you be Spade's best warrior if you're so short."
The boy frowned slightly, thinking. "I'll grow, I guess."
Tsukishima gave the boy a flat look.
The two seven year olds sat in silence for a moment, each slowly assessing the other.
"You're...kind of mean," the boy said finally in a way that was more contemplative than insulting. "...and definitely really frowny….But, Suga told me that Takeda is going to take care of me from now on and since he's already taking care of you, I guess that'll kind of make us like brothers." The boy smiled suddenly. "I've never had a brother before but my friends did and I always thought that was pretty cool so...I guess I'll just get along with you anyway-even if you are really grumpy."
Tsukishima watched as the boy stuck his hand out. "I'm Hinata. My mom called me Shou-chan sometimes though so you can use that if you want."
Tsukishima looked at the hand for a long moment before finally-and somewhat reluctantly-sticking his hand out to meet it
"...I'm not calling you that," Tsukishima said, still frowning slightly. "Tsukishima Kei."
"Tsukis-Tsukishii-UGH, that's so looong," the boy-Hinata complained. "I'm just going to call you Tsuki, okay?"
With that, Hinata smiled brightly like the world solutions had been answered in a word.
Tsukishima was going to regret this. He knew it already.
(and if maybe, he'd always wanted a brother, too….well, it's not like he was going to tell.)
ooooooo
Morning brought the Queen of Spades knocking on the King's door.
"Hinata?" a groggy voice called from inside and Suga hid a smile.
"Nope," Suga answered, opening the door and walking inside. The Queen spared a look to the usual piles of books cluttering the King's bedroom. The King himself was still in bed and Suga raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry for waking you," Suga commented. "I was sure you'd be awake by now. You missed breakfast."
Which was actually why Suga was here, worry that an assassin had snuck through both the guards and Shimizu getting the best of Suga's nerves.
Perfectly safe, Kageyama blinked blearily back at him.
"Sorry, I didn't get to sleep until a few hours ago," the King admitted, yawning but getting out of his bed and coming to sit at the desk.
"Trouble sleeping," Suga asked, carefully moving a pile of books aside to sit on the room's couch.
"Yeah, just some stuff on my mind," Kageyama said absently.
A moment of panic hit Suga and he wondered if Kageyama really had noticed the assassination attempt a couple of nights ago.
"What's on your mind," Suga asked. "Anything I can help with?"
Kageyama's head jolted up and blush rushed to his cheeks.
"Oh, ah, no. I mean it's nothing you can help with" Kageyama said quickly, awkwardly looking toward the small window and the palace gate in front of it. "It's, um, nothing. Just being stupid."
Suga just barely stopped himself from smiling. It seemed Tsukishima had been right about Kageyama's newfound realizations.
Every generation, every Suit, there's always two, Suga mused. At least, they were better than Takeda and Keishin. King Ukai swore he had developed ulcers just watching the Jack and his grandson circle each other.
"If you're sure," Suga answered and Kageyama looked relieved that the Queen chose not to pursue it. "What have you been reading lately?"
Though his other duties often got in the way, Suga often tried to stop by Kageyama's room and ask on the King's studies. In his opinion, it was always good for the King to talk to more people-especially with the assassins around. Mentally, he readjusted his weekly schedule to allow for more random check ins with the King. After all, Suga was no assassination or espionage expert like Tsukishima or Hinata, he was formidable enough by himself. If an assassin came, let them see why Suga had been the best mage in Spades for over a century.
With that, the Queen sat back and listened as Kageyama explained his latest book on evolving festival rituals-honest passion and interest making the King's eyes light up.
I wonder what would happen if the King ever let the people know just how much he cared, Suga mused. Hiding his melancholy, the Queen spared a glance to the window and immediately sat up straighter.
Still in his desk chair, Kageyama frowned. "What is it, Suga?"
"Hinata's back."
The King rushed over to look out the window beside Suga. In the distance and coming quickly down the road, a small orange blur on horseback could be seen advancing.
Suga looked over and just caught a wide, open, and delighted expression cross Kageyama's face before it was hidden.
Suga stood up. "I'm going to go check that all went well with his journey. Would you like to come?"
Suga watched as the King quickly sat up and was halfway to a nod before he hesitated.
That hesitation made Suga's heart clench.
The King shook his head, folding back into himself. "No, it's fine. You go ahead. I'll see him tomorrow or something. I'll just...let him finish his other things first. I'm sure they're important."
Suga held back a frown and decided to give Kageyama an out.
"Alright," the Queen responded pleasantly. "Though, do you mind if I send him up later this evening to check on your chores? The palace servants are rather short staffed at the moment preparing for the festival."
And Hinata might go crazy if he can't see you after you were almost poisoned.
Kageyama's lips firmed suddenly in the way that people do when they're trying to not smile.
"Yeah, okay," Kageyama grumbled. "Since we're shortstaffed and everything."
Suga nodded before heading for the door.
He had just made it out before he let out a sigh that was half annoyance and half fondness.
He took it back. They were worse than Takeda and Keishin.
ooooooo
"You're back early," Tsukishima commented, watching the shorter man barge into his office and throw himself in the visitor's chair. "I wasn't expecting you for another two days."
Hinata smiled, waving his hand in a short dismissive gesture. "Too important. I ran straight to both Hearts and Clubs."
"I'm sure Bokuto was disappointed," Tsukishima added lightly.
Hinata nodded, looking ever so slightly put out. "He was. Ugh, I wish I could've stayed longer. Akaashi helped me out though."
Tsukishima rolled his eyes, sparing a moment of sympathy for the Queen of Clubs if he was responsible for breaking up an excited Bokuto and Hinata. Whenever the spy and the King of Clubs got together, Tsukishima thought it was lucky that the entire city survived intact.
"What did you find out," Tsukishima asked, focusing back on the important matters.
Like day to night, Hinata sobered-an oddly serious expression settling on his face that had Tsukishima automatically worried.
"It's bad, Tsuki," the Ace told him flatly. "It's really bad."
"Start at the beginning," Tsukishima ordered.
Hinata nodded. "So, I went to Diamonds first to find the guys with the mark, right?"
"And you found them," Tsukishima concluded, remembering Hinata's note about following a lead.
Surprisingly, Hinata shook his head. "No, I didn't...well, okay, I mean, yeah, I did later. But, not in Diamonds."
"Then, how did you end up in Hyakuzawa?"
"I'm getting there," the spy reassured. "I didn't find anything the first few days so I went ahead and delivered the report to the Diamond's Suit so they could get the word out. Then, later, I was with Kenma in his room-"
Tsukishima's eyes narrowed. "You...as Hinata the courier went to visit one of the Suit members in their private chambers."
"Ummmm," Hinata said, taking on that tone that just made Tsukishima know that the next words out of his mouth were going to be a lie. "Yeah, of course. Kenma's really close to...um, me as a courier."
After a moment of serious consideration, Tsukishima decided to let it go to focus on the rest of the story. But, he was definitely coming back to that.
"So, you-a low level servant-were in one of the highest members of the nation's room and…" prompted Tsukishima.
"Right," Hinata said, scratching the back of his head and looking a little too relieved. "So, I was in Kenma's room and I..ah...decided to take the roof to get back...because that's what normal couriers do." Tsukishima rolled his eyes. "And that's when I saw that someone else was on the roof, too."
Tsukishima frowned. "The roofs that are almost impossible to climb without training."
"Exactly, so I decided to follow them, of course. And, then they ended up sneaking into Kuroo's private chambers."
"Do you know what they wanted," Tsukishima asked.
Hinata bit his lip. "Okay, this is the first part where it gets worse. They stole Diamond's defense plans."
"Shit," Tsukishima swore. "Does Diamonds know yet?"
Hinata shook his head. "No, I decided to follow the thieves instead of reporting back immediately."
"Which is how you ended up in Hyakuzawa," Tsukishima concluded.
"Yeah," Hinata agreed. "Oh, also, I snuck into the thieves wagon and replaced the defense plans with a fake so we shouldn't have to worry about that as much."
Okay, so not quite as bad as it could be, Tsukishima thought. But, this still meant that they had one party interested in replacing the King of Hearts while another group was apparently looking into Diamonds. All in all, not great.
"What did you find in Hyakuzawa," Tsukishima asked.
Hinata winced and Tsukishima immediately felt the hairs on his neck stand up.
Tsukishima glared suspiciously. "What. Did. You. Find?"
"Okay, so you've got to promise me you won't get mad," Hinata said slowly. Tsukishima's eye twitched. "Because...I really, really had to do it and there wasn't any other way. And, in the end, it was a really good thing that I did it, so…"
"Hinata, just tell me," Tsukishima snapped.
"They led me to the Hyakuzawa palace," Hinata said quickly. "And I might've had-to-sneak-in-as-myself."
Tsukishima took a second to run the last part back through his head before-
"YOU WHAT?!" Tsukishima yelled, slamming his hands on the desk. "YOU IDIOT! ARE YOU INSANE?! DO YOU WANT TO BE KILLED?!"
Hinata cringed. "See, this is why I said don't be mad. I didn't have time for a disguise and we needed the information, Tsuki!"
Tsukishima took a heavy breath and refrained from just strangling Hinata himself.
"Okay," Tsukishima said, sitting back down and speaking with an obviously strained calmness. "Please, explain just what information was so important that you risked immediate execution."
The spy looked at him seriously, all hints of levity set aside. "It's the King, Tsuki. The King of Hyakuzawa is behind it. Both the marks and the defense plans"
There was a pause and...Tsukishima felt cold.
If the King...if the King of Hyakuzawa was behind this, if he acted on what Hinata and Tsukishima were expecting, then...then, the Card Kingdoms were going to war. A war that Tsukishima wouldn't be able to prevent.
The Jack of Spades frowned. Something...something didn't make sense. He was missing a piece. Tsukishima mentally broke it down, trying to see the picture. The King of Heart's mark, Diamond's defense plan, and….possibly, Kageyama's near assassination.
"Tsuki?" Hinata asked.
Shit, he still had to tell Hinata about the poison.
"Finish your story," Tsukishima instructed absently, still looking at the desk.
Hinata shot him a worried look but continued. "Anyway, so I found out it was the King and then the King heard me so I had to run," Tsukishima's hand clenched and he had to remind himself that Hinata was obviously fine. "Don't worry he didn't see me or anything...but, um, the Prince did. But, it's fine because the Prince definitely doesn't think I'm a spy. I promise."
Tsukishima nodded, not even bothering to yell.
"Um, Tsuki," Hinata asked. "Are you-are you okay? I mean don't get me wrong I'm super terrified that it ended up being the King, too. But, I replaced the plans so as long as we stop him from forging a King of Hearts then...well, I mean it's still bad, but I think we can prevent a war."
"It's not just the defense plans and the mark," Tsukishima said, glancing back up at Hinata to give him his full attention.
Hinata tilted his head. "Huh?"
Tsukishima took a breath before jumping straight into it. "Four days ago, the King's supper was poisoned."
Hinata went still.
Not as in the frozen in shock kind of still but rather a complete absence of motion. Not a breath, not a twitch, just nothing.
Except for the eyes. There was something shifting behind his eyes-like movement under still water. And when Hinata's eyes met Tsukishima's again, the Jack of Spades felt a completely reflexive chill up his spine.
Hinata looked terrifying. Every inch the best assassin in the country.
"The King's fine," Tsukishima finished quickly. "I noticed it first and the King wasn't even aware."
Hinata blinked and his posture shifted again. Tsukishima let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. Now, the Ace of Spades still looked dangerous but no longer in that terrible cold still kind of way.
"What happened," Hinata asked softly.
Tsukishima pulled out Asahi's notes. "Cyanide. Like I said, Kageyama never noticed. Someone posed as a servant to deliver his meal. Noya's still trying to track down leads."
"I'll go see him and help out," Hinata said in a way that wasn't a question.
Tsukishima nodded. "That and I rather figured you'd like to be on the King's protective detail."
Hinata rolled his eyes as if this was obvious. Possibly, because it kind of was.
"Which brings us to the next matter," Tsukishima continued. "Should the King know about the assassination attempt?"
Hinata frowned. "He doesn't already."
"I thought it might be better if he didn't given who's going to be protecting him," Tsukishima replied, letting the Ace put the pieces together.
Hinata groaned. "He'll try to protect me. You're right. Don't tell him."
Tsukishima quirked a brow. "That was quick. Not even if we tell him you're the Ace."
"Definitely not, then," Hinata answered firmly. "Then he'd be worried about me both when I'm protecting him and when I'm on missions."
Tsukishima supposed there was logic behind that. And maybe if he hadn't known Hinata for over a decade, he wouldn't have dug deeper. But…
"Why else," Tsukishima questioned suspiciously. "You agreed way too fast."
Hinata blushed, ducking his head down.
"...okay and I don't want him to hate me for lying to him," Hinata muttered.
Tsukishima examined the spy's suddenly defensive posture.
"I wouldn't exactly call it lying," the Jack remarked carefully. "And it was his choice not to know."
Hinata responded with a flat look. "It was a stupid choice and you know it. We should've told him years ago."
That was...that was altogether an issue for another day, Tsukishima decided. There were more important things to think about it.
Letting Hinata sit to stew in his own feelings, Tsukishima went back to the more important matter at hand. The mark. The plans. The assassination. And what did they have to do with each other. What did they have in common? What was the overall goal?
Okay, the mark was obvious. Forge the mark become the King of Hearts. But, why would the King of Hyakuzawa care about that? It obviously wasn't for himself since it would be flat out impossible to rule two kingdoms and the King obviously wasn't an idiot. So, making an ally the King of Hearts? Why? Better relations between Hearts and Hyakuzawa? Possible though the method seemed extreme.
So, moving on to the next: the defense plans. How would those benefit either becoming King of Hearts or helping the impostor king after he was seated? Hearts and Diamonds would always remain allies and would almost certainly support the ascension of a new King to the Suit-presuming, they didn't know it was an impostor. Tsukishima just couldn't see how those pieces fit together.
The last piece: Kageyama's attempted assassination-no, no, think about it from the Hyakuzawan's point of view-the King of Spades' attempted assassination. Technically, there was no proof the last piece was even involved with the Hyakuzawan King but Tsukishima didn't believe in coincidence. So, what would it help? More important, what would it do? If all the pieces came together perfectly what would it make? A new King of Hearts, a hole in Diamond's defense, and a dead King of Spades.
Oh.
"It's not just the King of Hearts," Tsukishima shouted suddenly.
Hinata looked up. "What?"
"They're not just trying for Hearts," Tsukishima explained, running the ideas through his mind. There was still something irritating him. Maybe after he said it out loud. "If the plan worked, this is what they'd have. One King of Hearts, one opening for the King of Spades, and one weakness in Diamonds that would be large enough to predict an opening for that Kingship as well."
Hinata's eyes widened. "You think they're going after the Kings!"
Tsukishima nodded. "The marks aren't what have the magic, it's the letters. If they have one King's mark, they could theoretically forge the rest. Opening more spots for Kings and they could easily replace them with allies."
The Jack of Spades frowned. Something's still missing.
Across from him, Hinata mirrored his expression. "So, you think that's why they went after Kageyama? To replace him with another King of Spades?"
"It would make sense why he was the only one targeted when both Suga and I were also in the castle," Tsukishima commented, more to himself than the Ace.
Hinata leaned back in the chair, worrying his lip. "But, why though? I mean yeah, Hyakuzawa's got a lot of nobles who want to be kings but it's Cards...If they kill the current Kings, it won't stop new ones from being born. What'll happen when the next in line who has a real mark comes forward to Claim their title."
Tsukishima shrugged. "Deal with the problem as it comes. It shouldn't be too hard. Most of those marked already go to the castle."
"Same as we did," Hinata said in realization. "They wouldn't even have to search for the mark, they'd come to them. It would be almost too easy to get rid of them."
Tsukishima nodded.
Suddenly though Hinata was shaking his head. "No, wait, that wouldn't work."
"What do you mean," Tsukishima inquired, curious if Hinata had finally found whatever was bugging him.
"Well, I mean it's not like the rest of the Suit would just let that happen, right," Hinata reasoned. "I mean with the Card Kingdoms, it's never just the King. So...so, just having a new King wouldn't be guaranteed to help Hyakuzawa because the rest of the Suit could just overrule the King."
Tsukishima hummed, propping his head on his hands. "It would still make it more likely."
Hinata was still frowning. "Also...I don't know, it's something that Kenm-m-my friend Ken was talking about. He said," Hinata's lips pressed together. "He said that it was likely the Hyakuzawans would view a Suits Kingship as a step down from Hyakuzawa so...so why would any of the nobles agree when they thought they'd have a better chance there?"
A knock sounded before Tsukishima could answer-not that he as quite sure what that answer would have been. Both men looked up to the door
Yachi poked her head in. "Hope, I'm not interrupting. But, the Queen wanted to talk to Hinata when you were finished." She smile at the spy. "Welcome back, by the way."
"Thanks, Yachi!" Hinata said, trying to summon a smile for the blonde.
"I think we're through," Tsukishima commented, glancing at Hinata for confirmation. "Go see what Suga wants."
Hinata nodded, turning to Yachi and heading for the door. "So, Yachi, what did I miss?"
The assistant's smile took on a mischievous edge. "Well, guess what librarian is now calling Tsukishima 'Tsuki'"
"REALLY!" Hinata near shouted, letting Yachi pull him out of the door. "Tell me everything!"
Back in his office, Tsukishima finally let in to impulse and groaned, laying his head on his desk. As if the possible insurgence of the entire kingdom wasn't bad enough. Now, he had to worry about an annoying red head pestering him about his love life.
He was absolutely sure that the other Jacks never had to deal with this.
ooooooo
Oikawa looked at himself in the mirror. On his first full day in the castle, his old clothes had been thrown away but a kind but stern palace servant under the excuse of "these aren't clothes; they're barely rags and certainly not appropriate for the Ace's guest".
So, now, Oikawa had been re-clothed in a simple brown vest over a white shirt and black trousers-all of which, he was assured, was the most basic attire that could still be seen as decent. It was still nicer than anything anyone in Oikawa's entire village owned.
Oikawa frowned at his reflection. Three full days in the castle and the Ace had apparently decided that it was best spent giving Oikawa a tour of the entire place. Not that Oikawa didn't appreciate knowing his way around the palace, but still...it wasn't quite the hard sale he'd been expecting from the Head of Heart's Knights.
Today, though, today was different. Today, the Ace-Iwaizumi as the man insisted-had told him he'd be meeting the Queen and Jack of Hearts. Oikawa was...well, not nervous, exactly. Anticipatory wasn't the right word either. Oikawa didn't know what he was. He didn't hate the Queen or Jack like he most assuredly did the Ace. The Queen was...Oikawa didn't know a lot about the Queen other than he had a supposedly well-deserved reputation as an aggressive and terrifying magician. As for the Jack...Actually, Oikawa had a lot of respect for the Jack's financial abilities and had admired a lot of the changes he'd made in the almost decade he'd had the title
Maybe, that was the difference. The Ace was the undisputed leader of the group and all he'd done since Claiming his title was try to keep things exactly the same as before the war. At least, the Queen and Jack knew they were different.
"I am overjoyed that you have finally accepted your place in the palace, Young King," a voice sounded a foot away from Oikawa's face.
"AGHHH!" Oikawa screamed, turning it into a yell at the last second. "QUIT DOING THAT!"
The Fate blinked. "I was only congratulating you on finally listening to reason. I'll admit I'd begun to fear for the worst...But, at last, your wisdom shines through from the darkness."
"No, it didn't!" Oikawa glared back. ""I mean..well, yeah, it has? Whatever, the point is no, I'm still not being King!"
Ushijima cast a glance around the room as if checking to make sure he was in fact in the palace. "I...I am confused."
Oikawa manfully resisted banging his head on a wall. "I'm in the palace because your stupid Ace blackmailed me into it. I am not staying here for over a month. And I am definitely still not being King."
"...I see," the Fate said slowly. "You still have not accepted your destiny. I was mistaken about your newfound wisdom. I apologize."
Oikawa wondered if he could strangle the personification of an abstract concept. He might be willing to find out.
Actually, that reminded him of something.
"And hey, what the fuck," Oikawa demanded. "Did you really send frickin' armed bandits after me cause I stormed out of one meeting?"
"Of course not!" Ushijima responded immediately, sounding almost offended.
Oikawa had a second of relief before the Fate continued, "That was Chaos' doing. Armed bandits are way too messy?"
Oikawa idly wondered if the personification of Order meant messy in the what-a- clusterfuck-we-almost-killed-that-guy-we-were-trying-to-recruit kind of way or in the geeze- Oikawa's-being-stabbed-to-death-sure-made-a-mess kind of way. After a moments thought, Oikawa decided that, for the sake of his mental health, he really didn't want to know.
"Well, thanks, whichever one of you did it," Oikawa muttered sarcastically. "I almost died and now, I'm stuck in this stupid palace."
Ushijima nodded, looking vaguely pleased.
Oikawa rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps, this will be a wonderful opportunity, Young King," Ushijima responded seriously. "You can finally see the place where you belong. See how the Nobel Ace has been leading the country."
"Hey, wait! Why does stupid Iwa-chan get 'Nobel' in front of his and all I get is 'Young'" Oikawa glared.
The Fate tilted his head, looking perplexed. "I thought that was obvious."
Fortunately, Oikawa was saved from further comment by a loud knock on the door.
"Oi, are you ready yet?" a voice called from outside.
Or not so fortunately, given the newcomer.
"Yeah, I'm coming," Oikawa called back, walking to let the Ace in.
A brief glance back showed him that Ushijima had already pulled his disappearing act so at least, Oikawa didn't have to deal with his two least favorite people.
Oikawa yanked the door open, coming face to face with the country's own personal hero.
Oikawa glared at him.
"Morning," greeted the Ace-Iwaizumi, he reminded himself again. "Ready to go?"
"Do I have a choice," Oikawa asked, just to be contrary.
Iwaizumi rolled his eyes. "Relax, Yahaba and Mad Dog probably won't even have a chance to talk long. And I'm planning on showing you a place you may actually like after."
Oikawa had honestly found that he liked rather a lot of the palace so far...not that he was planning to let Iwaizumi know that.
"Where," Oikawa asked suspiciously.
"The library," Iwaizumi responded dryly. "Something tells me that someone like you would fit right in there."
Oikawa didn't know what the Ace was trying to imply but he wasn't wrong. Oikawa pushed down a thread of pure excitement. He'd never even seen a library before, let alone be allowed in it!
"Lead the way then, Iwa-chan," Oikawa said, focusing on the suffix just to see the way the man's eye twitched.
Iwaizumi grumbled under his breath, but motioned for Oikawa to follow him. The Ace lead the way down from the visitor's section of the castle, past the gardens and training grounds, and all the way to the Suit's private chambers and offices. One of the few parts of the castle, Oikawa hadn't seen before.
The Ace sent Oikawa a flat look. "At least, try not to piss them off, won't you? They're both high strung enough."
Oikawa didn't really have any plans to piss off either the person in charge of his village finances or someone who could control fire.
"No promises," Oikawa smiled, watching as Iwaizumi huffed. Honestly, the Ace was almost too easy to annoy. Much easier than Ushijima.
The Ace opened a door to a seemingly random room on the left side of the hall, revealing an office with the two other leaders of Hearts.
"Iwaizumi," Yahaba, the Jack of Spades, greeted happily. Really, did everyone love the Ace except Oikawa?
Mad Dog just grunted in greeting so Oikawa supposed there was that.
"Hey," Iwaizumi returned casually. "This is Oikawa. He's the guy that I was talking about that-"
"The one that came up with the new tariff negotiations with Nohebi," Yahaba interrupted, looking between Oikawa and Iwaizumi for confirmation. "Those were amazing! I can't believe I didn't think of it before."
Oikawa fought back a blush because...well, Yahaba was a financial genius. Literally the best in Cards. Oikawa didn't think the man normally had to admit to not thinking of something first.
Mad Dog sent him a curious look before it settled into flat impassivity. "So, it's another finance mumbo jumbo. So what?"
The Jack rounded on the Queen with a glare that was honestly fiercer than Oikawa would've expected the man able to pull off.
"So, what?" Yahaba demanded angrily. "Finances are just what keep this kingdom running. Far more than whatever magic light show you're going to pull off."
Mad Dog growled.
"Okay," Iwaizumi interrupted, shoving in between the two. "Which one of you wants to catch me up on what I missed yesterday?"
Yahaba continued to glare at Mad Dog, but directed his words to the Ace. "You missed Hinata. He dropped off the report yesterday then pretty much immediately left for Clubs."
"Seriously," Iwaizumi said, furrowing his brow. "I didn't expect him for at least another two days."
Yahaba finally stopped the staring contest and Mad Dog looked...almost put out, actually. Oikawa filed it away for later.
"I already went through the report," the Jack told the Ace. "Nothing that we hadn't already heard."
Iwaizumi nodded, looking serious in a way Oikawa hadn't noticed before.
"Oh," Yahaba put in with a much more excited tone. "There's also this new budget assessment for the knight's weapon maintenance that I wanted to run by you. I think I finally worked on the kink on how to balance for increasing flow of incoming knights without overbalancing later on."
Iwaizumi nodded and the conversation got much more technical than Oikawa could easily understand...or frankly care about.
Listening to the conversation with half of a ear, Oikawa took the time to asses the Jack and Queen of Hearts.
The Jack...kind of reminded Oikawa of a puppy, actually. A genius puppy, of course, but Yahaba still had that wide eyed, eager to please look that Oikawa found slightly endearing. Currently, he was looking at the Ace with that same open admiration that was just a step shy of hero worship, though this time it was colored also with familiarity. He also looked...scared? Maybe, nervous was the better word.
Oikawa frowned. Granted Oikawa knew the Ace was an asshole, but...but the Ace didn't seem like the type to scare his own people. Oikawa titled his head, trying to put it together.
Oh. Oikawa thought as he watched Yahaba explain his latest idea more fully. Not scared of the Ace, scared about failing him.
The Jack of Hearts didn't want to disappoint his hero. Oikawa fought back a sigh. He guessed that was understandable if annoying. From everything he'd seen, the Jack had a much better grasp of finances and probably could turn the whole kingdom on edge if he'd let himself.
Oikawa turned his gaze to the Queen. The Mad Dog of Hearts lived up to his title-growling and scowling animalistically at every part of the conversation he didn't agree with. Oikawa was curious. Being a mage required an intense level of dedication and focus. He wondered how the sullen, snappish man reconciled the two.
As if sensing his stare, Mad Dog turned around and glared at Oikawa. Oikawa returned the glare with his own sunny smile.
"That sounds great, Yahaba," Iwaizumi commented, drawing back Oikawa's attention. "I'll come back in a bit after I drop Oikawa off at the library." Oikawa mentally scoffed at the phrase dropped off. Like he was some kind of package. "Then, we can talk more about Tsukishima's report."
Mad Dog gave a grunt of acknowledgement, very similar to the one he'd made in greeting.
"Really," Yahaba turned and snapped. "You could at least manage a proper farewell if a greeting is too much for you."
The Queen stared at him flatly before finally giving another grunt, this one with an obstinate edge.
Mad Dog and Yahaba glared at each other and Oikawa was slightly amazed that they hadn't killed each other yet if this was how they interacted. Then, he saw Yahaba's gaze drop briefly to Mad Dog's lips before flickering back up. Oikawa fought back a smile. Well, that explained a lot.
"Just...just don't kill each other," the Ace said warily before turning to Oikawa. "Come on, let's go."
"Grab some breakfast before you leave," Yahaba called, still glaring at Mad Dog.
Cute, Oikawa thought amused.
"Got it," called back the Ace, grabbing an apple from a fruit display before offering it to Oikawa.
Oikawa shook his head.
Iwaizumi shrugged before leading him out of the room, shutting the door firmly behind him.
"Library's this way," Iwaizumi gestured, biting into the apple.
Oikawa followed, waiting until they were far enough away before speaking
"Soooo," Oikawa asked conversationally. "How long have the Queen and Jack been sleeping together?"
Iwaizumi sucked in the apple he'd been eating, bending over and coughing. Oikawa held back a laugh.
"What?" the Ace asked sharply, once he recovered
Oikawa just shrugged innocently. "Didn't you know?"
The Ace frowned, brow furrowing in thought. Oikawa smiled back guileless.
"I...I suspected," Iwaizumi finally settled on even though Oikawa suspected it was a bold faced lie. "I just didn't expect you to notice."
Oikawa smirked. "Iwa-chan, you can't get that mad at someone unless you want to kill them or kiss them. Based on the fact that neither of them are dead, I assumed the later."
A beat passed where the two men just stared at each other before he Ace hummed, continuing their walk down the hall
Oikawa looked over to see Iwaizumi smiling.
"What is it?" Oikawa asked curiously
Iwaizumi shook his head, letting out a small chuckle. "Nothing, I was just think that this probably explained why Yahaba and Mad Dog always volunteered to finish all the late night reports...and why the reports never seemed to be finished the next morning."
And Oikawa...Oikawa almost laughed, before he remembered he hated the Ace.
"You're really good at reading people, aren't you," said Ace asked, looking over at him.
"Thanks, it comes from actually caring about people," Oikawa threw back.
Rather than getting annoyed like Oikawa expected-wanted-the Ace just shook his head again, sending Oikawa a look that was almost amused. "Ah, there, it is. Careful, for a full minute there, you weren't a complete dick."
"Oh, good, a personal record," Oikawa responded dryly.
This time the Ace actually did laugh. A short bark of laughter with a few stray chuckles following after.
Oikawa just stared.
"I do," Iwaizumi responded seriously after the laughter had finally subsided. "I do really care about people, you know."
Oikawa raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yes, I can see that. That's why you're gambling with their futures just so you can spend time with little old me."
Iwaizumi glared.
And, yes, Oikawa thought, this was right. The Ace was supposed to be annoyed with Oikawa, not laughing at his jokes.
But then instead of yelling or throwing back his own cutting insults, the Ace just sighed...almost sadly.
"Fine, yeah, you're right. I'm a complete monster," Iwaizumi responded tiredly. "Terrible. Worst leader Hearts has ever had. I probably eat babies in my spare time."
The Ace finally stopped at two large double doors, yanking them open to reveal a room covered in more books than Oikawa had seen in his entire life.
But for once, the books weren't what Oikawa focused on.
Iwaizumi had continued to stare at him, still with that same resigned look.
"Just, go and read your books or whatever," he told Oikawa. "I've gotta go make sure this kingdom's still running. Even if you do think I'm doing a terrible job at it."
With that the Ace turned around and left, leaving Oikawa with just his thoughts and a vaguely guilty feeling for company.
Yeah, Oikawa thought frustrated-though he wasn't quite sure with whom. Like I'm going to be able to focus on the books after that.
ooooooo
ere was a knock on the door and Kageyama's heart stuttered
"Oi, Kageyama," a very familiar voice called out. "It's me. I'm back! Let me in; I brought you something."
Hinata had barely finished before Kageyama was opening the door.
"Awesome! That was quick!" Hinata smiled and Kageyama stepped away from the door to let the shorter man inside.
Hinata walked into the room and turned, casting a glance at the familiar stacks of books before finally his gaze settled on Kageyama.
He smiled, holding up a book of his own. "I brought you a book back from Clubs."
"Thanks," Kageyama replied, distracted.
Hinata continued smiling and Kageyama got his first look at Hinata that he'd had in weeks….since he'd realized.
And Hinata looked….the important thing was that Hinata looked like he was alright. Safe.
The important thing was not, Kageyama reminded himself, that his hair looked like flames in the candle light. The important thing was not that Kageyama had never realized before how warm Hinata's eyes looked, a golden amber that seemed to hold their own light more than just reflecting it. The important thing was not that Hinata had obviously gotten more sun on his trip so that a few tiny freckles were scattered across his nose. The important thing was not that Hinata was beautiful and that Kageyama was having trouble breathing.
Crap, Kageyama thought suddenly. I've been staring too long. This is weird, right?
But Hinata was staring back so...so maybe, it wasn't weird. Or at least...if it was, at least they were both being weird.
"You're okay," Hinata said quietly, interrupting Kageyama's thoughts.
And that...that was Kageyama's line, wasn't it? Hinata was the one who just got back from the dangerous trip.
"Dummy," Kageyama muttered, aiming for gruff but it somehow came out softer than he meant. He didn't have time to panic before something firm hit his chest and arms wrapped around his waist.
Hinata was...Hinata was hugging him?
Shit! Shit! Kageyama's brain short circuited. What do I do?
Hug him back, a voice that sounded remarkably like Suga prompted him.
Kageyama's arms slowly, cautiously came around to settle around Hinata's shoulders and the smaller man jerked in surprise before settling back.
A moment passed quietly where neither spoke.
Then, Hinata drew back. Not far, maybe five or so inches, but enough to meet Kageyama's eyes.
And Kageyama looked back.
And...And...for a moment, with the way Hinata's head was leaned forward and so, so close. And with how Kageyama's head was tilted down and aching to lean closer. And..and Kageyama thought that they might...that Hinata might...and Kageyama wanted.
And then, Hinata smiled and the moment shifted.
Shifted not broke, because Kageyama still felt like his heart was beating out of his chest. But the moment changed, settled, until he could feel it in his bones.
Hinata drew back into the hug, leaning on Kageyama's shoulder with arms wrapped tightly around his waist
"I missed you," the smaller man whispered.
And yeah, Kageyama thought, tilting his head so it just ever so lightly brushed the top of Hinata's hair. I missed you, too.
And one day, he might even be able to say it.
ooooooo
A/N: As always, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed!