3 Years Prior

"But I don't need a manservant," Kageyama muttered, frowning into his book.

"You're a King, Kageyama. Servants come with the territory," Suga responded flatly. "Besides he's a manservant for the entire Spades Suit, not just you particularly."

The 21 year old King sighed. "He might as well just serve you and Tsukishima then and skip coming here."

Suga waved him off. "He'll have other duties to attend to as well. He's already the official Spades courier but we need something for him to do between messages."

"But what am I even going to ask him to do. Everything I need, I can get myself." Kageyama asked, trying to keep the whine out of his tone.

He apparently wasn't that successful as Suga merely folded his arms across his chest and gave Kageyama that look that always made him feel like he was nine years old and in trouble.

"Serving me will be really boring," Kageyama tried, not meeting Suga's eyes.

It was the Queen's turn to sigh. "Then get him to get you books from town. Ask him to take notes for you. Miracle of miracles, you could even try talking to him." He leveled Kageyama with a firm stare. "The point is you're not getting out of this so you might as well make the best out of it."

A good king was supposed to know when he'd been defeated.

"...Fine," Kageyama said. "When do I meet him?"

Suga smiled. "I'm so happy you agree, my King, since he should be here any minute."

"Wait, he's coming here today?" Kageyama gaped.

"No time like the present." Suga continued to smile just as a knock sounded at the door. "That must be him now."

Before Kageyama could say anything else, the Queen had already strolled to the door and was pulling it open. "My King, I'd like to introduce you to the Official Courier of Spade and newly appointed Manservant to the Spade's Suit, Hinata Shouyou."

"Pleased to meet you, Your Highness," the newcomer smiled.

The absolute very first impression that Kageyama had of his new manservant was bright. Possibly too bright-with vivid orange hair that was sticking out in every direction more akin to a fire than a hairstyle and shining bronze eyes that seemed to be evaluating Kageyama even while the smile on the servant's face was nothing but polite. Kageyama had the strangest impulse to shield his eyes while looking at him.

Kageyama did what he normally did upon confronting situations that confused him-frown and remain silent.

Standing behind the new servant, Suga rolled his eyes. "I'll let you two get acquainted for a bit."

And then, Suga closed the door behind him-leaving Kageyama with a total stranger that was now looking at him expectantly.

"Ummm….I don't really have anything for you to do," Kageyama said and hoped the servant-Hinata, Suga said his name was Hinata-wouldn't get bored or be annoyed or...something.

Instead, Hinata just smiled. "That's fine. Nice to have a break anyway. Whatcha reading?"

Kageyama blinked and realized he was still holding an open book. "Ah, just...just something on city design-road building and stuff."

Hinata's face scrunched up. "That sounds so boring! You read that for fun?"

Kageyama huffed, glaring back down at the book instead of the servant. Because yeah, the book was boring, but it was his book and it might be useful someday so there.

"Well," the servant said and Kageyama blinked back up because he thought that conversation was done. "Is it for fun?"

Kageyama frowned, shifting in his seat. "It's not for fun. It's so I can help the kingdom."

"Oh," Hinata said, surprised. "Then that's not boring at all. How's it going to help?"

Kageyama's brow furrowed. This conversation was not really going how he planned it, how they normally went.

"I don't know yet," Kageyama admitted. "But...but it could one day. Like maybe if Spades wants to build a new city or something. It's just in case, you know...so I can be prepared."

Hinata tilted his head before nodding. "Okay, that makes sense."

Kageyama nodded and turned back to his book, hoping that was the end of the strange conversation.

"So, what have you learned so far," Hinata asked, dashing Kageyama's hopes.

"Why do you care?" Kageyama snapped impatiently. "You thought it was boring."

"Well, yeah, but that was before you told me why," Hinata said, rolling his eyes with a casualness that Kageyama found strange for a palace servant. "Now, I want to know in case I need to know about city construction one day."

"Why would a courier and manservant need to know about city construction," Kageyama demanded.

Hinata smiled and Kageyama's could swear there was a mischievous edged to it. "Servants need to know all kinds of things, my King." Hinata shrugged and the mischievous edge disappeared. "And besides I like to learn about things, especially stuff that other people think is cool. So please tell me what you learned."

Kageyama frowned. "I haven't even read much yet. I'm only on chapter two.""

"Then I'm in luck," Hinata concluded happily. "I get to start from the beginning."

Kageyama stared at him. "You...you really want to hear about this?"

Hinata nodded. "Definitely, my King!"

"You don't have to call me 'my King' all the time," Kageyama muttered. "It's a hassle-just call me Kageyama."

If anything, Hinata's smile grew. "Okay, Kageyama!"

Kageyama sighed and tried to work up some of the annoyance from earlier-he was finding it particularly difficult in the face of the servant's excitement

"Get over here, so I can show you this diagram," Kageyama ordered. "None of the chapter makes sense without it."

Hinata beamed, walking towards Kageyama's desk. Halfway there, he tripped over what seemed like thin air-almost falling and nearly hitting a pile of Kageyama's books.

Kageyama glared as Hinata apologized sheepishly for the clumsiness.

Honestly, what had this idiot even been doing for the past five years?

ooooooo

A knock on the door jolted Suga out of his semi-conscious daze and into a state of hyper-alertness only achieved by those just short of total exhaustion.

"C-come in," the Queen called, hastily making sure his clothes didn't look too wrinkled and struggling to remember exactly which appointment he'd forgotten.

The Captain of the Guards inched the door open and it was only through decades and decades of diplomatic experience that Suga held back a groan.

Oh, right, that appointment. The one that just happened to be the first time he'd spoken with Daichi since the disastrous conversation in the garden. Of course, it would be this morning.

Daichi was still waiting by the door with a hesitant expression that did strange things to Suga's heart muscles.

Suga mustered a smile. "Morning, you can go ahead and sit down."

"Sug-Your Highness," Daichi corrected, moving to the seat slowly. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather me meet with the Jack or King today? I understand that this is awkward for you."

It was awkward, but Suga was sure it was even more for Daichi than it was for himself. Besides both Kageyama and Tsukishima were rather preoccupied this morning so it's not like there was much other option. Still, for Daichi, he'd try…

"I'll be fine but I completely understand if you'd rather meet with them," Suga offered, already mentally trying to find an opening.

"No," Daichi said quickly. "I'd...I'd rather just continue like normal so we can move passed this quicker."

Suga nodded and looked down, not quite up to meeting the sincerity in the Captain's expression.

"Any news from the Knights," Suga asked, sticking with the familiarity of a well worn script.

"Nothing of great import," Daichi replied smoothly. "The older ones look forward to the tournament. The younger are excited to observe."

"Excellent," Suga complimented, moving by route to the next matter. "Is the private field ready for the Aces' Match?"

"All in order," Daichi answered. "I take it we still shouldn't expect our own Ace to join?"

Suga swallowed at the mention of Hinata, thoughts he'd been trying to suppress warring with the present. "...No, he won't be competing."

There was a pause and Suga looked up to see Daichi staring at him with that same conflicted expression from earlier.

"Are the knight's stables ready for visitors," Suga asked quickly, hoping to distract. His heart beat erratically in his chest and for once it was caused by panic rather than the strange affection that normally coupled with the Captain's presence.

Daichi continued starring. "Everything was cleaned and ready when I saw it last night. I'm having the new recruits make sure it's spotless for the guests."

"Thank you," Suga said, looking down and forcefully breaking the stare. "You can...You're dismissed, Captain. Thank you for your report."

"...Suga."

Suga pretended he didn't hear.

"My Queen, are you...are you alright?"

Suga let out a shaky breath, not looking up. "Daichi, I don't want to burden you with my problems. Especially not so soon after….It would be cruel to request any more of your concern."

"Koushi," Daichi said in such a soft voice that Suga had to look up.

Finally meeting Suga's eyes, Daichi swallowed. "Suga, I didn't tell you of my feelings so I could stop being your friend. I did in the hopes of being something else as well….Please, don't hide your burdens out of concern for me or fear of giving me false hope. It's...it's always been my honor to be your friend."

And at that moment, Suga was just frankly too tired of holding back anymore and much, much too scared of being alone.

"Yesterday, I spent most of the day thinking the Ace was dead," Suga said bluntly and watched as Daichi's eyes widened with the unspoken question.

Suga shook his head. "He's not...Thank the Fates, he's not. But...he was just gone and...and my magic couldn't find him and before that's always...It's always meant that." Suga's breath was coming too fast and he paused trying to catch it.

"Suga…"

"Before, it's always meant they were dead," Suga continued, cutting him off. "And...and I just kept thinking that it was happening again and that there was nothing I could do and…"

"But, it didn't, right," Daichi interrupted, grabbing his attention. "The Ace is fine."

Suga nodded, pressing his lips together.

"So, everything is still alright," Daichi said and for a moment, Suga just sat and let the voice soothe him.

"But, that's the thing," Suga said, voice barely above a whisper. "He's fine now...but eventually, he won't be. Eventually, they'll all be…" Suga swallowed. "Eventually, they'll all be dead and I'll still be here, waiting for the next Suit. And it won't be the same and.."

Suga looked up at Daichi. "I watched them grow up, did you know that?"

Daichi shook his head.

"All of them...normally...normally, the Suit members wait to Claim their titles until they're at least older teenagers but this time…" Suga took a ragged breath and finally admitted something he'd been trying to avoid. "This time, I got to watch them grow and I don't know if I can let them go this time. Not this Suit. Not this time."

Daichi paused, looking at him closely. "What are you trying to say, Suga?"

Suga shook his head. "I'm not sure and...I probably shouldn't tell you this, but it's you so...Cards is on the brink of war," he ignored Daichi's sharp intake of breath. "There's already been multiple assassination attempts on Kageyama, one of our spies was nearly killed because they thought he was the Ace, our Ace just escaped a kidnapping, and…" Suga stopped. "There's so many things coming and I don't know if there's a single thing I can do to stop them."

A hand reached out and grabbed Suga's own.

Perplexed, Suga looked up at the Captain.

"So, do what you always do, my Queen," Daichi told him gently. "Plan for what you, adapt to what may come, and lead our country as best as your able."

"I wish it were that simple," Suga said sadly

"So do I," Daichi said with all the calm reason of a Knight's Captain. "But it's all we have, so it's all we can do. And Suga?"

"Yes?"

"Wherever you lead, I will follow." the Captain promised.

And nothing was solved by those words. War loomed. Worries remained. The Cards Kingdom remained in a danger that Suga still didn't have a solution for. Nothing had changed between the breaths.

But despite this, Suga still found something in him settled.

ooooooo

If asked a month ago how he'd feel at the end of his mandated castle stay, Oikawa would've laughed and said something like relief or elation, maybe even a vindictive sort of pleasure in predicting this from the start

Now, watching the Hearts' Suit prepare to leave the castle, Oikawa could only feel a deep aching sadness, an internalized bitterness, and-most of all-a sense of overwhelming grief.

"You didn't have to come see us off you know," Iwaizumi grumbled, eyes darting between Oikawa and the horse with a nervousness that the other found endearing.

Oikawa reached out and secured the finishing straps of the saddle. "Of course I did, Iwa-chan. Don't be silly."

Iwaizumi swallowed and Oikawa's eyes unconsciously traced the movement. "If you change your mind…"

"I won't," Oikawa replied firmly but tempered it with a small smile.

"If you do," Iwaizumi continued. "You know Mad Dog's staying to watch over Hearts while we're gone so you can always go to him."

"I'll keep that in mind," Oikawa said even though they both knew it was a lie.

Iwaizumi looked at him and Oikawa knew it wouldn't be much longer until the Ace needed to leave.

"I'll miss you, you know," Iwaizumi said with a rough laugh. "A month ago, I never would've believed it but...I'm really going to miss you."

Oikawa looked away, pressing down a number of embarrassing impulses. "I'll miss you, too."

"Maybe….maybe I can come visit you? Come see your village or something," Iwaizumi said, stepping forward.

"You shouldn't," Oikawa said, tone emotionless. "All it will do is hurt us both."

Iwaizumi let out another humorless laugh. "Yeah, you're probably right…."

The Ace moved to start walking away and Oikawa's hand shot out, entangling with his.

Iwaizumi looked back, surprised.

"I'm sorry," Oikawa said quickly, looking up to meet Iwaizumi's eyes. "I really am...and...I just wanted you to know that I...I don't regret it. Staying here. Meeting you. I don't regret it."

Instead of answering, Iwaizumi leaned down, finding Oikawa's lips with his own.

Oikawa had a brief handful of seconds to think that the kiss would have been sweet-gentle and warm and right-if it wasn't so heartbreakingly sad.

Like everything, the kiss ended too soon and Iwaizumi leaned back to rest his head against Oikawa's.

"...Yeah, I don't regret it either," Iwaizumi sighed. "Any of it."

This time when Iwaizumi pulled away and went to mount his horse, Oikawa didn't stop him. He also didn't say anything when the Ace rode forward, calling for Yahaba. He didn't do anything when he watched the two ride off with a small contingent of knights, the entire party getting smaller and smaller until they finally vanished in the distance.

And finally, when everyone was gone and Oikawa was left alone in an empty stable, that's when he unwrapped a particular bandage and starred at a bright red heart that had never looked quite so empty.

ooooooo

It had taken a full day of first recounting the story to Tsuki, then being fully questioned by Tsuki, then recounting the story to Tsuki and Suga, then more questioning, then a medical check up from Asahi, then being re-checked and worried over by Yachi when he had to retell the story to her, but Hinata was finally cleared and allowed to return to guarding Kageyama.

Granted, by the time he got there he'd probably only be able to actually talk to Kageyama for a few hours before the King went to sleep, but still it was better than nothing. And Hinata needed to see that the King was okay. At this point, he wasn't even sure whether it was a delayed reaction from the stress of kidnapping or something to do with his own feelings for the man; but, ever since he'd gotten back to the palace, there'd was a constant itch in the back of Hinata's skull urging him to make sure Kageyama was alright.

Hinata's lip twitched up in a smile. Why did no one ever tell me that being in love involved this much worrying?

He was almost to the South Tower where Kageyama's room was located when he stopped, seeing something that was very much not supposed to be there.

Another servant was walking to the tower stairs, an ornate covered silver platter held balanced in his hands.

Absently, Hinata noticed that his insides had gone cold-not in shock, not in fear, but rather a familiar icy feeling that Hinata only felt on a very particular set of missions.

Hinata walked forward with a smile.

"Hey, isn't it a bit late for a dinner run," Hinata called. "I can't believe the King still has you working this late?"

The servant jolted in surprise, turning to Hinata and allowing the Ace to get the first full glimpse of the man.

Unfamiliar, Hinata noted. Not a palace servant. Threat.

Hinata held out a hand, gesturing to the platter. "If you want, I can take that up for you? It's on my way."

"No," the servant said a little too quickly, jerking the platter away from Hinata.

Hinata scrunched up his brow in a pantomime of confusion.

"I mean," the servant laughed nervously. "I won't bother someone else with it. My task, my responsibility and all."

"Alright." Hinata nodded, easily accepting and the servant seemed to relax a bit. Hinata didn't let that last long. "Say I don't think I've seen you before. New to the palace?"

The servant swallowed. "Um, yes. I came here from the country."

"What country was that?" Hinata asked, purposely misunderstanding the words. "I thought I heard a bit of an accent. Must be cool to travel like that."

The servant frowned and Hinata saw a bead of sweat roll down his forehead. "I meant the countryside. North of here." He frowned. "What are you doing going to the King's room, by the way? Isn't it a bit late for most servants?"

Hinata grinned and probably only Tsuki would notice the sharp edge to it. "It is for most servant, but didn't you know? I'm the Suit's manservant."

Confusion colored the servant's face but Hinata kept smiling.

"I thought that they…." the servant swallowed. "Apologies, they told me you were indisposed."

"Indisposed?" Hinata cocked his head. Because I'm pretty sure a new servant isn't supposed to know I was 'indisposed'?

That gave Hinata all the basic answers he needed. Hyakuzawan accent, definitely involved with the group that kidnapped Hinata, and unlikely to give away any more information than what he'd already revealed. Now, all that was left was to see how this would play out.

The servant shook his head. "Well, I guess that information was wrong. If you'll excuse me, I really must deliver this to the King now."

"Oh, of course! Sorry!" Hinata glanced down sheepishly. "I always just love talking to people. My brother always tells me I'm being stupid, but…" Hinata shrugged, "it's how you get to know people."

The servant was looking increasingly impatient. "Well, if that's all…"

"Yeah, that's it," Hinata smiled and waited until the servant started to turn. "Actually, wait. Do you mind if I just ask one more question?"

The servant gave him an annoyed look. "What?"

Hinata stepped forward. "There's just one thing I don't get. Are you working for the King directly or just hired mercenaries?"

The servant's mouth dropped open. "What are you-"

"Because that's what me and Tsuki keep trying to figure out," Hinata explained. "Cause with a plot like this, I said that it's much more likely you're one of the King's own-minimize the risk of leaking information and all." Hinata tilted his head, thinking of something. "Though, I guess the King didn't have to tell you everything about the plot, did he? Darn, that means Tsuki was right."

The "servant" was staring at him intently.

"I'm sorry, I think you've made some mistake," he said coldly. "I'm just a new palace servant."

Hinata laughed. "You're a terrible palace servant. Like even worse than me when I'm being clumsy. Standing out here talking while the food gets cold? The cooks would kill you." Hinata's smile dropped and he shrugged. "I gotta say though. You guys have been pretty decent assassins….just not good enough."

The "servant" held his expression for one...two...and then the whole facade dropped like taking off a mask.

The assassin smirked. "If I'm a terrible servant, then you have to be a particularly dumb one." He let the platter slide down to the ground, revealing the sharp knife under it. "One little manservant staring down an experienced assassin. You really didn't think this through, did you?"

Hinata stepped back, letting his eyes widen. He gulped.

"You know...I think I have a question for you, too," the assassin commented idly, stepping forward for every step Hinata retreated. "I'm sure my associates aren't quite that incompetent. So, how did you manage to escape them already?"

"I had some help," Hinata answered honestly, giving his voice a trace of fear. "I thought they wanted me for information on Kageyama. Why are you here before they got it?"

The assassin shrugged. "I'm impatient." The knife glinted in his hands. "Quite impatient, when I saw a chance in between the palace guards, I just had to take it...Your friend was right about the hired mercenaries part, though I admit I'm now curious about this 'plot' you referred to. Think I should've asked for more money?"

"Probably," Hinata breathed.

"Darn," the assassin drawled. "Oh, well, I supposed this job wasn't a total waste. I did still get to kill the Ace." He advanced towards Hinata, boxing him at the wall. "I'm sorry but that was all the information I really needed, little servant. As thanks, I will try to leave your body somewhere it can be easily found."

The assassin's knife slashed forward.

...Hinata's was quicker.

The assassin's knife dropped and he grabbed his arm, now bleeding heavily from the severed artery. A few seconds later, the assassin fell to the ground, looking up at Hinata with something like shock.

Hinata leaned down, looking slightly apologetic. He pulled down the neck of his tunic until the black spades mark was just visible on his upper bicep.

"Sorry, I think your job did end up a total waste."

"You..." the assassin managed, voice getting weaker until his eyes finally drifted closed and he fell.

Hinata bent down to check for a pulse-there wasn't one-before hefting the body down and into the little alcove off the main tower stairs where no one was likely to see it.

That done, Hinata rocked back on his feet and just stood.

The coldness was washing away now. His heartbeat was picking up-fear now. Quick breaths echoed in his ears and Hinata had to take a second to realize they were his own.

If he'd been a minute later heading to Kageyama's room...if it had been almost anyone besides Hinata...if the Fate hadn't decided to help Hinata escape...Hinata's King-Kageyama would be dead right now and Hinata…

Much like a string wound too tight and held under too much pressure, something snapped and Hinata was left unmoored without an often held restraint.

It was in that moment that Hinata made a decision.

Turning to the Tower, Hinata started quickly up the stairs.

ooooooo

Utterly unaware of his almost demise, Kageyama yawned.

Leaning back in his chair with a book on Club's gem mining practices, the King distractedly wondered if he should head to bed early.

This day had seemed longer than most, probably because Hinata was still out sick from whatever stomach bug Yachi had informed him about. Kageyama bit his lip and wondered if it would be weird if he went and checked on him tomorrow if he still wasn't back. He remembered from a book he'd read a few years ago about common treatments for ailments, that peppermint helped for nausea.

….Yeah, nevermind, that was probably weird. Hinata would be just fine with whatever the palace healer advised and without Kageyama crowding around him.

A quick knock on the door interrupted Kageyama's thoughts.

The King barely had time to open his mouth before the door swung open and Hinata himself strode in, eyes flickering around the room before they landed on Kageyama sitting at the desk.

"Hinata?" Kageyama stood up as Hinata started walking towards him with an oddly intent look . "I guess you're feeling better?"

That stopped the servant. Hinata frowning back at him in confusion.

"From your stomach bug?" Kageyama reminded, wondering if maybe Hinata was still sick.

"Oh, yeah," Hinata blinked, confusion clearing. "Yeah, the stomach bug. All better and definitely not contagious."

"That's good for-," Kageyama started and that was as far as he got before Hinata pushed him back in the seat.

He barely had time to frown before Hinata was suddenly in his lap and kissing him.

Kageyama's brain broke.

Hinata didn't seem to notice, running a hand into his hair and biting lightly at his lip. Kageyama's mouth fell open more on instinct than anything and Hinata made a faintly pleased sound, moving forward and tongue flicking across the side of Kageyama's.

Kageyama's two remaining synapses fired back.

Carefully but firmly, Kageyama pushed Hinata back and stared at him.

"Fuck, you are still sick, aren't you," Kageyama gasped out, finding the most likely explanation. "You've got some kind of fever and it's making you crazy."

Hinata grinned, lips still wet and Kageyama was having a very rough time stopping himself from leaning back in.

"I don't have a fever," Hinata said, grabbing Kageyama's palm and placing it on the servant's own forehead so Kageyama could verify for himself.

Kageyama swallowed because Hinata didn't feel like he had a fever. But, honestly, Kageyama kind of felt like his own skin was on fire so maybe he wasn't the best one to check.

"I don't have a fever, I'm not sick anymore, and I'm definitely not crazy," Hinata repeated, leaning in so his face was the only thing in Kageyama's vision. "But I do really, really like you." Hinata licked his lips, drawing Kageyama's eyes unbidden. "Actually, I'm in love with you and I think I've been that way for years. And it's kind of making it really hard not to want to kiss you right now but I think that's okay...because I think you want to kiss me, too."

A really funny thing was happening in Kageyama's chest as he tried to process the other's words. He wasn't quite sure if his heart was flying or if he was going into some kind of cardiac arrest. Unconsciously, Kageyama's hands gripped down on Hinata's waist, holding the man in place while Kageyama tried to piece together an idea that he was almost positive was too good to be true.

Apparently all of this was taking way too long as Hinata blinked, leaning back as the first true traces of nervousness passed over his face. He shifted uncomfortably on Kageyama's lap-which really didn't help Kageyama's thought process any.

"Aww, crap, I was totally wrong wasn't I?" Hinata said, face flushing bright red. "Crap, I'm so sorry. I just kept thinking there were all these signs and Yachi said something that me think and-"

Kageyama wasn't good at words. Luckily, some things didn't need them.

This time, when their lips met, Hinata was the one surprised.

That didn't last long. Hinata's hands, previously on his neck, coming back up to grip Kageyama's hair pulling him closer and closer. Kageyama gasped and he could actually feel Hinata's answering grin before the other took advantage to slide his tongue back into Kageyama's mouth.

If Kageyama had ever thought about what it was like to kiss Hinata-and he had, a lot, along with a few things that went beyond kissing-he'd always imagined the servant to be somewhat fumbling. Eager and bright like Hinata was in everything he did, but still a bit clumsy and awkwardly endearing.

This kiss was very much not clumsy. Kageyama had been right about the eagerness and the sincerity but every part of this kiss was sure and confident in a way that made Kageyama's toes curl and his finger dig into Hinata's back.

It was the kind of kiss that wiped everything-doubts, insecurities, fear-from Kageyama's mind and left him feeling like for once, everything was perfect.

Well, almost. There was still one more thing.

So again, Kageyama ran a hand up to Hinata's shoulder and gently pulled him back, this time with only an inch in between them-just enough to see Hinata's eyes.

"I love you, too."