Archive of Our Own

The way the world works is clearly advantageous for some kinds of people, you know the people with contacts, people with useful skills, people that actually enjoy interacting with other people.

Yamaguchi Tadashi was about 8 years old when he realised he was clearly not included in this kind of people, he was way too awkward, too scrawny, and apparently too ugly as well, or so he has been told by the kids that are currently cornering him. It was the first day of class and this couldn’t be going worse.

Yamaguchi doesn’t recall doing anything to them, he didn’t even know what their full names were! It seemed like existing in loneliness was enough to become a target. That was a shame since he really enjoyed being by himself, he doesn’t really know what to do since he has already told them that they are not being very nice and they told him to ‘shut up ugly freckles’.

One of the boys, who was currently using a face mask to avoid being recognized as if he were some gangster big shot was about to throw him a punch, Yamaguchi just curled into himself, god he really hated physical contact from strangers, it made his skin crawl the bad way and felt dirty.

-“Do you expect him to wear an ugly mask like you or what?”

An unknown voice was heard from behind the group of boys, Yamaguchi curious as ever looked up to see messy and short blonde hair and a piercing gaze that had something unusual, but he couldn’t quite tell what was wrong with his face.

-“Who are you? Go away, it's none of your business what happens here! This is our place” Said one of the boys.

-“You mean in the restroom? Geez I mean you totally belong with the shit.” Replied the blonde boy, now that Yamaguchi was seeing better he was really tall, maybe he was from middle school and decided to help a troubled kid like himself.

-“You idiot!” One of the boys snapped and got up to face the blonde but as he got closer to him he seemed to realise that he needed to extend his neck to see him in the eyes, the blonde guy on another hand made a creepy face as he stared back with a frown.

Apparently that was mean enough to get the bully insecure as he stepped back and grabbed the hem of his friend’s shirt while they rushed out the restroom.

Yamaguchi felt weird, a part of him was relieved he didn’t have to go home today with bruises, but another part of him was curious, look Yamaguchi knew he was not the best at knowing what was alright and what was wrong, but this blonde boy was the best definition of ‘cool’ he could thought of.

-“Hey, thank you for scaring those guys off, I thought they wanted to be friends but I guess I got the message wrong… I'm Yamaguchi Tadashi, nice to meet you!”

-“Scaring huh?” The blonde boy murmured to himself “That was lame to watch Yamaguchi”.

That was what the boy actually said to Yamaguchi, who stopped for a moment as he processed what he said, but before thinking about a measured response Yamaguchi couldn’t help but laugh, he laughed so hard teats were forming in the corner of his eyes.

-“I guess that is true, sorry…?” Yamaguchi managed to say, still unsure of how to call the honest boy before him.

-“Tsukishima Kei.” He replied.

-“Sorry Tsukki!” He said smiling, Yamaguchi didn’t have many friends, and besides social skills he found himself often irritated that other kids didn't say what they meant most of the time and that was confusing, but not Tsukishima, he was direct, said what he thought and that was the first trait that pulled Yamaguchi unto Tsukishima’s direction.

~«•»~

A couple years later, in middle school, Tsukishima found out that being friends with Yamaguchi was easy, being around him felt natural, and it felt right with Tsukishima in a way he never experienced before. Yamaguchi was a very sweet person, kind to the bugs not many people liked and sensible towards cruel topics; but at the same time Yamaguchi was rational, awfully aware of how things worked and more so of how they didn’t fit in these things. Yamaguchi didn’t ask him dumb questions like why was he so tall, or if he was sad, (he isn’t that was just how his face is).

It was nice to have someone who could actually understand what he meant when Tsukishima complied about everyone at class being stupid for laughing at some random red haired kid jokes mid class when all he did was repeat nonsense and interrupt the teacher, it was so irritating because they were so noisy and this was supposed to be class were everyone is silent and follows a nice routine!

-“Kovah, could you stay quiet for the rest of the class?” Asked Yamaguchi once he noticed how the loud noise was affecting Tsukishima in a way he could do nothing more than stare at his pencil.

-“Why would I do that? Besides, how dare you scold me weirdo!”

Ouch that was mean.

-“Shut it, you are being more lame than funny actually.” Said Tsukishima, nonchalant as ever, bothered with Kovah’s friend group loudness.

“Besides you are weirder with that haircut” he added referencing the new badly done bowl haircut the other boy arrived with that morning.

-“Here comes the boyfriend to defend the weirdo!” Said Kovah as a joke that all of his friends laughed forcedly not really understanding what he meant.

“Because Tsukishima only talks in response to messing with Yamaguchi?” He asked as he explained it to his friends.

-“Wrong, I also say you are annoying and lame.”

-“I am not! You are the annoying ones being weirdos!”

What was the problem with this kid really?

-“Alright kids that's enough.” Said the teacher steeping in the classroom, noticing the loud discussion.

-“It's not our fault Kovah can’t help wanting to be the centre of attention, mostly the bad kind of attention with that haircut.”

This was something that happened regularly, someone would mess up with Yamaguchi in any way and Tsukishima would find a flaw they had and point it out for the sake of just hurting them, it was in Tsukishima’s nature to get on people's nerves, even if it was not intentional. It was great for Yamaguchi’s mental health because now the people who said mean things to him looked like straight up morons after the things Tsukishima said about them, their insults holding no more power over him.

Just a couple hours later Yamaguchi realised Tsukishima didn’t straight up deny the boyfriends accusations and blushed suddenly.

-“Are you feeling alright Tadashi? Do I get you water?” Asked Tsukishima worried about him.

-“I’m fine, it’s just the sun.”

-“Don’t worry me over nothing.”

-“I didn’t do anything to worry you!”

-“Shut up Yamaguchi.”

-“Sorry Tsukki.”

That kid had to be wrong because there was no way ever Tsukishima would want to be his boyfriend, not happening, no.

~«•»~

This time the idiot was him for underestimating Tsukishima’s abilities to read him, which led him to quickly realise that Yamaguchi liked him. It took an enormous amount of 2 days until at a sleepover in Yamaguchi’s house, Tsukishima mentioned he liked him back as if it was something as natural as the sky being blue. And so they started dating.

II.

It was a normal day or at least that was what it seemed like, at the end of Karasuno’s practice everyone was either tired or hungry, except those two monsters who would keep going after practice was over, Kageyama and Hinata were another thing completely. So Yamaguchi was surprised when Hinata rushed to speak to him instead of begging Kageyama for extra practice. Yamaguchi of course let him talk, and listened calmly to what Hinata said with a face like he was constipated.

To say he was surprised was an understatement, Yamaguchi was actually flabbergasted when he found out that Hinata thought he was… Tsukishima’s dog?

What. Just what.

-“I’m sorry what.” Was all that Yamaguchi could say.

-“It’s just that you are always following him around and constantly apologising for things that aren’t even wrong! Really, Yamaguchi speak up! Don’t let him get away with it!”

Okay so it seems there is a clear misconception about what is going on here. First of all he didn’t followed him per se, he just didn’t like walking besides Tsukki when they were about a topic Yamaguchi was highly interested in, turns out that Tsukishima couldn’t help stare at him which was nice but also troublesome because then he would bump into people or worse, cars! So Yamaguchi resorted to walking a little behind him so Tsukishima paid attention to their surroundings and listened to him ranting as in a podcast. For damage control.

-“Uhm Hinata I appreciate your concern but I think you got us wrong.”

Kageyama, who happened to be listening to their conversation as he waited for Hinata to be free, stepped in.

-“I don’t think it is alright for Tsukishima to mistreat you.”

Okay this was getting out of control and Yamaguchi need to stop this before it escalated.

-“Don’t worry he isn’t taking advantage of me in any way. Also the ‘sorry Tsukki’ is an inside joke and he knows I never mean it. He isn’t really mean to me either, I get he can come out as rude sometimes but he isn’t, trust me I know.”

-“Huh a joke? Now that you say it, it makes sense, so it was no coincidence you repeated the same conversation so many times” Hinata replied, visibly relieved with the explanation of the situation.

Kageyama just nodded as if everything made perfect sense.

~«•»~

-“Pfffft you for real?” Snorted Tsukishima as he was being told the story that happened earlier that evening.

Yamaguchi just buried his face in his hands and then rested his head on his boyfriend’s shoulder.

-“Yes I was so embarrassed! Like I couldn’t explain to him the real reason because…”

-“As the morons they are, they would just not get it and ask why would I stare at your face in the first place?” Completed Tsukishima.

-“Exactly. And that would be even more embarrassing.”

-“You are embarrassed to date me? You hurt me Tadashi.” Said Tsukishima with a teasing tone.

-“You know I didn’t mean that, besides we agreed on not telling them to bet on how much time the team would take on noticing we are dating.”

-“And it's hilarious, it's been months and they are still clueless.”

-“Well we can’t really blame them, they are used to couples being corny and touchy in public, you know that weird stuff” said Yamaguchi as he felt goosebumps just imagining it. “Yeah not happening.”

-“Gotta love that we are on the same page on this one, do you wanna watch a documentary? I found this one about fungi. You know they have been becoming more popular in the last few years.”
Yamaguchi cuddled closer to him on the couch, it was not like they totally hated physical touch, it was nice and grounding when it was just them, that was the thing; just them.

-“Hell yeah, I love those little guys.”

III.

Tsukishima wanted to be buried right now, preferably in a black coffin next to his favourite dinosaur figure. Thank you very much.

-“Really dude you gotta stop his suffering! It isn’t alright what you are doing!” Said Kuroo as he kept scolding him for apparently “giving false hopes to Yamaguchi but also not rejecting him”.

-“Yeah! If you aren’t interested you should just tell him instead of keeping him there waiting!”

Continued Bokuto this time, totally as confused as Kuroo with his relationship with Yamaguchi.

He was dragged into a closet by the two of them to “speak privately” after Tsukishima said ‘shut up’ to Yamaguchi when he teased him about how training so much could get him to actually strive at volleyball.

Tsukishima was just so done with this conversation.
-“Right like he cares for you, and it shows and you just tell him to shut up! That is insane behaviour!” Kept ranting Kuroo and Bokuto was nodding beside him as if he was god speaking right now.

-“And he has such a sweet voice, so why would you want him to shut up if you like him? So that means you don’t like him and he should know.” Said Bokuto as if he just had a very important revelation.

-“Listen with all due respect you don’t know how things are between us, and for the record I do enjoy when he speaks, preferably when it’s a topic he actually enjoys.”

-“We just worry about the two of you, you know how personal relationships can really affect your way of playing! And an unrequited love can be harsh.” Said Kuroo as he stared at the ground and took a deep breath.

Why were they so insistent on him not liking Yamaguchi? What did they exactly expect him to do? When it’s been years of managing just fine with passive aggressive comments and sarcasm, it’s fine because it’s them and they get it.

But he couldn’t express the real nature of their relationship without blowing up their cover, it could be counted as cheating on the bet and Tsukishima was no cheater in either way outside volleyball dumps.

-“There is nothing of the sorts of ‘unrequited loved’ going on here so you can relax, he is quite aware of what I think about him.” Tsukishima concluded, being a little vague but enough to stop this nonsense

Kuroo seemed reminded of something and slowly nodded.

-“Alright if you are so sure about it, let’s get out of here!”

And as easy as that when they were leaving the closet Kuroo just gave him a knowing smile and brought a finger to his lips as if securing a secret, after a moment of thought about Tsukishima arrived at the conclusion that he must have been reminded of Kenma. He didn’t want him to find out but there was nothing he could do about it now.

~«•»~

Tsukishima stayed in peace for about 30 minutes until Bokuto came back this time with Akaashi and went straight to speak to him.

-“Tsukki!” He said excitedly.

-“Don’t call me that.”

-“Oh, is it because you only want Yamaguchi to do it?” Bokuto observed and then looked at Akaashi next to him who just nodded, he seemed dragged into this conversation quite literally.

-“No shit Sherlock.”

Bokuto seemed confused and whispered something to Akaashi who replied as if he was expecting the question before it was done.

-“It means that you are right Bokuto-san.”

-“Hell yeah!! I knew something was up- wait why does he look so pissed?”

-“I believe this is just how my face is.”

-“Oh right Akaashi told me about it, about the bitch glare uhm something like that yeah!”

Alright now Tsukishima was just confused about whatever nonsense he was going on about.

-“Resting bitch face is what he means.” Said Akaashi equally as nonchalant.

Well that made sense, he has been told he seems rather intimidating at most times, which can be useful to ward off idiots but often backfired when he actually wanted to talk to some people.

-“Can I go now?”

-“Nonono wait wait I want to know what’s going on between you two!!”

-“Sometimes it is better to focus on one's own situations instead of being involved in someone else’s. If I were you I would start by looking more to your right than to the front. See you.” And just with that Tsukishima left the court.

-“Uhm what?”

-“He said that it was none of your business and that you should focus on your own sentimental relationships Bokuto-san.”

-“Oh.” Bokuto thought about what Tsukishima meant by ‘looking to the right’ so he just turned to the right and saw nothing more than Akaashi standing by his side and giving a gentle smile. “Oh.”

IV.

Their 3rd match against the Aoba Johsai was a really intense game, in this match it would be decided who would be going against Shiratorizawa and if they won, who would be going to nationals. Oikawa’s serves were as powerful as everand Karasuno seemed cornered, so the coach decided to send Yamaguchi to serve.

Good thing this time the points were not really crucial so Yamaguchi was a little more calm. Adding that he was way more prepared, this time he would not get scared by the whistle, or the pressure, this time he would succeed and he knew it the moment of the toss going up and so perfectly, which ended up with a nearly perfect serve.

Yamaguchi could cry from the emotional overwhelm, all the time he spent on extra practice and the help of crucial people was worth it because this time he was a whole new player against the Aoba Johsai and it seemed clear in the look Oikawa gave him.

Everyone stayed silent for a moment before blowing up in whistles and screams celebrating, the team turned to look at him with astonished expressions as he thanked their praises.

-“It’s not that big of a deal” was what Tsukishima said after the short celebration was over, the comment earning him a hit from Tanaka who was trying to intimidate him, realizing that what he said came out wrong for most people he added “with the amount of time he spent practicing that serve I mean”.

He didn’t need to add the explanation for Yamaguchi to get it, Tsukki knew better than anyone how much he tried and tried and kept trying in order to achieve the floating serve, so for him it was not that surprising that Yamaguchi was able to do it in a game. He felt a rush of affection and self confidence gain over him, and with those feelings surpassing the fear of hitting the net again, he served again, and again, and it went on until the Aoba Johsai was able to stop their rally.

This feeling of adrenaline, of self-satisfaction was intoxicating, he craved for more, it was this moment when he felt actually proud of himself and his past efforts, and for the first time in a long time he did not feel behind another's shadow.

Yamaguchi got back to the bench, on this occasion satisfied with his performance but at the same time, as he told Hinata, the next time he wanted to score 10 points with his serves. He felt the metamorphosis of that statement from a dream to an actual goal, an achievable goal.

~«•»~

It’s a couple hours later, when they find themselves in Yamaguchi’s room, fresh out of the shower and relaxing as they intertwine their limbs together that Tsukishima starts laughing out of nowhere.

-“What’s gotten into you now?” Yamaguchi asks, giggling but worrying a little too, this was out of character for him.

-“I got hitted for trying to compliment you”. Tsukishima said, looking at the ceiling as he left out a sigh. “Isn’t it kind of pathetic not being able to give a proper compliment?” He was falling into the bad habit of overthinking his social abilities.

-“Oh is that what you think? I don’t think it is pathetic, I mean that’s who you are, I understand that some things just don't come naturally to you, like me and public speaking, or direct speaking or many sorts of speaking now that I think about it”. Yamaguchi replied and he lazily moved his arms to embrace his boyfriend and gripped at his shoulder, grounding.

-“But you are actually able to overcome some things with me, maybe not with other people but when it’s just the two of us you can actually do it.” Tsukishima said as if it was the most obvious thing out there.

-“And do you believe you can’t do it? Im sorry but I disagree, I know honesty works better with you so i'm not gonna sugarcoat shit, you are almost a different person when it's just the two of us, maybe you don’t notice but there are so many things you change when not masking, for starters you are embracing me literally right now, you are looking at my face and neck when you wont even turn around to face someone most of the time-“

-“Shit, stop” Tsukishima said, covering his face with one hand as he looked away, oh did he get shy as well.

-“Sorry Tsukki but no, you are getting embarrassed, out there you never let anyone see you like this, you get flustered, you get scared of creepy sounds in thriller movies when outside you got all this nonchalant facade running on, I know it’s masking of course but I know it’s tiring too so I appreciate when you just let yourself be, even if its just when its the two of us. You ramble and yap about some topics that are so specific that I have to open google after the conversation. I find that cute and sorry I know you hate being called cute but it’s true, and deep down I like that you are not like this with anyone else, is that bad?” Yamaguchi concluded with his question as he faced him.

-“I… I don’t think it’s that bad, I feel something similar, and I value that you are being so direct right now, we know I wouldn’t be the best at figuring it out on my own”

-“It’s the same for me, it’s like I know you inside out but when you do something I would not expect or out of character I really start to freak out because I have no clue how to read signals I don’t have identified as patterns for years, I know people are supposed to change especially as they grow up, but please never stop asking me how I feel so I can rant and be as specific as possible and make myself clear, let’s never overthink shit.” Yamaguchi said with a soft smile.

-“You are such a dork.” Tsukishima said as he laughed more genuinely now as pulled in his boyfriend to kiss him.

So yeah maybe Tsukishima wasn’t the best person to give a compliment but he sure knew, deep down, how to make some feel like the most special person on earth.

V.

Akiteru was finally back home from a long semester of being in college and basically suffering day after day in the final month. But it was finally over and he is now able to reconnect with little things in life like sunrise, the sound of birds, running water, the sight of tiny flowers growing wildly in their yard and the sound of a fucking dinosaur roar coming from the living room tv at full volume. Yes, home sweet home.

And it’s not like he could get mad at his brother or said anything to him because he was guarded, that’s right, guarded, by the sweetest and nicest guy it could be around who was cuddling him and commenting about the flaws in the character’s reactions to being chased by a weird dino.

Tsukishima just sent him a look across the living room that said “You can’t turn off the T.V because Tadashi would get sad and mom loves Tadashi more than the two of us together.” Sigh. He was untouchable, as he always was when his best friend was around. He is still surprised that his brother was able to maintain a friendship for so long.

The cuddling was weird at the beginning, because Kei would claim that he rather step on a cactus than to hug their family on special dinners, but maybe it was because Tadashi was just hard to say not to, must be that though. It is kind of crazy how Tadashi seems to be able to get away with pretty much anything and Kei wouldn’t stop him, or limit him of any sorts.

But when Akiteru tried to talk to Kei about deep stuff like how sad dating culture nowadays is and his past tragic love affairs and what he should do with the feeling of dread after spending months dancing around someone without being anything just to end for a worthless motive, Kei would only look at him with repulsion and said ‘don’t know, don’t care’ and walked away! He was just trying to warn him about the dangers of the world out there. Okay maybe he was being dramatic but still.

-“Hey guys, are you up for a quick but meaningful conversation?” Akiteru asked, looking more at Tadashi than his brother who was probably glancing at him. “You already watched that movie like 30 times” and it was true.

-“ Uhm sure? Why not.” Tadashi answered as he paused the movie.

-“Not again.” Kei sighed as he glared at his brother taking a seat in the other couch of the living room.

-“ I know you hate talking about this theme Kei but it’s so important because I care for you both, and you are both great guys and I don’t want you getting hurt in the rampage that is going out there on alright?”

-“I think so? What are you talking about?” Tadashi asked, confused as it seemed.

-“ Listen modern dating culture sucks, like people don’t like each other anymore, everyone cares about aesthetics and how they want a “golden retriever bf” “black cat gf” and like they are treating relationships like fast fashion, worrying more about the insta feed, about “tropes” and honestly shitty stuff that I know must be so confusing for you guys in particular so that’s why I need to talk about this with you!”

Akiteru was rambling way too fast and dragging some words to make it more dramatic but Kei was honestly not interested in whatever way this conversation was going.

-“You do realise that we do not care for that shit? Why should we be concerned about neurotypical people nighmering social dynamics?” Kei asked rhetorically.

-“Because if you ever like someone enough to date them I need you to know what kind of stuff is going on in their mind and you may not like it!” Akiteru answered the same way Kei did sometimes, Tadashi couldn’t help but notice how they both assumed something was true, so it became obvious for them and it showed in the way they expressed themselves.

But wait, did he say if they ever like someone?

-“ Sorry Akiteru but I agree with Kei in this one, we really kind of don’t care for this stuff”. Tadashi said hoping he would be just like Kei and understand what he meant, most of the time.

-“Really? Are you planning on never liking someone or something like that? Please if Kei made you think that is the answer don't listen to him!”
Well, Tadashi tried to be subtle.

-“That’s not it, I say it because we are already seeing people who wouldn’t pull up with ‘modern dating culture’ theatrics.” That had to do right? Tadashi thought.

That was not going to do, Kei thought as well.

-“Wait what?! Kei do you have a girlfriend I don’t know about? Does mom know?” Akiteru asked frantically and it would be really funny if Kei didn’t feel embarrassed for him, he usually didn’t feel much things for others, well there’s always a first time.

-“ No I don’t have a girlfriend since I'm dating Tadashi and he’s clearly not a girl and yes mom knows, and honestly I thought you did too…” Kei answered as he got lost in thought about if he ever told his brother explicitly that he and Tadashi were dating.

-“WHAT.” Akiteru’s brain seemed to have short-circuited as he put two and two together. “Wait that makes like so much sense, huh I guess you really match each other’s freaks then.”

-“What is that supposed to mean?” Tadashi asked about the last part.

“No clue.” Kei answered and played the movie again.

+1

It’s the end of the first year, and Karasuno members are absolutely devastated by the departure of their third years to college. Kei is kinda disgusted, it’s not like they were dying or going to some college across the world, they just wouldn’t be playing volleyball with them, oh maybe that is the main reason they are sad. Except for Tanaka, Kei is pretty sure he couldn’t care less about volleyball right now.

-“Do you think they are going to throw some shitty party with watered down alcohol like they are in an american movie?” Tadashi asks him while giggling as he saw Nishinoya and Tanaka nearly crying their hearts out.

-“Perhaps.” Kei answered.

And god, could Tadashi be really perceptive sometimes.

~«•»~

Hours later they found themselves almost dragged (mostly Kei was dragged) to Suga’s house, since he insisted it was a ‘controlled environment’ whatever the hell did that meant.

-“Get me back to my house.” Kei complained.

-“Aww come on grumpyshima this could be fun! You should loosen up a little!” Hinata replied as he handed him a cheap red cup.

-“ This is literally mostly sugar.” Kei said, referring to the soft drink with a touch of alcohol in his hand.

-“No one fucking cares!” Screamed Nishinoya across the room, he was playing Just Dance with Tanaka and Asahi who seemed like he was dragged as well.

-“Come on Tsukki, it helps clear your mind.” Said Tadashi as he relaxed on the couch and looked into the ceiling as if there were the answers to every moral dilemma in the history of mankind. “Quiets the noises” he rambled softly.

-“Hey hey wait, don't say stuff like that, Yamaguchi should I worry?!?” Suga stepped in after listening to him.

-“ He’s smart, don't worry he won’t become alcoholic, not on my watch” said Kei as he sat on the couch next to Tadashi. “He just meant the alcohol helps to stop masking and caring for anxious social cues”

-“Hey Tobio what does that mean?” Hinata whispered to Kageyama next to him but he sucked at whispering so everyone close enough heard.

-“Masking means to suppress some aspects of your way of being so you appear neurotypical and you know normal to most people”. Kageyama answered with his usual volume of voice.

-“Neurot- what is that?” Hinata followed up, still confused.” Since when do you know hard words??!”

-“People are either neurotypical which means their brains work in the ‘typical’ way or neurodivergent which means that literally the way your brain works is different, this involves autistic people, or with ocd, adhd, even some personality disorders, etc..” Kei explained again, it must be the shitty alcohol because he usually hated explaining this stuff but it was their team, and Hinata so maybe it was fine, weird because Kei had assumed Kageyama had told Hinata more about this certain topic.

-“Oh that makes sense, it’s like what we talked about the other day right Tobio?” He looked up at him, as if proud of actually learning about what Kageyama apparently taught him.

Kei drank more of the fuzzy beverage in his right hand as his left one was crossing over Tadashi’s face to keep him awake.

-“Yes it is Shoyo, sorry if this comes out weird but I did not notice that Yamaguchi was autistic, like Tsukishima I would have expected it from you but at guess he is just good at masking, guess that’s why he looks so done right now.” Kageyama looked at Tadashi who was rocking back and forth in his place.

-“Well yeah masking it’s tiring and by this time we are usually home, I guess you are never tired because like you never masked, you know I totally could tell from the first 10 minute of interacting with you” Kei said back as he rested his left hand on the top of his boyfriend’s head who responded by smiling softly and leaning closer.

-“Oh yeah I was never good at masking so I stopped trying at a young age.”

-“This conversation is making me feel left out but I'm happy you have someone to talk about this stuff with.” Daichi said as he smiled and gave them a thumbs up.

-“ I’m more than happy… talking about this stuff with my boyfriend though…” Tadashi mumbled, sounding as if the filter of what to say and what to do did not disappear as well with the alcohol. Well Kei guessed his boyfriend was a lightweight and they were pretty much doomed now, great, just great.

-“YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND?” Hinata asked unable to hide his surprise, Kageyama, Suga, and Daichi seemed equally surprised with the revelation.

-“ Uhm yeah?… Obviously” Tadashi replied as he leaned his head back on the couch and turned to his side to bring his knees to his chest, embrace them and take a little nap.

-“Who is it?” Kageyama asked without a filter as well, but Tadashi was pretty much asleep by now.
-“No way he just fell asleep after dropping such a bomb, this is hilarious!” Laughed Suga with a little tear forming in his left eye.

-“Wait Tsukishima, you should know who is him right?” Hinata said as if he was just a sort of revelation, sigh, apparently not revealing enough.

-“That’s an invasion of his privacy.” Kei bickered back, he was like a hater of secrets since elementary schools when people would tell others stuff they wanted no one to know and then get mad when it got out, he didn’t understand, if you didn’t want it to go out why did you said it to someone i the first place? But messing with Hinata was funny.

-“Bullshit.” Said Kageyama “since when do you care about privacy?” Well that was true.

-“Maybe I care about his privacy.” Kei retorted.

-“ I call gay allegations.” Kageyama answered back.

-“ What the hell Tobio” Laughed Hinata so hard that he almost fell on top of a table when he couldn’t get a grip, literally. “I stand by it!”

-“What are you saying?” Asked Daichi, confused as hell right now.

-“At first I thought your dynamic was that perfect because well Yamaguchi is really nice, discovering both of you are autistic changes everything though.” Kageyama said, Kei didn't ever see him talking that much in a row, it must be the effects of partying, and that shit.

-“Wait, what does that have anything to do with dating?” Hinata asked, seemingly confused as well.

-“Well as an autistic person myself, if I ever met someone else who literally understands what it's like and we get along together just right, dating would be the easiest thing ever, I suppose.” Kageyama said the last part, muttering a little, as if the weight of the words he was saying finally caught up to him.
In the moment, Tadashi’s semi sleeping body moved closer to his boyfriend and pretty much cuddled at his side, hiding his face against his chest, well it wasn’t like Kei could just move him, yeah they didn’t really like PDA but he hated the idea of his boyfriend feeling rejected of any sorts so PDA it is.

-“Who would have thought, your can actually get away with deduction thinking.” Kei said as he shrugged his shoulders, he wasn’t bothered by the team finding out, he knew Tadashi wouldn’t be mad either, they didn’t intend on hiding anything so it wasn’t that big of a deal.

-“Congrats then, on your relationship…” Suga said awkwardly, not really sure of what one should say in this situation.

-“Oh it isn’t anything new, we’ve been dating since middle school, probably before that if we knew that was a thing.” Kei answered as he started feeling asleep as well, closing his eyes. “For the record i'm only saying this because I know when Tadashi wakes up you are most likely to bombard him with questions so, spare him a little alright?”

And that was it, the time when someone got Kei’s and Tadashi’s relationship just alright, in its truest and most simple form, the form that went beyond convenience, or passion. A relationship in the form of understanding each other, being there in the right ways, touching in the right way, loving in the exact way the other person needed to feel loved.