The King Fell and Needs Help Getting Up

Chapter 16

A week later things are back to normal and Tobio is allowed to practice, lightly but still, it was normal enough. He was happy, smiling even as he enters the club room and sees the third-years as well as Tanaka and Nishinoya. Kageyama stares at them as Tsukishima walked in behind him and looks at them as well.

"Kageyama, Tsukishima, it's odd to see the two of you two arrive together," Daichi says and Kei looks at Kageyama before nodding, telling him it was time to share.

"Uh... It's a long story but if you're willing to stay after practice later..."

"Of course, it seems important from how you say that. We can talk after practice once people leave. ." Sugawara says and smiles softly at the unfamiliar sight of a nervous Kageyama. Kageyama nods and goes to change for practice, his long sleeve and longer shorts had become a regular part of his training gear. He puts his volleyball shoes on and heads down to the gym. Tsukishima soon joined him and walked over, the two of them still the only ones in the gym.

"I'll go with you when you're going to tell them if you want. It might be for the best, just in case you get overwhelmed."

"Thanks, I'd appreciate that..." He says smiling softly before Hinata enters the gym with Yamaguchi, laughing loudly.

"Oh! Kageyama! Tsukishima! Oh! You're dressed for practice Yamayama-kun! Does this mean you can set for me?!" Hinata says getting excited as he bounces over.

"Yeah, but I'm still on limited practice. Want to warm up and practice some quicks?" Kageyama asks to which Hinata smiles and jumps up and down.

"Let's go!!" Hinata says and runs off to stretch.

About two hours later, Hinata and Yamaguchi head home with Yacchi and Kiyoko, the third years and second years are in the gym with Takeda-sensei and Coach Ukai.

"Well, for one, I wasn't out of school because of the flu... I was out because of some injuries that my parents caused..." Kageyama starts and everyone is silent. Tsukishima could tell none of them knew what to say, they were too busy trying to comprehend what Kageyama said and meant.

" You're beating around the bush again..." Kei says and Tobio pouts but looks at him. "I'll tell them for you, like before. That okay?" He asks and gets a nod as an answer.

"Tsukishima, you know what happened?" Daichi asks and Kei nods.

"I was the one who first found out. A brief overview, Kageyama's been a victim of child abuse his whole life and now he's staying with me and is safe. The injuries were bad so they took some time to heal, which is why he hasn't been able to practice. He doesn't want pity, he just felt that you had the right to know." Kei explains.

"Well, we're glad you're safe now. If you need anything, let us know." Takeda-sensei says and Kageyama nods.

"Thank you for listening and being understanding..."

"Kageyama, it's not hard to be understanding of your situation. It must have been tough, but we're here for you. If you need more time to rest, take it." Coach Ukai says and Kageyama shakes his head.

"I'm fine, I can- I want to practice. Volleyball has been what has kept me going."

"Heh, that's fine then, but nothing too strenuous for a bit okay? We don't want you to get injured." Sugawara says and ruffles Tobio's hair.

"Okay, I understand." He says and they all have a group hug, Kei being dragged in as well.

"We should all get home so we'll see you both tomorrow," Ennoshita says. The two first years nod and grab their bags.

"Thank you senpais, sensei, coach. Have a good night." Kageyama says before bowing.

"Yeah yeah! Go home for dinner and don't let Tsukishima get to you." Tanaka says.

"Hey. I've been the one helping him, I should be given a little credit." Kei tries to defend himself.

"Right, be nice Tsukishima," Nishinoya says and smiles.

"Actually, he's been really nice to me... I appreciate your worry though." Kageyama says before they leave the gymnasium and begin their walk home.

"So, I've been really nice huh?"

"What? You have. Especially if you consider how we were before, we get along much better now."

"Y'know, you really aren't as dumb as I originally thought. You can be pretty insightful sometimes..."

"Hey, is that an insult or a compliment? I can't tell."

"Both. Take it as what you want Your Highness."

"Hmph, and I thought we were past insults."

"Insults are a form of endearment to me, you'll learn to accept it and not take them seriously," Kei says and reaches for Tobio's hand. The setter blushes, nods and takes the taller boy's hand. He smiles shyly and Kei observes the soft look on Kageyama's face, mirroring a similar smile as they make their way home.

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After dinner, they are in Kei's room, doing their assignments. Tobio has learned to ask for help when he needs in so when a particularly difficult math question stumps him, he looks over at Tsukishima and takes a deep breath.

"Tsukishima, can you help me with this question?" He asks pointing to it with the end of his pencil. "Oh... uh... please?" He adds and Kei chuckles softly before leaning over to look at the question. He was practically draped over Kageyama, which he didn't mind but he certainly admired the way the setter's cheeks flared pink at their proximity.

"You have to use the equation I showed you yesterday to find the zeros of the parabole." He says against Tobio's ear which makes the setter flinch blushing more.

"O-o-oh... okay... I-i-i got it." He says and begins to work through the math question, Tsukishima watching over to see if he was doing it right.

"Good job, you got it. I'll leave you to do the rest." Kei says before moving away and back to his own work, having fully flustered Tobio who just stares at the paper. Kei chuckles and softly smiles as he goes back to work.