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Looking back, forgoing the weather app was Kageyama’s first mistake in a series of unfortunate events leading to him and his soulmates being trapped in an isolated cabin miles from civilization in a snowstorm. But let's backtrack.
It had been a month since that fateful night where Kageyama discovered that Tsukishima and Kuroo were his soulmates. Despite the rocky start, the relationship seemed to be progressing smoothly, although not without some challenges, mainly between the Karasuno first years. Which wasn’t that much of a surprise to everyone close to the pair as they were both inept when it came to matters of communication with Kuroo often having to act as a mediator (a new role for the third year) between his stubborn soulmates. The worst argument had been when Tsukishima teasing had hit a sore spot in Kageyama resulting in the setter exploding in a mixture of curses and insults leading to a three day cold war between the two. It was only thanks to Kuroo that the incident was smoothed over. So, despite these bumps, it appeared to everyone from Karasuno and Nekoma that the relationship between the trio was only getting stronger and stronger with each passing day.
If one had asked Hinata about the polybond, he would probably mention with confusion (bless his innocent soul) how Kageyama’s ears were constantly a shade of red every time Tsukishima was near him. Yachi would stutter out that she’d noticed how both first year boys would smile fondly at their phones when a text came in from Kuroo. Yamaguchi would mischievously recall how Tsukishima buried his head in his hands out of embarrassment when the pinch server caught the blonde looking at a photo of a sleeping Kageyama on his phone. Kenma would sleepily insinuate how Kuroo would constantly complain about not being able to see his soulmates everyday and the unfairness of it all blah blah blah as if Kenma wasn’t facing the same struggle as him. Although both teams could admit that the soulmate pairing felt unusual it was hard to deny how each boy seamlessly fit together. As weeks turned into a month, their bond appeared unbreakable, prompting them to celebrate their one-month anniversary with a weekend trip to a popular ski resort.
“You do realize that a ski resort getaway implies that we’d be skiing, right?” Tsukishima snarked, casting a disgruntled look at the setter. They had been trekking up the side of the mountain for what felt like an eternity now and the blonde’s patience was fading with each snowshoed step.
“Well apologies if I didn’t feel like having a broken appendage or a hospital stint. I didn’t realise those things were on our weekend itinerary.” Kageyama shot back. He would be lying if he said he didn’t feel a swell of pride wash over him at the quick comeback. The younger’s game had undeniably gone up with having the sarcastic middle blocker as a soulmate. Kageyama was constantly on his toes and ready to dish out disses if the blonde decided to aim in his direction. Kuroo let out a small chuckle and shook his head in amusement.
“Alright you two, let's not turn this into a snow fight.” Tsukishima couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the badly used pun. “Besides, Kageyama on skis is not a disaster I’m ready to face.” With a playful twinkle in his eye the Nekoma captain turned his attention to the mountain before resuming his trek. It was a beautiful day with Kageyama waking up that morning with the sun beaming into the resort window. Although it was still winter, the day was hot, and the trio had made the consecutive decision to explore the scenery of the mountainside. Packing a light lunch, the boys had rented snowshoes and began their journey uphill. It was at this time Kageyama would make his second mistake of the day, the decision to abandon his winter jacket in the hotel room in favor of his thick pullover sweater. Sure, it was winter, but it was a warm day… well, until it wasn’t.
The wind had been picking up slowly for a little over an hour, but Kageyama had welcomed it as a small luxury as he felt hot from the hours of cardio they had put in thus far. It shouldn’t be too long before they reached the top, thirty minutes give or take. When looking at the map earlier the group had decided to go on one of the many back trails, with this route leading them to the highest peak of the mountain and supposedly the best view. Kageyama was excited about spending the entire weekend with his soulmates, it was a rare indulgence for them with Kuroo living in Tokyo. He had slowly been opening up to the middle blockers, allowing them a glimpse into who he was, his interests and motivations, but they had still to breach the subject of Kageyama’s family. Kageyama knew that realistically he would have to tell them, rip the band-aid off and be honest with them, but that didn’t make it any less intimidating. He knew deep down that although the thought was unfounded, he couldn’t help but fear that after they found out they would realize the setter wasn’t worth their time and like everyone else they would leave.
Kageyama remembered far too well the morning following his birthday, a day that had carved itself into his memory after the departure of his soulmates. After bidding his soulmates goodbye, as they had adamantly insisted on staying the night, he powered on his phone, only to be greeted by a hoard of notifications. His screen was a mass of missed calls and texts, a chorus of concern from his soulmates and teammates from the previous day when they were unable to reach him. Among these, messages from Nekoma and Fukurodani members peppered the list, each bearing their unique signatures of worry and well-wishes. Surprisingly, there was even a message from Oikawa, unexpected yet unmistakably laced with his characteristic flair that had Kageyama second-guessing whether it was a genuine sentiment or merely sarcasm (he suspected the latter). And amidst the sea of notifications, a singular message from his sister stood out, a beacon of familial love that wished him a happy birthday and a phone call when he had a moment to spare. None of these messages or calls however were from his parents. Kageyama had even double checked his emails and physical mailbox… but there was nothing.
To be honest the setter hadn’t even felt angry or sad at the revelation, he simply felt numb. Maybe they had forgotten or maybe they were out of cell range. His usual assortment of excuses tumbled through his head as he tried to justify their actions, to assert an answer that would indicate that they did still care about him. But the setter couldn’t rationalize their neglect any longer. It felt impossible with the stark contrast of worried outpour and wishes that came from Kageyama’s friends (if he was so bold as to call them that). Call it what you want—the breaking point, the last shard of hope shattering—but Kageyama was done. He didn’t care anymore (he did). If they weren’t willing to put in the bare minimum of sending him a lousy text message on his birthday then Kageyama was wiping his hands of them. He would no longer waste his time or energy thinking about them or wondering when they’d be back from their business excursions. He would no longer ask (beg) them to come home or plead with them to watch one of his volleyball games. Heck why would they go to one of his games when they couldn’t even show up to his middle school graduation. It didn’t matter anymore (it did). Kageyama was done. He was exhausted from carrying the emotional baggage of this deadbeat relationship. Why did the responsibilities always fall squarely on his shoulders? All Kageyama could do was face ahead and keep moving forward. It was what he was good at. No sense in digging up the skeletons of the past and presenting them to Kuroo and Tsukishima. What good would that do?
“Typical,” Tsukishima scowled, glaring at the darkening skies. “Just when I thought cardio couldn’t get any worse, I have to deal with this bullshit.” Kageyama would have chuckled at the look of absolute disgust littering the blonde's face if it weren’t for the fact he wholeheartedly agreed with the other teen’s sentiment. The wind had picked up significantly and snowflakes were starting to whip around the amateur explorers. Kageyama rubbed his arms, longing for the wayward coat he left behind, the winter weather slowly taking the upper hand in his pursuit to preserve body heat.
“The top should be just around the corner,” Kuroo determined. His usual cheeky, laid-back personality took on a serious edge as he too glanced at the weather with a mixture of concern and hesitation. “If the map is right there should be a cabin at the top we can take shelter in to wait out the storm.”
“Storm?” Kageyama questioned. His stomach squirmed in anxiety. It was only the early afternoon but if there was a storm… who knew how long they’d be stuck in the backcountry, hours from civilization, with minimal food and gear (especially in Kageyama’s case), and without cell service to call for help. The trees swayed in a mocking dance, bodies rocking side to side in laughter as they observed how the teenagers fought against the onslaught of snow and wind.
Kuroo's expression softened as he met Kageyama's anxious gaze. "Yeah, storm," he confirmed, his tone grave. "But we'll make it through. We just need to stick together and keep moving forward." Despite the seriousness of the situation, a flicker of determination sparkled in the older blocker’s eyes. "None of us are alone in this. We'll find that cabin, hunker down, and ride out the storm together. Trust me, we've faced tougher challenges on the court, right?" His attempt at reassurance was met with a faint nod from Kageyama. Volleyball references always seemed to ease the raven-haired boy’s mind. But although his words were meant to inspire comfort, Kuroo couldn't shake the feeling of unease settling in the pit of his stomach as the wind howled ominously around them. No matter what he would protect them. Regardless of what might be waiting for them at the top of the mountain, Kuroo was going to make sure that they all returned home in one piece. Mother Nature be damned.
Tsukishima shot Kuroo a skeptical look and Kageyama observed how the two engaged in a silent conversation before the blonde sighed in resignation. "Fine," he grumbled. "Let's just get to that cabin before the storm gets any worse." Despite Tsukishima's reluctance to admit it, there was a small flash of gratitude in the younger blocker’s eyes as he glanced at Kuroo. Tsukishima might not always agree with the older boy's tactics, but he couldn't deny that Kuroo had a knack for rallying people together in times of crisis. With an uncharacteristic determined nod, Tsukishima fell into step behind Kuroo.
It took longer than expected to reach the top. Despite the initial estimate of a thirty-minute trek, the snowfall intensified, obscuring their path and significantly slowing down their progress. Trudging through the deepening snow, Kageyama couldn't shake the sense of frustration that gnawed at him with each laborious step. The setter cursed himself. He blamed himself for not being better prepared and for not bringing the proper gear to tackle the unexpected turn in their excursion. The weight of his inadequacy was like a brick on his conscience, amplified by the relentless chill of the wind and the sting of the billowing snow against his face. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as he watched Kuroo and Tsukishima navigate the terrain seemingly effortlessly, their movements fluid and assured. As quick as those thoughts came however, they were replaced with one’s of self-loathing. Why did he want his soul mates to struggle as much as he was? What was wrong with him? On and on Kageyama’s mind raced with cruel accusations and the setter berated himself for slowing down the group, for being the weakest link in their chain of survival.
Yet, despite his frustration, Kageyama refused to give into Mother Nature’s whims. He was far too stubborn to just give up. So, with each faltering step, he forced himself to push forward, drawing strength from the unwavering determination of his soulmates. Kageyama refused to be the reason they didn’t make it to the top. He may be a lot of things, but the setter wasn’t a quitter, and he wasn’t going to let any of them freeze to death on some remote mountainside. So, when they finally reached the summit, Kageyama couldn't help but feel a swell of pride amidst the exhaustion. Despite his shortcomings, despite the obstacles they had faced, they had once again made it through together.
“Over there!” Shouted Kuroo, his voice battling against the screaming of the wind. His gloved hand pointed towards a snow-covered, wooden structure. The teens set their sights on the building and using the last of their strength they made their way towards the cabin. With each step feeling like a Herculean effort, they pushed onward, their snowshoes buried under a layer of sticky snow. Kageyama's muscles screamed in protest, his lungs burning with each breath as he struggled to keep pace with the two middle blockers. However, with the prospect of a dry, warm cabin looming closer, Kageyama's resolve solidified.
When they finally reached the shelter of the cabin, a wave of relief washed over the teens and with trembling hands, Kuroo fumbled with the latch, letting the door swing open to reveal a quaint, one room haven. They all stumbled inside, Tsukishima slamming the door (a little too harshly) behind them. Collapsing on the ground the trio sat in silence as they caught their breath. The cabin was small to say the least with the inside housing a two-person table, a twin bed (without sheets), and a stone fireplace. The walls and roof were made out of logs, and a small window offered the space some much needed light.
“Well,” Tsukishima started and Kageyama turned to face the blonde. “At least this beats being frozen to death.” His voice held that unmistakable dry humour that seemed to flow naturally out of the blonde and for some reason the setter’s nerves seemed to ease. It had only been a month but the habits that used to drive Kageyama up the wall now made him feel secure and safe. The younger teen couldn’t help but snort at the irony of it all.
“I’m taking ‘not being frozen to death’ as a win for today,” Kuroo mused, a cheeky smile gracing his sharp features. “Besides, if we’re going to be stuck anywhere, I can’t think of two better people to be stuck with. Makes the whole survival thing a bit more bearable, don’t you think?” The setter let out a soft hum. Kageyama was still getting used to expressing himself using his words but it still felt like he was coughing up gravel sometimes.
“Yeah,” the younger teen murmured as he fiddled with the straps of the snowshoes. He could feel the two pairs of eyes on him and he could help but flush under their gaze. “I’m glad we’re safe and…” Kageyama’s voice dropped as he stuttered. “I—I can’t complain about… the company.” With a shy glance up the setter met the intense eyes of his soulmates. Kuroo looked at him with a beaming grin, one carved out of love and unmistakable mischievousness, and Kageyama felt like he could melt under its shine. Tsukishima’s eyes held amusement as the golden-brown orbs danced with the hidden kindness he tucked away so well under the facade of snark and sarcasm. The moment was broken by the setter sneezing into his elbow as a shiver ran up his spine. And all at once Kageyama was made aware of how cold he truly was. He had ignored the frigid scream during their haste to find shelter but now it was making itself known once again as chilled tremors ran up his body. Had he always been unable to feel his toes? He could hear a curse coming from above him as someone dropped to their knees in front of him.
“Shit you’re freezing!” Came a concerned explanation that Kageyama registered as Kuroo as a hand cupped his face. “Tsukki, see if there’s anything we can start a fire with. We need to bring up his body heat. The setter’s teeth chattered together as Kuroo slowly pried off his snowshoes. “Alright let's get you off the ground.” Kageyama didn’t have time to comprehend the older teen’s words before he was scooped up into Kuroo’s arms. Kageyama couldn’t do more than gape in shock at the Nekoma captain as Kuroo returned his stare with a roguish wink. Kageyama would be lying if he said he didn’t feel like a pervert for imagining the middle blocker’s muscles flexing in his winter jacket. Plopping the setter down onto the bed (which was really just a questionably clean mattress on stilts) Kuroo leaned down. With his warm breath ghosting over the shell of Kageyama’s ear the captain let out an amused chuckle.
“What have you been thinking about Princess to cause that face of yours to blush a deep red?” Kageyama’s breath hitched as the older’s arms went around to box him in. He bit his lip. Caught between the embarrassment of the situation and the cold seeping into his skin, Kageyama couldn’t help but shiver at Kuroo's boldness. His body felt like one large question mark as the chill (although still present) seemed to melt away, replaced by a warmth that had little to do with physical heat. Kageyama’s body once again trembled. Why was he getting so worked up? Kageyama hadn’t done more than hold hands with either teen since establishing their relationship.
"I wasn't thinking anything weird!" Kageyama protested, his voice betraying him by cracking slightly. Somewhere in the background he heard an indignant snort (Tsukishima that bastard). He averted his gaze, unable to meet Kuroo's eyes, the heat in his cheeks a constant reminder of his impure thoughts. "Just... just worried about how we’re going to get back, especially with the—the weather," he lied, poorly attempting to steer the conversation away from his embarrassment. Volleyball was usually his go to topic, his refuge, but even he wasn't immune to the charms his soulmates, namely Kuroo, exerted, and desperate times called for desperate measures. Particularly in these types of situations when they were so close, bodies mere inches apart. It was also hard to ignore the concern they showed for his well being as it went beyond mere friendship or team dynamics. It was moments like these that reminded Kageyama of the depth of their bond, a connection that still felt new and somewhat bewildering but… undeniably right.
“Really, Princess?” Came a teasing voice from behind Kuroo. “Worried about getting back? With that red face, I’d have guessed you were more concerned about surviving Kuroo rather than the weather.” The blonde observed the scene with a raised eyebrow, his arms crossed over his chest as he took in Kageyama's flustered state. It was becoming more obvious to both middle blockers how addictive Kageyama’s reactions were becoming, and if circumstances were different Tsukishima might have tried to push the setter further. However, the realist in him quickly shifted to the practical matter at hand.
“Not to interrupt your lovefest but there’s no wood, matches, or anything else we can start a fire with. So unless one of you has a hidden talent for rubbing sticks together we’ll have to rely on each other's body heat to survive.” After the matter-of-fact statement Tsukishima threw the setter a mock sultry look. “And no, I don’t mean that kind of body heat Princess.” Kageyama let out a groan as he covered his face in his gloved hands.
“I wasn’t even thinking that Stingyshima!” Kuroo let out a soft laugh as he retracted himself from Kageyama, shooting the blonde an amused look before flopping onto the bed. Winding his arm around the setter’s waist he maneuvered the teen until Kageyama was tucked into his side.
“Looks like we’re in for a cozy night then!” Kuroo mused gleefully, trying to remain optimistic about the situation. “We’ll just have to make do,” The captain glanced between Tsukishima and Kageyama before gesturing for the blonde to join them. “Who needs a fire when we’ve got each other, right?” Tsukishima rolled his eyes but begrudgingly accepted Kuroo’s offer and slid in behind Kageyama. Sandwiched between the two middle blockers reminded Kageyama of his birthday and their shared hug. Gosh every time he was around them he felt giddy and embarrassed, and the setter didn’t know how to handle it. The silence between them settled and Kageyama couldn’t help but squirm in both embarrassment and the lingering chill. As the minutes stretched it only intensify and Kageyama felt the need to somehow break it
“The bed’s small.” Was that really the best he could come up with?
Tsukishima let out a soft snort from behind the raven-haired boy. “No kidding, genius.” His tone was dry but his words were spoken softly and lacked its usual bite. Kuroo stared at Tsukishima in amusement as the blonde looked at their younger soulmate with fondness. “But I guess we’ll just have to make do. Are you still cold?” Although Kageyama didn’t want to admit it for fear of being seen as a burden, he also couldn’t see the upside of lying.
With a careful nod of his head Kageyama breathed out a small, “yes.” Like a switch being turned on both middle blockers simultaneously jumped into action.
“What’s cold? Feet? Arms? Le—”
“Move over Kuroo, obviously you're not doing an adequate job at keeping our setter warm.” The blonde was sitting up and ready to bully his way in between his soulmates if it meant the younger would get warm.
“No—no that’s okay!” The younger yelped as he felt Tsukishima grip his hips while Kuroo tightened his hold around Kageyama’s waist. “It’s just that your coats are cold against me. They don’t offer much heat aside from keeping you both warm. Not—not that that’s a bad thing!” He tacked on, worried they might misunderstand his words and think he was being overdramatic or ungrateful. Another bout of silence overtook the group as the two middle blockers took Kageyama’s words into consideration.
“Sit up, Kageyama,” Tsukishima instructed, his voice both gentle yet absolute. The setter turned to face the blonde with a puzzled expression.
“What?”
“Sit up for me Princess, we can’t have his Royal Highness freezing to death in some rickety cabin,” the blonde teased and Kageyama obeyed his orders. Rolling his eyes the setter sat up.
“How many times do I have to tell you Tsukishima, I’m not royalty.”
“Aw and here I thought you liked the name Princess,” the blonde retorted, shooting Kageyama a knowing smirk. “And judging by your red cheeks I’m not wrong either.” Kageyama tossed his soulmate a playful scowl.
“Shut up.” His words only seemed to spur on the other first year however, as Tsukishima reached over and gripped Kageyama’s chin. Pulling him in close, Kageyama couldn’t help the way his breath hitched in anticipation.
“Make me.” Tsukishima’s voice came out in a whisper as his warm breath fanned over Kageyama’s face. For what felt like the hundredth time that day Kageyama’s body shivered in response. The setter felt himself heating up once again and judging from the smug expression on Tsukishima’s face, the blonde knew it as well.
“Looks like I hit a nerve,” chuckled Tsukishima, his smirk widening as he observed Kageyama’s reaction. “You’re too easy to rile up, Princess.”
Kageyama pouted at the blonde’s response, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “I said shut it,” he muttered, trying to maintain his composure despite the teasing.
Tsukishima shook his head softly, enjoying the banter between them. He leaned in closer, his voice low and taunting. “Oh, but where’s the fun in that?” His breath was like lava against Kageyama’s ear. Feeling bold, the blocker inclined his head and pressed his lips to the sensitive skin where Kageyama’s jaw met his ear in a gentle kiss. Kageyama’s skin tingled and pulsed with warmth as he let out an embarrassed gasp, his hands coming up to grip onto Tsukishima’s jacket.
“No fair Tsukki! Why do you get to kiss Kags first?” Kageyama turned his head to see Kuroo lazily sprawled out on his side, his head in one of his hands, as he leered up at them.
“I think we both know that wasn’t a real kiss,” Tsukishima mused, his gaze never leaving Kageyama. “Although…” he hummed thoughtfully. “Princess?” The blonde asked, drawing Kageyama’s attention back to him.
“Yes?” The setter responded before he had a chance to think. Upon realizing his mistake Kageyama immediately flushed at the implication of responding to said nickname. Was he really getting used to them calling him that?
“Should we give Kuroo a little demonstration on what ‘real’ kissing looks like?” Both Kuroo and Tsukishima watched in mirth as their setter short circuited. Tsukishima hadn’t been serious in his offer, unless of course the setter agreed, but he found it fun to get under Kageyama’s skin nonetheless. After all, teasing the setter was one of his favourite pastimes.
“Oooh Tsuki’s going all out Kageyama,” Kuroo joked, “better be careful or you might catch on fire from all that heat.”
“You’re such a nerd.” Tsukishima snorted, finally taking his eyes off the buffering setter to regard their older soulmate. The Nekoma captain grinned widely at the playful jab.
“Guilty as charged.” He put up his hands in mock surrender. “Can you blame me though? It’s not everyday that I get to see our stoic Princess so bent out of shape, blushing like a damsel in distress.”
Kageyama could feel the heat of the spotlight cast on him and he desperately wanted it to be shifted anywhere but on him, so he said the first thing that came to mind.
“I—I—I’m—I’m still cold.” Letting out a laugh, Tsukishima gripped the zipper of his jacket and pulled down.
“Right, there we go. Come on in, Princess.”
“I—What?
Tsukishima let out an exasperated sigh. “Come on, Kageyama, you're practically shivering.” The blonde opened his jacket wider in invitation. “We need to share body heat if you want to warm up, and my jacket will help. Honestly stop overthinking and get over here.”
The setter bit his lip. “Yeah… okay.” What the blonde said made perfect sense and Kageyama couldn’t help but admire how rational Tsukishima was. On the other hand however, Kageyama was a mixture of butterflies and jitters at the idea of being so close to the other first year. “Umm… how?” He whispered, flushing with how stupid he sounded. He gave a hesitant glance at the blonde, looking at him with wide, questioning, blue eyes. Kageyama could have sworn he heard a mumbled curse leaving Tsukishima’s mouth.
“Uh… here,” Tsukishima murmured, taking a hold of Kageyma’s wrists. “Wrap your arms around my waist.” He motioned for Kageyama to follow his instructions and with a little hesitation the setter acquiesced, looping his arms around the blonde’s middle.
“Like—like this?” Tsukishima nodded and sucked in a deep breath
“Ya just like that.” Clearing his throat, the middle blocker shifted his gaze to the amused third year, glaring when he noticed just how entertained the older teen was with Tsukishima breaking his composure. “Kuroo,” he sweetly called, his voice holding a dangerous undertone. “Be a dear and zip us up. It would be a shame if all the heat escaped.” With a wicked grin Kuroo cooperated with Tsukishima’s wishes. Placing his hand on the small of Kageyama’s back, he pushed the setter until he was flush against Tsukishima’s chest before going for the zipper.
“Sure thing, Tsukki,” he drawled, smirk intensifying as he caught the blonde’s glare. “Wouldn’t want our Princess catching a cold now, would we?” And with that he tugged the zipper up, effectively locking the boys together in a permanent embrace. “There, all snug and secure. Honestly, I should take a picture.” Kuroo felt desire pool in his chest as he racked his gaze over his soulmates. Kageyama looked stiff as he was all but forced to cling onto the stalky blonde, not entirely sure where to put his face. His only options were to wretch his neck backwards or tuck it under Tsukishima’s chin so he was resting on the middle blocker’s chest. Tsukishima frowned slightly as he narrowed his eyes in annoyance at Kuroo’s amusement with the situation; however, the older teen caught the faint blush that expressed the blonde's true feelings.
“How about you stop cracking jokes and help us lie back down,” Tsukishima sniped, rolling his eyes at Kuroo’s antics. He was already trying to maneuver the setter and himself into a more comfortable position. By the sounds of the howling wind continually banging against the window it appeared that they probably would be spending the rest of the day (and possibly the night) in the little, isolated cabin.
“How long do you think we’ll be out here for?” Voiced Kageyama, after the teen’s had situated themselves in their previous positions of resting on their sides, the setter sandwiched between his taller soulmates. Kageyama had ended up wiggling his arms from around Tsukishima’s waist to rest on the blonde’s chest, afraid they might be crushed under the blonde’s weight. Kuroo had fitted himself along Kageyama’s back, entangling their legs together, and wrapping one of his arms around the conjoined pair.
“At most a night,” Kuroo answered, his tone a sentiment of absolute confidence. “The resort will see that we didn’t return our snowshoe rentals or checked back into our room and will contact emergency services.” Kageyama was a little embarrassed he hadn’t thought of that, assuming that they would simply have to wait until the snow let up before making their way back down.
“But how are they going to know where to find us?” The setter further inquired. Just because the resort knew they were missing didn’t mean they knew where to look for the trio.
“I talked to the rental guy this morning and asked for his opinion on taking this trail and whether it was doable for beginners. He was there when we ultimately made the decision of what trail we wanted to go on.” It was in moments like these Kageyama was thankful that at least one of them was social and good at communicating with random strangers. Goodness knows neither he nor Tsukishima were gifted in that department.
“Besides,” Tsukishima drawled, and Kageyama couldn’t help but take note of the way he had to crane his neck to look up at the blonde, a testament of how tall the middle blocker was compared to the setter and how physically close they were. “I let my parents know which route we were taking along with a map of the trail and the estimated time we’d be back. I’m positive they’ll contact the resort and police once they don’t hear back from us.”
“Too true,” Kuroo nodded, “I also promised my parents that I would send at least one text message each night letting them know I was still alive.” The conversation was meant to be lighthearted and reassuring but Kageyama couldn’t help but feel suffocated. He remained silent as he listened to his soulmate's joke about which set of parents would be the most worried and their reactions upon seeing that they were all right.
“My mom will probably throw her shoe at me before hugging me,” Kuroo chuckled. “It would be like her form of punishing me for worrying her so much.”
“Akiteru will probably be a blubbering mess,” Tsukishima sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “I can already see him falling over himself as he tries to hug me.” The weight on Kageyama’s chest only seemed to grow and the setter held back a wince as he felt his heart give a painful squeeze. On one hand he was happy for his soulmates, they had families that were supportive and genuinely cared about their wellbeing (a concept that was foreign to the raven-haired teen). However, on the other hand, he couldn’t help but feel immense jealousy over not having that same type of parental love, questioning what was so different about him that made him so unlovable in his parent’s eyes. Was he so unworthy of the same fondness and adoration? Kageyama wished he could join in on the conversation, assert that he too had people who would be waiting for him at the bottom of the mountain, but that would be a lie. Nobody would be waiting just like nobody would be calling the front desk or police frantically inquiring about his whereabouts. It made him wonder what would have become of him if he had gone on this trip alone. When would someone realize he was missing? When would someone alert police of his absence? How would Miwa and his parents react to the news? Miwa would be sad, no doubt, and would probably blame herself on some level… but his parents? Kageyama didn’t know. He couldn’t see them being too upset, as cold as that sounded. Honestly, he could see them being more perturbed about missing work and having to deal with the legalities than sad about Kageyama’s absence. They probably wouldn’t even notice he was gone.
“What about you, Kageyama?” Kuroo questioned, his eyes twinkling with innocent amusement. “Any predictions on how your family will react when they discover you're M.I.A?” The setter couldn’t help the dark chuckle that escaped his lips at the question. It was ironic really considering his parents were the ones that had been missing in action for the majority of his childhood. Heck, half the time he didn’t even know which continent they were on.
“They won’t notice.” If Kageyama was more in his right mind and not driven by annoyance and contempt towards his so-called parents he might have lied but emotions clouded his judgement. Kageyama had been lying for them, covering up their pathetic excuse of parenting, for years. Where were they when he had gotten chicken pox at three-years-old? Where were they during his first day of Kindergarten? Where were they when he won his first volleyball tournament? Where were they when Miwa left? Where were they when grandpa got sick? Where were they during all those parent-teacher meetings, birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and important milestones? Kageyama couldn’t pinpoint a time in his life when his parents took his emotions, his wants and desires… his life into consideration. He was the spare tire in their lives, only useful when needed.
“What do you mean,” Tsukishima scoffed. He found the notion ridiculous. Why wouldn’t they notice? Kageyama was their son.
“I didn’t tell them,” the setter admitted, shrugging his shoulders as if Tsukishima had asked him what he wanted for lunch.
“You what!?” Kuroo was floored. “Well they must think you’re somewhere or else they would have reported you missing yesterday when you didn’t come home for dinner.”
“Why? It’s not like they live with me.” Kageyama knew he was being insensitive. Knew this information, this revelation, was new to the pair and that they had every right to be upset with the situation. Heck he would be upset if the roles were reversed. But the setter’s capacity for caring was at zero. He was tired. Tired of constantly having to be the only person maintaining this perfect family image when it was all a sham. Why did it always fall back on his shoulders? Why was he the one who had to take accountability for his parents’ actions? For the first time, Kageyama confronted the full extent of his parents’ choices and how they had and still are impacting him. Pain, anger, and longing bubbled up in his chest, winding its way around his throat like hands ready to choke him. Despite the distance and Miwa being hours away, Kageyama never felt more connected to his sister then he did now. The mutual understanding of the eternal weight they both were burdened to carry.
The setter remembered when he was young, maybe five or six, and how he had woken up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. He had been terrified and went to seek out his older sister, hoping that she would be strong enough to fight off the monsters trying to eat him. He remembered standing outside her door, little fists ready to knock, when he heard the sound of crying. He was confused at first, Miwa didn’t cry. Maybe the monsters were hurting her. Kageyama had cracked open the door to see Miwa furiously scrubbing her bed sheets as tears streamed down her cheeks. Beside her was the family phone, which she had propped up beside her. From what Kageyama could tell his sister was attempting to call someone but her calls kept on going to voicemail. Her efforts only seemed to drive the pre-teen into further hysterics as panic and fear caused her voice to crack and Miwa stopped her scrubbing to grip onto the phone with both hands.
“Please, please, please,” she had whispered, her voice breaking in a way that caused the peeping five year-old to tear up. “Please pick-up! Please mom, I need you.” Miwa’s voice teetered off in despair as her shoulders sagged in exhausted defeat. Kageyama didn’t remember his mother being good at fighting monsters. It was at this moment Kageyama decided to reveal himself.
“Miwa,” the little boy had called out, shuffling hesitantly into the room. His big blue eyes scanned his sister worriedly as he played with the hem of his shirt. Were the monsters to big for her to fight? “Why are you crying?” Seeing her brother, the pre-teen had tried to compose herself, rubbing her face to get rid of any tear tracks and plastering a half-hearted smile onto her face.
“I’m okay Toby,” Miwa had sniffled, wiping the stray tears from her eyes. “You shouldn’t be out of bed.” Kageyama wanted to tell her about the monsters in his room but didn’t want to make his sister feel more sad. Toddling towards the kneeling girl, Kageyama’s small hands had come up to rest on his sister’s cheeks. He wasn’t sure if it was the monsters that were making Miwa upset but he wanted to be strong for her. That’s when he had noticed the blood. There had been a sizable patch down the front of Miwa’s pajama bottoms and what looked to be a smeared puddle on her mattress. With wide, innocent eyes the future Karasuno setter looked down at his sister with concern and fear.
“You’re bleeding.” It wasn’t a question and whatever composer the pre-teen had been attempting to establish was shattered as she dissolved into a flurry of panicked cries, as she buried her face into the younger boy's stomach.
“I think I’m dying, Tobio.” She had whispered, and suddenly monsters didn’t seem so scary.
In hindsight, Kageyama now recognized that his sister had been going through her first period yet this realization didn’t make the memory any less raw and painful to remember. That night was one of few he had witnessed his sister break down and be vulnerable. Kageyama couldn’t fathom how scared and isolated she must have felt at thirteen, convinced she was dying. He could, however, relate to the desperate attempts of reaching out to their parents only to repeatedly be met with disappointment. How many times did they let her down? How many times did they make her heart shatter?
Even as a little kid, Miwa was one of the strongest people Kageyama knew—so much so that her resilience became her biggest flaw. She had built walls around her so impenetrable that even her own brother couldn’t break through her iron-clad armour. Kageyama knew now that her inability to show vulnerability, her inability to let him in, derived from his parents' negligence. It was sadly something both siblings had in common. The only person Miwa was ever vulnerable with was her soulmate, Tadashi. He was a nice enough guy from what Kageyama knew, not that that was a lot, but he couldn’t lie and say he wasn’t a bit jealous of the man’s ability to get through his sisters walls.
“Kageyama, if you don’t live with your parents then who do you live with?” The question was innocent and he assumed Kuroo and Tsukishima were waiting for him to say he lived with his grandparents, or aunt, or uncle, or some family member that would reassure their worries that their soulmate was indeed loved by someone. If only that were the case. Kageyama could lie, could skirt around the truth but he was done running, done not trusting people, done believing he was unlovable. He had grown up believing he was the spare tire—an afterthought only needed in times of crisis. Never once was he a priority or the first pick. Kageyama realized that this narrative was one he no longer wished to subscribe to. He was tired of hiding, tired of shouldering the burden of his parents' choices. In that moment, he began to see the possibility of defining his worth by his own standards, not by his utility to his parents. He had made it this far without their love and attention and he was oddly proud to say he no longer desired their acceptance.
The setter let out a shaky breath. No matter what happened he would deal with the aftermath. Kuroo and Tsukishima haven’t given him a reason to not trust them. They claimed to… well they haven’t used the L word yet but they at least liked him and Kageyama wanted to put his faith in them that they would continue to stay by his side. “I live alone.” He admitted at last.
The room went still with the only sound coming from the wind howling outside. The setter felt his body tense up in anticipation but he didn’t regret his decision to tell them the truth. Kuroo was the first to break the silence.
“You live alone?” Kuroo’s voice came out raspy as he grappled with the shock from their youngest soulmate's admission. Tsukishima watched in his own stupor as Kuroo’s brow furrowed in disbelief and bewilderment. “Wha—but—how? Sorry I don’t mean to prod but what about your parents? Do you pay for bills and groceries? How—who—Kageyama what?” Under other circumstances Kageyama would have found Kuroo’s response cute. It wasn’t every day the smooth talking cat was caught off guard. Steadying his resolve Kageyama began to divulge the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his family. He told them about his parents, their work, and their absence in his life. The setter disclosed his relationship with Miwa, how she practically raised him and how she had left when Kageyama was ten. He told them about his grandpa, the illness and constant hospital visits. Kageyama opened up about the funeral and how his parents left the next day and how he had been alone since. He told them everything as the taller pair laid in silence.
By the end of the setter’s tale, the younger felt both exhausted and relieved. This was the first time he had opened up about his family and the weight that was once on his shoulders eased up. It was a relief to finally put everything out into the open, to no longer hide behind the mask of his parents wrong-doings. He hadn’t even realized he was crying until gentle hands were brushing away his tears. Kageyama expected himself to feel embarrassed, maybe even humiliated, at showing such vulnerability in front of Kuroo and Tsukishima. Yet, the more the setter reflected on his feelings, the clearer it became: vulnerability wasn't the weakness he had once perceived it to be. In its own way vulnerability was a form of strength—a testament to the courage it takes to truly feel and express those feelings openly. The dawning realization was further strengthened when he thought of his family. All of them, in their own ways, were distant, apathetic to one another in order to survive the bitter chill of loneliness, at least that was the case for him and Miwa. But that stoicism, that… phlegmatic rejection of family ties was not the ‘strength’ Kageyama wanted. He loved Miwa but he didn’t want to be like her. With her impenetrable walls that blocked out pain and rejection. Because those same walls also blocked out kindness and love and… and all the warmth Kageyama so desperately yearned for. Miwa’s walls, though offering a semblance of protection, also acted as barriers against the very things that made life worth living. By expressing vulnerability, Kageyama was not showing weakness; he was opening himself up to the possibility of genuine connection, something he realized was far more valuable than any facade of invulnerability. The setter basked in the comfort and warmth provided by his soulmates as exhaustion finally won out and he drifted off into a deep sleep.
“I think he tired himself out,” Kuroo mused, craning his neck to get a look at the younger teens sleeping face.
“He did,” the blonde agreed, tightening his hold on the setter in fear that if he didn’t hold on tight enough their youngest soulmate would somehow disappear. “I think it’s a good type of tired though. The kind that comes after you’ve… unloaded a burden you’ve been carrying for too long.” Kuroo hummed in agreement.
“I knew there was something about his family with the way he would always freeze up and sidestep the conversation but I never thought it ran so deep.”
In a rare moment of distress, Tsukishima spoke up. “I feel stupid,” he admitted, “I never realized how much Kageyama was holding in. He’s always so composed, so in control. I… I feel like I’ve failed him.” Nekoma’s captain sucked in a shaky breath at Tsukishima’s admission. He had solemnly seen the snarky blonde this raddled before and he wanted, no, needed to reassure the first year that it was all going to be okay.
“Hey, Tsukki,” Kuroo started, his voice steady and sincere, a hand reaching out to offer a reassuring squeeze on Tsukishima's shoulder. “You haven’t failed him. Not at all. We both know Kageyama; he’s a fortress. It takes a lot for him to open up about... well, anything that really gets to him. The fact that he’s shared this with us now just shows how much he trusts us.”
“Ya,” the blonde muttered, not fully believing the older blocker.
Kuroo paused, considering his words thoroughly before continuing his quest to comfort his soulmate. “We’re all learning. None of us are mind readers. We can't always see the battles someone is fighting on the inside. But what we can do is be there for one another and support each other once those battles come to light. That’s what counts.” Kuroo’s eyes drifted towards Kageyama’s sleeping form, a soft smile playing on his lips as he contemplated what their journey might look like after they escaped this snowy prison. “This is just the start, Tsukki. We’ve got something special here, something worth protecting. And yeah, we’re gonna stumble and mess up because that’s what people do. But as long as we keep talking, keep trying to understand each other, we’re gonna be alright.” Finally the words seemed to sink into the blonde's head and Kuroo watched in relief as the younger blocker regrouped his composure.
“Sorry,” Tsukishima coughed awkwardly. “I wasn’t thinking rationally. I know he’ll—we’ll be fine. It’s like you said, as long as we communicate and are open with one another we’ll be okay. I just let my emotions get the better of me. I’m glad the King considers us people he can put his trust in.”
“Me too Tsukki, me too.” It was moments like these Kuroo cherished. To have both his emotionally constipated soulmates open up and communicate their feelings so transparently without having to drag it out of them felt like a miracle. Although putting on his mask of indifference Kuroo still caught the nervous tick in Tsukishima’s gaze as the younger teen adjusted his glasses. It was time to lighten the mood.
"You know, Tsukki," Kuroo teased, a playful glint in his eyes as he nudged his soulmate gently, "I think you've got a soft spot for our little King here. You practically turned into a human security blanket when he started pouring his heart out." Kuroo couldn’t help the swell of pride in his chest when the blonde’s golden eyes snapped up to meet his lecherous smile. Tsukishima's expression shifted from solemn to incredulous, a faint blush tinting his cheeks at Kuroo's observation.
"What? No way," he retorted, attempting to maintain his usual aloof demeanor despite the telltale flush. "I just... didn't want him slipping away, that's all." Karasuno’s middle blocker couldn’t help but feel a twinge of gratefulness at the switching of topics, even though he hated being the center of Kuroo’s teasing.
“Keep telling yourself that Tsukki. We both know you're nothing but a big softie,” the older boy purred, his eyes flashing in amusement. “It’s only a matter of time before Kageyama finds out the truth.”
The blonde snorted and rolled his eyes. “Please, Sleeping Beauty here,” Tsukishima dramatically gestured to the setter, “is denser than a black hole. He won't figure anything out unless we spell it out for him in giant neon letters."
“So you admit it, you’re a softie?”
The younger scowled. “I said no such thing.”
“Whatever you say darling〜” Kuroo fluttered his eyelashes mockingly at the glaring blonde. “You can’t deny you get all mushy whenever our Princess pouts or blushes at your teasing.”
Tsukishima stared at Nekoma’s captain boredly, unimpressed with Kuroo’s narrative of him being some love-struck puppy. “Oh is that so? Tell me darling, how can you tell?”
“I have eyes, baby,” Kuroo’s voice was syrupy sweet as he lowered his eyes to seductively leer at the blonde.
Tsukishima fought to keep a straight face, resisting the urge to roll his eyes again. "Right, because that's a reliable source of information," he deadpanned, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You might want to get those eyes checked, Kuroo. They seem to be playing tricks on you."
Kuroo chuckled, unfazed by Tsukishima's mock skepticism. "Oh, believe me, Tsukki, my eyesight is just fine. Besides, actions speak louder than words, and yours speak volumes when it comes to Kageyama." The blonde merely shot Kuroo a look of contempt in response, refusing to dignify Kuroo's teasing with a verbal retort. Instead, he focused his attention on the still-sleeping Kageyama, feeling a sense of protectiveness wash over him. Whatever Kuroo might say, Tsukishima knew one thing for certain: he cared deeply for their soulmate, even if he wasn't ready to admit it out loud yet.
“What was your first thought when you realized Kageyama was our soulmate?” Tsukishima usually wasn’t one for the direct approach, mainly opting for testing remarks or comments in order to gauge how others responded, but he was curious.
Kuroo leaned back on the bed, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as he considered Tsukishima's question. "Hmm, my first thought?" he echoed, tapping his chin lightly with his index finger. "Honestly, I was surprised."
Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, silently prompting Kuroo to elaborate.
"I mean, don't get me wrong," Kuroo continued, "I always knew there was something special about Kageyama. He's an incredible setter, after all. But to find out that he's our soulmate? That was unexpected."
Tsukishima nodded in understanding, his curiosity piqued. "Unexpected how?"
Kuroo chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, for starters, I never imagined our soulmate would be someone as... prickly as Kageyama. He's not exactly the easiest person to get along with, you know?"
Tsukishima smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. "And yet, here we are."
"Exactly," Kuroo agreed, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "But I guess that's the funny thing about soulmates, isn't it? They have a way of surprising you when you least expect it. What about you, what were your initial thoughts about Kageyama being paired with us?"
“When I first felt the burn of Kageyama’s soulmate mark taking shape I was honestly… relieved?” The blonde’s eyes drifted to his wrist as he absent-mindedly rubbed the spot that held both his soulmate’s names. “I always knew there was something… missing in our relationship. Don’t get me wrong, our relationship is great and I wouldn’t change it but…” He trailed off, looking up in a slight panic, trying to measure Kuroo’s reaction and hoping he didn’t offend the older boy. Tsukishima was a little surprised to see Kuroo smiling gently at him.
“I get it, I felt the same. To be real, I suspected that we might have another soulmate,” the Nekoma third-year spoke honestly. “I had brought up those same feelings to Kenma and he had mentioned that he and Shrimpy had felt the same way before they found Yachi.”
“You never told me.”
Kuroo shrugged. “It was only a guess and I didn’t want to get our hopes up in case we really didn’t have another soulmate. Besides it’s like you said, we had—have a good relationship, there was no need to start casting doubt and messing it up.”
Tsukishima hummed in understanding. He may not be happy with Kuroo withholding said information but he understood his hesitancy in voicing his feelings.
“Anyways,” Tsukishima continued, “I was relieved at first but after I saw it was Kageyama’s name on my wrist I was… confused? Maybe, shocked? I don’t know but at the time it didn’t make a lot of sense. How could the King be my—our soulmate? Then before I could wrap my head around the situation he ghosted us. Honestly, it was the angriest and most worried I’d ever been and I kept switching from wanting to strangle him and wanting to make sure he was okay. It wasn’t until he opened the door looking like a disheveled mess did everything seem to fit into place. It was a side to him I had never seen before, with his red, puffy eyes and almost demure demeanor. It was all new. The way he pouted and blushed, it was intriguing, cute. It made me want to see other sides of him.” At some point Tsukishima’s eyes casted downwards to regard their youngest soulmate. He was still sleeping soundly and the blonde couldn’t help the heat that rose from the back of his neck to his ears. Kageyama was curled into the middle blocker’s chest with half his face peaking out. The setter’s hands were by his head as he fisted the material of Tsukishima’s shirt, effectively latching onto the older boy.
Kuroo listened intently to Tsukishima's recounting of that fateful day when they had discovered that Kageyama was their soulmate. His lips curled into a mischievous smirk as he processed the blonde's words. "Hmm, so you were relieved, confused, and then intrigued by our little King, huh?" he teased, leaning forward with an amused glint in his eyes.
Tsukishima shot Kuroo a wry glance, rolling his eyes at the older boy's teasing tone. "Yeah, something like that," he replied dryly, though there was a hint of mirth in his voice.
Kuroo chuckled, his smirk widening as he nudged Tsukishima playfully. "Admit it, Tsukki, you were totally smitten the moment you saw his crying face," he teased, eyebrows raised in mock disbelief.
The blonde narrowed his eyes, but couldn't hide the slight blush that tinged his cheeks at Kuroo's words. "Stop saying ridiculous things like that," he retorted, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness. “People are going to start thinking I’m a sadist.”
Kuroo leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Well, I hate to break it to you, Tsukki, but some might find that side of you... intriguing," he murmured, his breath brushing against Tsukishima's ear, sending shivers down his spine. The air crackled with tension between them, the teasing banter tinged with something more electric. Tsukishima's breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he couldn't tear his gaze away from Kuroo's dark eyes.
Tsukishima's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red at the proximity, but he tried to maintain his composure. "You're unbelievable," he muttered, though there was a hint of breathlessness in his voice.
Kuroo pulled back with a sly grin, enjoying the effect he was having on his soulmate. "Just keeping it spicy, Tsukki," he said with a wink, before leaning back with a satisfied smirk.
“Whatever,” the blonde murmured, too embarrassed to truly protest. “It’s your turn to be a human heating pad.” He motioned down to their sleeping soulmate.
“You don’t want him?”
“I’m too hot, he’s like a little furnace.”
“Fine,” Kuroo sighed theatrically, “but only because I’m such a caring soulmate.”
Tsukishima shook his head in cocky disbelief. “Whatever helps you sleep at night. Come on, unzip your jacket.”
“Trying to undress me so soon Tsukki? The day is still young,” Kuroo teased as he sprawled out on the bed. Tsukishima couldn’t help but feel irked at the third year’s relaxed posture. Kuroo’s tousled hair framed his face and a playful smirk lingered on his lips, thoroughly enjoying the back and forth banter with the younger blocker.
“You wish,” was Tsukishima’s hotty reply as he sent a scathing scowl in the other teen’s direction. “Now unzip your jacket so we can transfer Sleeping Beauty here.”
Kuroo chuckled but ultimately complied. He couldn’t complain, he was about to gain a cuddly Kageyama.
With Kuroo's jacket unzipped, Tsukishima carefully maneuvered Kageyama out from inside his own jacket, trying not to jostle the sleeping setter too much. With gentle hands, he unclasped Kageyama’s fists from their death grip on his shirt. The setter shifted slightly in his sleep, a soft hum leaving his lips at the disturbance and Tsukishima softly cursed.
“Tsukki,” the setter mumbled out, his eyebrows knitted together in confusion but the blond was relieved to see his eyes hadn’t opened.
Tsukishima paused in his movements, his heart skipping a beat at the sound of Kageyama's voice. He turned his attention to the sleeping setter, his expression softening with fondness. "It’s okay Princess," he whispered, careful not to wake the setter fully. "We’re just moving you so you can cuddle with Kuroo."
“Kuroo?” The younger questioned, voice still groggy with sleep.
"Yeah, it's me," Kuroo replied softly, a warm smile evident in his voice. "We're just shifting you to my jacket for a cozy sleep," he reassured, his tone gentle. "Don't worry, go back to sleep." Kageyama let out one more sleepy hum before turning into Kuroo’s warmth. Wiggling into a comfy position the setter looped his arms around the taller teen’s neck, effectively latching onto the Nekoma captain. Tsukishima couldn't help but snicker at Kuroo's dumbstruck expression as he secured Kageyama inside Kuroo’s jacket. With a playful glint in his eyes, the blonde zipped them up snugly, knowing full well that Kageyama would be embarrassed if he woke up. Kuroo chuckled softly, adjusting to the sudden warmth enveloping him, and exchanged a knowing glance with Tsukishima, silently appreciating their unique bond with the sleeping setter nestled between them.
“Who knew our King was so clingy,” Kuroo coughed as Tsukishima looked on in wicked merriment. It was finally Kuroo’s turn to feel sheepish and his cheeks flushed as their setter buried his face into the older teen’s neck. By the look in Tsukishima’s eyes and the small puffs of air on his neck, Kuroo knew this was going to be a long night.
---
The rescue crew had arrived late into the evening, reuniting the trio to civilization and their families. Kageyama couldn’t contain his surprise at seeing Miwa waiting for him at the bottom of the mountain, her soulmate, Tadashi rubbing comforting circles into her back. When she had spotted her brother, Miwa had all but sprinted over to the raven-haired teen, throwing her arms around him in a heartfelt embrace that caused both Kageyama siblings to tear up. Amidst the tearful reunions and grateful embraces, Kageyama, Kuroo, and Tsukishima exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the strength of their bond and the deep connection each one of them shared. With the sun setting low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the snow-covered landscape, they knew that their adventure had brought them closer together, reinforcing a bond that could withstand any storm life threw their way. A smile graced Kageyama’s face as he tightened his arms around his sister. For the first time in a long time, Kageyama knew he was no longer alone.