Thread by @pearlsephoni

#kagehina, inspo’d by Those World Cup photos

It happens every World Cup: photos of the football teams celebrating their wins go viral as everyone gushes over how “fruity” they are.

It’s only a matter of time before they turn their eyes to other sports…including volleyball.

Japan’s national team don’t care about the photos that go around. Bokuto still picks a disgruntled Yaku up for a bear hug. Miya still jumps on Ojiro’s back and plants a playful kiss to his temple while rubbing his short-cropped hair. Even Ushijima and Sakusa indulge in long hugs.

The only member who doesn’t get “caught” being extra affectionate is Kageyama. He celebrates, of course he does, but he’s never photographed doing anything more than a sturdy hug, a painful-looking high five, or accepting a ruffle to his hair.

Then Hinata joins the team.

Fans don’t know what they’re looking at when Japan wins. Surely that’s not Tobio Kageyama letting Hinata jump into his arms and cling to his shoulders? Surely he’s not cradling the back of Hinata’s head into his shoulder as they shout their victory?

Surely he’s not smiling tenderly as Hinata takes his face in gentle hands?

But it is. That’s Kageyama, murmuring something and watching ever-so-fondly as Hinata throws his head back in laughter. That’s Kageyama, slowly brushing Hinata’s short, wiry curls off his forehead.

That’s Kageyama, letting Hinata lean in closer and closer until…oh. *Oh.*

Suddenly the rest of the team fades to the background as all eyes, cameras, mics turn towards the freak duo. Bear hugs and piggyback rides and kisses to temples and cheeks pale in comparison.

The team can’t even leave the stadium before social media blows up. There, on the homepage and trending tab of every website, is the same photo:

Kageyama and Hinata, wrapped into the longest, sweetest, most tender kiss that was ever seen on a volleyball court.

This isn’t the spontaneous kiss between teammates delirious with joy. This kiss is familiar, practiced, practically screams out the decade-long love between those two.

If anyone on the team is surprised, it’s only because of the couple’s audacity to announce their relationship so dramatically and publicly. “You’re really making us get our money’s worth from the publicist,” is all their coach says, not bothering to hide his fond, tired smile.

Hinata grins up at Kageyama, despite his boyfriend staring stubbornly out the bus window. “You weren’t kidding, Tobi,” he chuckles, “that really *was* the easiest way to go public!”

“You still could’ve given me some warning,” Kageyama grumbles.

Hinata’s smile doesn’t falter, and Kageyama puts up no resistance as he weaves their fingers together and leans in close. “Hey.”

“Hm?”

“Love you.”

Kageyama finally smiles, and when he looks down at Hinata, his eyes are unbearably soft. “Love you too, dumbass.”

//fin