Chapter 23 - Picture Perfect

The Dadchi Generation decided to have a get-together since they missed the team so much. Kiyoko being the former manager and having a rich family who owns a beach resort, set up the reunion during the holiday break. She also managed to invite Kuroo, Kenma, Akaashi, Bokuto, Miya Twins, Kogane, and Aone.

Hinata was the most excited of course. Tsukishima, as much as he loves seeing his pumpkin happy, is a little bit concerned. Well, the people invited from other teams all adore Hinata.

Well, at least I know he is mine... and they should know that by now as well.

They arrived in different groups at the resort. Kiyoko and Yachi already prepared the reservations for rooms and a cottage. Ennoshita, Kinoshita, Narita, Tanaka, and Noya took care of meat and other foodstuffs because of the major male appetite. Coach Ukai drove them there but had to decline to join since he has to man the store. Mr. Takeda had to attend an out-of-town seminar over the weekend.

Tsukishima and Hinata brought 2 volleyballs, just to be safe. They wouldn't want a sad sunshine in case the ball pops and there's no replacement. They also brought utensils and garbage bags. Hinata's mother drove them there. The net&poles are already available from the resort.

"Mmmmmmm... the smell of the beachhhhh!!!" Hinata breathed in the smell of the sea.

They are both wearing black board shorts and white sleeveless shirts. Talk about twinning. Tsukishima brought rash guards for both of them though as he really is expecting Hinata to jump in the water without considering how cold it is or how high the sun may be.

"Yeah but the water is cold, don't go rushing okay?" Tsukishima said while handing over some of their stuff for the group gathering to one of the staff.

Kiyoko also emerged from the main office of the resort. She looks stunning with her red one-piece swimsuit and a triangular cloth tied around her waist.

"You're here. We are just waiting for Yamaguchi and Akemi. Oh well. Let's just go and meet the others at the cottage. It's our largest and can accommodate our group.

The group is already rowdy and of course, having the loud Kuroo and Bokuto, this is inevitable. Hinata looked for Kageyama. His best friend is already possessively hanging his arm around Yachi. She is actually in a swimsuit but is wearing Kageyama's shirt over it. Kageyama must have asked her to wear it.

"Ohhh the new lovebirds are here," Kuroo announced. Kenma paused his game and immediately hugged Hinata. Tsukishima doesn't mind. Kenma has always been the closest to Hinata, besides he is always chill.

"Mmm, kitten don't hug him too much. We might have a murder scene." Kuroo said looking at Tsukishima.

"No, I'm good with Kenma-san no worries." Tsukishima then noticed Atsumu rushing to Hinata.

"Unlike the likes of that of course...". Kuroo followed where he was looking.

"Shoyo!!!" Atsumu lovingly cupped Hinata's face and rubbed their noses. Hinata touched Atsumu's arm hoping he lets go soon. He's scared Tsukishima might get angry.

"Haha hello Atsumu-san. How are you?"

"You idiot, his boyfriend is standing right over there." Osamu karate-chopped Atsumu's arm off Hinata.

"Awww... okay fine. Gomen Tsukishima, I meant no disrespect."

"Haah... sure. Sho, I'll set the bags first. Come to me when you're done errr sun-shining...?"

As they settled nicely around the table in the large cottage, basically Hinata was the only one who is not beside his teammate like a butterfly visiting flowers around a garden. Tsukishima just looked at how happy he is surrounded by good people.

At last Yamaguchi and Akemi arrived. Of course, her beauty captivated everyone's attention from other teams and the former Karasuno 3rd years.

"Hi everyone, sorry we're late. We waited for her dad to drive us here. This is Akemi Hada. A 1st year and our 2nd manager." Yamaguchi introduced her to everyone.

"Hello, senpais. I'm Akemi. Tadashi forgot to say as well. I'm his girlfriend. Let's get along."

"Ooohhhh." A sudden chorus echoed...

"Somebody's whipped woot!" Bokuto teased. Akaashi glared at him. The group laughed.

Yamaguchi just laughed with them and guided Akemi near Tsukishima. Knowing their historical bickering, Yamaguchi sat between Tsukishima and Akemi.

Hinata went back to Tsukishima and sat on his lap. Tsukishima just accepted his fate as Hinata's human chair, rather than see him hugging and clinging to someone else. He slid his hand onto his waist and then rested on his thigh; caressing it from time to time unconsciously while everyone is having a good time chatting.

Since it's still early and the sun is hiding among the clouds, they've decided to play beach volleyball. Hinata, Astumu, Ennoshita, Aone, Akaashi and Tanaka vs Tsukishima, Osamu, Daichi, Koganegawa, Kuroo and Bokuto.

"Why does it seem like we're at a height disadvantage?" Hinata mumbled.

"No baby, it's just you." Tsukishima chuckled.

"Oh what is this sweet trash-talking? Let's start before I get a toothache." Kuroo said and he huddled his team for the starting position.

The crowd started to gather eventually because all of them removed their shirts exposing their volleyball-sculptured bodies. Some of the girls are already cheering on muscly Bokuto, scary Aone, handsome Atsumu, noisy Baldy, seductive Kuroo, and snobbish blondie Tsukishima because they stand out.

They had finished two sets. Not a competition really so it doesn't really matter. They each won a set. The next game is composed of the others who were not in the first group. They also had 2 sets. This time the girls are already cheering for Samurai Hunk, Mr. Serious (Daichi), Shy Narita, Mysterious Pudding, Master Server, and Pretty Suga. After which, they settled again in their large cottage and waited for the food prepared by the staff from the ingredients they brought earlier.

"I've been meaning to send this to you chibi-chan...". Kuroo scrolled through his cp and showed Hinata a picture.

Hinata is currently sitting beside Tsukishima. They both looked over at what Kuroo was showing.

"Ohhh... is that when I got hit during the practice games in Tokyo?" Hinata's eyes were wide with excitement.

"Yes, it was. Tsukishima really took care of you huh... Here let me send it to you..."

Yamaguchi who heard the conversation also joined in.

"Hey, I also have one! Wait let me search for it..."

"There I sent it to you Hinata".

Hinata waited till the picture arrived. It was the picture of Tsukishima holding Hinata by the waist while his other hand is holding Hinata's hand holding a cake above his head.

"Wow, what is this? This was way back when I requested you to teach me!"

"Yes, it is pumpkin." Tsukishima ruffled his head, his eyes looking at him adoringly.

"Since you've come out, you're not holding back with all this... chumminess huh?" Kageyama said.

"Got a problem with that King? And you're one to talk. Yachi's been locked in your arms since earlier."

"Oh no. I got no problem with that as long as my best friend is happy, go chummy all the way beanpole." Then he kissed Yachi on the cheek and whispered something to her. Yachi immediately fumbled with her phone.

"I got one too!" She showed everyone the picture of Hinata in fetal position napping at Tsukishima's gym bag on his lap during their ride home from Tokyo. Tsukishima's also asleep while his arm is on Hinata's waist.

"What's with you guys taking pictures of us?! Never mind, send that to Hinata too, Yachi... please." Tsukishima requested awkwardly.

Yachi sent the picture to Hinata. Hinata looked at Tsukishima smiling widely. Tsukishima smiled back and caressed his waist.

"Well, you're both cute of course," Kiyoko said. "We have eyes you know." She smiled.

The wide range of food arrived and the group devoured their lunch happily. After which, some of them started playing in the water and it started to rain. Tsukishima didn't let Hinata play in the water without changing into rash guard.

"You're like his mom," Suga said to Tsukishima, giving him pineapple juice in a can. Tsukishima thanked him and started drinking from it.

They are the only ones left at the cottage. Tsukishima is arranging their bags which he will bring to their assigned room before joining Hinata later in the water. Suga is waiting for Daichi who went and settled his and Suga's bag in their assigned room.

"If that's how I can take care of him while he enjoys things, then it's fine Suga-san. I love him so much I even surprise myself sometimes."

"I never thought I'd see this side of you. And Hinata's the cause of all people." Suga chuckled.

"Yeah. Me too. So... how about you and Daichi-san?". Tsukishima striked back.

"Haha well... we're taking it slow. We just confirmed our feelings, like, 2 months ago? It's a long story of jealousy and misunderstanding before we finally got there. But all is well. Hey, I'm happy for you. Take care of our sunshine, though I know you are doing a great job already." Suga saw Daichi approaching the cottage.

"Let's go?" Daichi asked Suga to go join the others and Suga nodded.

"Go ahead and enjoy. I'll bring these to our room first." They left. Tsukishima left two towels for his and Hinata's use later before he went to their room. He was back as quickly as possible to find Hinata having another round of volleyball games with their friends.

He sat under one of the parasols with sunlounger and hang the towels above his head. He saw Hinata look at him and he waved. After a while, he noticed Kageyama sitting on another sunlounger near him.

"Hmmm? You let Yachi go?" Tsukishima asked.

"Well... you know girl talk. She's with Kiyoko and Akemi."

Silence...

"So? What's on your mind?" Kei asked. Kageyama must be bothered by something. He'd usually be playing by now with Hinata. Why is he here sitting with him?

"You... uhhh... done it?" Kageyama asked.

"Wh—- what? Heh, You don't hold back huh?" Tsukishima was surprised. What's with this conversation?

"Duh, You asked me what's on my mind!"

Silence again...

"No, not all the way. He has to be ready. I promised him we will in due time..."

"So he's also asking for it huh. It's hard I bet. It takes all of my being to hold myself back."

"So she feels ready for it?"

"Yeah... Her mom's even expecting us to do it, this month at that... weird huh?"

Her mom? Wow, what a liberated sense of thinking. She's cool... Well, our parents also are... Tsukishima thought.

Silence...

"So we're stuck in the same predicament it seems... though we're totally in different situations."

"Yeah, you can't get him pregnant, why are you holding back?"

"Well, I have my reason as I said. And you, I bet she practically begged for it so why are you holding back?

"Well... I uh... oh... maybe I am the one who's not ready...?"

"You finally figured it out huh? Look, I honestly don't know why we are talking about this. But if it helps you talking to me then okay fine. I think it boils down to our own principle on whether we will do it or not and when. I for one almost did it a few times. I think I may give in to doing it eventually. But I still try hard not to. I think it may be harder for you straight guys to hold back. But at the end of the day, if it comes to that, will it change the way you see her? Will it make you love her less or will it make you treasure her more? I think it's the latter given how caring you were for her these past months. Maybe you were not ready... or maybe it will smack you in the face to be ready in an instant. Whichever, I think you are responsible enough to know what to do when it finally happens.

Silence...

"Also, Yachi is our treasured team manager. I also care for her in my own way. The team cares for her. But you are the only one who has the ultimate right to care for her among all of us. Just prioritize her and I think everything will be fine."

"Right... right... Thanks for the talk. Really appreciate it. And thank you for prioritizing Hinata in everything. I'm glad my best friend, have you. Well, off I go, need to dip before Yachi comes back from their girl talk."

Tsukishima was alone again. Finally. He saw Hinata running towards him. Tsukishima gave him a towel. He sat beside him with little space in between because he is a bit wet.

"You're having fun pumpkin?" Tsukishima asked. He leaned back with hands propped beside him, exposing his abbs, unknowingly catching a few glances from the girls walking by.

"Yes... but aren't you going for a swim?"

"I am--"

"Then let's go. You may not have noticed but girls have been undressing you with their eyes for a long while now." Hinata hung his towel, grabbed Tsukishima's hand, and dragged him towards the sea.

"Why this far baby? Your feet won't even touch the sand." Tsukishima tighten his hold on Hinata's waist whose legs were wrapped around his hips. The water is up to Tsukishima's chest and doing these tiny jumps along with the little waves.

"I... I'm getting jealous of the way they looked at you..." Hinata put his arms around Tsukishima's neck.

"I can kiss you right here right now. I don't care who sees us. Will that calm you down?"

"Kiss me then."

Tsukishima kissed Hinata most passionately and sweetly as he knows how. Hinata responded with the same passion.

Hinata broke the kiss. He clung to Tsukishima's neck and adjusted his hips.

"I love you, Daddy. Sorry something got stiff for a minute there."

"I love you, baby... I love you so much I can't even be bothered by others when I'm holding you... and I'll take care of that stiffness later don't worry." Tsukishima whispered in Hinata's ear.

They stayed floating in the calm waters for a while. Hinata occasionally gives playful naughty kisses on Tsukishima's lips, neck, and cheeks. Tsukishima just tightly held Hinata in his arms.

"Do you wanna rest in our room now? You played a lot of games today."

"Okay. Lets's make out a lot?"

"Hahaha sure baby. Whatever you want."

They regrouped at 7 pm in the same large cottage for dinner. They played spin the bottle and some card games after.

Kiyoko called for them around 9 pm to sit in a bonfire prepared by the staff for big groups like theirs. Hotdogs and big marshmallows on a stick on plates for them to share. There they stayed for about an hour reminiscing about their time together when Karasuno once again made it to nationals.

Before the night ended Hinata suggested they took a group picture. All the couples ended up hugging in the frame.