A fic I wrote for the @yamakagezine years ago and forgot to post, whoops haha. Hope you enjoy!!
~*~
It was a crisp Sunday in March; the kind of day where you’re not sure whether you need a coat or not. The sakura trees had yet to bloom, and the frost of February still lingered. This was one of Tadashi’s favorite times of the year; he liked the chill before everything bloomed.
However, Tadashi was not enjoying the cool weather at the moment, as he was currently inside, piling bread onto a plastic tray.
“It feels like just yesterday we were nervous about our first practice match against Seijou, and here we are,” Tadashi began to lament.
“…We’re in a cafe, Tadashi.”
“You know what I mean!” Tadashi said with a huff. He was almost tempted to say his boyfriend was being snarky, but in reality, it was just Tobio being… Tobio.
When Tobio titled his head to the side slightly in a way that made it look like a giant question mark was floating over his head, Tadashi could not find it in himself to be exasperated.
“Y’know, as in we’re here as third years, about ready to graduate and move on with our lives, that kinda thing.”
The giant question mark dissipated over Tobio’s head (quite a feat, since it was invisible to begin with), but was quickly replaced by an equally invisible exclamation mark.
“I was never nervous about the match against Oik- Seijou,” Tobio retorted to Tadashi’s previous remark.
“Well, you’re never nervous about anything.”
Tobio didn’t respond to this, as they got to the cashier. Tadashi set a chocolate cornet and a red bean roll, which he had gotten for himself, and Tobio’s melon bread and taro bun on the counter while Tobio ordered their usual drinks; a hazelnut latte for Tadashi and a matcha latte for himself.
They scoped out their usual table by the second window to the right, and once they sat down Tobio said; “Well, somethings make me nervous.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“Like… passing tests, not being able to play volleyball, possibilities of injuries… askingyouout.” The last few words were mumbled, but Tadashi caught them anyway,
“Awww, really? Asking me out made you nervous? But you didn’t even-”
“I know I didn’t! Because I was nervous!”
“There was no way you were more nervous than I was! Wait, then is that why Shouyou-”
“Yeah,” Tobio interjected. “Because I couldn’t do it.”
“That– this makes more sense now. Though, y’know, it’s not like I could’ve either.”
Tadashi unwrapped his cornet and took a bite, now thinking back to when their relationship had begun. If he were being honest, their relationship definitely had an unusual start.
Tadashi was pulled back to almost three years ago, when he’d first joined Karasuno’s volleyball team, to when he’d first met the briskly terrifying force of nature that was Kageyama Tobio.
~*~
Tadashi hadn’t been the only one blown away by Kageyama, but he felt like he was being affected more strongly. His heartbeat skittered whenever he was around him, something that he hadn’t experienced before. At first Tadashi was concerned that perhaps he was showing premature signs for cardiovascular disease, but when he confided this to Tsukki, he’d been met with a scoff and an eyeroll.
“This is why feelings are stupid,” Tsukki had said.
Whatever the hell he’d meant by that.
After a few weeks (and a few hours on WebMD), Tadashi came to the conclusion he wasn’t at risk of heart disease. He poured his anxiety into volleyball, and found relief in striving to be the best player he could be, drawing heavy inspiration from a certain setter.
With every successful jump serve he made, the thought that often crossed his mind was–
I hope he notices.
Months passed though, and Kageyama didn’t seem to pay any more attention to Tadashi than he did anyone else. Tadashi tried not to take it personally.
~*~
“He’s just so cool,” Tadashi said wistfully one day in autumn as he and Hinata sat on the steps outside the gym before practice. Tadashi was eating a convenience store onigiri and sipping apple juice while Hinata was bouncing a volleyball on his arms, focus sharp.
“Yeah, he is, you should ask him out,” Hinata replied, still bouncing the volleyball.
Tadashi promptly spat out his juice. “I can’t do that!”
“Why not? You’re just as cool!”
“I’m… I’m really not. Thanks, though,” Tadashi said sheepishly.
“Why do you think you’re not cool?” Hinata asked, catching the volleyball as he looked at Tadashi.
Tadashi couldn’t find the words to articulate that he felt like he was floating in space when he was around Kageyama; he was a scattered meteor, helpless to the gravitational pull of Planet Tobio.
…That sounded kind of odd, but still.
Tadashi sighed. There was no way he could tell Hinata all that, so instead he just said; “I don’t know.”
“Well, I think you’re cool! You work really hard, you know? Plus you’re super nice, even though people wouldn’t think that ‘cause you hang out with Tsukishima so much.”
Tadashi snickered. Hinata just said whatever was on his mind.
Maybe he should, too.
~*~
About a week after Shouyou had suggested that Yamaguchi should ask Kageyama out, he found none other than Kageyama by his side as they were cleaning up after practice. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi had finished folding the nets early, leaving Hinata and Kageyama to sweep the floors. “I feel… weird,” Tobio started, which made Shouyou jump a little because Kageyama hardly ever initiated the conversation.
When no volleyball came hurtling at his head in response, Shouyou knew something was wrong.
“I think I like someone as much as I like volleyball,” Kageyama muttered.
Shouyou stopped mid-sweep.
Kageyama? Talking about his feelings?
This had to be serious.
“So… who’s yoursomeone?”
“No one,” Kageyama said, immediately backing out.
“It’s gotta be someone,” Shouyou insisted, trying not to bounce in excitement.
“Nevermind,” Kageyama grumbled.
“Is it me?” Shouyou teased. “Kageyama, please, I’m too dedicated to volleyball to be in a relationship.”
“It’s not you!” Kageyama snapped.
“Ouch,” Shouyou said, pretending to be hurt.
Then, it came to him.
“Is it Yamaguchi?”
“No,” Kageyama said too quickly, turning bright red.
Aha.
Now Shouyou just had to find the right time to ask.
~*~
The right time came a couple months later, after the intense training camp hosted at Shiratorizawa. Hinata and Yamaguchi were eating lunch together at Hinata’s desk while Tsukshima was listening to music in his and Yamaguchi’s classroom. Meanwhile, Yachi was tutoring Kageyama in her classroom.
“So how was the training camp, Hinata? Tsukki said it was lame and that you were annoying.”
“Ugh, not as annoying as he is! He put in such minimal effort, you wouldn’t believe-”
“I think I get the idea.” Yamaguchi laughed.
“Anyway! Are you free this Saturday afternoon after practice?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Awesome! You’re gonna go on a date with Kageyama at Aki Cafe in Sendai! I booked your train tickets already, you’re welcome!”
“Oh ok, thanks– wait, WHAT.”
Shouyou grinned as Yamaguchi proceeded to panic, giving himself a mental pat on the back. Man, was he the most awesome friend, or what!
On the day of the date, Tadashi had to remind himself that ‘this is fine’ approximately 19 billion times.
But what if Kageyama didn’t actually like him? I mean, why would he? What the hell had Hinata been thinking?!
~*~
The train ride was as awkward as he’d expected, honestly. Kageyama wasn’t the most social of butterflies, but as soon as Tadashi brought up their latest practice match against Datekou, one thing led to another and soon they were talking about various ways they could demolish Datekou’s Iron Wall. Tadashi loved when Kageyama talked about volleyball; he was so passionate. Tadashi envied him a little, as he felt as though his passion for anything could never match Kageyama’s. It was just another aspect of him that drew Tadashi in.
Tobio was surprised at how easily he could talk to Yamaguchi. He was used to people not wanting to talk to him, ever, so this was an unusual, but appreciated, change of pace.
The train bumped along as they traveled towards their destination. Tobio didn’t have the faintest clue why Hinata had bought them both train tickets and given instructions on getting to a particular cafe, and he had definitely considered declining when Hinata brought it up… until Hinata mentioned that his travel partner would be Yamaguchi.
Partner was a word reserved for someone you could completely trust, and Kageyama hadn’t felt a true connection like that until he’d met Hinata. But then, how he felt about Hinata was vastly different from how he felt about Yamaguchi. While he wanted Hinata to spike his tosses, he wanted Yamaguchi to hold his hand… or something. It was weird.
They got lost on their way to the cafe Hinata had suggested. “We could just go to another one,” Tobio said as they took what was likely their eighth wrong turn.
“But Hinata went through all the trouble of finding one, so we should go!” Yamaguchi insisted.
Tobio shrugged. As long as he was home in time for his 8 o’clock run he was fine. It was only 1 o’clock now, so he should be good. He tried not to think about spending seven hours with Yamaguchi. Surely it wouldn’t be that long…? If it was, Tobio was in trouble. He might get the urge to do something drastically romantic, like pat Yamaguchi on the shoulder.
Tobio snapped out of his thoughts when Yamaguchi said suddenly; “Oh, here it is!”
Aki Cafe was a small building, nestled between a hair salon and an ice cream parlor. The two walked in and were greeted by the smell of cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, and at least nine other different scents. They studied the menu together in silence, then picked up their bread and made their order; they each got savory crepes.
As they waited on their food at a table by the second window to the right, they fell into awkward silence. The waitress brought them a pitcher of water and glasses, which was a welcome distraction. They both then sipped their water, with Tobio doing his best not to stare too much. He’d never realized how many freckles Yamaguchi had. They were kind of cool. Tobio began to wonder how many there were and oh god what was wrong with him?
Thankfully, Yamaguchi broke the silence by bringing up a homework assignment that he’d recently struggled on, and they came to an agreement that math was indeed the Worst, and should be banned from school. The waitress came with their crepes. They thanked her, and began to eat.
~*~
Think of something else to say, think of something else to say oh my god why are you so awkward this is why no one really ever wants to hang out with you, you don’t deserve-
“You’ve- you’ve gotten really good at jump float serves,” Kageyama said abruptly.
Tadashi tried not to gape at him. Kageyama, the king of serves, was complimenting him on his serves!? No way.
“Uh, thank you,” Tadashi said. He was still pretty bad at taking compliments. “You’re really amazing at serves too!”
Kageyama seemed to be just as bad at taking compliments, but not in an awkward way like Tadashi—more in a blunt, yet endearing sort of way. “I still have a lot to improve on,” he said seriously.
“Me too,” Tadashi said. “Maybe you could- maybe you could help me practice sometime?” He winced, fully expecting Kageyama to decline. “Yeah, sure,” Kageyama said.
Tadashi suddenly felt overwhelmed. Because extra practice with Kageyama obviously meant spending more time with him, which meant that Tadashi’s life would become far more complicated. He wasn’t sure how much his heart - and his nerves - could take.
“I’d really like that!” Tadashi responded, a little too loudly. “Me, too,” Kageyama said, giving a rare smile.
To Tadashi, it felt special, somehow. Kageyama was smiling because of him, and only to him- it felt intimate in a way. Tadashi grinned back, feeling his heartstrings loosen and his nerves settle down. Maybe he could handle more time with Kageyama after all.
~*~
After they finished their crepes, Tobio suggested getting ice cream at the parlor next door. He was still hungry, and anything milk-based was always a good thing. The parlor was really cool—various pictures hung on the walls, and the shiny tiled floor made it look like the shop was brand new. The counter had a large display of at least 30 flavors of ice cream on display behind clear glass. The signs above the counter showed that the parlor also served soft serve, sundaes, and milkshakes. The friendly worker greeted them, and after some deliberation, both boys decided on milkshakes- chocolate for Tobio, strawberry for Yamaguchi.
They found a table near the corner of the parlor, milkshakes in hand. As they sipped their milkshakes, Tobio couldn’t help but think; God, he’s pretty.
Was “pretty” the right word, though? Maybe it should be handsome. Either way, Tobio wanted to look at Yamaguchi more than he looked at a volleyball.
Something was reallywrong with him.
Yamaguchi was cool in a lot of ways, so maybe his line of thinking was acceptable then…? In all honesty, Tobio had no clue. He was already subpar at best with friendships, never mind actual romantic relationships.
He hadn’t even considered being in a relationship like that until, well… when had he considered it first? Maybe when Yamaguchi made his first successful jump float serve in practice?
He didn’t know for sure, but he was certainly happy to be where he was now. Yamaguchi looked a little anxious, but Tobio couldn’t be sure. He gave a small, nervous smile, in hopes it would… do something. Maybe he was reading the situation wrong…?
When Yamaguchi smiled back, though, he felt his heartbeat quicken, like he’d just run several sprints. Tobio wasn’t sure if he would get used to this feeling, but his instincts told him it was a feeling that would last.
~*~
Tobio and Tadashi finished their bread at Aki Cafe, a sense of nostalgia still hovering between them. Tadashi thought maybe they were too young to feel nostalgic about a relationship that was only a little over two years, but the pull he felt on his heartstrings and the maybe-maybe-not tear in his eye felt differently. Tadashi tried to think of something to say as they started walking out of the cafe. This time, though, it was Tobio who initiated their conversation.
“It’ll be… hard not seeing you every day,” Tobio admitted.
“Nothing is ever hard for you, Tobio,” Tadashi assured him.
“Except for not seeing you every day.”
Tadashi really loved how straightforward Tobio was. He never left Tadashi guessing; he was always honest.
The sun started setting as they meandered along the sidewalks of Sendai, glowing red-orange in the cloudless sky.
“I promise to come to all of your matches,” Tadashi said as they turned a street corner.
“I’d rather you promise to play.”
“We’ll see.”
“I’ll see you on the court, then,” Tobio said firmly.
It was comforting how much Tobio believed in him. So, Tadashi responded by laughing as he took Tobio’s hand, the two walking side by side, with no real destination in mind in the two hours they had before their train home. It really didn’t matter where they went though; they would always gravitate back to each other in the end.
post-graduation yamakage fic written for @verytendou!
Tobio packs an overnight bag, leaves a note saying he’ll be at a sleepover, and walks all the way to the station. He arrives just in time, panting, his shirt sticking to his back and his neck unpleasantly damp. The cool air inside the bus is a relief as he steps inside and slides onto the free seat behind the driver, catching his breath as the doors close and the engine rumbles awake.
“Kageyama?”
Tobio jerks in his seat, head whipping to his left, only to see Yamaguchi in the seat beside him.
kageyama favorite person to study with is yamaguchi bc hes the only one who’s patient with him and not mean and yams is good at explaining things and sometimes they almost hold hands under the table and kageyama really likes looking at yamaguchi because wow he’s so pretty and yeah they’re actually in love, fun fact :D
Let’s talk about yamakage and why they are the best ship in haikyuu. Theres a whole list of reasons but I’ll only be covering a few main points. Their dynamic and view on each other are some of the reasons I will be talking about. Personally, I think that they are in love and have been since their first year.
Starting with background for some context. Yamaguchi and Kageyama did not start off on a good note but this was due to Tsukishima. They don’t have any reason to not be close with each other since they are on the same team. Other examples as to why they should be close or at least somewhat good friends is because of the first years frequent study sessions. Now starting with Kageyama’s relationship and view towards Yamaguchi. Kageyama, as we have seen many times, is quick to notice when people are assets to volleyball and have genuine skill. Theres no reason why he would fail to take notice of Yamaguchi’s skill. Many times, throughout the manga and show Yamaguchi is seen to doubt his own importance to the team and so do other people. Kageyama would be quick to let him know that he is just as important as any other teammate. This recognition given by him would be sure to help Yamaguchi with his confidence quite a bit. If they were dating Kageyama would make sure that they are equals and acknowledge that they are. He would also never make Yamaguchi feel bad about himself in any way and that is something Yamaguchi needs.
Now onto Yamaguchi’s view on Kageyama. The manga has more prominent scenes for this reason, but it is still solid evidence. Many times, we see Kageyama getting hurt and Yamaguchi either a. going to help him, or b. freaking out that he’s hurt. He doesn’t have to do this and if he was anything like Tsukishima than he wouldn’t have cares as much as he seems to. Yamaguchi also never looks down on Kageyama, yes, he may laugh at Tsukishima’s jokes, but never once does he see Kageyama as a bad person. Additionally, just like how Kageyama would be good for Yamaguchi, it would work the other way around too. Yamaguchi got bullied as a child and we see the prominent negative affect that has on him. Kageyama has also dealt with something similar (what he went through in middle school.) Because of Yamaguchi’s childhood he would never actually make Kageyama feel bad about himself. Examples being his smile, personality, and intelligence, things people usually have negative things to say about. Yamaguchi would be able to understand how these things feel and try his best to never let Kageyama feel the way he did/does. The events that happened to Kageyama in middle school and the way which people make fun of certain things about himself are something that will affect him for a long time. Having Yamaguchi there to help him with these things would be very good for his character and “becoming a better person.”
Moving on to their amazing dynamic that we get to see. In their third year they end up being captain and nice captain which is already a good dynamic. The work amazing together with those roles with Yamaguchi having the caring nature to be captain and being able to take control when needed and Kageyama being the most intelligent with game sense. Being captain and vice-captain would have to result in spending more time together to discuss things about the team, practice, and strategies. Their roles in the team in their third year resulting in them spending a good amount of time together would lead to them getting to know each other very well. Though they have already been friends for a few years, this time will let them learn about each other and become closer. Their personalities fit well together and share enough similarities and differences to work. Another part of their dynamic is their contradicting personalities. Yamaguchi is perceived as being kind and soft. Kageyama on the other hand is seen to be predominantly anger and somewhat rude. While I can admit that there is plenty of other characters that contradict their personalities more than can work better for this trope, I think that it is still fitting. The two of them are also from different groups, usually the first years are viewed as Kageyama and Hinata together and then Tsukishima and Yamaguchi together. Them being one from each of those adds to the interesting dynamic for this ship. It also somewhat forces their best friend to interact with someone they hate which is always fun to see and is a favorite scenario by a lot of people. The points listed are things that everyone loves about other ships which should be a reason to find this one nice. A very strong argument is that Kageyama and Yamaguchi are both very pretty, now imagine them together. They’d be a gorgeous couple, and everyone should apricate that.
In summary, Kageyama and Yamaguchi would be an amazing couple. From their wonderful dynamic to the way each of them would view and improve the others character, there is many reasons to like them. The two of them together is a very under apricated ship and should get more recognition. If so many people like other ships that are like theirs than what’s the point of not liking this one? Thank you :)
i wrote this for a friend but yeah,,,here ig,,,it’s kinda dumb and bad but people wanted to see it skshsjskjs
PLEASEEEE IDK WHAT THEIR SHIP NAME IS BUT I NEED MORE TSUKKI X KAGS X YAMS CONTENT, I LITERALLY LOVE THAT SHIP SO MUCH BUT LIKE NO ONE SHIPS IT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I JUST WANT THEM, THEY’RE BOYFRIENDS WHY DOES NO ONE UNDERSTAND THIS?????
