Growing Pains

The door to your room slammed open. You had been forced to miss the last game of your brother's thanks to school. You looked up seeing Koushi with a beaming smile. "WE BEAT SEIJOH," he shouted. You jumped up screaming and ran over pulling him into the tightest hug you could manage. "OH MY GOD," you shouted. He picked you up spinning you before laughing a hysterical scream, sort of laugh.

"We're so fucking close to nationals," he shared as he set you down. "Isn't it just Shiratorizawa standing in the way for nationals now," you asked. "Yeah," Koushi breathed out in disbelief, "Holy shit." "Did you get a tape of the game," you asked. He smiled wide holding it up asking, "Dinner and a movie?" "Yeah! I want to see," you exclaimed shaking his shoulders.

You grabbed your blanket and phone before running to the living room. You brother handed you a plate of food before putting the disc in. Your discord started ringing. "Simp City," Koushi asked amused. "Second-year study group," you said picking up. Tanaka and Noya were already screaming. You fell into a fit of laughter. "WE FUCKING BEAT SEIJOH," Noya exclaimed. Meiko started screaming on the other end. There were few things that caused her to light up like this.

You and Koushi joined in on the screaming. "Please fucking stop," Enno said tired. You laughed at the sad pathetic tone to his voice. That poor boy. "We're about to watch it," you shared. "Turn your camera on the screen. I wanna fucking see bitches," Meiko insisted. "You got it boss," you said doing as told. Koushi started it up and sat beside you. "You better eat," Koushi scolded. "I will, I will," you reassured.

You sat back holding the phone between your knees as you ate your food, often taking breaks to shout out through mouthfuls of food. Each time you were scolded by your big brother. You screamed out at the final point scored before pulling your brother into a hug, now in tears.

You jumped as your phone started ringing with another call. You looked at it and saw it was Yuuji's profile. You declined and shot him a text to say you were in another call but you could text if he needed anything. "Who was that," Koushi asked. "Friend," you shared.

Koushi and the others went to question your reaction when you heard a car. "Gotta go," you said and hung up the call. You looked at Koush. "Is that," you started. "She's not supposed to be home yet," Koushi noted. You both jumped up and sped to make sure the house was spotless. You rushed to your room to change into some baggy sweatpants to avoid the comments you'd get from wearing shorts. Your heart had started to pound as you tried to mentally work through every possible thing you might have been supposed to do.

You walked out to the hall and the atmosphere had changed completely. You walked to the counter to stay near Koushi as he worked on the dishes. Your chest tightened as the door opened. Your mother walked through the door and you remained as silent as possible. The fridge door opened and without a word your mother walked in and grabbed a beer from the fridge.

"Hello Oka-," Koushi tested and cut himself off.

A tight lipped frown rested on her face and she ignored him to close the fridge with, just barely, a little too much force.

Bad mood.

You held your breath doing your best to make your presence as small as possible. No sudden movements. Nothing to bring attention to yourself. No comments out of line.

A hand rested on your shoulder as you heard the click of her bedroom door lock.

You finally let out the breath you were holding in. "I can manage out here," Koushi offered. You shook your head no and helped him anyways, despite the worry gnawing at you stomach that your mother might exit her room.

You finally receded to your room to plugged in your headphones before calling Terushima. You had started a lengthy chat over text the last few days. A lot of which had been bantering and passionate ramblings about various hobbies and forms or entertainment.

He was also one of the few people that seemed to always use his face cam while on a call. He seemed to always bring your mood up and that was just what you needed. You smiled waving as you adjusted your headphone volume on your laptop. You kept one headphone out to be conscious of any noises in your house.

"Hey Sunshine," he greeted. "Hi," you said keeping your voice down, "Full house so I gotta be a little more courteous." He looked to be biting his tongue. "You going to start it," he asked. "Fine, fine. I will start it," you caved. You covered your mouth trying to stifle the laugh as he cheered making you jump from the sound.

~~~~~

The credits rolled up and you looked to your camera on your laptop with a grumpy pout. "I hate you for suggesting this," you strained. "I hope you know I feel awful seeing you cry and the next time I see you I am going to hug you," he declared. "I'm okay with that," you nodded and grabbed a tissue to try and dry your face.

You looked up as your door opened. "Nii," you asked confused and scrambled to mute your end. "Hey, the guys are bugging me to ask you to hop into the study group," Koushi started with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth as he looked at his phone.

The relaxed demeanor completely dropped when he looked up. He closed the door behind him as panicked older brother mode kicked in. He pulled the toothbrush out and wiped his face before swallowing the toothpaste and making a sour grimace. You tried to hold back a chuckle.

"Woah, what the fuck happened? Are you okay," he asked in a hushed tone. You caught sight of Terushima's face as he sat with a hesitant expression as if trying to figure out what to do. "Kou, I'm fine," you brushed off opening the movie to fullscreen to hide discord. "I watched one of Meiko's recs," You shared.

Relief washed over Koushi. "You scared me, you ass," he sighed out softening as he shook his head, "I just swallowed tooth paste for nothing. Which one?" "You're Lie in April," you said still sniffling sporadically.

Koushi let out a low whistle and nodded. "I'll bring in some ice cream. Message the idiots also, they keep texting me because you aren't responding," Koushi reminded. "I was distracted by my crying. Who's being needy now. I know it's not Meiko. If it isn't Hisashi or Kazuhito they can screw off. Chikara's still on my shit list for backing Noya and Ryu instead of Mei and me," you declared.

"I don't remember which one I'm dealing with the first years right now," Koushi strained bringing his hands to his face and talking into his palms stressed. "Hinata and Kageyama failing at flirting," you asked.

"I wish," Koushi complained into his hands before dragging them down his face to reveal his tired eyes, "Kags and Tsukki are at it again and Hinata is instigating with both of them so Yams is panicking. Dai is at work so I was dragged into it to try and get them to relax, but they aren't listening. Not important! I'm going to get you ice cream and water if you don't want to talk to them right now I'll say you're on a call with... Obaa?"

"Obaa doesn't- it- uh...," you said thinking aloud, "J-jumei? Yeah! Nozomi. She has discord. I know they don't have her on here." Koushi nodded. "Thank you," you said as he turned to walk out.

You sighed out and turned to your laptop starting to try pull things back up. A knowing smile was waiting for you from Yuuji. He mouthed something and you looked at the buttons before facepalming and turning the headphones audio off mute. "Oh god," you mumbled. He laughed a hearty but gentle laugh. "You muted the headphone audio and not your mic again didn't you," he asked. "I'm so sorry," you said embarrassed.

"You're adorable," he declared, "Don't ever be sorry about that." Your door opened again and Koushi closed it behind him, locking it. "Bad mood," he whispered. "I'm going to call you back," you said quickly. "Sunshine? You okay," he asked, worried. You nodded quickly. "I'll text you, my brother just needs to talk," you said. "O-Okay," Terushima said hesitantly.

You hung up the call and closed the laptop. Koushi sat on your bed as you both listened to the drunken ravings coming from within the house. You pulled up your spotify and closed discord entirely. "Hey Kou, I found some new music," you offered holding up your other earbud. He nodded sitting next to you as you both braced to wether the storm. She had never gotten physical with either of you, but it didn't make the shouting any less terrifying.

"Your volleyball stuff," you whispered. "At Daichi's," he reassured. There was always a danger of things you cared about getting wrecked for whichever of the two rooms was left unoccupied. Koushi wrapped an arm around your shoulders and started to ask you about your open projects to distract you from what was going on.

"Uh, Meiko's friend Akaashi has this apartment and... He needs roommates, I was thinking of moving in after you graduate. He plays volleyball, you might know him," you whispered. Koushi nodded, "He's a setter for Fukurodani. Your year. Good kid. You should do it." You looked over at Koushi a little shocked. "I trust him. And it's a lot better than you being here on your own," Koushi said looking a little relieved.

~~The Following Afternoon~~

You walked with Meiko into Akaashi's apartment. "AKAASHI," you shouted excited. "I don't know if I should be excited or concerned," he deadpanned. "Excited," Meiko said dryly, but you could hear the smile in her voice. "Koushi gave the okay for me to move in after he graduates! If you'll still have me as a roommate that is," you said quickly. A shocked expression spread across his face before he broke out into a smile. "Of course," he exclaimed. You ran over and pulled the setter into a hug.

"I hear shouting," Bokuto said rushing out. "Happy shouting," you shared. "Yay! ...Why," Bokuto asked. "(Y/n)'s brother actually gave his blessing for her to move out after he graduates," Mei shared. "OH MY GOD YAY! FLATMATES," Bokuto said running over and squeezing both yourself and Akaashi in a bone crushing hug. "Boku-to...-san," you strained.

"Mei," Bokuto said waving her over. "No," she declared. "Inuoka Meiko," Bokuto said sternly. He just looked like a grumpy teddy bear. "Koutaro don't you fucking dare," Mei said as Bokuto let us both go.

He just smiled stepping closer to Mei as she held a hand up with a warning glare. Akaashi held onto you like protective mother as you both knew this would go one of two ways. "No! Don-," Mei started and Bokuto rushed over, wrapping her in a big bear hug. She yelped as he lifted her off of the ground. You smiled laughing as Mei was refraining from murdering Bokuto.

Akaashi sighed with a small chortle. His protective, parent-like stance, had not yet shifted. Bokuto set Meiko down and she just shot him a glare but he smiled seeing through it. You smiled proudly as Bokuto leaned down a bit kissing her and her tough exterior melted.

You questioned your mind as you found your thoughts shifting to Terushima. The dopey smile, the passionate rambling, him leaning in for what you were still questioning if he was going to kiss you that night.

"I'm going to go to Tokyo University and we're going to all room together and eventually you'll get to room with us and we'll be idiot baby adults navigating the world," Bokuto said passionately.

You'll be free to live your own life the way you want. No hiding in your room. No over protective siblings you can't seem to set boundaries with. A mostly fresh start in a home that would feel like a home. The light at the end of the tunnel was starting to poke out. It was just within your grasp.

Hope swelled up in your chest.

~~~~~

You sat in the guest room as Meiko napped in Akaashi's. Bokuto and Akaashi sat with you planning out the way you wanted to set the room up and how to decorate. You had filled them in on your situation since Mei already knew. Akaashi and Bokuto had developed that same serious expression Koushi gets, as you shared what prompted your brother to be so willing to let you make a jump like that.

They had formed a plan to slowly move you in up until you were able to get all the paper work done, on a call with Koushi after Karasuno ended their practice. You could tell being a part of planning helped to ease any frayed nerves Koushi had about it. Especially with Akaashi's meticulous planning skills and attention to detail and Bokuto's endless optimism.

"And you're cool with me staying over this weekend," you asked. There was no answer. "Kou," you asked. There was a murmur on the other end before a hesitant sigh. "Meiko's staying over," he strained. "Yeah," you answered with Bokuto and Akaashi. "Yeah, okay. You have everything you don't want mom to go through with you right," he asked. "Yeah," you nodded.

"Okay," Koushi replied, "If you need me or Daichi to come get you any point, for any reason at all, even if its four in the morning, please call me." "I know the drill. I will I promise," you agreed. "And text me," he started and you finished, "When I wake up to let you know I'm not dead. I will! I promise."

You ended the call not long after and looked at Akaashi and Bokuto excited. Your phone started ringing and you looked down surprised to see Terushima. "Answer it," Bokuto exclaimed. "Bokuto-san," Akaashi warned. "Keiji, we are literally dating," Bokuto said at the use of the honorifics. Akaashi kissed him to quiet the captain down.

"Thank you," you muttered and picked up the call moving to your bed.

"Hey sunshine," Terushima greeted. "Sunshine," Bokuto asked pulling back from the kiss. "Akaash-," you started. Akaashi opened his mouth to scold Bokuto. "That's Kuroo's nickname for you," Bokuto said over you both. "Kuroo," Terushima asked quirking an eyebrow with a teasing smirk.

"He doesn't own the nickname," you strained, "Also are he and," you said and pointed one spot in the air before hopping your finger to another spot to silently ask about Kenma without saying his name, "Back together? I definitely walked in on them making out a few weeks ago. At the party. I also have not heard from them since." "Tea," Terushima asked cheekily. "They're not talking," Bokuto shared. "You're fucking kidding me," you asked.

"Bokuto-san let's go," Akaashi strained trying to wrangle his boyfriend. "Yeah go bother Meiko," you said. Bokuto mouthed, "I want details later!" You laughed nodding as you hugged your knees embarrassed, "Okay! Okay! Gooo!" "Sorry Sugawara-chan," Akaashi said pushing Bokuto out.

"Are you being allowed to socialize with the male gender," Terushima teased. "Listen smart ass, I don't need your sass," you said, biting back a smile. "I think that you, in fact, do. Especially since you totally did not text or call me back like you had promised last night," he teased. "I'm sorry, I forgot," you laughed, "It was an important life talk with Koushi."

"Oh," he asked curious. "The only thing tying us to our home is each other so I shared my plans to move in with some friends after Nii graduates and he's helping me set that plan into motion," you shared.

"Oh," Terushima replied. "What," you asked confused. "I don't know, I just-... like those guys being the friends or like other people," Terushima asked curiously. "Yeah those guys I was just talking to. This is actually their apartment, it's the one the party was hosted in," you explained.

Terushima's eyebrows knit together as he seemed to be trying to work something out, "Okay. From what I've seen and heard about your brother I can genuinely say I was not expecting that. But good for you sunshine! Also, you can tell that Kuroo guy to go screw, I'm stealing this nickname," Terushima declared.

You laughed shaking your head, "I will not be doing that. I do not believe in nickname ownership. Besides he's been using it longer. He's like another big brother to me. Also Bokuto-san uses it from time to time, but that's mostly to mock Kuroo." "Boo hoo. I'm cuter," Terushima countered earning a fit of laughter from you.

"I feel like I'm going to need to make list of these family figures because I keep losing the names. I only know Koushi is your brother and Meiko is the scary best friend that will one hundred percent cut a bitch if she needs to," Terushima laughed. "I'm sure it doesn't help that we all have a million nicknames for each other," you thought aloud. "Not in the fucking slightest," he laughed off.

"Hey! What are you doing this weekend," he asked. "Uhh, setting up my room in the apartment to be ready to move into when the time comes, why," you asked. "Do you need any help? There's no volleyball so I'm bored out of my fucking mind and Bobata and Futamata are being total shit-heads," Terushima shared. "I wouldn't mind hanging out and getting an extra hand in setting up the room. I'd just need to ask Akaashi, since I'm not living here full time," You explained.

"It's perfectly fine," Bokuto called through the door. "Bokuto-san," Akaashi sighed as Terushima started laughing. "Bo! Are you eavesdropping," you demanded. "N- I was merely waiting to retrieve my phone from your desk! And I couldn't help but hear because you were all giggly and you really only get like that when teasing Mei with me so I-," he said and began rambling.

"Bo, just grab it. You can not fucking eavesdrop. If that becomes a regular thing I'm not moving in," you warned, cutting him off as he peeked his head in, opening the door. "I promise it won't be! I'm sorry! I couldn't help it," he exclaimed as his hair deflated.

"Phone and go," you said trying to stuff down a giggle. "No but really," Bokuto said looking to Akaashi who had his arms crossed in the hall, "It's okay! Right Kaash?" "Yes, of course it's alright," Akaashi confirmed, "I'm so sorry." "You're fine Kaashi," you reassured.

"Wait, you're not wearing headphones! Can they hear me," Terushima asked. "Yes," Akaashi and Bokuto greeted. "Very different vibe than the calls at your house," Terushima shared. Bokuto and Akaashi exchanged a glance before turning to give you a knowing smirk. "Stop it," you complained hugging your knees to your chest tighter as your face grew hot. "Why are you dickheads being loud," Meiko asked walking in. "(Y/n) is in a discord call with Captain Cutie," Bokuto shared.

Your cheeks started to burn furiously and you glanced down at your laptop to see Terushima laughing loudly, before looking up at the ceiling as Mei asked, "Terushima? Again? Have the two of you gone a single day without talking since the party?" "There's a lot of anime to get through," Terushima shared.

You laughed and looked forward as Akaashi gave a suggestive smirk. "Akaashi Keiji, I swear to god," you warned trying not to laugh. "You won't do shit Sugawara," he declared. "I will unorganize all of your cabinets, spices included; I will lock all of the drawers with only an inch and a half gap; and make every leg on the chairs and tables uneven by making one leg a centimeter shorter than the rest," you threatened. "That is pure evil," Terushima laughed, "Sunshine demon."

Akaashi just stuck his tongue out. "Every time you two always end up-," Mei started and sighed and grabbed the collars of her boyfriends' shirts. "Out," she said. "Badass Meiko right," Terushima asked. You caught Mei trying to bite down a smile. "That was first try and voice alone," you said proudly. "Ayooo," Terushima cheered proudly.

"Does he know who I am," Bokuto asked excited. "If I followed correctly you had a full name with honorifics and everything right. "Boku?-to?-san? Did I get that right," Teushima asked hesitantly. Bokuto bounced up excited. "HEY! HEY! HEY! I'm memorable," Bokuto boasted proudly.

"You know what else will be memorable," Mei asked turning her head to Bokuto, who's smile faded as he locked eyes with her glare. "I'm scared to find out," he said a bit quietly. Akaashi just waved and you waved back mouthing goodbye as he left the room. "Your funeral," Mei answered Bokuto. Bokuto meeped a bit in terror. "Go bug Keiji and stay in his room," Mei ordered. Bokuto nodded and rushed out before she changed her mind.

"Thank you Mei," you said once they were out. "Mute our end," she said. "Go ahead Sunshine. I'll still be here," he replied. You nodded and muted your mic, doing a double take to make sure it was right. You looked back up at Mei. "You know I'm not going to even be able to consider moving in with you guys for another year," she pointed out.

You nodded having an idea where she was going. "Stop letting that slide. Bo means well, but he's a little dense. You have to say no and mean no. Set boundaries and stick by them. You're going to start helping with rent so this apartment is just as much yours as it is Akaashi's. You're allowed to have boundaries and they need to respect that. They will respect them, but you can't be fucking wishy washy on it, babes," she scolded. You nodded, "I did yell at him for eavesdropping." "Good. Keep up with that," she said. You could see despite the scalding delivery it was more of a plea.

"Promise," you smiled. "Good. And I'll get on their case not to text about or post about captain cutie. I know Koushi would blow an absolute fuse, but I want to talk to this charming little fuck and appropriately threaten him. Not Koushi threaten. More like he has green light until he does something that hurts you, in which case I'll feed him through a wood chipper," Meiko declared, "I'm pretty sure Koutaro and Akaashi are equally as eager for the same reasons."

"This poor boy," you laughed. "There's a whole army ready to slaughter him at the drop of a dime," Meiko chuckled before walking out and closing the door behind her.

You turned back to your call and unmuted. You looked to see him smiling sweetly at his phone. "Hi Teru! I'm back," you greeted. "Hi sunshine," he smiled brightly. He kept his eyes on his phone for a second longer before looking up, "Should I come over early tomorrow or sometime tonight. I'm going to train either way, since we get a pass for the trains," he asked. You went to ask Akaashi and stopped yourself.

You weren't paying for rent yet, you should ask.

"Akaashi! Only Akaashi," you called. His head poked in. "What's up," he asked. "Would it be okay if Terushima took the train in tonight," you asked. "(Y/n) as long as your guests stay in your room, I don't give a shit who you bring over. It's gonna be your apartment too," he reminded. "I mean, yeah but you live here too," you started. He gave a look.

"Okay. Got it, got it. Stop deferring, I know. Thank you," you replied. "One of us will go with you to the station to get him," Akaashi offered. "Thanks Kaash," you said.

"Sure thing, sunshine," he teased. "I stand by my declaration of pranks as penance for being a little shit," you warned. "She's crazy, I wouldn't put it past her," Terushima teased. "Oi! Who's side are you on," you demanded. "No sides. I am a proprietor of chaos," he declared. "Big words for a jock," you teased. "Oi! We're not all meatheads. Karasuno took all of them," Akaashi teased causing Terushima to laugh. "Heeeyy," you defended.