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Tsukishima was just trying to get back to the school. He was sent out to get drinks from the nearby convenience store, for someone it was him who got sent and he couldn't figure out any more retorts so he just went. He'd gone by himself by choice, carrying the two slightly heavy bags of drinks and listening to music with his headphones. Most of the time he only actually used his headphones when he was alone for music or overwhelmed for muffling the surrounding sound. They were a bit old, a birthday gift he was still using after all this time, but the padding was still going strong at noise canceling.
He wondered if he would've heard the man running towards him, the faint noises of someone calling after another in panic. The aggravated honking of cars who almost hit an idiot running in front of them. He should've seen him at the very least but it was after school practice. The sun was setting faster than the time and by the time his eyes registered the person he couldn't see much.
Tsukishima felt like he just opened his eyes, but he didn't remember sleeping so that mustn't have been true. But then why was it even darker? Why did he suddenly feel so much worse? It was an odd sensation he was feeling, numb and searing pain fighting control of his nerves. It felt like his vision was spinning like when he stood up too fast, but he couldn't see enough to tell if that was actually the case.
The pain was overwhelming. When the searing pain started winning he suddenly was crying, Tsukishima was trying to think of something to do. It was hard with his mind so full and aching. Without thinking and as tears fell he felt around for his phone, crying as the weight of it felt too heavy in his arm.
Akiteru had been at the school to watch Kurasuno practice. Mostly Kei but he cherished Tadashi too, in fact, the whole team was amazing based on what he saw during games. The practice was about to be wrapped up soon, the members were going to use the last bit of time to cool down, which was when Kei becoming the errand boy happened. Akiteru was tempted to give him a ride, but the store wasn't far and Kei would probably decline. Besides, there was something very high schooly about getting your friends orders for your club.
He'd been chilling with the club, Yamaguchi had dragged him into the conversation and Hinata was eagerly asking him questions about his own time in volleyball. He didn't see how the neon haired teen was so excited by him when the kid seemed much more talented himself. With Kei gone, Hinata also was trying to know more about Tsukishima, who was still a bit of a mystery to the club. Suddenly Akiteru's phone rang, his eyes lightened when he saw his brother's contact. Which so rarely showed up.
"Kei-Kei! What's-" his playfully teasing voice froze at the sob. His expression fell just as quick as it lightened. Yamaguchi looked so concerned one would think he'd been bleeding out, the others nearby didn't seem much better. Suga had voiced a bit ago that it was taking Tsukishima longer than usual, he shouldn't have still been out, so to see him call and the usually happy brother suddenly concerned, was off putting. "Kei, what's wrong?" He asked, panic not well hidden but his voice was lowered so as to not disturb the rest of the team. He didn't want to bother anyone, not yet knowing that the team was very protective over one another.
"I… hurts, hurts Aki" another sob that made Akiteru's heart race sickeningly, "please come.. it hurts" he noted that within the broken voice of his usually collective brother, it was slurred. Tsukishima was not the kind to drink underage, even if he was, it didn't make sense for him to have now. Either he was somehow drugged or concussed. Neither calmed Akiteru down.
"Can you send me your location? Then explain to me what hurts. Do you know what happened? Where are you hurt?" Maybe this many questions would be overwhelming in a dire case but Akiteru needed answers and felt frozen in his spot. It took Tsukishima a bit to speak again through his crying and attempts to breathe and during this time Nishinoya politely asked if he could put him on speaker. Having noticed the concern of the little circle, the team was starting to get together around.
Akiteru encouraged him to send the location first, that way if worse came to worse (whatever worse could be) he knew where to go. Afterwards, the teen spoke, the club members now being able to hear. "I.. d'n't know.. everything hurts.. I think my visi'ns spinning, can't tell though, can't see well. Stomach hurts too, like- like something… bleeding?" He seemed to be losing his train of thought, Akiteru noted the location wasn't far from here but seemed to be by a small alleyway. Because of course it was. "Please come" was softly whispered through the pained voice, Akiteru had given the phone to Tadashi as he hurried up the bleachers to his earlier spot for his keys and bag.
"Can't see? As in no glasses or dark? Also, I'm coming soon alright, have you called an ambulance yet? Or mom?"
"Dar- no.." Tsukishima felt around his face and body, wincing when he touched the blade in his torso, then felt the shattered pieces of glass, "both. Called you first. I d'n't know what to do" Akiteru sent the location that was sent to him to Tadashi.
"I have to go, I don't want him to hang up though. You have our moms number, right?" Yamaguchi nodded, "can you please send her what I sent you and tell her to ask the ambulance to arrive there?" Of course the teen nodded again, quickly getting to typing though shaking. Akiteru had taken his brother off of speaker, thinking the team had heard enough and not being able to stomach any more himself. He was about to leave when the shaky voice asked,
"Can I please come with you? Please" Akiteru was not going to cry. No, no, no. He stopped his abrupt pace and softened in front of Yamaguchi, giving him an affectionate head ruffle.
"I'm sorry. I don't know how bad it is, I don't know what you'll be seeing if you go. I think it's safest not to. I'll make sure to update you when I can though, okay? Besides, maybe it's for the better, you know how Kei is, he'll feel embarrassed or something if he knew you saw him concussed" Yamaguchi let out a sad laugh. Akiteru left after another apology, saying something to Kei as he was leaving but by then his long legs and quick pace had gotten him out of earshot from the team. Yamaguchi was crying, not full on sobs but tears fell noiselessly. It didn't feel right. Why should he be safe from a probably traumatizing sight when Tsukishima wasn't physically safe? But then again, what help would he even be if he showed up?
Mrs. Tsukishima had replied that she called, but Yamaguchi couldn't bring himself to respond. Nishinoya, Tanaka, and Hinata huddled around him trying to comfort. The team was left in silence after the eldest left, they all felt a sense of hopelessness. Even Kageyama, who bickered with Tsukishima on the daily, felt ill and angered, clenching his fists as he scolded himself for the confusing wetness that threatened to pool in his eyes.
"Tsukishima… will be okay, he always manages through everything. He'll get through this. But we have to be there for him too, whatever happened to him, we have to be emotionally ready to help if he needs it" Suga was hesitant but it broke the silence and filled it with something slightly positive.
"Yeah, when he comes back, I'ma get a description and hunt down whatever jackass did this, dammit" Tanaka declared, getting a determined huff from his rabid partner in crime, Nishinoya. If Tsukishima was here, he'd make a comment about them being annoying, the thought and sentiment of his teammates' words made Yamaguchi smile through his fading tears. There wasn't much to do after that. Hearing their certified bully sound so broken and scared was chilling enough for them to not even feel like they were playing an intense game just moments ago. They went home, Yamaguchi promised to give them any updates he got from Akiteru.
Akiteru had ran after he exited the gym, making sure Kei stayed awake and tried to ease him through his worries. It sounded like he stopped crying, but he was still panting heavily and making small noises of pain. Not many words came from him at this point but Akiteru talked anyways.
"Hey… 'm sorry. I broke.. glasses. Will Mom be mad?"
Akiteru laughed through his tears. Which now that he was alone running across the sidewalk, fell openly. "Don't be sorry about that. She won't give a fuck, neither do I, right now I'm sure we both just want you to be okay. I don't care about some stupid glasses" years of volleyball really helped his stamina because he arrived at Kei before the ambulance, which his mother texted him had been called. He hung up and kneeled beside him quickly, holding onto his hand.
From what he saw through the dim light of the fading sun and street light to the distance, Kei's glasses had indeed been shattered beyond repair. His head was bleeding from where the shattered side would've been if worn and smaller cuts from the force of brick on skin were around the main gash. The obvious eye sore was the knife shoved into his torso, soaking his practice clothes. Akiteru held back sob, needing to be strong for his brother. The headphones that had been worn had fallen off but surprisingly not broken, still faintly playing music from where Kei had been unable to turn it off. Akiteru silently urged the ambulance to hurry the fuck up, while trying to calm Kei from gripping onto him and moving too much.
A full day had passed since that… evening. Akiteru had updated Yamaguchi who dutifully reported to the team group chat. Tsukishima had gotten out of the hospital the same day he'd been emitted. Even though Yamaguchi thought that was stupid, they just stitched the stab wound and gave him medicine. To be fair, they did keep him for a bit, the Tsukishima family weren't home until one in the morning the next day. He'd been asleep in the car and Akiteru carried him into the house. The next day he stayed home for obvious reasons, as well as the fact he was still concussed.
No one expected him to go to school yet. Especially not practice. But on what would've been the second full day of no Tsukishima, the teen walked into the gym for their morning practice.
No one had even been able to greet him before Yamaguchi was running and very aggressively smashed himself against the taller. Unseen to the shorter, Tsukishima clenched his eyes in silent pain from the impact.
"Tsuki! I didn't think you were coming, I didn't see you on the way. Are you okay? What happened? Your brother didn't completely say"
"I'd be better if you weren't crushing my stitches. Akiteru gave me a ride, he's paranoid" Yamaguchi yelped and jumped away, apologizing profusely regarding further hurting Tsuki. Tsukishima waved him off though, hands in pockets to keep from fiddling with them, damn this was awkward. The team was looking at him expectantly.
"You worried us, you should at least tell us what happened. You're injured too, are you actually going to play?" Hinata was the only brave one to ask. He was used to the glare Tsukishima gave him, but upon seeing others nod Tsukishima gave in and sighed.
"I.. don't really know what happened. I don't remember anything from that day, including before the incident. I vaguely remember walking to school with Tadashi, and I think.. calling someone after getting hurt. But aside from that I don't remember much. I'm planning on still playing though. We have a game tomorrow, it'd be inconvenient for me not to. My head is mostly better, I don't have a concussion anymore" the team knew he was thinking about something and silently encouraged them to continue. Slightly more annoyed he continued. "I mean, thinking about it now, raising my arms for blocking will hurt a bit but I have to get used to the stitches anyways.. so I'll be fine"
Usually they had bench warmers for a reason. But the only one actually equipped to be a blocker was out of state (he had apologized repeatedly in the group chat). And while they could have a different benched member take someone else's spot and have that person be a blocker, it'd be hard. Especially since it was a big game and would throw everything they had practiced recently off. So it was no wonder Tsukishima still wanted to play. Even if he didn't seem very passionate about volleyball, Yamaguchi knew he cared. He always wanted what he did to be good enough.
"I think the worst that can happen is me blocking shittily because I can't see"
"I think the worst that can happen is you pulling a stitch mid game"
"Shut up, Tadashi"
"Sorry, Tsuki"
Daichi and Suga looked at each other, a small smile on the latter. At least Tsukishima seemed like himself. So despite them all being unsure about the prospect of him playing injured as he was, they gave in. Besides, during practice he did fine. Yamaguchi noticed small winces that others didn't, but kept that to himself when he deemed them not very dangerous.
Tsukishima's blocks had been occasionally off, due to his lack of vision. His glasses were broken so he was screwed for the next two weeks, at least. Usually he tracked the ball and switched sides accordingly to block. Running across to the other blocker if the setter tosses the opposite way. Unfortunately, it was hard to see the blob of color that was the ball when everything else was just as colorful. He was getting increasingly frustrated with himself, though would rather die from the prior stab wound than admit it.
"Don't work yourself too hard, Tsuki. It's okay if you mess up a bit, you're doing more than enough by insisting we still do the game with you" Yamaguchi had said sympathetically when they were on a water break. Only one other person on the team was able to read Tsukishima, and that was because that member just had the talent of reading people. Yamaguchi knew every degrading thought Kei thought, just as the same vice versa.
"I'm fine, it's just a club. I wouldn't put too much effort into it so I'd stop if it gets too much"
A lot of what he just said was a lie. Tsukishima suspected Yamaguchi may have known. But neither pressed it.
They went home together. Yamaguchi felt a bit anxious about letting Tsukishima drop him off then continue on his own, but it was convenient to drop him off first since his house was closer. Tsukishima gave him a look between glaring at a worried text from his brother. Clearly he was over the attention.
"Text me when you get home. And rest well! We need to be energized for the game tomorrow" Yamaguchi said, waving enthusiastically as Tsuki left. Who nodded and gave a small wave back.
Akiteru had texted Tsukishima every other minute. Before the younger called him and lectured him for a good ten minutes to leave him alone. After that it only took five more for him to actually get home and that was because after a day of school and practice, it was starting to wear on him. He knew he should probably take it easy, but there was something so pitiful about him doing so that stopped him. He hated the looks (or what he could see of them) he got from his teammates and family members. He just wanted things to be normal.
He texted his friend that he got home and did homework, leaning close to the paper to see the words. And ate dinner when it was time. Things seemed almost normal now that he was home so he allowed himself to relax. Though he slapped Akiteru's hands every time he tried to 'help steady' him. Their mom could be heard laughing during those moments, having missed the playful, child-like banter of her sons.
Akiteru and Mrs. Tsukishima definitely weren't confident with Kei going to the match. They both were very worried about his stitches, though the bruises around probably would be uncomfortable too. Kei had insisted that his head did feel better, he showed no more signs of a concussion so at least he had that going for him. But he had to take painkillers for the pain the sore stitches brought, and when he came back from practice the night before he was clearly worn. Holding his toros in means to ease the throbbing. Akiteru had tried to talk him out, in a roundabout way of course, he didn't want to upset him. But Kei seemed persistent to attend.
Just a club be damned.
Despite the glaring, Akiteru stayed for the match, if something happened he wanted to be there. That, and he would never get tired of seeing his little brother and the team play. From the stands, he noticed Yamaguchi giving a look, one that could only be understood if you were telepathic, or Kei. Because the taller gave a small nod and it seemed to please Yamaguchi.
The game went as well as any Karasuno game. The score started off a bit tight but the crows were putting in work for their place. Tsukishima was in quite a bit of pain during the game. He felt his stitches tug with every abrupt jump and with the way the other team was going he didn't have much time in between to nurse the injury. He tried to keep his wincing to a minimum, he didn't need the coach pulling him out (even if there were no qualified players in to replace. And it'd be too inconvenient to move the others around). And he didn't need his injuries to be exposed to the opposing team for it to become a weakness. Their spikes were already finger numbing.
Karasuno ended up taking the win. Not exactly by a landslide, but they were proud to declare it wasn't neck to neck either. A satisfying victory, even Tsukishima had to admit. He and Yamaguchi high fived as the others celebrated, soon joining as a group.
Akiteru dropped Kei and Yamaguchi at the letters home, the eldest brother had to go back to university and even though Yamaguchi's parents wouldn't be home, Kei would rather have a sleepover there. Despite the suggestive parting he got, Tsukishima couldn't say he was really planning anything like that. Sure, Yamaguchi was more than a friend, but he just wanted to… be affectionate without the chance of his mother entering and later teasing. Yamaguchi didn't live long from Tsukishima either, so if anything he could walk home. Hypothetically, at least. Physically he was in pain.
"Do you think an ice pack will help? Or a heating pad? Is there anything I can do to help?" Tadashi asked softly, he knew Tsukishima's discomfort wasn't because he was overwhelmed, but he also knew he still preferred silence when in lots of pain. Anyone was most vulnerable in pain, and Tsuki could easily get overwhelmed if it became too much on top of that. They were close enough that he wordlessly suggested a hug, letting Tsukishima choose whether or not to be touched. He stumbled on wobbly legs until he was against the shorter body though.
"No, no, I'm fine" he took a deep breath, letting it out in small quiet puffs, "I think… I overdid it" he said, likely not aware how softly.
Yamaguchi hummed, "you might be uncomfortable, but please hear me out" Tsukishima didn't like where it was going "how about you take a bath? It'll help soothe the soreness of both the wound and the match. And you'll feel extra better since you'll be clean. I can help too, if that's okay, I'd like to"
Tsukishima felt like he should've declined. If he was capable of doing a volleyball game then he could shower himself. A bath probably would've been better but he felt awkward in those. He didn't remember arguing, Tadashi definitely would've put up a fight if Tsukishima tried to be independent.
But then why was he in the bath? Yamaguchi getting a washcloth ready.
Tadashi must've done some sort of magic to get him into the bath without more convincing. Or maybe it was just evidence of how tired he was. And considering magic didn't exist, he had to solemnly admit the second option was correct.
The water was nice, Tsukishima liked it more on the hotter side. A blur that was probably his glasses could be seen behind Yamaguchi on the counter. He uncurled slightly, as if just waking up. He felt sleepy, he wasn't sleeping before right? The familiar sensation of the stitches hurting was grounding him back to consciousness and he felt a sensation go down though he couldn't tell what yet. He felt a bit fuzzy all over.
"Ah, are you okay now Tsuki? You had a fever and seemed a bit… unaware. I tried not to make the water too hot so you can cool down but still make it enough for you to like so I hope it's okay. Oh! Here.. drink some water" Yamaguchi handed him a cup of ice water from the counter. "You mumbled something about being nauseous. Are you feeling a bit better now?" He held the cup to the others mouth even with Tsukishima's shaky hand on top of his futility trying to do the same.
So that's what the sensation going down was. The aftermath of his nausea. After a few more sips of water, Yamaguchi took the cup back and started gently pouring water on him. Even if they weren't far, he couldn't really see Tadashi, squinting every now and then to see the pretty face of his boyfriend, trying to make out the freckles that blended too much into the tan blob. Yamaguchi laughed when he noticed, flicking water at Tsukishima, (avoiding his eyes).
"Four eyes" he murmured affectionately, washing the soap out of his hair.
Tsukishima smiled, unable to bring himself to roll his eyes or even make a comment. He wouldn't admit to leaning into the touch, just better positioning his head as he let out a noise of content. "And people think you're the nicest, you're a bully" he finally managed after a while. Yamaguchi did most of the conversing after that and until the end of the bath. Up to that point Tsukishima had made short comments and noises. But getting out of the warm water into the cold house was enough to wake him up enough to get back to himself.
He called Tadashi a pervert as he shooed him until he was at least partially dressed, ignoring the fact they were dating and had already seen each other like that. Tadashi went into the next room waiting patiently.
Also taking his glasses it seemed. Since no matter how much he felt around the counters and even the floor, he couldn't find them. Now dressed in comfortable loose clothing he noticed the human figure that was either his boyfriend or a ghost, "do you know where my glasses are?" He asked, for once politely, he didn't have enough proof to be accusatory yet. Considering he couldn't see and the possibility of him simply passing them was great. As he went even closer he realized he should've been accusatory.
Yamaguchi had the glasses on his head, eyes watered as proof he tried to look through them. "Gotta give me a kiss to get them back" he laughed, holding onto one of the legs as he pulled Tsukishima even closer until he had no choice but to straddle him. Tsukishima glared playfully, easily giving into the kiss.
"Now?"
Yamaguchi didn't say anything, just made a noise and kissed the bridge of his nose instead, then right under one of his eyes and then to the edge of the other. "You're so cute.. you should leave your glasses off more"
"Sorry, I like to be able to see" he replied bluntly, Yamaguchi unoffended as he continued the kisses, soon after he spoke up again, "besides, if I had them off all the time, how would I see your cute freckles?"
Yamaguchi chuckled and they shared one more mutual kiss before he was granted the permission to see again, the glasses being placed on his face for him with precision. Yamaguchi clearly worried about poking him in the eye with a leg again.
"Wanna let me help you wrap it up?" He asked, referring to where his torso was touching unbandaged skin. Tsukishima sighed softly, slumping against him.
"Sure.. but in a minute, this is comfortable"