The way he rested his head in his left hand whilst writing with his right hand made my heart quiver. It was dark outside, with only a small table lamp illuminating the kitchen table we were working at, sheets of paper sprawled across the oak. I couldn't concentrate on a damn thing, all I could do was look at him. The way his eyes darted from right to left, how he would tuck some of his hair behind his ear every time it was getting in his face, the way his lips parted when he spoke sweet, sweet words that I couldn't even understand.

"(Y/N), are you okay?"

"U-Uh, yeah! Sorry, I'm just finding this a little difficult," I tried to laugh off the fact that I'd been ogling him the entire time he was talking. He went back to reading the passage and highlighting key aspects that I had to focus on. I shook my head, desperately pleading for my mind to stop thinking about him like that. I felt guilty and wrong for doing so, knowing that I'd just come out of something so serious. Not to mention the fact he was my brother's best friend.

"We can wrap it up here, you've already done so much. We can keep going tomorrow, if you'd like?"

"Yeah, that'd be good, thank you so much for helping me," I could hardly even look at him whilst speaking. I felt too awkward. Too ashamed. I always had a massive crush on him, but seeing him in this domestic setting, him concentrating so hard to help me all compounded on the fact that I was newly single and particularly lonely...it made me feel things.

"Of course, can't have you taking a repeat of your last year!"

"Yeah, that'd be pretty embarrassing..."

I tidied up all of my material whilst Suga cooked some dinner. Daichi was still yet to return from University, saying he was staying behind to finish some things for his projects. My mind wandered to all different places, thinking about how school would be tomorrow, if everyone would still be all up in my business, thinking about how much work I still had left to do, thinking about how many questions people would have for me. It was good in a way, as it took my mind off of the more serious stuff. I still hadn't seen him since then which made me feel uneasy as he hadn't even attempted to text, call or visit. Unlike him. At the same time, I was relieved and finally felt like I was moving on a bit with life.

"(Y/N)?" Suga asked quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Are you feeling okay?"

I guess he must have noticed me standing idly with my tidied up pieces of paper, staring at the kitchen wall. I don't even know how long I had been standing like that, "Yeah...I think I just need food," I tried to joke off.

"I don't think it's that, I think you should tell me what you're thinking," he said, surprisingly with a twinge of curiosity, albeit derived from concern.

"Quite honestly, Suga, I'm thinking that I'm scared."

He turned his whole posture towards me and took a step forward, "What of?"

"Everything. Things at school, what people are saying about me. The fact I haven't heard from him either is driving me a bit crazy...it's not in his nature to leave me be like that. Not that I'm complaining, it just makes me feel slightly uneasy."

He took a step back and closed his eyes, deep in thought. After a minute of deliberation, he piped up, "I can understand people will have a lot to say right now. That's because they are immature and don't understand what you've went through. If anyone is mean to you, or tries to hurt your feelings, please promise you'll tell me."

His eyes were now wide open, staring me down practically forcing me to agree.

"Yeah, I will. Don't worry."

"Good. As for him, you don't need to think about him anymore."

I nodded in agreement and picked up my things, making my way to my bedroom. I was stopped in my tracks when Suga grabbed my arm and spoke, "I'm here."

I couldn't contain the red that illuminated my face. His strong hand holding my forearm. I winced slightly in pain at the motion. He took note of my discomfort and brought his other hand to my sleeve, pulling it up to reveal my bruised arms. Some of them relatively fresh, most faded to a dark brown colour. He suddenly wasn't looking at me anymore but down to my feet on the floor.

"I'm so sorry he ever got a chance to lay his hands on you. I swear, I'll protect you and make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

That's everything I ever wanted to hear come out his mouth. The long, lonely, painful nights filled with arguing seemed a far away memory standing here in front of Suga. I thought I knew what butterflies felt like till I experienced those words come out of his mouth. I shot my head in the opposite direction of him.

"Thank you," I whispered, lightly pulling my arm back. I could feel him practically boring holes into my skin so I decided to turn around, tears staining my eyes. "Thank you so much."

He placed his large hand on the back of my head and ushered me into his chest, my tears and mascara staining his pristine white shirt. I held my paperwork so close to myself with both arms as he embraced me, making sure to absorb every single feeling.

"Go and relax in the living room, I'll take care of everything in here," he said in a sweet whisper. He placed his lips on the top of my head and pecked lightly, letting me free. I didn't know what it felt like to float, but the feeling I had in that moment must have been stupidly close to it.

I made my way quickly to the bathroom after placing my homework on my bed, looking up at my reflection. My face may have been full of tear stains, but even I could notice the underlying smile behind the sadness. I cleared my face and put my hair up out of the way and changed into my pyjamas.

I couldn't help but feel my heart fluttering as I sat at the edge of my bed, eagerly anticipating the call for dinner. When it came, I made my way to the living room where Suga had set out some lovely looking dishes.

"Wow, I wish you would cook all the time instead of me. You're so much better," I said, preparing to dig right in.

"You flatter me too much, your meals are always great."

We sat with the TV playing in the background, enjoying our meal, making comfortable small talk.

"Did you hear the guys are going to nationals next week?" I asked excitedly.

"Yeah! Are you going to go?" Suga asked.

"Well, I'd really like to but...I don't think I could handle being in a crowd with everyone from school right now."

"I'll take you then," he said, taking a mouthful of food in, acting like it was nothing. I nearly choked on my food.

"U-um yeah, I'd like that," I smiled.

"What are you guys talking about? Making dinner without me, I see?" Daichi entered the living room after taking his shoes off.

"We were talking about the match next week. Are you going, Daichi? And I left yours in the microwave so don't get mad, I thought you'd be out later," replied Suga. There I went thinking the game was just a me and Suga thing.

"I don't think I can, I've got an exam on that day I'm pretty sure."

"Aw, well I guess it's just me and you, (Y/N)!"

Maybe it could be just a me and Suga thing.

---

One week had flew by since that day and things were definitely getting better. There was still the odd bitchy comment, but nothing I wasn't getting used to already. Tanaka and Noya just began to shout back at anybody who said anything in close proximity to us, so that helped for sure. I had slowly but surely been able to talk to everyone again, all of them asking about a million questions, aside from Kageyama. I wasn't allowed to go back to being the volleyball manager due to my absence but Hitoka was doing a great job and was coming out of her shell a lot more. Coach Ukai was just glad to see me around again, as well as Takeda. They would still let me help out the boys with individual practise, as no one else was really available to do so.

On the day of the match, Suga and I took the bullet train to the capital. The ride mostly consisted of both of us napping, seeing as we had to get up super early to be able to make it to the games in time. The gymnasium was only a short distance from the train station, so we walked the rest of the way there making idle conversation about volleyball and how excited we were.

"I bet they win today," he said with excitement as we took our seats at the gymnasium.

"There's no point betting against me, I think they'll win too," I laughed.

We watched in pride as the boys went through all the formalities before the game started, eagerly waiting for that whistle to blow. When it did, it was a non-stop sweaty game right from start to finish. Both teams were giving it their all and one of their games even went into the 30's. They had both scored a set each, and with Karasuno and match point to the opposing teams 22 points, Kageyama secured the win with a killer serve. Everyone whooped and cheered with joy, Suga jumping up and down in the stands, shouting down to his former team mates and congratulating them. They all looked up and shot us both a wicked grin, one you would only see from the winning team. For a brief moment, everything felt like it fit into place for me.

"You guys are so good!" I said, finding the boys in the hall after their win.

"You bet we are, (Y/N), we're gonna win nationals, just wait and see!" Hinata yelled, his body basically producing electricity.

"Only you could still be that lit up after those sets," I laughed. It was true, his energy knew no limit.

"Will you be here to see our game tomorrow?" Tanaka asked Suga and I.

"Sadly not, we have to go back home, this one here has to get studying," Suga said as he smacked the back of my head playfully. I held onto the spot and groaned.

"Well either way, I swear we will win," he smiled. I gave him my best thumbs up and told him that I already knew that anyways. I could feel eyes on me, particularly Tanaka and Nisinoya's. I never told them that I'd be coming here with Suga and in fact - I don't even think Noya knew we were staying together.

"What's this huh?" said Noya in a crazed tone, "You better be taking care of (Y/N), you know! She is a precious asset to this team. You're no longer in it," he joked.

"I know, I know Noya. I promise I am," Suga laughed, beckoning Nishinoya to calm down. I proceeded to blush a little, truly aware of the fact that all eyes were on me. "Stop staring at her guys, you know she's shy," he defended me. They chimed a chorus of 'sorry's' and got on with their celebrations. We all talked for a while before Suga and I decided it was time to go.

"Should we get something to eat before we head back, (Y/N)?" Suga asked as we left the gymnasium.

I took a second to think about it, regretting the fact that I did because all I could think of was that it would look like we were on a date. Not that I wouldn't mind going on a date with him it was just...

"(Y/N)?"

"Y-Yeah! Sure! Where do you wanna go?" My face was practically a tomato at that point.

"That little restaurant looks nice over there," he said and pointed to a small cafe outside of the main train station.

"Sure," I said, my whole body practically shaking. This feels like a date.

We made our way over to the small cafe, taking a window seat. Suga went up to the bar to order some food and drinks for us whilst I sat at the small table, practically dying. I decided to actively stop thinking about it so deeply and just to try and enjoy myself. He came back up to the table, two drinks in tow.

"Lemonade for the sweet girl," he smiled, placing it down in front of me.

"And coffee for a bitter bitch?" I laughed.

"Hey! It has caramel syrup in it, thank you very much. And you are welcome!" he tapped me on the nose as if he was giving a puppy into trouble.

"Thank you, Suga," I smiled, taking a sip of lemonade from the straw.

"Yeah yeah yeah," he said, smirking off to the side, "I ordered us some burgers and fries. We can eat up and catch the next train?"

"Sounds good to me."

Our food arrived and it was particularly good. Have to make a mental note of this place for next time I come here, I thought to myself.

"The BBQ burger is so good," Suga said, taking a mouthful in and leaving some sauce at the side of his face. I giggled at the sight of him.

"You are actually a toddler," I said, wiping his face with a napkin. He began blushing and that's when I had realised what I had done, "Um, I-I'm sorry if that was a bit informal."

"D-Don't worry about it," he said, choking a little on his food, "Just happy you're looking out for me."

I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. How embarrassing! I totally acted like we were just a couple. "Again...sorry."

He just laughed it off and continued with our conversation. We discussed how good the plays were in the games we saw today and how much we wished we could go again tomorrow.

"Maybe I should just skip class and go see them again," I said, half-joking.

"I don't think so! You'll be going to school even if I have to force you to!" he said seriously but I could see his smile behind it. If only he knew I might actually prefer if he forced me...

No! No. Bad (Y/N). I could not get him out of my mind. Sitting having a meal with him in public really didn't help that either.

Suga finished eating and I still had some leftovers so the kind waitress boxed it up and we headed off to catch the last train to Miyagi. I was getting really tired because we had spent pretty much the whole day in Tokyo and it was getting dark outside. We took our seats on the train and I dozed off, subconsciously resting my head on Suga's broad shoulder. It might have been in my dream, but I'm sure I felt him leaning his head back onto mine.

[A/N: If you couldn't tell, this will be a slow-burn fic. No point in rushing things. Also, my "/ ?" key on my laptop BROKE so now I'm having to type on my phone. I'm so sad.]