After an exhausting national team training camp runs hours longer than expected, Kageyama returns home carrying more than physical fatigue. Convinced he's ruined the dinner date the two of you had been planning for weeks, he prepares himself for disappointment—only to find you waiting with his favorite homemade meal and the same unwavering smile that's always been his safe place. What follows is a quiet evening of heartfelt apologies, grateful kisses, shared dinner, and sleepy cuddles that remind Kageyama that home has never been a place... it's always been you.
Warnings: Pure domestic fluff, established relationship, hurt/comfort, soft and affectionate Kageyama, rain ambience, emotional reassurance, kisses, hugs, cooking together, cuddling, praise, sleepy intimacy (non-explicit), comfort food, happy ending.
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The rain continued its steady drum against the window, but inside the kitchen, the atmosphere shifted.
Kageyama stood by the stove, the spatula held loosely in his hand as he stared down at the sizzling rice. Despite his focus on the food, his broad shoulders were visibly tense, slumped with a heavy, exhausting weight that went far beyond physical fatigue.
He hadn't just been pushed to his limits at camp; he was carrying a quiet, frustrating guilt that had been eating at him all the way on the train ride home.
"Tobio?" you asked softly, leaning forward on the barstool. "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer right away. He turned off the burner, slid the pan onto a cool grate, and stood there for a second, staring at the floor. When he finally turned to face you, his dark blue eyes were clouded with an intense, troubled look.
"The training camp," he said, his voice lower and rougher than usual. "They extended the final scrimmage block by four hours. We didn't get dismissed until late evening." He stepped closer to the island, his hands clenching into loose fists at his sides. "I missed the dinner. I missed the whole date. We planned it for three weeks."
He looked incredibly frustrated—not at the coaches, but at himself, as if his dedication to volleyball had somehow let you down. He was braced for you to be disappointed, or at least a little lonely.
Instead, you just smiled, reaching across the counter to grab his hand.
"Tobio, I'm not upset at all," you said gently, squeezing his calloused fingers. "I was watching the live updates from the scrimmage. You played incredibly well. I'm so proud of you."
Kageyama blinked, momentarily stunned. The intense, worried line between his brows began to soften. "You... you aren't mad?"
"Of course not," you laughed softly, sliding off your stool. "In fact, I figured you'd be starving when you got back. So..."
You walked over to the counter and pulled a small towel off a large, covered ceramic dish, revealing a beautiful, freshly prepared spread of hamburg steak—his absolute favorite—complete with a rich glaze and perfectly cut vegetables. "I made this for you so we could still have our dinner together, even if it's late."
Kageyama stood entirely still.
He didn't move, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the kitchen floor. He stared down at the beautifully glazed meal you had painstakingly prepared for him, and then his eyes slowly drifted up to meet yours.
He didn't speak. He just looked at you—intently, quietly, with an intensity that made the rest of the room fade away. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his mouth opening slightly as if to say something, but no words came out. He was completely stuck, overwhelmed by the sheer warmth of finding you here, waiting for him, entirely unbothered by his mistake.
Slowly, almost hesitantly, he reached across the kitchen island. His large, calloused hand slid over the counter, his knuckles brushing against yours before his fingers spread and closed tightly around your hand. He squeezed—firm and grounding, a silent apology and an immense thank you wrapped into a single physical pressure.
"Tobio?" you murmured.
He finally moved, stepping around the island until he was standing directly in front of you. He didn't immediately lean in. Instead, he slowly bent his knees, lowering himself until he could gently rest his forehead right against yours.
His eyes closed. He just stayed there like that for a long, quiet moment, his cool skin warming against yours, his deep, shaky breath fanning across your cheeks.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice incredibly raw. "And... thank you."
Before you could reply, his arms wrapped around you. He pulled you in with a desperate, unyielding strength, burying his face in the crook of your neck. It was a long, heavy hug—the kind where he let his entire weight relax against you, holding you so tight that you could feel the rapid, steady thud of his heart against your chest. He held you as if he were memorizing the exact feeling of having you in his arms after three long days apart.
Only after a long, silent minute did he slowly pull back. His hands slid up to gently cup your cheeks, his thumbs tracing your cheekbones, his gaze locked onto your lips.
And then, finally, he leaned down and kissed you.
It wasn't his usual quick, shy peck. This kiss was warm, heavy with gratitude, and sweet enough to make your knees go slightly weak. His lips were soft against yours, parting slightly as he poured every ounce of his relief and love into the kiss. His hands pressed firmly into your lower back, holding you close as if he couldn't believe how lucky he was.
When he finally pulled back just a fraction, his forehead rested against yours again, his breathing shallow. He leaned down and kissed you again, a quick, lingering press of his lips, then another on your cheek, and one more on the crown of your head.
"Let me help," he murmured, refusing to let go of your waist entirely.
What followed was a chaotic, sweet blur of kitchen fluff. Kageyama, still clinging to your side, insisted on holding the plates while you scooped the rice. Every time you reached for a serving spoon, he would lean down to press a soft kiss to your shoulder, his damp hair brushing against your neck.
"Tobio, I can't scoop the gravy if you keep kissing my cheek," you laughed, though you didn't make any move to stop him.
"Just one more," he mumbled, his voice sleepy but stubborn as he pressed his lips to the corner of your mouth, lingering there until you let out a quiet sigh of defeat.
Eventually, you managed to get the food to the table. You ate together in the quiet, warm glow of the kitchen, Kageyama practically beaming with every bite of the meal you had prepared. The guilt that had weighed his shoulders down was completely gone, replaced by a relaxed, content comfort.
Once the plates were cleared—which Kageyama insisted on washing himself, though he let you dry them just so you could stay close—he carried you, quite literally, down the hallway to the bedroom.
The moment you both hit the mattress, Kageyama pulled you into his arms, burying his face in your hair. He wrapped his long legs around yours, completely anchoring you to his side.
In the dim light of the bedroom, he looked down at you, his eyes heavy with a deep, peaceful sleepiness. He reached up, his large hand gently cupping your face, his thumb sweeping over your bottom lip.
"I love you," he whispered, his voice a soft, raspy murmur. "So much."
"I love you too, Tobio," you replied.
He leaned down, kissing you one last time—a slow, tender, sleepy kiss that tasted like home and quiet rainy nights. He tucked the heavy blankets securely around your shoulders, pulled you close against his warm chest, and let his eyes finally drift closed, his heart beating a steady, comforting rhythm against your cheek as you both drifted off to sleep.
New current read: Five On A Treasure Island by Enid Blyton. I decided to pick this up as my depression is kicking my ass and I needed something easy to read and comforting but didn’t fancy rereading Harry Potter again. I got the full series of these for an excellent price on The Book Bundle. HOWEVER, these books were written in the 40s and therefore are problematic by today’s standards. They are definitely a product of their time but for my own fun I’ve decided to tab things that are out of date. Like. I’m on page 13 and the things said about gender already…. 🚩 That said, I think it’s important to remember that these views were standard when the books were written and set. Still doesn’t make it right, but I do think historical context is important. All in all, I’m reading this series because I loved Enid Blyton as a kid and needed something easy going yet still with a bit of intrigue because… I remember 0 of the plots of these?? What were some of your favourite children’s reads? Would you read again now? What do you think of the whole Enid Blyton debate? #enidblyton #enidblytonbooks #famousfive #thefamousfive #thefamousfiveseries #thefamousfivebyenidblyton #famousfivebooks #fiveonatreasureisland #childrensbooks #childrensclassics #childrensclassicbooks #depressionreads #comfortbooks #bookstagram #comfortreads #comfortbook #comfortread https://www.instagram.com/p/CbYOBXgrzsJ/?utm_medium=tumblr
Long-distance was never easy, but Nishinoya Yuu refused to let thousands of miles become an excuse to love you any less. No matter what country he found himself in, every night ended the same way—with a video call. Between stories of breathtaking sunsets, near-death encounters with overly confident seagulls, and promises of all the places he'd take you one day, the distance somehow felt a little smaller. And on the nights when missing each other became too much to bear, neither of you hung up first, choosing instead to fall asleep together through a phone screen.
Warnings: Pure fluff and comfort. Established relationship, long-distance romance, late-night video calls, sleepy conversations, travel stories, gentle teasing, soft confessions, cuddling through a screen, wholesome dialogue, and two people proving that love doesn't need the same time zone to feel like home. Happy ending.
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The digital chime of your phone cutting through the silence of your dark bedroom was a sound you had quickly learned to associate with a sudden, inevitable rush of warmth.
It was exactly 2:14 AM.
You rolled over in bed, burying half your face in your pillow as you fumbled for the glowing device on your nightstand. The screen lit up your face, displaying a contact name flanked by a string of chaotic emojis—sparkles, wild animals, and a volleyball.
You swiped to accept, and the screen instantly filled with a flurry of motion, a crackle of wind, and a blinding grin.
"Hey! You're awake! I didn't wake you up, did I? Tell me I didn't wake you up, but also I'm so glad you answered!"
Nishinoya Yuu’s face was pressed incredibly close to the camera, his dark eyes sparkling with a familiar, boundless energy. His hair, usually styled into his signature, gravity-defying spike, was completely down. It fell softly around his forehead and ears, damp and messy from either a recent swim or the humid night air of wherever he had landed yesterday. He was wearing a faded, oversized tank top, his shoulders deeply sun-kissed, a stark contrast to the pale, cozy blankets you were buried under.
"Yuu," you mumbled, your voice thick with sleep, a small, involuntary smile tugging at the corner of your lips. "It's past two in the morning."
"Ah! I knew it!" He looked momentarily apologetic, his shoulders dropping, but the excitement quickly surged back, puffing his chest out. "But look! You have to see this. I couldn't wait until your morning. I literally ran back to the hostel just to get a good Wi-Fi signal so I could call you."
He spun the camera around. The shaky footage smoothed out to reveal a breathtaking view. He was standing on a wooden balcony overlooking a dark, glistening expanse of water—the Mediterranean, if your memory of his chaotic itinerary served you right. Far in the distance, the cliffside of a coastal Italian town was dotted with warm, amber lights that looked like fallen stars scattered along the rocks. The sound of gentle waves crashing against the shore bled through your phone speaker, a rhythmic, soothing backdrop to his breathless narration.
"Isn't it crazy?" Yuu’s voice came back, loud and clear, though he was trying—and failing—to keep it down for the sake of his sleeping hostel roommates. "The water here is so blue during the day, it doesn't even look real. It looks like someone poured paint into the ocean. And tonight, the moon is so bright it’s casting a silver path all the way to the horizon. I swear, I wanted to jump off the balcony and try to run across it!"
"Please don't jump off any balconies," you laughed softly, resting your chin on your arms, staring at the screen. "I'd like you back in one piece."
"Don't worry, my balance is legendary! You know that!" He flipped the camera back to himself, leaning his chin against his palm as he propped the phone up on the balcony railing. His grin softened into something incredibly tender as he looked at you. "Man... I really miss you. Seeing your face right now is the best part of my day, hands down."
The sudden shift from high-energy explorer to sweet, earnest boyfriend caught you off guard, making your heart do a familiar flutter. "I miss you too, Yuu. How has the food been?"
"Oh, my god, the food!" He sat up straight, his eyes wide. "Okay, so today, I found this tiny little bakery down an alley that smelled like heaven. I didn't even know what I was ordering, I just pointed at this pastry and yelled 'Questo, per favore!' with the best accent I could muster. The old lady behind the counter laughed so hard she gave me two of them! It was filled with this sweet cream, and the crust was so flaky it got all over my shirt. I thought about you the whole time because I know you would’ve stolen half of it."
"I absolutely would have," you agreed, shifting under your blankets. "And you would have let me."
"Duh! I’d give you the whole thing," he said instantly, without a shred of hesitation. He leaned closer to the screen, his gaze tracing your features. "Hey, you look sleepy. Are you cold?"
"A little," you admitted, pulling the duvet up to your nose. "It's freezing here tonight. I wish I had your weather."
"I wish I could share it with you," Yuu murmured, his voice dropping into a register that was rare for him—soft, quiet, and intensely intimate. He looked down at his own hands, then back up at the screen. "When I was walking along the beach earlier, the sand was still warm from the sun. I was thinking... next time, we’re coming here together. No excuses. I'm going to show you every single spot I found. I'll carry your bags, I'll buy you all the pastries, and we can just sit on the sand until the sun goes down."
"Promise?"
"I never break my promises!" He thumped his fist against his chest, right over his heart, a fierce determination shining in his eyes. "Just picture it. You and me, eating gelato, walking around these crazy old streets. I'll even protect you from the seagull I had a fight with yesterday."
You let out a quiet giggle. "A fight with a seagull?"
"It tried to steal my sandwich!" Yuu defended himself, puffing his cheeks out indignantly. "It was a tactical retreat on my part, okay? Those things are ruthless. But for you, I would've fought to the death. No bird is taking your lunch on my watch."
You stared at the glowing screen, feeling incredibly close to him despite the thousands of miles of land and ocean separating you. It was in moments like this—when he was rambling about seagulls, his hair damp and messy, his eyes full of absolute devotion—that the distance felt manageable. He brought his entire, vibrant world right to your bedside.
"You're ridiculous, Yuu," you whispered affectionately.
"I'm serious!" he insisted, though a bright, boyish grin broke across his face. He shifted on his end, moving back inside his room. The background changed to a cozy, rustic room with stone walls and a small bed. He collapsed backward onto his mattress, holding the phone above his face. "Ah, my legs are killing me. I walked like fifteen miles today. But it was totally worth it."
"You need to rest, too," you said, watching him stretch out. "Don't overexert yourself just because you have endless energy."
"Hey, even the great Nishinoya Yuu needs to recharge," he chuckled, rolling onto his side. He propped his head up on his arm, holding the phone steady. The angle showed his sharp jawline and the relaxed, sleepy curve of his shoulders. "But talking to you is how I recharge. Seriously. It’s like... when I'm traveling, everything is so fast and new. It's awesome, and I love it. But when I call you, it feels like I can finally take a deep breath. You're my home, you know?"
Your chest tightened with a sweet, aching warmth. "Yuu..."
"I mean it," he said, his eyes unwavering. He reached a finger out, gently tapping his screen right where your cheek was on his display. "Right there. I'm touching your face. Can you feel it?"
"Yeah," you whispered, matching his action and tapping your screen where his cheek was. "I can feel it."
A soft, pink dust settled over his cheeks, and he let out a shy, breathy laugh, burying his face in his arm for a brief second before looking back at you. "Man, you're too cute. It’s not fair. I want to hug you so bad right now. I want to squeeze you until you complain that I’m holding on too tight."
"I wouldn't complain," you said softly. "Not tonight."
"Then I'd hold you even tighter," he promised, his voice incredibly gentle.
For a long while, neither of you spoke. The silence wasn't heavy or awkward; it was comfortable, filled only with the soft rustle of your blankets and the distant, faint hum of the Italian night through his open window. You watched his eyes flutter slightly, the exhaustion of his long day finally catching up to him, though he stubbornly kept his eyelids pried open to keep looking at you.
"Yuu, you can close your eyes," you murmured, your own eyelids growing heavy. "I'm not going anywhere."
"No way," he mumbled, though his blink lasted a second too long. "Want to keep looking at you. What if you disappear when I close them?"
"I won't disappear. I'll be right here on the screen."
"Promise?" he echoed your earlier question, a sleepy, vulnerable edge to his tone.
"I promise. I'll stay on the line until you fall asleep."
"Okay..." He let out a long, contented sigh, shifting his pillow so he could rest his cheek comfortably while still keeping the camera pointed at his face. His dark eyes softened as they locked onto yours one last time. "Hey. I love you."
"I love you too, Yuu. Sleep well."
"Love you more," he mumbled, his voice dragging slightly as his eyes finally drifted shut. "Next time... gelato... and no seagulls..."
You couldn't help but let out one last, quiet laugh at his sleepy rambling. You watched him on your screen as his breathing slowed into a deep, steady rhythm, his features completely relaxed and peaceful.
Even with an entire ocean between you, wrapped in the quiet chill of the late-night hours, you had never felt warmer. You nestled deeper into your blankets, resting your phone on the pillow next to your head so his sleeping face was the last thing you saw, and let yourself drift off to sleep to the faint, distant sound of the Mediterranean waves.
🫖 Comfort Read
🧠 Neurodivergency representation
🌶️ Spice: explicit and plot-relevant
🔁 Would I reread? absolutely — comfort reread
"We'll never be done. Me and You, we don't have an ending"
This was my first Emmy Sanders book and immediately knew this is one of those stories I’ll come back to when I need something kind.
My heart genuinely grew while reading about Ellis and Lucky. This isn’t a loud or dramatic book. It’s gentle, patient, neurodivergent, and deeply human, the kind of story where the feelings don’t hit you all at once, but quietly settle in and stay.
"I love you more than anything. I love you, I love you, so please, my beautiful firefly, fly back to me soon"
What really worked for me is how naturally the romance is woven into the characters’ emotional journeys. Nothing feels rushed or forced. The love grows alongside trust, care, and self-understanding, which made everything feel earned. The plot isn’t flashy, but it’s intentional, it gives the romance room to breathe instead of overpowering it.
This book felt like safety.
Like being seen.
If you’re in the mood for a character-driven romance with tenderness, emotional honesty, and neurodivergence representation, this one is the one for you.
Game Changer by Rachel Reid Review: Cosy, Sweet, Predictable, and Proudly Queer
Game Changer by Rachel Reid is one of those books that feels like slipping into a warm jumper: cosy, familiar, and a little bit comforting, even if you know it’s not going to change your life. It’s a queer hockey romance, and the premise is delightfully straightforward. Scott, a closeted professional hockey player, falls for Kip, a witty bartender who is unapologetically himself. The novel leans into tropes with shameless joy, and that’s part of its charm. You can tell Reid loves the genre, and she writes with genuine affection for her characters.
The strength of the book lies in its heart. Scott and Kip’s relationship is tender, funny, and refreshingly low on angst. There’s a sweetness to the way their romance unfolds, and it’s hard not to root for them. Reid also explores the tension between public image and private identity, particularly in the hyper-masculine world of professional sport. It’s not heavy-handed, but it adds a layer of depth that makes the story feel more than just fluff.
That said, the writing style is very much “romance comfort read” rather than “literary masterpiece.” The prose is serviceable, but it doesn’t sparkle. Dialogue occasionally veers into the slightly cheesy, and the pacing can feel uneven. Some scenes linger too long on domestic detail, while others rush past moments that could have been more emotionally impactful. The plot is also fairly predictable. If you’ve read even a handful of queer romances, you’ll see the beats coming from a mile off.
Where Reid shines is in her characterisation. Kip, in particular, is a standout: funny, sharp, and deeply likeable. Scott, meanwhile, is endearing in his awkwardness, though at times he feels a little underdeveloped compared to Kip. Their chemistry is undeniable, but I found myself wishing for more complexity in Scott’s internal journey. The conflict resolution is almost too neat, which makes the ending satisfying but not especially memorable.
Verdict: Game Changer is like a packet of custard creams. You know exactly what you’re getting, it’s enjoyable, and it hits the spot, but it’s not going to blow your mind. I’d give it 3.75 out of 5 stars. It’s a solid, heart-warming romance with lovely representation and plenty of charm, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the genre’s best. Perfect if you’re after something light, queer, and comforting, but not necessarily the book you’ll be pressing into everyone’s hands as a must-read.
"Small talk depletes creativity. Social media stifles thought. Even choosing an outfit every morning is needless effort. So, for one week, we will let all that nonsense go. We will engage instead with big talk. Character. Plot."- Love your life °°°°°°°°°° QQTD: Are you setting a reading goal this year? If so, How many book is it? °°°°°°°°°°°° 💫Hello Bookworms 🌼 Happy Friday, I hope everyone have a great weekend. It's been a busy week. I'm so ready for two days off,resting a bit.I couldn’t read more this week.So I stayed up last night watching some movies (Don't look up, Silent Night) and reading books, Love your life by Sophie kinsella, I don't know about others but her books consistently has this magical pull towards me. that's the reason why her book is my comfort read. It is my second book in January. I'm also reading TSLD .I'm only in chapter two. While I'm reading it I thought I should set up a reading goal this year and set it at 100 books in goodreads.I don't know if can read this many books but i will try. However, I will try to finish The spanish love deception soon. Have a good day. Have some coffee and enjoy reading 🌾 . . . . #thespanishlovedeception #goodbooks #comfortread #happyreading #loveyourlife #sophiekinsella #funnyromance #comedyread #bestwriter #awesomebook #bookwormforlife #bookaddict #booknerdsy #shereads #winternight #winterreading #bookstackme #whatmrittireads #cozyread #goodhumorbook #romancebookaddict #addictedtobooks #bookobsession #lovereadings #bookreviewerofinstagram #coffeewithbook #booksta (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYbeIIpPo_7/?utm_medium=tumblr
Hi hi hiiiiii 😇 okay yes I totally vanished but also blame the creators of Stranger Things and whatever crack they put in that show to make it so damn addictive 💀 honestly my whole weekend has consisted of work and Netflix at this point I don’t even know what sleep is. Anyway, I’ve binged and finished all three seasons (no I’m not okay and it should be illegal that whole seasons aren’t released weekly), so I’m back to the monsterless world we live in so I guess I’ll have to find a way to cope with that 😭tbh I mostly just miss the 80s vibes like can we go back to that please?? Also shout out to @anaisthebibliophile for listening to my endless rants! hmu if you wanna talk Stranger Things like I need therapy… ANYanyway, I hope life’s gucci, I’ve missed y’all!!! 💛💛💛 QOTD: What is your comfort book, TV show, movie and song (or musician)?! 💛💛💛 AOTD: The Shadows Between Us (just a classic enemies-to-lovers really 👌🏾), Doctor Who (I think I know every David and Matt episode by heart 💀), Avengers: Age of Ultron (I’m STILL in awe like rah a whole damn city kk), anything Olivia Rodrigo (shocker 💀) or Gabrielle Aplin 😍 💛💛💛 • • • #comfortread #strangerthings #comfortshow #comfortsong #comfortmedia #chainofiron #chainofgold #cassieclare #cassandraclare #shadowhunters #thelasthours #blblclub2001 #blblclub2021 #bestlifebooklife #mybookfeatures #tbpfeatures #thebookieclub #thebookieshub #bookworm #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #nightreading #nightreads #midnightreader #midnightread #booklovers #bookloversofinstagram #bookloversofig #bookwormsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CQZfh3uL5z3/?utm_medium=tumblr
