Chapter Text
“You know you can call him again and ask for his number or even walk into the ward and ask him out. You know where it is,” came the unsolicited advice from his white-haired spiker. It has been four days since he was discharged, and he is allowed arm workouts. This is how he finds himself cornered by his Adler teammates in the gym.
Kageyama tries to deflect by saying, “What are you talking about? Call who?”
“Kageyama, Hoshiumi and I both saw how you looked at that male nurse taking care of you. Perhaps it is worth taking a chance if you feel strongly about him”
‘No,’ thought Kageyama. It’s not about my feelings. What if Hinata doesn’t feel the same? It was five days, not even five full days. But that was enough time for Hinata to capture Kageyama’s heart. But what if that was just Hinata’s personality? Kind, strong, and so, so beautiful. He quickly makes people fall in love with him. Kageyama feared he was just one of fifty other fractured fibula patients that Hinata had tended to.
“I don’t think so, Ushijima-san. I may come across as a crazy person who develops feelings for someone just doing their job,” Kageyama says, but the tone in his voice is tight.
They’ve been teammates and friends since Kageyama started with the Adlers straight out of high school. Ushijima has watched Kageyama grow into his title of King of the Court. Watched as he claimed win after win, both on a team and individually. But he also knows Kageyama’s personal life has not been as strong. Never one to introduce a long-time partner or discuss plans for a weekend with a potential love interest. This is the first time seeing the setter show such a pained expression. But it is not his decision to make, thinks the spiker.
“Okay, I see Kageyama, “Ushijima says.
The doctor’s suite is located in the hospital’s east wing, too far away from the Orthopedic ward for an accidental encounter. Not that Kageyama was hoping for anything. He was determined to get over the charming nurse. Besides, too much time had passed to do anything, Kageyama sullenly told himself. The check-up and review were uneventful. His bone is healing, and he can expect to resume training by mid-next week. As he exits the doctor’s office, the receptionist calls for him.
“Kageyama-san, this is for you,” she says, handing him a brown paper bag with handles.
“Thank you,” he says as assumes it is his medication. Saves him a trip to the pharmacy.
When he arrives home, he doesn’t expect to open the bag and see four cups of vanilla pudding. These are not from the hospital but from the health food shop in the city. There is a note in the bag too. A note from – Kageyama’s heart skips at the name.
I hope your recovery is going well, Kageyama-san. Can’t wait to see you back in action at the Olympics.
☺ Hinata
Kageyama’s legs are jellied. His insides liquidated and pooling on the floor.
‘Get over him, my ass,’ thinks Kageyama. That thought brings him to Hinata’s round ass. He is not letting that perfect combination of heart and ass go. Surely Hinata, despite his caring nature, doesn’t do this for all his patients. Why would Hinata go all the way into the city for him? Is Hinata that much of a considerate nurse to get the healthy option and remember Kageyama’s appointment date? Kageyama slaps himself mentally.
‘No! This is my chance. I am Kageyama Tobio, two-time Olympian, number one setter of the V leagues, and apparent sexyman. I am going to woo Hinata Shoyo, and win!’ Pep talk over, Kageyama is not sure how to accomplish his goal.
His plan is a cohesion of advice he has heard over the years. He doesn’t know if they still apply or make sense in context. But he has wasted enough time and will be damned if he has to ask Miwa, as a 29-year-old man, how to impress someone. He will, however, use one of the pre-picked outfits she chooses for him and leaves in his closet. Okay, so her help is indirectly required. The rest is up to him; he needs to be bold. Maybe not pushing through the double hospital door, sweeping Hinata off his feet, and kissing him on the mouth bold. But bold enough to ask Hinata out. Kageyama looks into the mirror to see his cheek darken at even that innocent thought. Dammit.
Hinata is getting off his last late shift of the week. He feels the exhaustion tug at his feet on his way to the staff car park. As he turns, he sees someone sitting on the benches lining the car park: a tall silhouette, long legs in black slacks, black turtleneck hugging firm chest muscles. Kageyama. Hinata pauses immediately when those striking blue eyes find him across the asphalt. Kageyama stands and walks to him. Hinata has never seen him look so put together. As he moves closer, he can see his hair is styled, perfectly accentuating the sharp jawline. The long, strong lines of a body toned by years of training leave Hinata in awe. Even though he knows Kageyama is big, he has seen him on tv before; nothing compares to having the man looming over him. Hinata sucks in a breath through his teeth. He feels out of place with his cardigan over green scrubs, running shoes, and about a hundred things hanging off his work bag.
Hinata swallows, “ Hi, Kageyama-san. It’s nice to see you. You look really good. I-I mean good because you are walking around and all. Haah. Do you need some help with something, Kageyama-san? You could phone the war--”
“I’m here to see you, Hinata.” Kageyama cuts.
“Me? Why? ” Hinata says as he starts fiddling with the sleeve of his cardigan. Kageyamas azure gaze makes it hard for Hinata to look at him. ‘All that confidence and being a menace to my sanity, for him to turn bashful now?’ reflects Kageyama.
“Yes, you, Hinata. I came to see you. I have been waiting for you.” Hinata looks up now. Brown eyes big and warm. Kageyama could fall deeper into them if he doesn’t speak .
“ I came here to ask you something?”
“Kageyama-san, is this about your medi-”
“No,” huffs Kageyama which makes Hinata giggle. There’s the gremlin.
“I came here,” continues Kageyama, “to ask you out. Hinata Shouyou, will you go out with me? I like you.”
Hinata is silent, his mouth hanging open. Kageyama panics, “Uhh, I know maybe you find it weird to be asked out by a patient, especially one that yeah maybe only was admitted for a week, but uhh that’s why I’m asking you out to get to know you, and I’m not your patient any—”
His ramblings are cut off when Hinata launches himself at Kageyama, wrapping his arms around Kageyama and saying, “Yes! Yes, you big dummy. I wanted to ask you out first once you were formally discharged, but you just left without saying bye, an-and I thought that maybe you didn’t like me.”
Kageyama wills his hands to work and wrap around Hinata’s trim waist. “No, I didn’t mean to. I just wasn’t sure. I haven’t liked anyone enough to confess to, so,” Kageyama swallows, “I was unsure.”
“Aww, Kageyama-san, you were the guy that grabbed my butt the first day, but you needed all this time to tell me you really like me,” Hinata squeals as he buries his face into Kageyama’s chest.
“Oi,” Kageyama’s voice nearly cracks, “I said like, and-and you placed your butt close to a sedated patient. What kind of nurse are you?”
“One that you like, Kageyama-san. You like meee,” Hinata teases. God,what has Kageyama done to himself. Does he forget about the menace Hinata is.
“I like you too, Kageyama, a lot.” Kageyama’s heart hits the back of his throat. Guess he had also forgotten that the ginger menace is terrible for his heart. He holds him closer as he thinks ‘I wouldn’t have it another way. What are a few cardiac scares to have Hinata in my arms’