Chapter Text
Hinata can't stop himself from practically skipping out of the movie theater. With Tsukishima behind him, this time, they delve into another conversation about the ending, and the promise of a sequel.
“We should watch the next one when it comes out, too!”
“That probably won't come out for at least another two years,” Tsukishima mentions, but it's not mean. Just matter-of-fact.
“Oh.” Hinata spins around, walking backwards so he can talk to his date. “Then, I guess we'll just have to wait for it! I don't mind,” He smiles, and when he meets Tsukishima's eyes, he turns his gaze away, somewhat bashful.
It makes Shoyo’s chest flutter with emotion.
“Let's go get some water,” Tsukishima prompts, and Hinata follows him.
The concessions are placed in the front of the theater. And once again, Hinata misses the opportunity to pay for Tsukishima's drink, moreover the cherry soda he buys him without asking.
He's about to complain, make his worries known about how Tsukishima should let him at least buy something, but the blond seems to notice right away what he's thinking with a single glance to his perturbed expression.
“I'm the one that invited you,” He explains. “It would be asinine for me to expect you to buy anything for yourself.”
Now, Hinata didn't know what ‘asinine’ meant, but that was still so unfair!
“But I want to! It's just good manners!”
Tsukishima cocks his head to the side, with an expression Hinata has seen one too many times. The, “you’ve got to be kidding me,” expression. Whatever he's gonna say, it's already prickling under Shoyo's skin.
“You? Good manners?” Tsukishima mocks.
“Why are you saying it like that!?” Hinata flusters. “I have great manners!”
“Yeah. Like when you insulted the vice principal. Or threw up on Tanaka's lap. Or every time you didn't listen to Daichi and got stared down or yelled at by him.”
Nghyaaah!!!
Tsukishima's typical rapid-fire beatings! Even though they were on a date together, Tsukishima was still so brutal!! Saltyshima!!!!
“You don't have to remind me of every little thing!” Hinata painfully grits through his teeth. “And what about you!?” He sticks an accusing finger in Tsukishima's direction, whose smile falls.
“What about me?”
Um. Uh.
“You…” Hinata grasps for something. Anything. “You’re always…”
Tsukishima quirks an eyebrow at him. As if saying, Yeah, come on. I dare you.
Hinata is nearly breaking out in a sweat from this conversation.
“Um…!” He stammers. “Oh! Well, it's not really about good or bad manners, but sneaking away to make out in a bathroom is far from the expected behavior of a straight-A student.”
And with that, he folds his arms in front of him, proud and reveling in his quick thinking. He already knows what Tsukishima is gonna say.
“That was your idea…”
“But you didn't stop me!” Hinata points out, letting his smug exterior melt away for a bright smile. He can't help it. Just thinking about that make out session, it's making every muscle fiber in him vibrate with excitement. He laughs, and Tsukishima’s lips curl in a poor imitation of a pout.
“Whatever.”
“Hey! Don't slack off with your retorts! What, it was a good one, right? I totally gotcha.” Hinata trills.
“Just drink your damn soda, Shrimp.” Tsukishima places the beverage down on the nearest table with two seats.
Hinata has no more complaints. He gulps it down, and Tsukishima drinks his water. He idly wonders if Tsukki's also thinking about their kiss.
✧✧✧
Just as they're about to wrap up for the night, Hinata’s eyes catch a glimpse of a photo booth tucked away in a corner– the ones with a curtain and those tiny screens. Tsukishima is pulled right into it with a slight tug to his arm, much against his will. He's about to complain– make known that he doesn't care about taking pictures of himself– but the idea seems to thrill Hinata, if his big smile is anything to go by.
Shoyo is not shy about pulling him close, selecting whatever is on the screen so they can take their picture. Instead of seeing himself though, Kei focuses on Shoyo in front of him, at his big brown eyes and his orange cowlicks. He seems happy. Happier than usual, he thinks, as he hears a camera shutter go off.
“You didn't smile! Weary-shima. Are you sleepy after the movie? Like a baby?” Hinata giggles next to him.
“I’m not sleepy.”
“Then smile! I know you can. I've seen it,” Shoyo teases, and it must be something in his voice instead of his words that has Kei almost grinning. “I've seen it all night,” Shoyo mumbles.
The second countdown finishes, and then again, another camera shutter sounds.
“Are you allergic to smiling!?” Shoyo squeals, which turns into a laugh.
“But you're doing all the smiling for the both of us,” Kei quips.
“I think you're just shy!” Shoyo accuses. “Okay, okay! We've got two more. Pay attention!”
“I am.”
“Pay more attention! Pretend you're watching a match.”
“Ugh, does it have to be volleyball?”
“Yes!” Shoyo squawks, through several giggles.
Kei lamely focuses his attention back at the screen, when he feels a sudden warmth on his thigh. Shoyo’s hand. His very small hand, just casually resting there.
He doesn't flinch– Thank God– but the touch makes him shudder anyway, as if Shoyo were actually doing it on purpose. Wait. Is he?
Before he can think about it too much, Shoyo is throwing up peace signs, which Tsukishima mirrors on instinct. Hinata leans against him when he does it, and his fiery hair tickles his cheek. It's soft.
“Nice!” Shoyo exclaims triumphantly, waving his peace signs around with a trill. “Okay! Last one! It should be special!!”
Hazel eyes meet his gaze, and not for the first time, Kei becomes hyper aware of the little space in the photo booth. Or, lack thereof.
“Can I sit in your lap?” Shoyo asks, with a glitter in his eyes.
A part of Kei is bewildered at that question. The other part– the half that sends off witty remarks without missing a beat– helps keep his cool.
“Only if I get a kiss,” He answers easily.
Hinata apparently doesn't need to be told twice.
In a second, he's standing just to plop down on his lap, and he's warm and small and it's easier to wrap an arm around his back.
“Okay. Ready?” Hinata smiles, “One, two–!”
Shoyo’s hands are warm against his face when he closes the distance between them.
He kind of tastes like cherries.
✧✧✧
“Tsukishima. Can I ask you something?”
They're walking side by side, up the dirt path that leads up to Shoyo’s house. It's much colder now– well into maybe one or two am, but Kei had let the shorter boy borrow his scarf for the time being. Only cause he'd asked, of course.
The small creaking of his bike is the only noise besides Hinata’s question.
“Tell me.”
“How… How come you decided to ask me out so suddenly? I mean. For a little bit, I'd kinda assumed you wouldn't be into that stuff. Dating, I mean. Or at least waited until… I don't know.” Hinata dips his head forward. Uncertain.
Kei’s eyes follow the path in front of them, the patches of weeds and flowers that are lit up by the bike’s light. Even in the cold, they still managed to bloom.
It's a little surprising, if he's honest. But Shoyo sounds sincere, so Kei believes he deserves a sincere answer.
He pulls the bike to a stop to look at him properly.
Shoyo’s nose is somewhat red, but his eyes are bright and big, fully alert.
“I wanted to do things the right way.” He says.
And with that, he continues walking, with Shoyo trying to keep up with his long strides. He's got a spring in his step, so it's not difficult.
And when they arrive at his house, Shoyo pulls out two strips of paper– no. Their photo booth pictures.
“One for me, and one for you.” Hinata says, as he hands one over.
Kei takes it gingerly in his gloved hand.
Looking them over, he's in awe of Hinata’s presence in the still photos. It's just the two of them, and Shoyo still manages to shine the brightest– the center of attention, wherever he is.
Kei runs a thumb over his smile, forever captured in this little square. This moment.
Picture perfect.
“I'll see ya tomorrow, okay?” Shoyo calls, already near the gate. “Oh!”
And without prompting, he runs back, where he’s quickly stealing a kiss from Kei. As best as he can anyway– with their height difference, it mostly lands on the corner of his mouth.
But Hinata laughs anyway, disappearing into his house with a final wave.
Kei lets the feeling of Shoyo’s kiss wash over him, as if trying to commit it to memory too. He thinks if he tries hard enough, maybe he could.
Meanwhile, the photo of them sears itself through his glove. Kei decides to put it inside his phone case. He doesn't wanna crumple it up. Besides, he's got a perfectly good place on his desk back at home where he wants to put it. A reminder of their first date.
He hopes Shoyo does the same.
End