Chapter Text
Kageyama awakes. Some would find the soft white painted walls and sterile condition of the hospital room comforting, successfully keeping bacteria and other pathogens at bay. But all Kageyama can think of is the idea of being stuck in there forever. Confided to this boring room, the clockwork routines and the faint yet shrill beeps of monitors. The intensity of the sudden claustrophobic feeling that seizes him is overwhelming. Hastily he downs a cup of water, it’s all he can stomach and the water is soothing to his parched throat. He sucks in a breath as he puts the cup aside and lies down once more.
He can’t stand the white noise nor the equally monotone environment and gives into the darkness, eyelids falling shut and sleep washing over him gently. Even in his dreams there’s no reprieve from Oikawa-senpai’s hazel eyes, nor his teasing mock laughter. The perfectly elegant form of the captain’s jump serve is seared into his retina. The endless bantering with Iwaizumi-senpai. The hell-bent competitive streak, hidden cleverly behind his endless stubbornness and charismatic determination. In combination with his ability to get along with anyone in no time, he’s an admirable role model as he’s a fearsome rival.
’’Tobio-chan~’’
The supposedly affectionate term only echoes distantly in his mind. Kageyama glances at the mirage of Oikawa that seems so tangible and alive. He knows it’s not the real Oikawa, but the unquenchable curiosity of possibilities and the longing is so potent that he fears indulging himself. Therefore he inhales slowly and backs away. The absentminded desire to wake up tinkles in his mindscape, like catching a glimpse of something in one’s peripheral. Either way, he’ll be in an unfavorable position whether he’s asleep or awake. At least, he attempts to console himself, while he’s conscious he can control his own thoughts.
He looks over his shoulder, still backing away and catches one last glimpse of mischievous hazel eyes before tumbling over a ledge in his dreamscape. As he plummets faster, accelerating more than he could’ve ever imagined, the teasing laughter fades and he wakes groggily.
He curls and stretches like a content cat, lips widening to let out a long yawn. Blue eyes opens once more, slowly. The sterile environment still bugs him and the white noise is there as usual when he wakes, but this time the room is coloured in a warm orange light. The mop of black hair slowly turns around towards the window and is captivated by the stunning sight of a sundown unraveling, small puffy clouds decorating the sky.
The sight seems to lack the measure of time, it transitions slowly yet far too quickly. The rays of sunlight slowly easing its way below the horizon, leaving only lampposts and houses to light up the dark in akin to specks of fireflies. Quietly he turns away, a bit dejected as the automatic lamps of the hospital activates one after one, only leaving a harsh, white light.
He almost misses it in the midst of his sulking, but on his table lies a small package of milk bread. Kageyama sighs because he only knows one person who would consider granting someone milk bread a gift. Fragments of dreams, feelings and memories goes as soon as they come - leaving only a vague sensation of deja vu and unknown longing.