Chapter Text
The water ran coolly over Hinata’s hair and down his neck. He could feel the grass under his bare feet, and all around him, the birds in the stadium’s outside area chirped in singsong. For once, everything was so blissfully quiet.
He turned off the tap and stood, raising his towel to dry his hair. When he turned, he was surprised to see Kageyama standing behind him, staring at him evenly. He grinned and walked forwards to stand in front of the setter.
“Kageyama! We get to stay on the court for a little longer!”
His partner nodded, and then glanced down at the ground, looking strangely apprehensive. Huh? ...Is he blushing?
“Geh!”
Hinata stiffened in surprise as Kageyama suddenly stepped forwards and wrapped his arms around him, squeezing tightly. He dropped the towel in his hands, his arms pinned at his sides, unable to breathe.
“K-Kageyama!” he choked out. “You suck at hugs!”
His partner immediately let him go and stepped back quickly, avoiding eye contact. Okay, his face is totally red now. Hinata laughed at his embarrassed and slightly offended expression, and then backed up in preparation.
“This is how you hug!”
With that, he ran forwards, registering Kageyama’s look of alarm as he barrelled into him and wrapped his arms around him in midair. They both fell to the ground, and he heard the wind rush audibly out from the setter’s chest.
“...Th-there’s no way that’s how you hug, dumbass!” his partner snapped, regaining his breath. He planted his elbows on the ground and lifted himself up slightly, Hinata’s arms still wrapped around his torso. Hinata just laughed, burying his head affectionately in Kageyama’s shoulder. A moment later, he felt the setter’s chest rumble as he began laughing, too.
Eventually, he pulled back. Kageyama’s cheeks were dusted with pink, deep blue eyes shining and half-lidded with fondness as he smiled. Oh. Hinata felt his own face begin to heat up, his own cheeks split with a joyful smile. He’s beautiful.
He removed his arms from around his partner’s torso and put a hand on either side of his face, palms cupping his jawline as his fingers rested against his cheeks. Still smiling, he leaned forwards and pressed his forehead to Kageyama’s, eyes closed in a feeling of pure serenity.
For a moment, they stayed like that, the world melting away around Hinata as he felt perfectly complete for the first time in a month - or rather, in his whole life. Then, he felt Kageyama’s lips press against his, and somehow, he felt even happier. He was only able to feel his partner’s slightly chapped, but still soft lips for a few seconds before he couldn’t help but start smiling again, and he felt Kageyama doing the same. His mouth opened to grin, and he was forced to pull away.
“You suck at kissing!” Kageyama teased pettily, face flushed. Hinata laughed.
“Hey, you were smiling too!”
With that, he rolled off his partner and lay contentedly on the grass, staring up at the bright blue, cloud-dotted sky. He felt Kageyama reach out and take his hand, their fingers interlacing, and they lay still together, watching the birds as they flew overhead. And once again, everything was silent, and peaceful.
“...Thank you, Kageyama,” he said finally, softly. “For everything.” Kageyama squeezed his hand.
“Always, dumbass.”
Hinata exhaled in affectionate amusement, closing his eyes again. When he opened them, he felt his partner sitting up, still holding his hand, and watched as Kageyama’s peaceful smile widened into a determined grin.
“Now let’s get back to our team and keep winning.”