Chapter Text
The balcony overlooked the cityscape. It was not too late into the night and the city was alive, lights of all colours flickering. The soft fog settled, drowning it into a haze. The pair leaned against the rails, admiring the view. It was chilly though, but Hinata was warm from the alcohol and Kageyama, pressed behind him in a lazy embrace.
“Have you ever painted the landscape at night?” Hinata asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Kageyama hummed in thought, the vibration tickling against the smaller’s ear. They have kissed some more after they left the birthday scene, but soon settled into comfortable skinship.
“No, it’s super cliche.”
Hinata audibly gasped, “What?! What about the city during sunset?”
“That’s even more cliche,” said the raven and snorted at the other’s reaction.
“But sunsets are so pretty!”
“That’s why everyone draws them. How many paintings and plain photos of sunsets do you see on Instagram? Thousands on thousands.” Kageyama mumbled, eyes almost searching something in the distance.
“I guess, but is that a big deal?” Hinata leaned his head back to look at the taller’s face, who turned his head down to meet his eyes soon after. “Or do you try to be mr. original?” He smiled, teasing.
“I mean, it’s more fun to draw stuff that not many people have done before, though it’s pretty hard to find the topics.” He gazed deeply into Hinata’s eyes. He wore a shy smile and didn’t look scary at all. The lights from the party fell on his back, which looked like he was enveloped in a soft glow. Hinata was loving this side of him. Personal and soft.
“So you wouldn’t draw something like this view?” He saw that Kageyama’s stare was no longer locked with his, instead trailing (well, higher) at his lips. He quirked a grin and stood up on his tiptoes, reaching higher.
“Maybe I could try,” Kageyama leaned down until their noses were touching, “Though that would probably fuck up my sleeping schedule real bad.”
They were kissing again, soft and gentle. Hinata’s hands shot up as he was losing his balance and he did not want to, you know, fall off the balcony. Kagayama caught them and laced their fingers, interrupting nothing. Hinata honestly really liked him already. Was he jumping too fast? Yes. Did he want to jump Kageyama? Obviously. Though not right now. He didn’t want this magical tingling atmosphere between the two to go to waste. The feather touching, teasing, and the glances was something Hinata had never experienced before, and wanted to savour the feeling, reserved only for these special moments. Seemed as if Kageyama was on the same wavelength as he didn’t try anything further either.
“Hey,” he said, a little breathless after all the kissing, “Why haven’t I seen you at Voron for so long?”
“I was sick.” Was his simple reply, and he reached to give him a kiss on the hairline.
“Really? That’s the excuse you give?” Hinata laughed in disbelief. Another press of the lips on the forehead followed and Kageyama spoke again.
“I was, then I had work that needed special materials from the uni workshop. I don’t keep expensive and hard to work with stuff at home. So I had no choice but to use the plaster there.”
“I was upset.” Hinata confessed, “I thought you didn’t want to see me anymore after we talked again.”
“I’m sorry. Let’s exchange numbers so that it doesn’t happen next time.” His voice was still hushed, his fingers brushing over the red-hair’s knuckles with such tenderness. Hinata’s heart jumped at the prospect of ‘next time’ and he nodded happily.
Then they talked more. Keeping close and their voices quiet, Kageyama told Hinata about his relationship with art. He explained his favourite mediums and least favourite topics. Then some more about him in general. In return Hinata babbled endlessly about volleyball and ridiculous stories of his encounters at the bathrooms in the stadiums. He finally learned Kageyama’s favourite colour, animal and so much more. Sure the order was off, but this was ways better.
——
They continued meeting at ‘Voron’, both for study sessions and also a starting point for more dates. At first Kuroo and Bokuto would constantly pester Hinata. They’d wiggle their eyebrows when Kagayama was looking away and find infinite reasons to approach their tables. As annoying as it may have been, it was in good nature, and the red-head did find more freebies in his order than before.
Kageyama would still draw a lot, but this time Hinata had unlimited access to observing him work. Naturally, he could grumble and push the smaller away but hinata would laugh it off and return to what he was doing.
One time, Hinata had to force himself to set a few tables across as he would be distracted by Kageyama’s drawing otherwise, and he had an assignment to submit until midnight. After he was done, they took a short stroll and ate some meat buns at a local store. It was too cold to really do anything outside, winter snow was slowly piling up on the cars and sidewalks. Before they parted, Kageyama pulled the smaller into a hug, kissing him in the hair and slid a folded piece of paper into his jacket pocket.
“Don’t look until after you’re home.” He murmured, voice deep and raspy, sending Hinata into more shivers than the cold did.
The red-haired did not have that patience though. He took out the paper a mere five minutes after they parted, unable to suppress his curiosity. Unfolding it, he realised that it was a sketch. A really good sketch of himself. Blush spread rapidly down his face and neck as he traced the graphite lines with his fingers. He was hunched slightly over his laptop, expression focused. He breathed a laugh.
“Stupid Kageyama, you drew me much more handsomely.” He texted him a short ‘I hate you’, and stared at the sketch some more. This was definitely going onto the fridge, along with his numerous pictures and memos from important events and happy memories. The fridge collection was his pride and joy, though maybe he was considering housing the picture in his bedroom. His phone dinged a reply.
‘Impatient dumbass’ it read, but Hinata grinned wider.
——
“Woah…”
After weeks of pleading Kageyama finally caved in and let Hinata into his shitty apartment. After hearing that it was full of his work worth almost two years (+ before uni) he just couldn’t resist. And the sight was truly worth the pestering. Canvases leaned against the walls, though the actual walls themselves were bare, which was studio in Hinata’s opinion. Why didn’t he hang up his art? Papers of all colours and sizes lay stacked on the floors, occupying the corners and space along the walls. Apparently there was more hidden in closets.
“This is incredible.” Mouthed Hinata as he shuffled through the works, one after another. Landscape, pastels. Texture study. Muscle anatomy in coloured pencils. Expressions, ink. The works went on and on, so many different styles, colours and things captured. A running theme through the works were confident, sometimes sharp lines. If Hinata knew anything about art, he guessed that it might have been a Kageyama thing, though the boy did not reply. He stood there, awkwardly shuffling and answering Hinata’s occasional questions about the technical stuff of the work.
“How long did this take you?” Hinata pointed to an architecture sketch that had so many lines and points of perspective that his eyes were going cross eyed.
“A few days I think?” He settled onto his tattered blue couch, not joining the smaller on the floor, “I usually work on many things at the same time so I don’t lose concentration.”
“Amazing! You’re so talented and patient! I could never.” Hinata was done with this pile, and he suddenly got a particular thought. “Hey, Kageyama, I’ll check your closet art okay?” With a grin and a skip in his step he made his way to the closet (it was not hard to find as his apartment was a studio).
“Sure..WAIT NO!” Awakened from his thoughts, Kageyama must have seen the sly smile adorning Hinata’s face and scrambled to stop him.
Hinata would, hypothetically if he could draw, definitely have some pervy things he’d create. Surely Kageyama must have some too. With that notion he pulled harshly on the closet door and a few pages fell out on him. It was private alright, though definitely not what he was expecting. Lying now on the floor were a few sketches, each a different degree of completeness of himself. In awe, the red-haired crouched to study them.
They were all made in the cafe, no doubt. Except Hinata didn’t remember seeing the other sketching him, apart from that one time they were apart. Unless…
He glanced back at the raven, who curled himself into a ball of embarrassment, head tucked into his knees. He looked up to meet the smaller’s awed expression, pink blush spreading on his cheeks.
“Kageyama.. did you?” The words died on Hinata’s tongue. Kageyama’s state confirmed his suspicions and there was really no real need to pry. He sketched them before the party. He recognised a couple outfits he wore after their first conversations, but a few more were definitely before they talked.
“Dumbass..”
Hinata just chuckled breathlessly and hugged the other tightly. “You’re so adorable, I like you so much!” He mumbled into the raven’s shoulder, who held him close too. “Date me.”
“Aren’t we already?” Followed Kageyama’s flat response.
“I guess, I just wanted to say that.”
“Idiot…”
“Well, you like this idiot so your retorts don’t work.”
The two repositioned to lie down on the floor, unbothered to keep their uncomfortable sitting hug. Hinata had crawled to place his head on the taller’s chest so he could hear his heartbeat, and wrapped his arms and legs around him. Meanwhile Kageyama has secured his hand around Hinata’s waist, the other going under his own head. Hinata knew their relationship was special, and now he knew better that Kageyama did not need confirmation when true feelings were involved. Still it was gratifying to realise that they’re official. Kageyama was his boyfriend, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Hey, Kageyama,” came after a short while.
“Yea?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask..” Hinata’s tone was changing, not to the innocent direction either, “would you…”
“Wait is this-” Kageyama was catching on.
“Draw me li-”
“-if you finish that sentence I will strangle you!-” he shouted.
“-me one of your-”
“STOP”
“-French girls?” Hinata was sure Kageyama could hear his smirk, even if they couldn’t see each other’s faces. That had to change. He sprung up to rest his weight on his elbows and faced Kageyama. He looked unamused.
“You just had to go there..”
“I mean obviously! I have a hot talented painter boyfriend, this is a golden opportunity!” He pecked Kageyama on the lips and giggled at his expression.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Wait really? Wow you must really love me.” Hinata smiled, all ulterior motives replaced by pure mirth, “Thank you Kageyama.”
Instead of replying, Kageyama pulled the other into his embrace again.