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Tobio’s had a very rough day. He can’t explain what it is, exactly, nor why he feels so annoyed. Hinata was on good behavior for once, and Noya and Tanaka were both sick and had stayed home from practice. It had been a surprisingly peaceful day, just the way Tobio likes it, so why is he so…out of it?
He’d stayed after practice with Sugawara to work on their strategies for when they’re both on the court. Sugawara was absolutely atrocious at spiking, and his timing was even worse than Hinata’s, so it had been pretty obvious that Tobio would be the one slamming it from the back row. They’d practiced that more times than Tobio can count, and now that he’s thinking about it, that was probably the only time all day that Tobio hadn’t felt…weird.
That’s been happening more often, too: Tobio’s mood improves almost immediately when he’s around Sugawara. There’s something about Sugawara’s personality that just naturally calms Tobio down, but also somehow makes his heart pound even faster.
Tobio glances up at where Sugawara’s ordering ice cream for both of them, laughing at some joke the cashier just cracked. Tobio’s heart sinks for reasons he can’t explain, and then he’s walking across the small convenience store before he can stop himself.
“Sugawara-senpai, are you done?” Tobio murmurs, tugging on the corner of Sugawara’s sleeve. It’s childish, he knows it is, and his face is burning. At least Sugawara won’t tease him about it. Probably.
“Just about,” Sugawara smiles at him now, folding his wallet with the hand that Tobio isn’t messing with. “They had to go get some more strawberry from the back for you, apparently it’s been popular today.”
Tobio nods, still fiddling with the corner of Sugawara’s sleeve. It’s just the team jacket, but Sugawara’s must be made out of cotton from the gods, because there’s no way his jacket is this soft. Tobio’s own sure isn’t.
The employee returns with their ice cream a moment later, caramel for Sugawara and strawberry for Tobio. They’d come here in the first place because Sugawara had noticed Tobio’s poor mood, and had decided that ice cream would cheer him up. How could he not have noticed, considering they’d spent several hours practicing together?
That small fact makes Tobio’s heart pound again, and he jerks his hand away from Sugawara’s sleeve.
“Ah no wait, where are you going!” Sugawara chases his hand, grabbing it in his own. “That was so cute, why’d you stop?!”
Tobio freezes. His ice cream threatens to drip down his hand, so he licks at it, but he says nothing. What can he say?
Sugawara doesn’t seem to be expecting a response, blessedly, and simply giggles, swinging their hands together as they head towards Tobio’s house.
He really is relaxing, Tobio thinks. Sugawara as a whole, not simply one thing about him. The small circles that Sugawara’s rubbing against the back of his hand are calming, the way he hums out of time is adorable, and the way he’d offered his own free time to cheer Tobio up is exhilarating.
Well, maybe that last one isn’t exactly relaxing, but who is Tobio to ignore it?
They finish their ice cream all too soon, washing their hands in some random person’s sprinklers. It’s not something that Tobio would have ever done, but Sugawara can’t seem to stop cackling as he jumps the short fence to wave his hands through the water. It’s probably not really legal, either, but Tobio doesn’t find himself too worried about that.
Before he notices, they’ve reached his own home, and Sugawara’s laughter is finally starting to slow. Tobio hadn’t realized until this moment, but he thinks he’s been smiling the past few blocks. As much of a smile as Tobio is capable of, anyway.
“This was fun,” Sugawara says softly, grinning up at Tobio. He’s still holding Tobio’s hand, and it’s probably really clammy and gross, and Tobio never wants him to let go. “We should do this again sometime.”
Tobio nods stiffly, eyes still locked on where their hands are entwined.
There’s a moment of silence, but Tobio doesn’t even hear the crickets in the grass around them. Night has long since fallen, and Sugawara’s hair is practically glowing in the moonlight. He wants to run his hands through it so badly.
“Hey, Kageyama-kun,” Sugawara tugs at his hand, pulling him the tiniest bit closer. “Feel better for me, okay?”
And then Sugawara brushes the lightest kiss on his cheek, and Tobio thinks he’s going to explode.
Tobio opens his mouth to respond, but tries to breathe in at the same time, and succeeds in choking and coughing. Sugawara bursts out laughing, his grip on Tobio’s hand tightening.
Does he have any idea just how much better Tobio feels right now? It’s like ten carts of volleyballs were lifted off of his chest, even if his heartbeat is threatening to leave his chest.
In the end, all Tobio can do is nod again, too embarrassed to try and speak again. He’s sure his face is flushed, absolutely positive it is.
Sugawara gives him one last look. “See you tomorrow, okay?”
“U-uh, yeah.”
It’s not Tobio’s proudest response, but somehow, he feels like Sugawara doesn’t mind it either way.
Yeah. See you tomorrow.
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