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"Shouyou."
Shouyou turns to Kenma, the call of his name doing something to his heart. Kenma is standing over him with a water bottle in his outstretched hand, clearly for Shouyou. He takes the bottle and ignores Kuroo's unnerving gaze.
"I'm gonna go ahead and shower. We're done, right?" Kenma asks Kuroo, who shrugs. Kenma takes this as a yes and turns to walk away but not before telling Shouyou, "You should hurry and shower too, Shouyou. We can have dinner together."
Shouyou's heart flutters at the invitation. "Sure, Kenma!"
Once Kenma is out of sight, Kuroo crawls over to sit by Shouyou's laid down form on the gymnasium floor. The other boys around them are still cooling down and some of them, like Kenma, are heading to shower.
"Chibi-chan, we haven't had the chance to talk much, have we?"
Shouyou is, frankly, intimidated by Kuroo, because he seems like an adult and something about the way he talks sounds kinda mean. Although he's aware he has no basis for that observation, Shouyou can't help but to be wary of him all the same. Older boys are scary .
Shouyou sits right up to squeak out, "Yes! No!"
Kuroo laughs a little, "Which is it? Relax, I'm not gonna bully you, although it's very tempting."
Shouyou can feel himself turning red slowly. Around them, there are only a couple of players left. But they're too far away to hear them. Kuroo is cool, and Shouyou's just this tiny first year from out of the city. Nevertheless, he gathers his courage to say, "Um, you did very well today. When you block, you look very cool!"
Kuroo's smile is a little genuine this time, if Shouyou is reading him right. "Thanks, chibi-chan. You were an absolute monster out there today. I can't wait for us to meet in an official match. I know Kenma feels the same."
Shouyou feels giddy. "Me too!"
"Speaking of, you're getting close to Kenma, aren't you? I've never seen him act the way he does with you with anyone else. It's refreshing."
"Is that so?" Shouyou had an inkling, but if Kuroo says so, then it must be true. Although Shouyou is not exactly sure what makes him different, he's grateful all the same that Kenma is comfortable with him. He likes Kenma. To hear that from Kenma's closest friend feels like a reward. "I like Kenma too!"
Kuroo smirks as he stretches his arms up, his eyes looking at Shouyou with something unreadable. "Is that so? Why don't you tell him that? I'm sure he'd like to hear that very much."
Confused, but pleased, Shouyou nods. "Sure."
X
Shouyou manages to sit with Kenma for dinner. He hasn't had the chance for the past two days because he's always staying behind for extra practice. He forfeited that for today because Kenma invited him! Aside from Kenma, he's also sitting with Inuoka and the scary guy with Mohawk. He introduces himself as Yamamoto and Shouyou is starstruck for all five seconds before his attention is grabbed by Kenma putting meat in his bowl.
"Kenma! Why are you putting your food in my bowl?"
Kenma shrugs. "I'm almost full. Besides, Shouyou worked so hard today. You need all the meat you can get."
Touched, Shouyou says, "Thank you, Kenma."
Yamamoto coos at that. "Look at Kenma acting like a senpai! Man, Hinata, you're really bringing out something in Kenma."
Shouyou shoves the meat into his mouth and watches Kenma giving Yamamoto a sullen look. "Shut up."
Dinner ends in silence.
It's not like Shouyou is blind. He's aware of the different way Kenma acts with him. He's seen that same sullen look directed at everyone but him. The way Kenma looks at him, talks to him, and reaches out for him is especially tender.
It's doing something to Shouyou. Something new and scary and exciting.
The next day at practice, something nailed the coffin for him.
They are standing on the sideline, Shouyou recovering from their latest round of practice match. He is reenacting something the other team's spiker did, loud and completely engrossed that he misses the stray ball coming towards him at meteoric speed.
Kenma grabs his upper arm and pulls Shouyou close. The ball bounces back to the court, a voice apologizing and Kenma lightly admonishing. Shouyou can only concentrate on his loudly beating heart, on the close distance between them and the warm hand on his arm. He knows it's not the surprise ball that caused his heart to go overdrive. He looks up to see Kenma looking back at him, frowning.
"Are you okay?" he asks. Shouyou nods and looks away. He can't meet Kenma's eyes.
"Geez, Kenma. You're acting like he's a kid. I bet he's had his own share of stray balls to the face," someone is saying. Hinata doesn't know who. His heart is still beating loudly. He gulps his water, but it's not doing anything. He's aware of the hand still on him. Why is Kenma not letting go yet?
Kenma eventually lets go because it's Nekoma's turn. He lightly taps Shouyou's shoulder with a smile before he goes. Shouyou needs to be out of the gym, so he does.
He finds himself by the faucets. He dunks his head to refresh. His heart has calmed down, but it's still racing too fast for his own liking.
What was that ? He's never felt like that before. The scene keeps replaying behind his eyes. He can feel his face growing hotter under the water. Turning off the faucet, he finally remembers he ran out of there without bringing his towel. Now he's soaking wet from the head. He can't go back there like this.
What was that?
Shouyou takes a deep breath and looks up at the orange sky. They're done for today, he thinks. That's a relief. He doesn't think he can go back in there and act like everything's normal. He needs to think.
The scene plays again, this time accompanied by the memory of Kenma's hand on him and the concerned look on his face. There goes his heart again.
"Hey."
Shouyou turns to see Tsukishima walking towards him. He has a towel on his shoulder, and Shouyou's distinct blue one in his left hand. He throws that one at Shouyou, who fumbles to catch it.
"Hey!" he calls, a little irritated. Then he says thanks with grudging gratitude, because Tsukishima did do something nice for him, no matter what his ulterior motives may be.
"What happened there? You ran like the King's hot on your heels, again," Tsukishima asks this with the same infuriating smirk on his face that always drives Shouyou crazy. He's so irritating.
"Nothing. I was just surprised by the ball." Deflect. Deflect. Deflect. It's none of Tsukishima's business, anyway. Why is he being such a busybody?
"I've practiced with you more than most people in that gym. They may buy your bullshit but not me. What happened?"
Why is he so interested? Shouyou walks past him. "I said it's nothing, you jerk. Are we done for today? I'm going to go shower."
He only manages a few steps before Tsukishima grabs him on the same arm Kenma did. Shouyou is surprised for the second time that day. Tsukishima has never touched him. Ever. He turns his shocked eyes to Tsukishima, who looks as surprised as he is. The hand on his arm leaves as fast as it came. Shouyou stays where he is, because it feels like it's important.
"What is it, Tsukishima?" he asks.
Tsukishima clicks his tongue. There. Now he looks more like the Tsukishima everyone knows. Although Shouyou will not be forgetting what just happened anytime soon.
"Forget it. We're leaving for a brief team meeting. They're waiting."
He walks past Shouyou this time. Shouyou looks at his back, mystified.
What a bizarre day.
X
The reality of what happened comes back in full force during dinner. Shouyou is already sitting with Lev and Inuoka, deep into their conversation when the seat beside him is taken. Kenma is there, utterly unfazed as he drinks his soup.
Shouyou ignores his stuttering heart and says, "Kenma! You were awesome today! That dump was like GWAH!"
Nodding, Kenma says, "Thanks. You were doing great today too. You didn't hit anyone in the head while serving."
Inuoka and Lev laugh at that. Shouyou turns a little red, and admits to himself that he did good today because he didn't hit anyone in the head.
"I'm kidding. Shouyou was amazing as always." A smile accompanies that praise. The conversation dies there but Shouyou's stomach flutters like he has a jar of butterflies in him up until midnight.
X
On the day before the end of the joint training camp, Shouyou feels heavy in his heart, and not just because he will miss this experience or the friends he's made in Nekoma. He goes through the day as usual, full of energy and eager to learn something new from every match he plays. He's never had so much fun.
He has dinner with Kenma again because it's the last night. Nobody sits with them this time, probably because Kenma chose a corner. He was already there when Shouyou entered the dining hall, so he made a beeline towards his friend with his tray.
"Tomorrow's the last day then we're going straight back home. I wish we had more time. It's so fun playing with everyone," Shouyou laments to Kenma who hums as he chews his food.
Shouyou stares at him. Kenma always looks bored when they play. He wonders what would it take for Kenma to really get going. "Did you at least have some fun? You're always so loud when you play with Lev."
Kenma looks offended at that. Shouyou thinks it's funny. "He sucks so much he makes me more tired than usual every time. I hope he gets into shape soon or I will retire."
Shouyou snickers because he knows Kenma will never quit until they've had their much awaited rematch. He knows because Kenma told him.
Kenma finishes first. He takes his tray to be washed and sits back down. This is unusual. Usually, Kenma would go back to the Nekoma room to wind down for the day, tapping away at his phone or Switch playing some games. Shouyou takes this in stride, although deep down, he's happy, because it feels like Kenma wants to spend time with him.
When Shouyou finishes and his tray is washed, Kenma bumps their shoulders together and says in a low voice, "Let's go take a walk."
"Sure," Shouyou agrees easily.
They tread the stoned path in silence. Shouyou doesn't know what Kenma is thinking about. Maybe there's nothing to think about. The further they are from the dining hall and the building where the players are housed, the quieter it is. Kenma hasn't said anything, and Shouyou doesn't know what to say so he keeps quiet.
The path is leading them somewhere Shouyou has never been to. The cold breeze kisses his exposed arms and legs. He's only wearing a thin shirt and shorts. He didn't think he'd be out here tonight. He hugs himself to gather some warmth. Not a second later, a jacket is wrapped around his shoulder. Shouyou closes the red jacket around himself instinctively before he looks at Kenma. They've stopped walking.
The setter had been wearing his Nekoma jacket with a sweater underneath. Clearly, he's been prepared for this. Shouyou mutters a quiet thank you.
His heart is racing again.
Kenma smiles and resumes walking with his hands in his pocket, Shouyou at his heels. He feels a little shy.
"This week flew by really fast. I didn't answer your question back at the hall, but I did enjoy myself, a little."
Shouyou perks up. "I knew you would! You looked like you've been trying harder too."
Kenma turns to Shouyou, a smile tugging at his lips. "That's because when I watch you play, I feel like I should try harder. You looked like you're having so much fun."
A laugh bubbles up inside Shouyou's chest. "I do! I've never gone up against so many players before. And they're all strong too! Bokuto-san especially. I've learned so much from him. And Kuroo-san too. They're fun."
"They are, aren't they?"
It's a little too quiet, Shouyou notices, and dark. He doesn't know if he should tell Kenma he's feeling a little scared now. He's never been good with quiet and dark places. They make his mind go crazy with overactive imagination. A loud noise suddenly interrupts the quietness and Shouyou jumps.
"Kenma!" he calls desperately as he grabs the bottom of Kenma's sweater.
Kenma's eyes are locked on the hand on his sweater. Shouyou wants to let go but he's freaked out! "Kenma!" he calls again. He wants to go back! This is scary!
"I kicked a can, it's alright."
No, it's not! "Where are we going? It's dark." There's only moonlight illuminating their surroundings, Shouyou notices. He can hear the crickets too. Now he's really scared.
They are in a completely deserted area. There are tennis courts to their right and up right ahead is a small building. On their left is a bigger building. Shouyou doesn't know what they're doing here.
Kenma huffs. He sounds amused. Then he takes Shouyou's hand in his and drags him to the tennis courts. "I want to show you something. I've been here many times. You don't have to be scared."
Shouyou grips the hand in his own tighter.
Kenma brings them to the center of one of the courts. He lets go of Shouyou's hand to take off his sweater, revealing a long sleeved shirt. He bundles up the sweater into something long and lays it down. Then he asks Shouyou to lay down with him.
"What?" Shouyou asks, stupidly. Kenma lays down easily on one side of the bundled up sweater. Left with little choices, Shouyou slowly sits down and lays his head on the sweater.
Stars. So many of them.
"Sometimes, when our practice goes on for too long, I'll come here to look at the stars before going home. We don't have many opportunities to look at them here in the cities. When we were in Miyagi, I finally saw them for real for the first time. I've been looking for a place to stargaze since then. Luckily, I found this spot."
Shouyou couldn't say a word. He's been looking at the stars in his hometown since he was a child, but it has never felt as magical as this.
"It's pretty," he finally says.
Kenma shrugs. "You probably see them all the time back at home, though. I wanted to show you either way."
Something sits inside Shouyou's chest. It's heavy. His pinky is touching Kenma's hand.
Maybe...
He trails his pinky on that hand to find something. Finding a finger, he entwines them. It's Kenma's middle finger. Heart in his throat, he lets more of his fingers touch Kenma's hand. That hand shifts to fit theirs together. He hadn't noticed it before, but the hand in his is bigger than his own. Smoother. It's trembling.
"Shouyou," that voice calls his name again. It's as devastating as ever. Shouyou turns his head to meet Kenma's eyes. They're so close.
"Shouyou," Kenma calls again. Shouyou watches how his lips are shaped around his name. It makes his heart race faster.
"Kenma," he answers.
When Kenma leans in, Shouyou meets him.
The first touch is exhilarating. The second one feels exciting. They pull back. Shouyou has his eyes closed, heart beating so fast it feels like it's gonna jump out of his chest. He grips the hand in his own tighter.
Kenma caresses his face, calls, "Shouyou," and kisses him again.
Shouyou's knowledge of kissing comes from what he accidentally sees on TV, or the internet. They never said it'd feel this warm. They never said you wouldn't feel anything but the hand on you and the lips on yours. They never said there's so much to feel inside you.
"Open your eyes," Kenma says softly. He does. Even though he's scared of what he would find, he opens them. Hazel eyes meet golden ones.
Kenma smiles, his thumb caressing Shouyou's hand. "Thank you for trusting me," he says.
Shouyou feels like a supernova.
X
They stayed until it got too cold.
Kenma walks him to Karasuno's room, hand in hand the entire time. It's a miracle they didn't run into anyone. Kenma pecks him once in front of the door, flustering Shouyou so much he could only manage a small good night as the setter walks away.
He opens the door quietly. It's a good call because the light is out and everyone's in their futon already. Some of them are still on their phones, but most have fallen asleep. He makes his way to his own futon quietly.
He's only been sitting down for a second when a voice comes from his right. "Where were you?"
Shouyou manages to swallow his scream and turns to his right to meet Tsukishima's unnerving eyes. The other middle blocker lays down on his futon with his hands cushioning his big head. He's staring at Shouyou like he's accusing him of something.
"Why do you care?" Shouyou says grumpily as he looks away. Tsukishima's been weird since that day. He has no time to figure him out on top of everything that has been going between him and Kenma.
Kenma. Shouyou feels himself flushing again.
"You're wearing Nekoma's jacket." The observation was made in a stiff voice.
Shouyou looks down at himself and feels the blood rushing to his face. He's still wearing Kenma's jacket. He forgot to give to him because...because Kenma kissed him before he left.
AGH! KENMA!
He shrugs off the jacket and folds it carefully. Laying down, he says, "Kenma let me borrow it. Good night." There, that'll shut him up, hopefully.
"What were you two doing?"
Shouyou doesn't know why Tsukishima makes it his business to know what he's been up to, but this has to stop.
"Tsukishima, it's none of your business. Now good night."
Nothing comes after that. Shouyou falls asleep into a dream of lips on his and hands in his.
It's a sweet dream.
X
It's finally barbeque time. Shouyou has been waiting the whole day and he couldn't keep himself from bouncing in excitement. Lev and Inuoka flank him from both sides. You're too small, they said, so they will make sure he gets his share of meat. Shouyou is touched, even though he feels like he needs to be offended on principal.
As promised, he gets his share of meat. The three of them sit on the grass, enjoying the afternoon breeze and their food. Shouyou's eyes inevitably roam to find Kenma as he's chewing his last piece.
He finds the setter sitting on the steps, currently being goaded by Kuroo and Bokuto to eat. He snickers at the look on his face.
The whole day he felt like he could burst anytime. Kenma's presence was a beacon that kept calling to him in the gym. Kenma treated him the same (which means different from everyone else) and if he touched Shouyou more and his eyes were especially tender, well, he hopes nobody could tell. Because he wouldn't know how to explain.
He doesn't know what is it between them yet. He's leaving today and that's another can of worm he's not ready to face yet. He supposes they should talk before that.
His eyes drift to the lanky figure beside Kenma.
What a troublesome teammate. He still doesn't know what Tsukishima's deal is, but he hopes he'll get over it when they're back practicing in their own gym. He doesn't want the tension to bleed over and affect the team. Plus the questions that would arise. Ugh. Anything but that.
"Shouyou, are you done?"
It's Kenma, he stands over them with hands in his jacket pockets. Lev and Inuoka watch them with wide eyes. Shouyou tries to ignore that and rises to his feet with his paper plate and cup to be thrown away.
"Later, guys," he says to them. They both reply back weakly and watch Shouyou walk away with Kenma.
"Do you think...?
Inuoka swallows. "Maybe."
X
Kenma brought him to the cleaning supply closet, and Shouyou would have giggled at the cliche spot if Kenma wasn't on him the moment they closed the door.
Kenma's kisses are soft, Shouyou learns. His lips press gently like a butterfly. When Shouyou kisses back, it feels good. Really good.
"Shouyou." Kenma's voice is rough, but still soft in their inflection. Shouyou watches him as those hands come up to cup his face. Kenma's eyes are molten gold in the late afternoon sunlight that spills into the room. The voices of their friends sound distant. Shouyou doesn't know what to do with his hands. They've been tugging on Kenma's jacket since the first kiss. So he keeps them there.
"I like kissing," Shouyou confesses, a little shy, but it seems to please Kenma.
"Is it the kisses you like, or kisses with me?"
"With you," he answers without hesitation. He doesn't have anything to compare, but he's sure no kisses would make him feel the same way Kenma's do.
"I love kissing you."
"I love kissing you, too," Kenma says breathlessly. His eyes are the brightest Shouyou has ever seen. He looks so alive, it makes something clog up in his throat.
He kisses him, lets Kenma drown him in all that he is. He doesn't want to go home.
X
Shouyou returns to Miyagi with the memories of Kenma's eyes and the feel of his hands and lips on him. He doesn't think he can forget them ever, not in this life.