Work Text:
Singe
/sinj/
verb
burn (something) superficially or lightly.
"the fire had singed his eyebrows"
+++
“Kageyamaaaa…” Hinata groans, sprawled across Kageyama’s bed. “I’m bored!”
They had been working on homework together, but Hinata had finished a few minutes earlier. Kageyama grunts, shifting slightly so his shoulder is pressed against the other boy’s leg.
“C’mon!” Hinata flips his body around, now looming over his friend’s shoulder. Kageyama’s face heats up slightly, but the embarrassment is quickly replaced with annoyance. “You’re basically done – set for me!” He’s as excited as always, and Kageyama wants to give in, but the sun had set an hour ago, and his neighbors lights were out.
“It’s too late for that, dumbass. We’d wake everyone up!” He says, finally looking up from his work. He pushes it aside, decided Hinata is right about one thing; he’s had enough for one day.
Hinata drops his head forward, rolling over so that everything looks upside down. He looks over at Kageyama.
“There’s gotta be something we can do! Do you have any games?”
Kageyama pauses, having to consider the question for a moment. It surprises Hinata – he thought that’d be an easy question. Doesn’t everyone have board games or something? He gasped slightly, his eyes widening.
“Do you not ha-”
“Of course I do, runt!” Kageyama snaps, already standing up. “They’re downstairs.” He pushes on Hinata’s leg, causing the boy to slip off the bed. He barely manages to put his arms out before he hits the ground, narrowly avoiding a bump to the head. The other boy grins, ignoring Hinata’s angry yells.
“Asshole!”
There’s a small cabinet in Kageyama’s house filled with various games. Some of them look familiar, but most of them look pretty boring. Kageyama seems to agree, having nothing to say when Hinata asks what they should play. Suddenly, something else catches his eye, tucking in the corner of the cabinet.
“Are those sparklers?” He asks, already reaching for the box. Kageyama raises his eyebrows, peering over Hinata’s shoulder.
“Are they?”
“Yeah! Can we go outside and use these? They’re quiet!” Hinata’s eyes light up as he excitedly turns to show the box to his friend more clearly. Kageyama isn’t particularly fond of sparklers, but he doesn’t hate them either. He’s about to protest on principle, but the look on Hinata’s face causes him to look away, his face once again warm.
“I’ll go get a lighter.” He mutters.
The night air is cold, but the sky is clear and the stars are bright. It’s a nice night – not filled with the kind of darkness that keeps you ready to run back into your house at any given moment. The grass is slightly damp, and Kageyama drags Hinata back inside so they can put on shoes.
“We’re only gonna be out there for a few minutes…”
“I’m not walking around with wet socks.”
Once they’re back outside, Kageyama fishes around in his pocket for the lighter he had taken from his kitchen. Hinata bounces on the balls of his feet, never able to fully stand still for too long. He holds out his sparkler expectantly, and after a few tries, Kageyama gets the lighter to work.
The spark illuminates both their faces in a warm glow, and Hinata stares at the fire, mesmerized. Kageyama lights his own, holding it away from his body for fear of getting burned.
Hinata runs around, making different shapes with the light. Kageyama snaps a few pictures, though the other boy was moving too fast for them to be any good.
“Hey, Kageyama, hold your sparkler out!” Hinata says after Kageyama lights a third one for the boy. He tilts his head slightly.
“Why? It isn’t lit yet.”
“I know that, that’s what I’m trying to do!”
“That’s what the lighter is for, dumbass.”
“It’s more fun this way, stupid!” He grabs Kageyama’s hand, holding their sparklers together, “Also, the spark is bigger.”
The light is bright, and yet that’s not what catched Hinata’s attention. Instead, he stares at the boy in front of him, who is illuminated by the moon from above, with the sparklers adding a warm glow to his features.
Kageyama stands there awkwardly, feeling warm from the sudden attention.
“Wh-what are you staring at..? Dumbass…” He sputters, too flustered to even look away.
“You look really ni–” Hinata is cut off by a yelp, and he grips his hand. The sparkler had gotten too low down while he was paying attention and it burned him. It fell to the ground, its embers fading in the grass.
“Idiot! You–”
“Fire!” Hinata yells, jumping away from where a small flame had formed. Kageyama lets out a small yelp, but stays still, his mind lagging behind. He suddenly snaps back to the present, quickly moving to stomp out the small fire. It isn’t difficult – the flames had barely spread.
The grass is lightly singed, and Hinata slowly reaches down to pick up the offending sparkler.
“Sorry…” He says, looking up at Kageyama. He grabs the boy’s head, gripping his messy hair.
“Pay attention next time, dumbass!” He yells, trying to ignore the reason Hinata had been so distracted.
“Could you at least be more creative with your insults!?” Hinata swats at his arm, and they go on like that for a minute more before realizing they’re making far too much noise.
It’s quiet inside, the only sound being the light buzzing of electricity. They step through the door, shedding their coats and shoes as they enter the warm home. Kageyama’s parents aren’t home – something that has been consistent every time Hinata comes over. He hasn’t about it yet, unsure of how to bring it up.
“Is your hand okay?” Kageyama asks, grabbing Hinata’s hand without warning to inspect it for injury. It was a little red where the sparks had hit him, but otherwise fine. “Run it under cold water.” He says, pointing in the direction of the kitchen.
“I’m fine!” Hinata complains, though he does not pull his hand away. Kageyama subconsciously rubs his thumb over the irritated skin, light enough that it doesn’t hurt. “It’ll be gone by the morning, Worryama.”
“If it makes the quick set worse, I’m not setting for you!”
Hinata groans, but the sound turns into a yawn, and they both realize how late it is. They head back up to Kageyama’s room, and neither boy pulls their hand away. Kageyama doesn’t comment on it, so Hinata doesn’t either.
Hinata settles into the futon Kageyama had gotten out for him, set up next to his bed. It’s pretty comfortable, and he’s used it a few times. The lights are off, and exhaustion has settled in. It’s almost silent, and the only thing that can be heard is their quiet breathing.
“You looked nice,” Hinata mumbles, breaking the almost silence. Kageyama freezes, unsure if he’s hearing the boy correctly, “That’s what I was trying to say earlier.”
He doesn’t reply for a few moments, and Hinata is about to pretend to fall asleep when he finally does.
“You’re nice to look at too.” Is all he says. He shifts around in his bed a few times – something that is uncommon for him. Usually he’s pretty still. “...Is.. is it uncomfortable?” He asks, referring to the futon. It isn’t, they both know it isn’t. But Hinata understands the real question.
“Yeah.” He replies, a feeling of anticipation buzzing beneath his skin.
“You could…” Kageyama hesitates, wondering if he should really ask, “...You could come up here. If it’s uncomfortable.”
Hinata only waits a moment, and then he’s climbing under the covers. The bed isn’t particularly big, but it’s fine. He tentatively presses himself against Kageyama’s chest, only settling in once he’s sure the boy has no issue with it.
“Good night.”
“Sleep well, Kageyama.”