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There was an unspoken tension between the two boys. The more time they spent together, the more their stares lingered too long, neither one having the courage to look away first.
Kageyama could feel the hesitation in Hinata’s voice. Each time he spoke, it seemed as if he choked on his words. His tone gave off more than he realized, but not once did Kageyama try to question him. It was only until Hinata approached him one day after practice that the darker haired boy’s question was answered- even if it was something he couldn’t understand at first.
The setter was more observant than he appeared to be. He was attentive, especially when it came to the short boy. He didn’t miss how easily Hinata would slip out before and after practice, never changing in the locker room with anyone else. He didn’t miss the small patches Hinata changed every few days before they began their warm ups. Kageyama had only seen people wear such things to help with a smoking addiction- but he couldn’t peg Hinata as a smoker. Not at this age. These were all little things others might have missed, or didn't care to pay attention to.
It had been a long practice for them both. You could tell the pair was ready to collapse or fall face flat on the floor from sheer exhaustion. But when Hinata had asked Kageyama if they could talk, his eyebrows furrowed and his tone serious, Tobio could no longer feel the ache in his muscles.
“So, um.. What did you need to talk about?” he asked, unable to meet his eyes.
Hinata fidgeted with his hands. “Well, I actually wanted to tell you something about me. Something personal.”
“Oh. What is it?” Kageyama sucked a breath of air in. He knew he and Hinata were close. Close enough to where they could trust each other with things like this. But it didn’t stop his pulse from racing and his heart fluttering from Hinata trusting him with something important.
“It’s kind of complicated. I’m sure you’ve noticed things here and there that might have pointed to it. But either way, I trust you and I’m ready to tell you. I’m- I’m trans.” His voice was shaky. He couldn’t bear to look up and see the other boy’s reaction. Deep down, he knew Kageyama was an understanding person, but he didn’t know where exactly he stood on these types of things. For Hinata, this was just about the scariest thing he’s ever done- besides coming out to his family.
“Don’t hate me or anything, but- I don’t exactly know what that means?” Kageyama’s face was tinted a soft pink, his eyes looking down at Hinata. From the way Hinata’s eyes, still downcast widened slightly before returning to normal, that was not the response he was expecting.
“Well, it means that I was assigned female at birth. But- I’m male. I’m a boy. You could say that my body doesn’t match what my head is, kind of,” He lifted up the sleeve of his shirt, pointing to the patch, “these are hormones. It’s testosterone. That’s why I wear them.”
“I think I get it. So.. basically, you were just born in the wrong body right?” Kageyama asked, hoping that the question didn’t sound offensive.
“To put in simpler terms, yeah.”
“Oh. I’m grateful that you told me, thank you.”
“That’s it?” Hinata looked confused. He was waiting for the insults or names that he was used to being called each time he trusted the wrong person. He knew Kageyama wasn't that type of person, but that did nothing to quell the pit of anxiety that had formed from imagining the worst case scenario over and over again.
“I don’t think there’s anything else to say? It doesn’t change anything, you’re still you, you’re still a boy. Unless.. I’m missing something?” He could feel the burning sensation in his face worsening as he told Hinata what he felt had to be obvious- that he was no different than anyone else on the team.
“You mean it?” Hinata finally looked up at Kageyama. His eyes were glossy and his voice was almost a whisper.
“What? Of course I do. That doesn’t make you any less of a boy than anyone else, okay? Come here.” He extended his arms and the shorter boy gladly buried himself into Kageyama’s embrace, thankful that he supported him. Tears slipped out, leaving a wet patch on Tobio’s t-shirt.
“Thank you, Kageyama.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. I did what any decent human being should do. And if anyone tries to give you shit for it, tell me. I’ll break their legs.” His fingers grasped the hem of his shirt a little more tightly.
The older boy chuckled, grateful to have someone supportive like Kageyama by his side.
“Besides, it would be weird for me not to accept you. Since I’m gay. It wouldn’t make sense for someone who is gay to be transphobic.” Kageyama ran his fingers through the others' hair absentmindedly, stilling immediately afterwards.
“Wait- Seriously?” He looked up at Kageyama, eyes wide. He didn't know what to latch onto first, Kageyama coming out to him, or the way his warm fingers felt so nice against his skull.
“Yeah, seriously.” He replied, as if it was nothing new or shocking.
“I- Well- I mean… me too.”
Tobio released Shoyo from his hold, and suppressed a laugh. This was not how he expected this conversation to turn out.
Both of them were happy, cheeks tinted a little pink from embarrassment.
a week later
Kageyama shoved the box into his bag hurriedly as he made his way towards the gym. Ever since the day Hinata came out to him, he’d been researching to find out more about what sort of things Hinata may need in order to be safe while at practice.
That’s when he found his way to a website, made specially for trans people who play sports. He got the idea from an article that was titled “Things every trans male athlete should have!” and went from there.
He only hoped Hinata wouldn’t be weirded out or offended by the gift.
When he opened the gym doors, he breathed out heavily once he noticed that Shoyo was the only one there in the locker rooms.
Thinking that this was the perfect time, he approached him with only slight reluctance.
“Hey, I- I uh... got something for you.”
Startled, Hinata dropped his shorts and looked up to meet Tobio’s eyes. He held a cardboard envelope with both of his hands extended towards Hinata, a soft blush on his face.
“Really? Kageyama!" He wasted no time in closing the distance between them, “thank you! Should I open it n-?” He took notice that the package itself wasn’t wrapped, but merely had a shipping label with an address he recognized as Kageyama’s. But his thoughts came to a halt as he came close enough to read it, and realized the label had the company’s name on it.
Hinata, of course, knew this company. He had been on their website several times hoping he could save enough money from the random jobs he takes here and there, to buy a specific item he’s had his eyes on for months now.
“Kageyama… there’s- there’s no way.”
“Oh my god,” Kageyama’s face twisted into something crossed with mortification and dejection, “I’m so sorry! It’s weird isn’t it? Am I offending you? Did I cross a line?” Kageyama cursed at himself, lowering the package from where he held it out in offering.
But just as he was about to continue with his apology and try to explain himself, Hinata spoke again.
“What! No, I’m just… If this is what I think it is I might cry!” With tears already brimming at his eyes, took the box and opened the package slowly to reveal it. Kageyama had gotten him the thing he had been saving up to buy for so long.
“I uh.. I read somewhere online that this is really useful for people who play sports. It’s supposed to be more comfortable than regular binders, and much safer. I figured that even if you had one already it needed to be replaced. Or if not you could uh, you know, save it and use it for when the one you have does need to..uh anyways, I hope you accept it.” He finished with a small tilt of his head, more out of embarrassment than formality.
“Kageyama, I love it. Thank you so much, thank you! This feels better than when I got my first binder!” Hinata put his arms around the other and buried his head in Tobio’s chest, tears streaming down his face.
“I can’t believe you actually did research on binders and went through all that trouble for me.”
Kageyama hugged the smaller boy back, relieved by his reaction.
“Of course I would. I just wanted you to know that I’ll always have your back. I’d do anything for you.”
Five seconds later, the doors to the gym opened. Assuming they only had about thirty seconds before the person would arrive in the locker rooms, Hinata quickly let go of Tobio at the same time Kageyama released his hold on him and quickly ran his hands over his uniform, Hinata making quick of shoving the sports binder into his bag.
“Thank you again Kageyama. You really are the best.”
Daring, Tobio took a step towards Hinata, brushing away that hair that covered his forehead, before leaving a gentle kiss.
“As long as you’re with me, I am.”