Hinata approached the door. And braced himself.

Who would be knocking now? What if it’s that girl he was supposed  to go on a date with? What if it’s one of Oikawa’s friends? What if it’s my mom –

Oh no. Is she already here?

Hinata scorned himself. No. He would be overjoyed to see his mother. It was just that –

Hinata felt sick at the thought… If something had happened to Oikawa… After all the setter had done for him… You should’ve gone with him. Well. Hinata had already decided. He was not leaving here until he knew Oikawa was OK. And if Oikawa didn’t come back – Hinata felt a vile  taste at the back of his throat – he would bring Oikawa back. He would go outside and find him.

‘Who is it?’ Hinata called cautiously.

‘I forgot my keys chibi-chan!’

Hinata flung open the door faster than the super quick attack. And there, before him, more wonderful than a dream, stood Oikawa, in trousers and a shirt, unharmed, smiling down on him.

‘Sorry that took longer than I -’

But Oikawa never got to finish his sentence. The spiker leapt and wrapped his arms and legs around Oikawa, making the setter stagger back and grab the door frame to steady himself. Hinata tucked his head over Oikawa’s shoulder and held on tightly.

One of Oikawa’s wrists had a carrier bag attached but with his free hand, he looped his forearm under Hinata, supporting that little body and entered into his home. He closed the door and, using the heels of each foot, pushed off his shoes. Oikawa carried the koala Hinata to the sofa, dumped the carrier bag on the floor and sat down with Hinata’s body still wrapped around him. Hinata breathed in and out deeply, steadily. Oikawa crossed his arms around the middle blocker’s waist and pulled Hinata in, even closer to him.

Again. Oikawa thought. Our bodies fit too perfectly together. 

This feels… too good.

Maybe that’s why I know… it won’t last…

Oikawa brought a hand up and laced it through Hinata’s wild mane. He couldn’t help it – he turned his head, buried his nose in Hinata’s hair and inhaled deeply. Oikawa could feel his own heart, that deceptive device, rupturing at the seams.

What are you doing? The more you drown yourself now the harder it will be to breathe afterwards.

But Reason threw up her hands as Oikawa placed his cheek against Hinata’s.

‘I’m sorry I worried you,’ Oikawa whispered. ‘I had to go to six  different stores because the shelves were empty. All candles were sold out. I ended up walking towards Kuzuoka and I found a little shop where I managed to buy you some katsu -’

Hinata couldn’t explain it. Oikawa’s kindness… was more powerful than his serves. It was like a drug, or the most delicious food Hinata had ever tasted, and now that he had had it, he would have to have more. Oikawa’s words, his actions, his body – right now, him whispering into Hinata’s ear so tenderly, holding him so carefully, apologising and explaining the mountainous effort again he had undergone for the sake of not just an underclassman… but a rival… it evoked emotions  so intense, so fiercely passionate in Hinata that he had to grip Oikawa’s shirt to stop himself from doing something crazy…

Oikawa breathed in Hinata’s scent again and it shot a spasm up the spiker’s spine. Hinata exhaled slowly. A kaleidoscope of emotions rattled through him so fast he could not keep track. 

But one thing now loomed on the forefront of his mind: their time together was coming to an end. Hinata could see their combined shadows on the wall, falling on Oikawa’s photo frames. The brighter the sunlight, the darker the shadow. As much healing Hinata felt in the embrace, in his dawning realisation, he felt twice as much pain.

No.

No you can’t think like this.

There has to be another way.

At the very least –

Yes.

Hinata closed his eyes. He wouldn’t be defeated by the impending doom of separation. They had gone through the earthquake together… They had survived… And this time was not to be sad about it but glad – yes – glad that they’d been brought together, that they had helped each other and transcended over such challenges. Every second less they spent together wasn’t meant to be in mourning of the future parting… but in celebration and gratefulness of their present union –

Hinata opened his eyes. And inhaled.

You only have today, if that… at any time your mom can arrive if  the roads from Natori open so you have to – you have to make the most of  it!

Hinata would’ve sprang back but to avoid risking hurting Oikawa, he let go, untangled himself and walked to the centre of the room. This place, in such a short space of time, already felt like a second home. He turned to the setter whose face had probably broken a thousand hearts, and watched the Grand King’s expression break, when Oikawa saw the tears brimming in Hinata’s eyes.

‘Oikawa-san.’

All of a sudden, Hinata threw himself into a bow, low and deep, his hands slid down his thighs, over his cut, stopping at the tops of his  knees.

‘Thank you! For looking after me!’

Tears fell onto the floor like tiny diamonds.

‘If you hadn’t carried me under the table, if you hadn’t brought me here, I don’t know where I’d be!’ Hinata stared at Oikawa’s feet. Slowly, he came back up, and looked directly into the eyes of a stunned Oikawa. ‘I’ve never been in an earthquake as bad as that, and with the roads blocked, the blackout, and my leg injured – I never would’ve been able to make it home. But you helped me, treated me, cleaned me, fed me… You gave me your bed and your clothes and you went out of your way to buy me food – and I – I just wanted to say that I’m grateful… And I’m – I’m sorry for how much I’ve inconvenienced you! I will make it up to you! I’m indebted to you, Oikawa-san!’

Hinata bowed again. This time, he heard a thud. He looked up and started – Oikawa had sunk to the floor on his knees. Hinata jerked back up in alarm – Oikawa’s lips were trembling, he was trying to stop his face from contorting and tears leaked out of the corner of his eyes. Hinata stared in dumbfounded disbelief –

‘You idiot,’ Oikawa breathed.

Hinata was confused but nothing prepared him for what happened next –

Oikawa placed his right hand then left on the floor so that his fingertips were touching, and then bowed low towards the middle blocker, his head almost touching his hands. To Hinata, he felt it as if he was on a mountain top watching the sunrise above a glorious natural landscape, and feeling the touch of those first-morning rays honouring him. But this – was even better. Hinata was used to a constant stream of insults and put-downs; he was used to feeling belittled. But now the scale had been created. On one side were the words that burned and on the other were the silent actions that moved you so deeply it left you speechless. Oikawa-san… respects me… Hinata had never received such an act of reverence. He stared in wonder as the prostrated Oikawa lifted his head, his left hand then his right, and placed them on his thighs. He was crying.

‘You’re too much, chibi-chan,’ Oikawa trembled and his voice shook.

The setter had managed to hold it together for most of Hinata’s monologue even after the bow but the apology for inconvenience –

Oikawa squeezed his eyes shut and released a quivering breath. 

‘Don’t you know... the reason I’m alive, that I can stand and walk and move, that I escaped the earthquake with nothing more than bloodied hands, that I can do all the things you thanked me for – is because you saved me. That chandelier would’ve crushed me and killed me or worse. Every moment I live of the rest of my life is because you gave it to me. I am the one indebted to you not the other way round. And I – I will  make it up to you. Ask me for anything and I will do it for you -’

Oikawa broke down. He clutched his stomach as he wept and felt the weight of his freedom, his gratitude, his salvaged life.

Slowly, Hinata approached Oikawa. Oikawa was still on his knees, his body bending forward as he sobbed. Hinata extended his hand and, like in the way so many times Oikawa had comforted him, cupped Oikawa’s cheek and brought the setter’s face up, making Oikawa look at him. 

How… Hinata wondered, is he even more beautiful when he’s like this?  

Those dark brown eyes shimmered with crystal tears. Gone was the magic of the upperclassman’s charisma, charm and confidence only to be replaced by an even stronger magic: the real Oikawa, in all his naked fragility, emotion-full not emotionless, a side that not many people saw but that Hinata got to.

Hinata stroked away the tears with his thumb, marvelling. He then stepped forward and embraced his senpai. The setter collapsed into him, wailing, and weakly clutched his t-shirt with plastered fingers, the top of Oikawa’s head nestling under Hinata’s chin.

Finally. Hinata thought. Finally I can do something for you.

Hinata wrapped his arms around Oikawa’s neck and cradled his adversary. He stroked the setter’s soft hair and felt a rainbow of emotions, from his own gratefulness and affection towards Oikawa right the way through to his beating heart of being able to hold and touch Oikawa like this, and feel his body so closely, so accessibly. He wasn’t sure how long they stayed that way, holding one another. All he was focused on was Oikawa. 

Gradually the setter calmed, the shaking eased, and his uneven breathing evened into deep steady breaths.

As Hinata hugged Oikawa, the crow knew –

I’ll never forget this.

‘Chibi-chan,’ Oikawa croaked. ‘You need to eat something otherwise your mom will think I’ve been keeping you like a prisoner feeding you only bread and water. Even if it is milk bread.’

I wish I was your prisoner.

Hinata felt an electric shock from his own involuntary thought.

‘Chibi-chan,’ Oikawa repeated, ‘you should eat.’ But then Oikawa encircled Hinata tighter in his arms, not letting him go.

Hinata smiled, his heart like a stampede of a hundred deers.

‘Whatever you wish, Grand King.’

Oikawa sighed dreamily into him. But his knees were starting to hurt. Not that pain ever stopped him from getting pleasure.

Oikawa momentarily broke away from Hinata and hoisted himself back onto the sofa. A second later he grabbed Hinata’s shirt and pulled the boy to him.

‘You can sit here with me,’ Oikawa propped Hinata between his legs and scooped up the carrier bag, handing a portion of katsu to Hinata. Oikawa then used some of the serviettes in the carrier bag to wipe his nose and his face and clean himself up.

When Hinata smelled the katsu curry he realised how hungry he was. The two of them ate in silence, Hinata resting his back against Oikawa. Oikawa noted how quickly Hinata wolfed down his food and kicked himself for not ordering more.

‘Are you still hungry?’ Oikawa asked him.

When Hinata hesitated responding, Oikawa took that as a yes.

‘Have the rest of my katsu -’ Oikawa offered.

‘No! I mean, no, thank you, Oikawa-san, I’m fine.’

‘Hmmm. We need to inspect your cut and change your bandage before the sun goes down.’

After they’d finished eating, Oikawa managed to tempt Hinata with seaweed and rice crackers, as Hinata sat on the kitchen island again and Oikawa changed his bandage. Hinata offered to refresh Oikawa’s bandages too but he declined. Oikawa had also gone to the bathroom and left the light switch on so that whenever the electricity was back they’d know but if they were asleep it wouldn’t disturb them.

As they ate snacks, Oikawa told Hinata in more detail about how surreal it was locally, with no people and no food like an apocalypse. For some reason, Oikawa noted, this crisis didn’t seem to faze Hinata at all. Before they realised it, the sun had begun to set and Oikawa tried not to feel inklings of panic knowing that he only had less than half of two candles left. 

Oikawa lit one of the candles with the lighter. Not long after 7pm, they entered into darkness.

On the side of the kitchen island that faced the living space were two high swivel stools that both of them sat on, the candle between  them.

‘Hey. It’s Saturday today isn’t it?’ Hinata said.

‘Yes it is.’

‘That means we have school on Monday…’

‘I guess. I don’t want to you to go running to practice, OK? You need to rest that leg of yours. In fact you should be lying it straight right now -’

‘Oikawa-san.’

Something in Hinata’s voice made Oikawa stop. He inspected the little crow, half of his countenance lit up by the dim candlelight, that flaming hair a top his head. Even so, Oikawa saw resolution in that winsome face. Hinata stared at Oikawa with such intensity it made the setter feel like he was under a desert sun.

‘Did you mean what you said earlier?’

Oikawa didn’t even have to ask what he was referring to.

‘Every word.’

‘Then I know how you can pay me back.’

‘Tell me.’

‘But it’s only if… if you’re OK with what I ask of you.’

I told him I’d do anything and he’s still being considerate? Oikawa surveyed the spiker. I  know what he’s like – he’d never ask me for something disreputable; he wouldn’t ask me to lose to Karasuno… If I’m OK with it? Wait a minute – Oikawa’s heart thumped in his chest – no. No. He wouldn’t ask for that or anything along those lines. Unfortunately.

‘Name your reward.’

Hinata held out a hand in front of him.

‘I want you to teach me how to serve.’

Oikawa stared at that hand.

‘Will you teach me?’ Hinata asked.

That hand that had saved him, bandaged him, helped him. 

Oikawa took it in his own.

‘Deal.’ He said.

Oikawa stared into those shiny copper eyes. Is this the end… or the beginning?

And then suddenly.

Hinata could see the hallway.

And Oikawa could see Hinata clearly. He turned –

The bathroom light was on.

Which meant –

Oikawa jumped up – Hinata had perfectly moved his foot out the way –  and flicked the kitchen light switch. Glorious light flooded the kitchen.

Oikawa breathed a sigh of relief. Tension he didn’t even know he was holding flooded out of him – the TV light was back on, the hob, the kettle, he’d be able to charge his phone, he’d be able to contact everyone and –

Hinata will be going home.

Oikawa clawed at his chest. He met Hianta’s eyes – they mirrored his own despair. We should call your mom. They had to be Oikawa’s next words. But he didn’t want them to be.

‘We should… check the news. Find out what’s been going on.’ Am I a monster?  ‘And we should call your mom. I’m sure she’s worried.’ Oikawa strode past Hinata and reached for the remote control but didn’t press a button.

Hinata hadn’t turned on his stool. So… Hinata thought. This is what it feels like. Someone had ripped his heart out of his chest and stamped all over it. He suddenly felt nauseous, like he did before a game. He would be going home. Great. It was great. It was really, really great… The spiker felt his eyes tingle but he fought with all his might; he swallowed, shut his eyes tightly and when he opened them again, he swivelled in his seat to face the TV.

‘Let’s see what the news is saying,’ Hinata felt like his own voice was spoken by someone else a million miles away.

Oikawa was a statue, poised tall, holding the remote control before a black screen, his back to Hinata.

‘Right,’ Oikawa’s voice was weak, he pressed the power button.

Of course it was all over the news. In fact every channel covered it. There was flooding and ground resonance in some areas. Oikawa watched the screen but nothing registered.

‘Hey that’s – that’s Natori!’ Hinata pointed at the screen.

Oikawa perked up at Hinata’s voice. Apparently there was a slight mud slide near the mountains and people had to abandon their cars which blocked the roads. The effects of the major unprecedented earthquake also ruptured several power cables which were being worked on to get the power up and running; it had affected some large areas throughout Miyagi.

Oikawa dragged his feet to the kitchen counter, plugged his phone into the charger, and switched it on. Hinata watched him. He looks as deflated as I feel… that can’t… be because of me… can it?

Oikawa had 100 unread messages on his phone. The voicemail symbol showed that it too was full.

After making sure his phone was actually charging, Oikawa pressed the call button for Hinata’s mother and put the phone on speaker –

It didn’t ring.

Oikawa stared at the screen. ‘Chibi-chan… is this your mother’s number?’ he disconnected his phone and showed the spiker.

‘Uh huh,’ Hinata squinted.

‘I think…’ Oikawa tried to call it again but it went straight to voicemail. ‘Her battery’s dead.’

The two of them looked at each other.

‘Which means,’ Oikawa did not bother fighting the curling of his lips.

More time, Hinata finished the sentence with his eyes.

‘I think there still may be a blackout in your area,’ Oikawa could not hide the delight in his voice. ‘So it looks like you’ll be here for a little longer.’

A blast of lightning shot through Hinata. He felt… happy about this but also… extremely nervous…

‘At least now I can offer you some ramen. I think I have a couple of eggs leftover too.’ Oikawa left his phone on vibrate and busied himself in the kitchen, finding whatever he could that would be palatable now with the aid of electricity.

The TV was still moving and talking but Hinata’s attention was drawn to Oikawa’s movements – wait a minute, he’s humming?! Oikawa hummed to himself and couldn’t help celebrating when he discovered a pack of dried squid at the back of his cupboard.

Hinata admired the stature of Oikawa: his erect back, slender arms, the curve of his shoulders, the flicks of his hair… An inexplicable tug yanked at Hinata’s body. To touch Oikawa… the desire burned deeper. It didn’t matter that Oikawa had already held him so much, that he’d slept on the setter, that they’d crossed some kind of barrier and Hinata knew now that if he hugged Oikawa, Oikawa would in return hug him back. No. In his core, it wasn’t enough, there was something else he longed for… but at the very least, Hinata knew he wanted to feel Oikawa’s body beside his again. It took everything within him not to run and hug Oikawa from behind while the setter was cooking for him.

About twenty minutes later, Oikawa served up two bowls of ramen with egg, seaweed and dried shrimp on the side. From one instinct to the next, Hinata’s fixation on Oikawa was disrupted by the smell and taste of food. He ate it all.

‘If I have a shower, could you bandage up my hands again after?’ Oikawa asked with a smile.

‘Of course,’ Hinata replied. You could ask me to shave all the hair off my head and I’d do it. ‘I’ll wash up!’

‘No no no no,’ Oikawa swatted Hinata’s hand away but the spiker was too quick –

He’d already dashed to the sink with both bowls.

‘What did I say about jumping around with an injured leg, huh?’

‘You wouldn’t be able to wash the bowls anyway because your hands are bandaged!’

‘I know but I’m about to have a shower anyway so -’ Oikawa joined Hinata at the sink just as the ginger reached out for the sponge – but Oikawa’s hand snapped out and grabbed his wrist.

Why? Hinata thought –

Why? Oikawa asked himself –

Why does a touch make me feel like this?

With Oikawa’s other hand, he curled his index finger and placed it below Hinata’s chin, before gently tipping it up, forcing Hinata to look at him. Oikawa was older than him, taller than him, stronger than him.  Hinata knew he was completely at Oikawa’s mercy.

‘Please.’ Oikawa coaxed. ‘Let me take care of you.’

Hinata thought he would melt at the setter’s words if he didn’t stay frozen: twenty centimetres above him, Oikawa’s gaze was more magnetic than a cobra’s. Suddenly Hinata had lost the ability to speak.

Oikawa yanked Hinata to himself and enveloped the middle blocker into a hug. Snug. Hinata was way too cuddly and snug.

‘Chibi-chan, you’re my guest,’ Oikawa said, playing with the spiker’s hair at the nape of his neck. ‘I won’t let you dent my hospitality to you by washing up.’

Every move by Oikawa reverberated through Hinata like a sonic wave. Every touch sparked sensations inside of him like furious live wires.

‘But I would appreciate you re-bandaging my hands.’

‘Uh huh,’ Hinata murmured against Oikawa.

Hinata’s brain had turned to fuzz. Oikawa could ask him to walk on his hands for the rest of the evening and he would’ve agreed.

‘So why don’t you prepare the bandages like a good little kohai and I’ll wash the dishes and take a shower, hmmm?’ Oikawa’s voice made Hinata feel like he’d landed on a bed of silk.

‘O – OK.’

Oikawa dipped his head and inhaled Hinata’s crown; it set the spiker’s veins on fire. And then suddenly –

Oikawa released him, and just like that, washed up. As Oikawa shook his wet hands over the sink, he glanced at Hinata, who stood there looking confused. He smirked.

‘You know winning is only winning if you get what you want. So then,’ Oikawa delicately placed his damp-bandaged hand at the base of Hinata’s neck and brought his face closer, ‘if you want to lose, then you’ve still won.’

Oikawa winked at Hinata before straightening up and heading to the wardrobe. ‘I’ll be done in like ten minutes!’

Hinata wasn’t sure what had just happened but all he recognised was the feeling: Oikawa had definitely beaten him at something.

Oikawa emerged from the bathroom in a fresh t-shirt and shorts, the bandages soaking wet, to find Hinata sitting on the floor watching the TV. At that exact moment, his phone started vibrating wildly.

‘Chibi-chan, my hands are still wet, could you see who it is?’

Hinata got up and went to the phone. His face lit up: surprise, delight then worry.

‘Who is it?’

‘It’s – my mother.’

Oikawa felt his heart sink like a stone. Ah. Of course. Hinata kept staring at the screen without answering. Several vibrations later, he answered.

‘Hi mom. Yeah, I’m good. I’m relieved too… Yeah he’s fine as well -’

Hinata turned and looked at Oikawa, standing there with fresh, wet hair, watching him with an anxious look on his face.

‘I’m grateful too,’ Hinata said pointedly, looking directly into Oikawa’s eyes. ‘We got our electricity over an hour ago… Uh huh… Yeah I can imagine… My leg is fine, Oikawa bandaged it… Tonight? Can you pick me up in the morning instead?’

Oikawa watched Hinata speak, the spiker’s eyes on the setter’s but Hinata’s words to his mother.

‘First thing tomorrow… An inconvenience?’

Oikawa was over there like a shot.

‘It’s not an inconvenience at all, Mrs Hinata,’ Oikawa said into his phone. ‘Also wouldn’t it be safer for you to drive in daylight? I kinda already bought provisions and prepared for Hinata to stay over another evening.’

It was set. After the mother hen had assured her baby chick was OK from both Hinata and Oikawa, she agreed to arrive in the morning.

Oikawa and Hinata stared at each other.

This would be their last night together.

A full stop. The last set. Twenty five points. There was finality but there was also relief in knowing that finality. Finally, they had a deadline. The time of uncertainty had ceased – the earthquake, the blackout – and now things were certain again. Tomorrow morning. This would end.

Hinata practically flew to the freshly dishevelled Oikawa, grabbed his wrist, and yanked him towards the sofa, pulling him down onto the floor, making sure he lent his back on the base of the couch, before Hinata sat behind and above him, whipping the towel from around his shoulders.

‘Chibi-chan what the -’

‘Grand King – would you let me dry your hair?’

It took a moment for Oikawa to register the request. He tilted his head back so that he saw Hinata’s face upside down.

‘The sun is always warm whichever way it falls on you.’

Hinata blinked. ‘Huh?’

Oikawa chuckled as he closed his eyes and sighed happily. ‘Yes. You can dry my hair.’

‘Do you have a comb?’

‘It’s on the dresser in the wardrobe but -’ Oikawa gave up. Like a frog, Hinata had already sprung over, snatched the comb and returned. ‘You really need to rest your leg,’ Oikawa muttered. ‘I won’t be handing you back to your mother like a bad-legged baby kangeroo.’

Hinata laughed. Oikawa opened his eyes as the spiker started massaging his head with the towel.

‘Hinata.’

The crow couldn’t help but stop at the sound of his name on the cobra’s lips. It still thrilled him.

‘Your laugh…’ Oikawa inched his head back even more to make sure it met the little Karasuno’s eyes, ‘is delightful. That’s the first time I’ve heard it.’

Hinata crumpled into a blush. ‘T-thank you.’ He clumsily dropped the comb and picked it back up.

Oikawa smiled, closed his eyes and straightened his neck. 

Hinata gently dried Oikawa’s hair, ruffling it and combing it carefully. He teased out the water from the ends, and massaged the rest of the upperclassman’s crown with a towel. Hinata savoured the moments. He stroked Oikawa’s mauve-brown hair, rubbed the ends between his fingertips just to feel them and remember them. He ran his hands through the setter’s locks, a privilege he knew not many had.

This is so nice and I… can’t let myself get used to this, Oikawa thought to himself.

When Hinata had quenched his thirst of touching Oikawa’s hair, he tugged Oikawa’s t-shirt.

‘Sit up here, I’m going to re-bandage your hands.’

Oikawa moved to the sofa and Hinata retrieved the first aid kit, and brought some more tissue to dry the captain’s hands.

‘Shall I redo the band aids too?’ Hinata asked, sitting down; he purposely put the first aid kit behind him, to allow as much closeness with the setter’s hands as he needed.

Oikawa knew the band aids on his fingers were waterproof but –

‘That would be great,’ he replied.

This would be the last time he’d get to watch Hinata tend to him so tenderly.

And Oikawa wasn’t disappointed. Just as delicately as before, Hinata removed the tape and soggy bandages, he peeled away each band aid as if each cut was deeper than it was, he dried Oikawa’s hands as if he had created them. Now, with the lights on, Oikawa drank in every movement, expression, on the spiker’s face, unaware that he was falling deeper and deeper.

Hinata’s heart swelled from the opportunity of doing something beneficial for his guardian; sitting so close, touching his fingers made his heart beat through him like a taiko drum. From the exposure of the light, Hinata easily saw out of the corner of his eyes, Oikawa watching his every move, studying his face. This time it didn’t make Hinata shake but it made him curious.

He glanced at Oikawa once, while he was finishing up the bandage on his second hand and moving onto the band aids for the setter’s fingers. Locking eyes with Oikawa at such a short space – Hinata felt his stomach plummet fifty floors down. Oikawa was staring at him so intensely.

‘Oikawa-san?’ Hinata said, two band aids short of achieving his task.

‘Hinata.’

Hinata brought Oikawa’s hand down, resting it on his own hands, on the sofa.

‘Why are you staring at me like that?’

Oikawa’s eyebrows shot up. Hinata’s frankness took him aback but also – he loved it. It was free from the bullshit pretentiousness of his peers, the games he himself would play – it was communication at its purest form – just straight up unavoidable directness.

‘Because -’

You’re beautiful.

You’re adorable.

No one else has ever cared for me this way.

‘I’m grateful,’ Oikawa said, earnest.

Hinata smiled and it warmed Oikawa’s soul.

‘Me too,’ the little spiker replied, his eyes twinkling.

Oikawa lifted one of Hinata’s hands and brought it to his lips. He closed his eyes, and kissed each of Hinata’s fingertips. When he opened his eyes again, the stars in Hinata’s eyes had turned into fire. This time, Hinata didn’t blush or look away. 

Oikawa felt his heart thunder in him. Without letting go of the crow’s claw, Oikawa suddenly swooped in and kissed Hinata on the side of his neck. Oikawa heard a gasp escape Hinata’s lips and felt the spiker’s whole body tense up. Oikawa withdrew. And smirked. Hinata’s cheeks were pink, his eyes were wide, and he was inhaling and exhaling audibly through his nose, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Oikawa tenderly placed his bandaged hand atop that wild hair. He lent in closer to Hinata’s face and saw those pretty lips part and release a shaky breath. Oikawa’s hand moved down to the other side of Hinata’s neck.

‘Was that OK?’ he whispered, his face inches away from Hinata’s, his eyes so alluring Hinata couldn’t look away. Oikawa had still not let go of his hand.

Hinata pursed his lips and slightly nodded, unable to speak.

Oikawa moved in closer and planted a kiss on Hinata’s cheek, just under his cheekbone. Hinata felt like his entire being was a coke bottle and Oikawa’s kiss was a piece of mentos that had dropped inside it. His heart was about to explode and he was trembling so much he could hardly contain himself.

‘Was that OK?’ Oikawa whispered, quieter still, closer now.

Hinata swallowed and was barely able to nod.

The hand on Hinata’s neck curled into a finger just under the spiker’s chin. Oikawa’s nose was almost touching Hinata’s.

Oikawa tilted his head.

And closed his eyes –