Chapter 4: The Walk Home

The air in the locker room felt like it was on fire. Their noses were touching, their breaths were mixing together, and for a second, Hinata swore their lips were just millimeters away from meeting.

Kageyama’s eyes were half-lidded, dark and intense, and Hinata couldn't move even if he wanted to. His brain had completely short-circuited. Is this happening? Is he actually going to kiss me?

But just as Kageyama started to lean in further...

Drip.

A single drop of water fell from the showerhead, hitting the floor with a loud plink.

It was like a bucket of ice water.

Kageyama’s eyes snapped wide open. Reality crashed back into him. He suddenly realized what he was doing, who he was holding, and how naked they both were.

“ACK—!”

He shoved Hinata away so hard that the smaller boy stumbled back and nearly fell again.

“W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Kageyama shouted, his face turning the brightest shade of red imaginable. He turned his back violently, grabbing his clothes and covering himself up. “H-Hurry up and get dressed! Idiot! Clumsy! Boke!”

“E-EH?! YOU WERE THE ONE HOLDING ME!” Hinata screamed, his own face burning so hot he thought he might melt. He scrambled to put his uniform on as fast as possible, his hands shaking so much he almost put his shirt on backwards.

The rest of the time was spent in absolute awkward silence. They avoided looking at each other at all costs. Kageyama pulled his jersey on so fast it looked like he was being chased, and Hinata just wanted to dig a hole and die.

He was so close... Hinata thought, touching his own lips. What was that?!

“Let’s go.” Kageyama mumbled, already walking towards the exit, his head down and his ears still pink.

They stepped out of the school building. The evening air was cool and refreshing, a huge contrast to the steam room they just left. The sky was turning purple and orange, and the streets were quiet.

They started walking. Side by side. But there was a huge, obvious gap between them.

Neither of them said a word for the first five minutes. It was torture. The silence was so loud Hinata could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

“So...” Hinata finally squeaked, kicking a small stone on the road. “Uh... practice was... good today?”

Kageyama stiffened. “Don’t talk about volleyball right now.”

“O-Oh... okay...”

They walked a little further. Hinata glanced sideways secretly. Kageyama was looking straight ahead, his jaw tight, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets. He looked angry, but Hinata knew better. He looked... nervous.

“Hey, Tobio...” Hinata whispered.

“What?”

“Earlier... in there...” Hinata started, his voice getting smaller. “Were you... were you gonna...”

Kageyama stopped walking.

Hinata stopped too. They were standing under a streetlamp, the yellow light shining down on them.

Slowly, Kageyama turned around. He didn't look angry anymore. He looked... soft. And serious.

He took a step closer. Then another. Until there was no gap between them anymore.

“I didn’t finish what I started back there.” Kageyama said, his voice low and steady. He reached out slowly, hesitantly, and gently took hold of Hinata’s hand.

His hand was warm. A little sweaty. But he held on tight.

Hinata’s eyes went huge. His breath hitched. “T-Tobio...?”

Kageyama looked him straight in the eye, his blue eyes shining in the dark.

“Meet me here tomorrow. After practice. And this time...”

He squeezed Hinata’s hand.

“Don’t run away.”

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