Chapter 12.

...The moon only shines because of the light that comes from the sun....

...■■■...

Kei's university had a joint training with MSBY. It was a hot day, no less. It made Tsukishima sick.

Hinata wasn't at his best that day. He was so out of it. Inevitably, it made Kei worried.

Shoyo was zoning out, more frequently than the usual. He was lagging behind laps instead of being the one who leads. It looked like as if he was worried about a test or something.

Atsumu was absent that day and no one was able to ask Hinata about it. Nevertheless, everyone was worried about the boy. He would always reflexively avoid other's touch, like as if he was disgusted of everyone's hand. For a moment, Tsukishima thought it was weird.

Later that day, Hinata came to Tsukishima and asked him to have coffee with him. Kei had plans on the afternoon but he secretly cancelled it just to talk with Shoyo. For the first time, Kei actually thinks that Hinata was more important at that time.

That was when Hinata cried.

And for another first time, Kei did not care how they looked to other people.

Shoyo had told Kei everything, and he was the first to know.

Is it selfish of me to have thought that I was special?

And that I wanted to be the only one who knew? And that I wanted to be the only person he goes to when he wants or needs someone?

I thought I could make him feel better. I thought I could stop him from doing this.

If I pushed Shoyo to get therapy, would he be here with me now?

Tsukishima sighed as he let his eyes get heavy.

...■■■...

“What are you doing, Tsukki?!” Tsukishima heard, he groaned and threw his head back on the mattress. He sat on the floor, using his phone while Hinata was at the other side, stretching because he was going out for a run. “Join me…!”

“Don't wanna.” Tsukishima brings his phone up and continues typing away, “And will you,” Tsukishima glances towards Hinata’s way, “Wear something warmer? It’s getting cold, and you can't catch a cold now.”

“Oh wow. Is Tsukki concerned?” Hinata prolonged in a light and fun voice, “I didn't bring a coat with me.”

Tsukishima huffs and puts his phone down, getting up and walking to his closet to get Hinata a warm and thick sports jacket. “Not that I'm concerned. Its just that your team’s playing soon, right? You can't bring them down along with you when you have a cold.”

“Whatever, whatever, just say you're concerned. It’s not like I'm going to make fun of you.” Hinata sighed and sat down on the bed, watching his friend choose from his many varieties of thick clothing.

“What was that just now, then?” Tsukishima muttered and rolled his eyes, finally picking a fairly new hoodie. He throws it towards Hinata’s face and sits down beside him. Hinata whispers a thanks and puts the large hoodie on. “I'm not going to run with you because I'm waiting for something, so do your laps safely.”

“Right, okay.” Hinata manages as he pulls the collar down and fixes the hem. “It’s not like I'm going to trip and fall. Don't worry.”

“Considering how clumsy you are most of the times? I would be surprised if you came back with no wound.” Tsukishima gets his phone, “Go. Before it gets any colder.”

“Okay, Mommy.” Hinata smiles and stands up, ruffling Tsukishima’s hair. “I'm going to be back in a bit.”

“How long? I’ll wait for you outside.” Tsukishima gets up as well so that Hinata would stop messing with his hair.

“No need!” Hinata beamed and turned on the ball of his foot, “Like you said, it’s cold. You don't have to.”

The two walk to the front door and Tsukishima opens it after Hinata puts his running shoes on. Hinata gets out the door and waves at Tsukishima before going out the gate.

“Don't tire yourself too much, I'm not letting you crash.” He lies, and to this Hinata just scoffs. Shoyo starts to jog and soon, he’s out of sight.

Tsukishima closes the door because the cold early night air blows on his face, he shivers and heads back to his room.

He lazily lies down and turns his phone on, he’s waiting for an email from his university. He asked if he could have time off.

One reason why is volleyball, the second is Hinata. He wants to watch and take care of Hinata more.

Because of the request, he had to do a lot of things in advance, which explains why Hinata wants to visit as much as he can because Tsukishima’s been too busy and Shoyo thinks that the blonde hasn't been taking care of himself.

Tsukishima isn't aware of this, but hearing Hinata scold him for skipping meals and not sleeping at the right time was kind of nice.

At least he knew that it wasn't one sided.

Prone on the bed, Tsukishima leans his chin over a few pillows that were stacked up together. His eyes stayed on the screen of his mobile phone, finger continuously swiping down to refresh his inbox. He’s supposed to get the reply today. He would have joined Hinata in his run and just checked if he got the email or not, but he wanted to somehow surprise the boy with something.

He didn't know what, but he was sure Hinata would be happy to hear that he took a break from college.

Because to Hinata, no college means more volleyball. And more volleyball means more practice. More practice means, well, more time with Tsukishima.

Of course everyone’s noticed this (everyone who knows the incident), Hinata’s become sensitive. Sensitive of the people around him, the company.

His mood changes a lot. He doesn't want a lot of people around, then suddenly wants a lot of people around. He’s most scared of being alone lately.

Tsukishima was the first to realize it and that's why he’s doing this. Taking a break from college, to be with Hinata more often. So that he could be on the set of choices for Shoyo to pick from when he wants to be with someone or do something.

He swipes down for the last time and finally gets the email from his school. It said yes, so Tsukishima punched the air in celebration. (It looked awkward but Kei doesn't care.)

He gets up and gets clothes from his closet to give Hinata after his shower. He makes sure that the clothes he picked out were warm and weren't too big before putting them down on the table in the bathroom along with a fluffy towel.

He checks the clock and it’s about time Hinata comes back. Kei grabbed a coat and puts it on, then grabs a hand towel to give Hinata when he comes back.

He walks to the front door and goes out, waiting for Hinata by the porch.

He was right, it was colder now. He breathed out and a puff of cold smoke came out. He wonders if the hoodie he gave Hinata was enough, it probably was, since he’s running and all.

He waits a few minutes until Shoyo comes. The boy's eyes meet the blonde’s and he stops, but jogs in place as he opens the gate.

“I told you not to wait!” Hinata says, getting and going to Tsukishima. “It’s so cold!”

Warm smoke comes from even warmer throats. Hinata stands there, catching his breath, waiting for Tsukishima to reply.

“I don't really mind waiting.” Tsukishima says calmly and gives Hinata the towel, “Here. Wipe the sweat off your face.”

Hinata takes it and smiles, “Thanks, Mom.”

“Stop that Mom thing or else I'll tape your mouth. Get in.” Tsukishima turns around to open the door and walks in with Hinata. Hinata sits down first, gets his shoes off, then lies down on the wooden floor without a care. “Ew. The floor’s dirty.” Tsukishima cringes and takes Hinata’s hands to pull him up.

“I don't care.” Hinata manages between breaths, “I'm going to take a bath anyway.” He doesn't budge, putting his weight on his back while Tsukishima tries to get him up. “If you want me off the floor, you’re gonna have to carry me to the bathroom.”

“No way, you're still sweaty.” Tsukishima doesn't let go of Hinata’s hand, he pulls on it without much strength. “I'm getting water.”

Kei leaves the front door to go to the kitchen. Shoyo thanks him and closes his eyes.

Tsukishima comes back with a bottle of water for Shoyo and he sees that he's resting with eyes closed and hands on the chest.

Kei kneels down, placing the cold bottle on Hinata’s forehead. The boy doesn't move, he just hums.

“Feels nice.”

Hinata sat up, accepting the water and taking a sip. After drinking, he lies back down. The two of them stay there for a while, then, out of nowhere, Tsukishima stands, pulls Hinata’s hand without much effort at all but ends up lifting the boy and carrying them over his shoulder.

“Hey! Put me down!” Hinata shouts, hitting Tsukishima’s back as the boy starts walking to the bathroom.

“Go shower because I want to sleep soon.” He opens the door to the bathroom and puts Hinata down.

“Oh, right. You have classes tomorrow.” Hinata frowns (more like a pout), now on his feet.

“I left fresh clothes there, go now.” Tsukishima then closes the door. He goes back to his room to lie down while waiting for Hinata. But in the process of it, he inevitably falls asleep.

He was woken up by the feeling of the space beside him sink, then he smells the fragrance of the soap that Sugawara had given him.

He briefly opens his eyes to see Hinata lying next to him, facing him with closed eyes and wet hair.

“Hey. Dry your d*mn hair.” Tsukishima’s fingers sneak to Shoyo's wet hair. “You’ll get sick.”

“And you’ll have to take care of me, which is something I don't really mind.” Hinata answers him, his slightly deep voice matching Tsukishima’s groggy one. “Go back to sleep, you have classes in the morning right?”

“Nah… I'm on break…”

“Yeah. So go to sl…--what?” Hinata’s lids flutter open, then he sits up abruptly. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” Tsukishima turns to the other side, huffing and pulling covers over his body to hide the reddening of his cheeks.

“Seriously?! Then let’s not sleep yet!!!”

“No. Dry your hair, then go to sleep.”

“I won't!”

Tsukishima’s not looking but he knows Hinata’s pouting like a cute little kid. Kei doesn't pay attention to it until Hinata lies next to him again.

“You’re going to be the death of me.” Tsukishima gets up, grunting as he grabbed a new towel and a hair dryer. “Sit up, quickly.”

Hinata giggles and listens, he gets off the bed and sits on the floor so that Tsukishima could comfortably dry his hair.

“Thanks.” Hinata says as Tsukishima turns the blower on. “Come on, let's watch movies until midnight! Please?”

“Why should I do that?” Tsukishima sighs.

“To be honest, I'm kind of feeling nervous because of tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…?” Tsukishima thinks, and in a second, he remembers. “Right. Lunch with Daichi-san and the others…”

“He’s going to be there.”

“You want to skip? Let’s eat somewhere else, I'll buy you lunch.”

“...no, it’s okay.”

They aren't looking at each other, but they know how each other’s faces look. Kei knows that Hinata’s frowning, with his brows knitted together. Hinata knows that Tsukishima’s concerned, with lips forming a thin line.

“Watching movies makes me feel better. It distracts me.” Hinata admits while he’s playing with his fingers. “So… Can we please watch a movie together?”

“Okay.” Tsukishima combs Hinata’s hair with his fingers, “What movie do you want to watch?”

“What do you have?”

“...Jurassic park…” Kei mumbles.

“That’s expected.” Hinata giggles.

The blonde finishes drying Hinata’s hair. He hangs the towel and puts the hair blower back. “Go to the living room and pick out a movie, Jurassic Park’s not the only movie I have.”

“Do you have Netflix?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll wait for you there, let’s pick together.”

Hinata leaves the room. Tsukishima grabs the comforter and a few pillows to bring to the living room sofa. Hinata helps fix the blankets and pillows then they pick a movie together.

“From now on, I’ll watch a movie with you whenever you feel nervous or anxious.” Tsukishima rubs his thumb over Hinata’s skin.

“Then that makes you my movie buddy.” Hinata beamed with a soft smile.

...■■■...

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