A/N: This is the first of a short collection of drabbles I wrote as a countdown for HQ anime in april, please enjoy!
Hinata was annoying. Loud, cheerful, and absurdly optimistic. Everything about him was irritating, now that Kageyama thought about it. The overfamiliar way he spoke to him, the clinginess, the idiotic behaviour, everything he did made him want to strangle that small guy positively once a day.
But it was also the same Hinata who saved him. From the past, from loneliness, from fear. It was the same Hinata who stubbornly kept repeating 'I'm here!' until he finally believed him, until he finally believed in him. It was thanks to him, that Kageyama was now able to fully trust his teammates, expecting only the best, and pushing them beyond their limits.
It's been 3 years already since he heard it for the first time, and he had to admit that not even once did Hinata fail to follow through. He might have been annoying, he might have irritated the living hell out of Kageyama with his stupidity, but he was also reliable. Answering each and every toss he made, no matter how unreasonable, no matter how hard Kageyama pushed, he was there to spike it with earnest joy and trust.
Looking over his shoulder, Kageyama saw the small back of Karasuno's ace. Many things changed during those two years after the seniors left. He became the captain, now crowned with a true crown of his teammates' trust and support, and Hinata became the center of their attack, grasping the title of a Small Giant with his hard work and determination. Their roles may have changed, but there still was something that hasn't been said between them.
'Hinata,' he started, not really sure he should even say anything. 'Thanks.'
'Huh? What, what, what?' Oh yes, he already regretted it. 'What did you say, Kageyama?'
'Ugh…' He slammed his shoe locker closed. 'Forget it, I didn't say anything.'
Quickly, before he could be bombarded with more annoying questions and teasing, he left the school building, heading towards the club room. 'Don't be late for practice!' he shouted over his shoulder, without looking back.
But if he did, he would have noticed the soft smile on Hinata's face, and eyes watching him with sparkling joy, as the wind swallowed his gentle 'I'll always be here for you'.
There will be 10 parts of those drabbles, plus a bonus birthday fic for Hinata, so please come by again~ Next part next week! Reviews?