Hinata finds it easy to forget, until after practice that day.

It's normal. This time it's Tanaka declaring his love for someone instead of Nishinoya- surprisingly not Kiyoko, now it's some Year 2 girl that looked at him for five seconds. It's easy to laugh along with them, but once he gets his bike and meets Kageyama, standing under the lamp-post like usual, stoic in the harsh lighting, he remembers.

The letter. It's so easy to forget about something scary, for your mind to give you a break.

Kageyama looks like normal. Hinata wonders if he should be happy, that he hasn't read it. He doesn't know if he should be sad instead, as he doesn't know if Kageyama will ever care enough to read it.

They walk- in silence, once more. They pass Ukai's store, closed for today. Hinata shrugs, "Sorry Kageyama. I'll buy you those meat buns when it's open again, yeah?"

Kageyama turns to him, a harsh crease in the middle of his eyebrow. "Why?"

Hinata can't help but blink. "For when you let me drink from your water bottle?"

"Oh, yeah." Kageyama turns away from him, and Hinata wonders what he's looking at, "It's fine."

Hinata still feels guilt for some reason. Like Kageyama's letting him get away with something. It weighs heavy in his stomach, and he knows he's feeling guilty.

Kageyama doesn't even know how much.. Pleasure? Happiness? Complete, unadulterated, joy? That Hinata took from that one interaction. And he's going to brush it off, as if Hinata was just asking for something normal friends ask for.

Hinata feels disgusting. Even if his intentions were normal, he's not sure if they were anymore.

They're turning to go their separate ways, and Hinata's heart is resting at his feet. He's about to let out a weak "goodbye," before walking away, but Kageyama's looking at him in that socially awkward way, as if he doesn't know what to say.

Hinata turns to face him. Does he feel rain or is he just imagining? He can imagine the clouds opening up to torrential downpour. This is it.

His face is angry, but that's to be expected. Hinata looks deeper though, and finds no anger, only confusion (that's to be assumed that Hinata classified Kageyama's faces right, but he's pretty sure he's an expert at it).

"Yeah?" Kageyama slings his bag forward, riffling through it to find something, and he pulls out a piece of paper, in surprisingly pristine condition. Hinata probably shouldn't be surprised, though. He's seen Kageyama's room- for seeming very unorganized, he's quite a clean freak.

Kageyama hands it to him- Hinata inspects it closer. It's been folded in half, taped together like an impromptu envelope. His fingers are itching to open it and read it now.

"Don't read it now." Hinata looks up to him, and even in the dark of the setting sun Kageyama's face looks flushed. "I read the letter you gave to me, and it was," Kageyama paused, and Hinata could hear the sharp intake of his own breath in his ears. "Nice." Hinata didn't know if his heart stopped or sped up. He's too young to die of cardiac arrest! "Like, we're not too good at that writing stuff,"

Hinata couldn't help it, "Not good!?" Kageyama weakly swatted at him, "Shut up. I got a better grade than you in Writing class, anyway." "2 more points!" "Whatever. Let me finish, we're not good at writing. But I know how you feel. I do wanna be with you, at the top of the world and all, in Volleyball and everything.." Kageyama looked down, "Everything else." He repeated.

Hinata didn't know what to say to that. "Yeah, me too.." He could barely hear himself, his own words hush in the dull sound of the night. He could hear crickets chirping, somewhere.

"Kageyama.." Kageyama looked down at him. "Forever?" Kageyama stepped back, "Huh?" "Like.. Forever. The top of the world, yeah?"

Kageyama stepped forwards, Hinata wonders if he leans forward if he could smell what Kageyama's clothes smell like. He wonders if he can get away with trying. If it'd be weird or.. Nice. "Yeah," Kageyama's voice sounds muffled, Hinata getting a good view of Kageyama's jacket, his arms are so close, they could hug and it'd be nice. "Forever."

Hinata looks down. He doesn't know if he can meet Kageyama's eyes at a time like this. He supposes the 'Forever' is better than any hug he could of gotten. He decides to look up anyway, and Kageyama's eyes are bright in the harsh lamplight.

His face is so close, if he leans up on his tippy toes, he could..

Hinata's face hurts from smiling too much. He looks away, Kageyama seems to snap out of it too. "I'll see you tomorrow?" Hinata can hear how unshaky his voice is, but he doesn't think Kageyama minds.

"Yeah." Kageyama turns to walk away, but when he's starting to get out of view, he hears a voice. "Hey, Hinata." Hinata turns, "Yeah?"

"Be safe, yeah?"

Hinata stills, but smiles. "You too, Kageyama!" Kageyama, turns to look back at him, surprised, before turning around.

Hinata can feel the smile on his face widen. He looks up. The sun had already disappeared- and the only light in the sky to guide him home was the stars themselves.

The letter in Hinata's hand seemed to shine as bright as the stars themselves. But maybe Hinata is a bit bias. Or silly.

Hinata looks into the glare of his phone screen. He still can't believe the events that happened yesterday. Today was rather normal- and Hinata's thankful. He's processing what Kageyama said-

Confession? Was that really a confession?

At least that's what Kenma said when he asked him (luckily for both of them, not at midnight this time)

Hinata would say yes for any other situation, but for his..? He looks away, from his phone, his messenger for Kageyama pulled up. The phone feels heavy in his hand.

He wants to go on a date with Kageyama.

I mean, he's already tried before (look above for the failed plan A, B, and C) but now?

Maybe Kageyama would take it more seriously. Or he'd call it stupid.

Hinata finds that he's closing his eyes for the majority of the time when typing;

You: hey! you up? :D
**sent 20:14
Kage-Chan: Yeah, what is it?
**sent 20:15
You: wanna go somewhere ths weekjd? ?
**sent 20:18
Kage-Chan: Like where
**sent 20:19
You: idk think there's fireworks on satrday
**sent 20:23
Kage-Chan: I'll ask my mom tomorrow.
**sent 20:24

Hinata's walking with Kageyama the next morning when Kageyama confirms it ("The Date" in italics, bolded, and underlined)

"Yeah, my mom said I can go." Hinata looks away, smiling. It's hot, and summer break should be coming up soon (never soon enough).

"Hey Kageyama?" Hinata hears a grunt from Kageyama. That's the green light to go. They step into the crosswalk. "Is this a date?"

He can feel Kageyama's shock. He looks at him- he's completely stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk. Hinata pulls him to the side, mentally apologizing for any bystanders they got in the way of.

"A date?" Kageyama asks, after a moment.

Hinata feels his hopes deflate. He should of known.. But if he's going to burn in Hell with his best-friend leaving him, he must go out with even the Devil himself impressed. "Yeah!" Thinking of being brave and actually being brave is two, very different things. "It doesn't have to be if you don't want it to!" He backtracks, "But I just didn't know what to call it," Kageyama's face still hasn't cleared up from complete confusion, "You know how we hang out everyday?" "Mhm." "Well… I kinda just wanted to hang out with you, not out on the court and all, y'know?"

That seems to get Kageyama back to normal. "Tch. So close to preliminaries. What are you trying to do, slack off?"

Hinata lets Kageyama ruffle his hair. It feels kinda nice. ('Don't let Kageyama know' Hinata remarks, 'He might actually stop doing it then')

"Yeah." Kageyama states, as if he was confirming what his favorite color was, not accepting a date from his rival. "I wanna go to the fireworks," He lets his hand off of Hinata's head, where it laid threaded in his hair. Hinata wishes Kageyama didn't. "With you." It's awkward and clamoring, but, "Dumbass."

Hinata smiles. That's the Kageyama he knows. He's pulling Kageyama on the wrist with one sure declaration- the one he says everyday- "I'll race you to the gate!"

Hinata may not know math. But he's absolutely (all probabilities lead to 100%,) sure it can't get better than this.

Kageyama shows up at Hinata's house Saturday night. It's getting dark, perfect time to start walking down to the park. Hinata gets the blankets from the closet, waving goodbye before going, but his mom stops him.

"Shouyou," Hinata turned, nervous. Did he forget to do something again? The dishes? Cleaning his room? Did his mom finally see his failing grades? Oh god, she looked really disappointed this time. "Can you can bring your sister? She really wants to go."

Natsu came bolting into the living room. "Yeah! I wanna go, Shou-nee! I wanna go!" Hinata wanted to complain, but it's no use. Might as well, but he swears he can see a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Okay. Just don't run off, alright?" "Be safe, be back before 10, alright?" He nodded, kissing his mom goodbye on the cheek before leaving.

He could feel Kageyama's stare on him. Kageyama leaned down, smiling "Shou-nee?" Hinata shoved him. "Shut up! I bet you're called something embarrassing by your family-"

"Kage-chan! You're so tall!" Natsu ran over to Kageyama, from where she was walking with them, staring up in awe, as if she just noticed how tall he was. She reached her hands above her head, making the infamous grabby hands. "Up, up!"

Hinata shook his head. "Natsu, don't do that to Kageyama," Natsu pouted, looking only more intensely at "Kage-chan", tears welling up in the famous Hinata puppy-dog pout ('Hey, no fair! She learned that from me, didn't she..')

Hinata put his hand on Kageyama's arm, about to tell him to not worry about her, before he saw an image he thought he'd never see. Hinata blinked.

Natsu looked amazed at the view. "Yay! Shou-nee could never let me see this high up! Hehehe!" Hinata glared. Was it inappropriate to pick a fight with your eight year old sister?

They continued to walk down to the park, the fireworks about to start soon. Natsu kept them very entertained while narrating the sight of a tall person. "I can see the convenience store over there, can you Shou-nee?" "I can see the birds nest up there! Can you, Shou-nee? (Hinata could not)) After 10 minutes, Hinata could feel his eyes roll back, searching for mercy.

At the park ('finally'), Natsu happily jumped off, Kageyama looking quite scared when she stumbled a bit from the jump down. "Are you okay?" He mumbled, grabbing her shoulder to steady her. Hinata noticed how gently Kageyama laid a hand on her, as if scared that she was made of glass. He imagined those gentle hands on him then turned away. She giggled, grabbing the blanket from Hinata's hands. "Yes! Thank you, Kage-chan!" She started to lay out the blanket, quite sloppily since her arms are so small.

They started to help the young girl, "There, I did it!" She looked quite like Hinata, an exuberant smile on her face. "When will it start, Shou-nee? I'm bored!" She whined. Hinata wanted to faceplant into the ground. "I don't know, Natsu. I think it'll happen soon, it's almost dark." Kageyama nodded.

They sat down on the blanket, looking up expectantly at the darkening sky. Hinata knows it'll be nothing special. He goes every year, and while he usually goes with his family, this year will be something different. He's actually going with someone he likes.

Sure Hinata's had friends before. But it never crossed his mind to go to the fireworks with them. It didn't seem important. But this isn't him and his 'best bud' watching the fireworks.

It's his first date with Kageyama. He's nervous. Even if it's just watching fireworks with his little sister in tow.

Speaking of his little sister, she's trying to climb over him right now. "Shou-nee, it's not starting yet!" Hinata pulled her off him, setting him down next to him. He was in the middle, right between "Kage-chan" himself and his little sister. "It should start soon enough, don't worry."

Luck will have it, as the first small firework went up and exploded in the sky. The blue sparks showered everywhere, and it seemed so close that if he was younger Hinata was sure the sparks would drop on them. Natsu jumps up, reaching her hand out as if she could catch a firework sparkle in her hand.

Even from this angle, he can see her happy face. He remembers, vaguely, when the fireworks used to enchant him like that. He turns back to the show- an array of purple and green that enchants his vision. He guesses they still are pretty.

He turns to Kageyama, to see how he thinks of them. He's looking up still, blue eyes that seem completely different in this lighting. Kageyama turns to face him, propped up on his elbow. Hinata understands why- his eyes seem to sparkle in the lights.

"Shou-nee, huh?" Hinata's this close to hitting him for ruining this date, "Can I call you that? How about Shou-kun, for a change?"

Hinata searches Kageyama's face. It's completely joking, but his eyes are so warm, and Hinata swears there's a smile on Kageyama's lips. Nevermind- he's absolute certain.

He can feel himself leaning towards. He wonders how close he'll have to lean into Kageyama to feel his breath on his lips. He wonders if it'll be hot or cold, for some reason. He can feel a smirk forcefully tugging his lips up. "Sure. As long as I can call you Tobio-kun?"

Hinata can feel Kageyama shift forwards- he's so close, Hinata feels the instinct to close his eyes and fall forwards (would it be hot or cold? Scalding or tender?) He can hear the dull roar of a firework somewhere, and Hinata seeks for Kageyama's hand to hold. His skin is surprisingly warm, and Hinata can search for the callouses he already knows are there. Is that Kageyama's hand through his hair? It feels gentle, and Hinata wishes he could sink into his touch forever.

"Wow, Shou-nee, Kage-chan! That's a big one! Look at it! Wow, wow, wow!"

Hinata falls backwards, remembering were they are at. He feels shame, hot and burning, flood through him. He looks at the fireworks, an array of gold and silver, something Natsu would surely like. But all he can hear is the flushed heat of his cheeks and the ringing of his ears.

"Yeah. It's pretty Natsu." His voice feels quiet to himself, but Natsu seems to be able to hear it just fine. "Yeah!" She falls back, pointing up towards the sky, and fills the silence with her gasps of amazement.

Hinata can feel his body- the outside cold but his insides hot- and he feels isolated. Is Kageyama even still there? He looks through the corner of his eye- he looks there, appears to be there, but the Kageyama he saw minutes ago is gone, slipped away under the ice exterior that he usually shows.

Hinata looks away. Maybe it's better this way, for now. Their fingers stay, only centimeters apart.
Hinata's pretty sure they're actually kilometers away from each other, now.

But the fireworks are pretty. And when they get up and help Natsu roll up the blanket ("I did it!" She exclaims again, and Hinata feels something like a smile on his face) Hinata looks at Kageyama- and Kageyama's looking at him.

Hinata's pretty sure that this is something like acceptance.

He can feel the backs of his hands brush Kageyama's, so close that he could lean into him.

There's an unspoken promise to it, somehow.

Hinata can't wait for next time.