A/N: This piece was inspired by this (talk-to-the-fish-.-tumblr-.-com/post/80525970257/dumb-scribble-comic-with-no-context-raughs) amazing comic, I've found on tumblr, and god bless fish for drawing it, no matter how often I look at it it's still as amazing as that first time, god bless
Hinata hated crying. It didn't happen that often, but there were times when he felt that the whole world was against him, and even his inborn optimism didn't add up to much as tears of anger, sorrow and pure frustration rolled down his cheeks. He absolutely abhorred the powerlessness that filled him in this state, which made him avoid any human contact at the slightest inclination of the upcoming breakdown. Every single one of his friends knew that whenever something like that happened it was best to leave him alone. That was until he graduated middle school and Kageyama Tobio entered his life.
The first time Kageyama stumbled upon Hinata crying was truly embarrassing. His eyes were red and puffy, and he couldn't see properly as tears blurred his vision, but he was positive that for a second there was panic in Kageyama's expression. Fruitlessly, he tried to stop crying, which only resulted in a series of hiccups that added more to his frustration. His face was red from both, crying and embarrassment. Anytime he expected to hear Kageyama laugh at him. But he didn't.
Instead, Hinata found himself in a somewhat awkward, but warm embrace, Kageyama's chin propped on his head, as his face was buried in the other's shirt. With hesitant moves he hugged back, fingers clenching the material on the back of Kageyama's jersey. Having someone's support was a completely new sensation, but Hinata found that presence quite soothing.
And just like that it became their little ritual. Hinata still ran away to cry in isolation, and yet Kageyama, like a magnet drawn to his tears, found him no matter where he went and silently offered his shoulder. He never asked for a reason, and Hinata was thankful for that, since he himself wasn't in any mood to talk. Even more, he appreciated Kageyama's presence, and little by little got comfortable enough to reach for him first.
It was one of those days when Hinata fought with himself to put on a smile, knowing full well that the breaking point was closing in. This time it came after practice, so he waited for everyone to go home, before sitting on the bench and letting the tears stream down his cheeks. His muffled sobs were the only thing that broke the silence, until soft steps outside the clubroom joined in. And as expected when the door swung open, it was Kageyama who entered the room.
'Hinata? What are you-' he stopped in the middle of a sentence, expression changing instantly into one of seriousness and concern.
Without another word, Kageyama dropped his bag on the ground and stepping over it kneeled before him, hands reaching out and bringing him close. There was no hesitation as Hinata embraced him, his face hiding in the crook of the other's shoulder. And as Kageyama's hand started to gently run through his hair in a soothing motion, he let everything go.
Hinata still hated crying. He hated it a lot, it was making him feel weak and vulnerable, but somehow… Somehow when Kageyama was near, he hated it less.