Go forward without me

Chapter 1

The time on the alarm clock reads 5:25AM, just 5 minutes before the alarm clock will buzz awake. However, the tangerine headed Hinata Shoyo lays awake, his eyes wide open. His only thoughts being, how he is going to beat Kageyama to the volleyball gym this morning. He won't be reminded of his terrible loss yesterday, where he slept through his alarm clock and, aswell as missing their early practise, missed the main morning team practice, which annoyed his captain, Yamaguchi. So there he was, debating a way to indefinitely win. As soon as the alarm clock buzzed he snapped back into reality. He quickly showered, slipped on his clothes, made breakfast and raced out the door. The early morning in the mountains was truly beautiful. But he had no time to admire that. He draped a jacket around his shoulders and hopped on his bike, ready to beat Kageyama and redeem himself. Rushing down through the mountains, the only sounds he could hear were the crows screeching, the bike wheels against the concrete path, and the steady pattern of his breathing.

He approached the gate of Karasuno, which had still not been opened by anyone. This told Hinata that one, he would have to wait here in the freezing cold for the gates to unlock but, two, he had beaten Kageyama. He flipped open his phone and tried to type out the words "ive beaten you here!" but since he was wearing gloves it morphed into a strange language of gibberish that somehow, Kageyama could understand. He quickly replied back, "turn around." Hinata whipped around and looked up to see Kageyama.
"Why are you waiting here, idiot?" Kageyama asked.
Of course, it seems rude that he would call him this, but it had become sort of like his nickname. Just like he would occasionally call him names like "human tangerine."
"The gate is locked, why would there be any other reason?" He snapped back.
"No it's not."
Kageyama reached to open the gate and just like that, it creaked open. He looked down at Hinata with an "I told you so" look. Hinata just pouted and got ready to sprint towards the gym. He would beat him. He would redeem himself. He would forget about yesterday. Just as he was about to take off, the taller boy straightened his hand out infront of him.
"Can we not race today? I'm pretty tired." His arm quietly twitching.
So there was no point of getting up that early. Kageyama still looked nervous, waiting for his reply, even though he knew Hinata would say yes to any of his requests. Maybe he wouldn't have 3 years ago, when they were on opposite sides of the net, but now, they were far from enemies, they were friends, infact, more than friends. They were boyfriends. Ever since the summer, on the eve of Hinata's birthday, when Kageyama blatantly confessed his feelings.
He had to admit, Hinata was a bit down that he couldn't race today, but he would rather make Kageyama happy. Noticing that Kageyama's hand was slightly twitching, he laced his hand through his and they started walking. They were left in a silence, but it wasn't a silence because they didn't know what to say. They found comfort just in each others presence. Hinata looked up to Kageyama, his eyes sparkling. Kageyama returned his gaze, with a warm smile. It was kind of weird, how he didn't want to race, but if that was what he wanted, then Hinata was happy to fufill it. They reached the volleyball gym, and the taller boy grasped his keys in one hand, unlocking the door. The golden hair boy immediately rushed around the gym, since they didn't get to race, he had a lot of energy to spare.

Kageyama stared at him longingly, watching the boy go up and down the court. He didn't have to do anything, as the container of volleyballs had already been layed out since the previous night, where they had done hours of practise and forgot to return them to the cupboard. So he did what he most enjoyed, admiring his boyfriend. Hinata did eventually stop, and they started practising anything they needed, starting with recieves, serves and, of course, their monster quick. The two boys did get worn out sooner than they expected, but it was still a half hour untill the team practice.
"Let's go get some food, should we?"
The shorter boy looked up at Kageyama. He was too worn out to say something, instead he just quietly nodded and they began to walk. It's not like Kageyama was sad, but he seemed different. Hinata took this into account, and rested his head on Kageyama's arm. They returned to that kind of comfortable silence. Once they reached the shop, they scanned to see what they wanted to get. Although, it was no use. They always got the same thing. Three meat buns, a grape soda for Hinata, and milk for Kageyama. They both split the price and then happily walked off. Food made them happy, even if they were absolutely exhausted. As they munched, Kageyama noticed a collection of food left on Hinata's face. He immediately burst into laughter, leaving the other boy confused and startled. He flipped out his phone and took a picture to show him. They both giggled as Kageyama reached for a tissue to clean up his face. He loved the way Hinata looked when he laughed. Just sheer happiness and joy across his face, it was a contagious laugh that he always found himself matching. They both finished their buns and split the third one, like they always did. They were still hungry after eating one, but they couldn't eat two. Well, technically Hinata could, but he enjoyed sharing with the other boy. They approached the gym to hear the familiar voices of their other teamates. They both glanced at each other. Shit. They had spent too long at the shop. They quickly rushed in and sat down next to their other teamates, greeting them.
"Sorry we are late!" they both apologised frantically.
A few of their teammates snickered under their breath, including 3rd year Tsukishima,
who found any reason to make fun of them both.

They began to practise, like usual, this day they focused on spikes. Kageyama was one of the two setters on the team so, of course, he set up the balls for them to spike. Although Kageyama was not considered intelligent at school work, he was definitely a genius at volleyball. Everyone knew this, even volleyball newbies could tell that Kageyama was the brain of Karasuno, perfectly and precisely setting up balls for his spikers. That's why, when he keeps stumbling up, sometimes tossing it too high, or too low, the team is concerned, but no one speaks out. They only voice their concerns when Kageyama
misses the ball and it plummets down onto his head. Yamaguchi approaches him, requesting he sits out to the side.
"I would rather you sit out now, and prepare for our practice match with Aoba Joshai, then wear yourself out now and not be able to play."
Kageyama was determined to play, but he didn't want to risk it. He looked down at his hands, cursing them out in his mind. 'Why can't you work normally? This is so stupid. I just have to sit here now.'
Hinata makes his way over to him.
"Are you okay, Tobio?" he takes a seat next to him, a worried look printed across his face. Kageyama decided to ignore his question, as he proposed a new one.
"Why are you sitting out? You love to practice volleyball." This was true. Hinata did love volleyball. He never got discouraged from it, even when he lost badly to Kageyama in middle school, even though he is unusually small, even though he never had a proper team untill high school.
"I can see that somethings wrong, Tobio, why would I keep practicing, instead of seeing whats wrong? After all, I am like the best boyfriend ever." Hinata chuckled and soon after Kageyama followed.
"I think I'm just a bit rusty today. Nothing to worry about!"
He tried to put on a reassuring smile so his boyfriend could go back to enjoying volleyball practice, but he ended up staying with him for the rest of the time. They sat there, Hinata's head resting on Kageyama's shoulder. Kageyama thought to himself, 'it's just one bad day, you'll wake up tommorow and be good as new, then you can set to Hinata again.'