Beyond the net

The butterflies I could not explain

Hinata's POV:

The gym had always been my favorite place in the world.
There was something about the sound of volleyballs bouncing against the floor, the squeak of shoes whenever someone suddenly changed direction, and the familiar shouts coming from every corner of the court that made me feel like I belonged there.
Even after all these years, even after all the matches and practices and early mornings and exhausting nights, I never got tired of it. The moment I stepped onto the court, everything else seemed to disappear. I didn't have to think about anything outside the white lines. I didn't have to worry about what came next or where I'd end up. I only had to focus on the ball.
And, of course, Kageyama.
"Again." I shouted as I stared at him from across the court.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Kageyama didn't even blink. He simply held the volleyball in his hands, his expression as serious and irritating as ever.
"You were late."
"I was not!"
"You were."
"By how much?"
"Half a second."
I stared at him. "Half a second doesn't count!"
"It does when you're trying to hit a fast."
"I still hit it!"
"That doesn't mean it was perfect."
I pointed at him accusingly. "You're impossible."
"And you're slow."
My mouth dropped open. "Take that back."
"No."
"Kageyama!"
He tossed the ball toward me. "Get ready."
I groaned, but I couldn't stop the smile that appeared on my face.
This was normal. This was us. We had been doing this for years since our first year at Karasuno.
Kageyama would complain that my timing was off. I would argue that his sets were too difficult. He would call me an idiot. I would yell at him. Five minutes later, we'd be doing another quick as if nothing had happened.
Some things never changed. I crouched down, my eyes fixed on him. Kageyama raised the ball. I knew what was coming. I knew the movement of his shoulders, the slight shift of his fingers, the way his eyes changed whenever he was calculating where I would be. He knew me. Probably better than anyone.
I took off.
The ball came exactly where I expected it to. My hand met it perfectly. The ball slammed onto the other side of the court.
"YES!"
I landed and threw my arms into the air.
Kageyama simply picked up another ball. "Again."
I stared blankly at him. "Did you even see me score?"
"Obviously."
"Then why aren't you impressed?"
"Cause I know you can do it every time when I set to you."
I paused. For some reason, those words made me smile. I didn't know why. Maybe because Kageyama didn't give compliments easily. Maybe because when he said something like that, I knew he meant it.
I walked back into position. "Fine. Again." I said, irritated but inside I was damn happy.
Kageyama's mouth lifted slightly. "Good."
I didn't notice the way he looked at me for a second longer than necessary. At least, not then.

------

After practice, my legs felt like they were going to fall off.
I dropped onto the floor dramatically.
"I'm dead."
Kageyama walked past me.
"Get up."
"No."
"Get up."
"I'm too tired."
"You've been lying there for three minutes."
"Exactly. I'm exhausted."
Kageyama stopped walking and looked down at me. "You said the same thing yesterday."
"Because I'm always tired."
"Then train harder."
I lifted my head. Seriously, all he can think about is training, training and training.
"That's not how being tired works!"
Kageyama rolled his eyes. "You complain too much."
"Then why do you listen."
"Cause you are talking to me."
I grinned. "So, you do listen."
He sighed. Then, without saying anything, he held out his hand.
I stared at it. "What's this?"
"Your way up."
"I know what a hand is."
"Then take it."
I grabbed his hand. He pulled me up easily, but I was more exhausted than I realized. The moment I stood, my legs nearly gave out again, and I stumbled forward. Kageyama caught my arm.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
I was close enough to see the small beads of sweat still near his hairline. His breathing was slightly heavier than usual, and his eyes were fixed on me with an expression I couldn't quite understand.
"You okay?"
His voice was quieter than before.
"Yeah."
He didn't immediately let go. I looked down at his hand around my arm. Then back at him. He seemed to realize what he was doing and quickly released me.
"Be careful."
I nodded.
"Yeah."
Neither of us said anything else.
It wasn't awkward.
At least, I didn't think it was.
Kageyama picked up his bag.
"You coming?"
"Yeah."
I followed him out of the gym.
I didn't think much about what had happened.