Archive of Our Own

The old wood of the banister was rounded and non-slip, a silent witness to the many people who had descended into the cellar over several decades.

Tobio liked the feel of the smooth, worn wood as he slowly made his way down, keeping his eyes on the narrow steps before raising them to gaze into the space that opened up for him. It hadn’t changed one bit, not after Hinata started renting and renovating this location a few years ago.

The walls and ceiling were raw red bricks, slightly irregular and with different shades of colour, and the floor was made of smoothly polished wood with a herringbone pattern. Most of the basement was littered with small tables or barrels that were framed by comfortable chairs with red covers and stools. A few of the tables had been pushed together; Hinata had probably had a tasting session today.

At the very back there was a counter, a row of barstools stood in front of it, and behind were rows of wooden shelves that went deep into the cellar, storing barrels and bottles. Cupboards built into the walls presented all kinds of glasses, bowls, and other accessories. Glass cabinets were filled with bottles, some of them in wooden boxes with golden letters, soft yellow light fell onto the interior from small lamps on the ceiling and reflected on the amber and golden liquids.

Despite it being a cellar, it smelled neither musty nor stale; ventilation shafts provided fresh air, and the soft winter breeze mixed well with mild aromas, smoky fragrances, and sweet and heavy scents of whiskey.

It surprised Tobio every time he came here how pleasant it was. The basement room had enough space for two dozen people and, despite the weather outside, he could comfortably be without a jacket. Of course, this place was no comparison to his own workplace, but he had to admit to liking the ambience. Even though he would probably never admit it to Hinata.

The very same Hinata, who was currently on the other side of the cellar, his white shirt rolled up to his elbows and wiping a table with a cloth.

Tobio couldn't help himself and looked at his friend for a moment, taking in his tight-fitting trousers, white shirt, and black waistcoat, which he had fastened in the front. He looked as good as ever, even at his current preoccupation. How can one even look good while cleaning? Tobio shook his head, it wasn’t the first time he had asked himself that question. Which brought him to another one, though: Why had he come here in the first place?

Not that it never occurred, but it wasn't the case every day either. It was late in the evening, almost night, and Hinata, as well as Tobio, had just finished his job. He just wanted to go home, eat, shower and sleep.

Yet here he was.

"Oi."

There were mainly two reasons for him coming.

Hinata looked up and as soon as his eyes fell on him, he smiled. There was a teasing spark in the deep brown as he straightened his back from where he was bent over the table, gripping its edge.

The first reason was that they had similar jobs.

"Oh if this isn’t Kageyama Tobio, leading sommelier at the five-star Akatake Restaurant for stuck-up rich folks down the road. What brings you here? Are you done with your job? Are you coming to test some real noble drops?"

Tobio snorted and leaned over the banister to smirk at his friend. "I wouldn't call your second-hand whiskey a noble drop."

Hinata leaned back a little and put one hand on his hip, the other waving the cleaning rag in the air. "Just for your information," he said, the glint in his eyes hadn’t vanished one bit, "or may I say ‘reminder’, that I made the biggest turnover last year?"

"Yeah," Tobio replied challengingly, "and if I recall correctly, I was awarded for best customer service, I even got a medal." He blushed. He hadn’t intended on sounding so proud of himself.

Though, he really was. He had worked hard for it after all, quite literally so.

Hinata blew a raspberry. "Your customer service is an ant poo."

"A what now?"

"I’m far better than you at serving customers, you know? Every time I come to you, you’re talking in this fancy high-ass-class dialect no one gets. I swear, I get them down here as well, some of these rich folks, but at least I’m able to understand them."

"That doesn’t have to do anything with customer service, you know?" Tobio cocked an eyebrow. "That’s just your clientele."

"Exactly!" Hinata pointed at him with the rag. "It depends on the clienel… clintel… the people coming in!" He blushed adorably.

Tobio pressed his lips together to prevent a chuckle from spilling. Hinata didn’t seem to notice, he kept waving with the rag.

"What can I do if I don’t understand them?" he asked.

"Maybe they don’t want the pricey stale water you have in those barrels of yours," Tobio replied and nodded towards the counter. "They’re not at fault if you don’t understand them asking for quality."

"Quality my ass, those are just grapes you’re selling."

They both smiled. They both kept smiling all throughout their bickering, the constant banter, back and forth, back and forth. Something like this, like today, had happened so many times already. This too belonged to this room, apart from Hinata’s radiant presence and his fiery hair that glowed in the light like a beacon.

"It takes a lot of time and patience to produce high-class wines," Tobio began. "We recently received a few bottles from Nishikawa in Yamagata prefecture. It’s an exquisite and palatable experience that can only be explored if the bottle is opened about 45 minutes ahead of serving and–"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Another wave with the rag.

Stopped in his tracks, Tobio pouted.

"You just gonna stand there or what? I don’t mind you coming over, you know, but don’t you have something better to do?"

There was something hard in Hinata’s eyes, something stubborn and yet forlorn. His words had come out without any problem, but Tobio felt like he had missed something. As if his friend had dropped his most favourite glass today.

Realising that he hadn't answered immediately and was in fact still standing on the lower step of the stairs, simply continuing to stare at Hinata, Tobio blushed and walked down until he was standing on the shimmering floor. Hinata must have mopped already.

He thought about his reasons. Why indeed did he actually keep coming back? It wasn't just him, of course, Hinata also visited him from time to time.

Maybe it was because they were living close to each other. That would be his second reason.

"Just so you know," Tobio said now, "it was convenient because we take the same train home and work in the same district."

Hinata hummed, his sole reply. The forlorn expression vanished, for which Tobio was thankful, but now there was this knowing look in Hinata’s eyes, which he didn’t like either. At least not if it meant to insult him.

But fortunately, Hinata didn’t ask or say anything, he folded the rag in his hands, then he smiled. "Help me clean?" he asked and extended his hand with the cloth.

Tobio blinked. "Seriously?"

Hinata shrugged. "You already changed, right? I can see a stain on your trousers." He glanced quickly down to where Tobio had thought the stain wouldn’t be visible on his right thigh.

"Just because I’m not wearing my suit anymore doesn’t mean I have to help you clean," Tobio said, ignoring his furious blush.

"Yeah?" An innocent question.

"Yeah!" A flustered shout.

For a moment they looked at each other, then Hinata sighed theatrically. "Guess I have to clean by myself," he muttered. "Either you wait or you go to the station ahead."

Tobio stared at the idle movements Hinata’s hand was making with the rag on the table surface. It took three seconds until he gave in, with a deep sigh and hanging shoulders. "Fine, give me this stupid cloth, dumbass."

The reaction was immediate. "Thanks!" Hinata grinned cheekily.

The two men set to work wiping down the remaining surfaces, pushing the chairs and stools under the tables and rearranging them, ready for tomorrow's tasting.

"Why do you always do that anyway?" Hinata’s voice came from the other side of the room.

Tobio knitted his brows in confusion, turned around, and noticed that Hinata’s eyes were already on him.

"Do what?" Tobio replied, feeling his cheek with the back of his hand.

Hinata made a vague gesture to grasp Tobio’s whole body before meeting his eyes again. "Change after work. You can just do that at home, go to work in your suit too. It’s not like we have a two-hour ride or anything."

"No way," Tobio replied with a rough chuckle. "I work in a high-class hotel for people who use their money to light their fireplace and have a stick up their asses. If I worked with a suit that had seen real daylight they would kick me out right away."

The corners of Hinata’s lips quirked up. "I guess so."

Tobio made a non-committal sound and glanced around in the empty cellar. "You can do whatever you want," he said without trying to look at his friend too closely.

"Freelance sure has its merits," Hinata replied with a shrug.

That said, Tobio frowned and looked back. "You’re getting by?"

"Huh, what do you mean?"

Tobio shrugged with one shoulder while he absent-mindedly wrung out his cloth. "You get enough money to eat? Rent? Taxes?"

A moment passed. Hinata blinked, then he broke out laughing. "Of course, Kageyama-kun, who do you think I am?"

"Well, to be fair, I’m currently helping you clean up after a tasting. Unpaid that is."

"Ah yeah, but that’s because you like me, not because I don’t have money to hire someone."

"I don’t–"

"And yeah, no worries, I get by," Hinata continued unperturbed. "I probably have the same income as you, you know? I just enjoy my work more."

"I never said that I’m not enjoying it."

Hinata smiled softly while patting the thick wooden surface of the counter. "That’s not that I mean, sorry." He cast him a quick glance. "I know you enjoy your work, it’s just that you think the environment sucks."

"The people do."

"Mhm, that one."

Tobio hesitated. He wasn’t quite sure what the other man meant. He decided to not dwell on it for long and instead replied, "But to get back to your question, yes, I have to change before and after work."

Hinata looked at him a little puzzled, perhaps he had already forgotten his question. Then he looked down at Tobio's body, lingered on his chest and his lips twitched again. He heaved a sigh and murmured, barely audibly, "Such a waste."

"Huh?"

"No–nothing. Anyway, wanna take a drink?"

Tobio raised an eyebrow. "One of yours?"

Hinata shrugged. "I don’t want to overwhelm your tongue with the best pearl Tokyo has seen, you know. We can also have some of your watery wine but…" He trailed off with a smirk.

Rolling his eyes, Tobio watched how Hinata came closer to take the bucket to the sink and empty it before wiping the surface clean.

"Let’s just eat something," Tobio suggested quietly. "There’s an izakaya near the station, right?"

"Sounds good." Hinata put away the cloth and looked around. "We’re done anyway, that was fast."

Tobio laughed quietly, a sound that seemed to catch his friend’s eyes since dark amber was resting on him when he looked up.

"What?"

Hinata shook his head. "Nothing. I’ll just pack up my things, okay? Wait for me?"

"S–sure."

Internally cursing his stutter, Tobio saw Hinata disappear behind a curtain to the staff room, leaving him to think about his flaws by himself. Not that Hinata would be a great help in reminding him of things he didn’t want to think about – well, actually he would but not in a good way – but whenever he thought about Hinata… When he thought about him like this, he was sure that there were more reasons than just the distance between the workplaces and the same train line literally connecting them. What had he called it? Convenient?

Tobio shook his head, fidgeting with his hands.

There was no way that–

"Alright, I’m done, let’s go!"

Tobio flinched and looked up.

"What’s wrong?" Hinata asked, his brows furrowing.

"N–nothing. Yeah, let’s go."

"U–huh." Hinata frowned, but he closed his coat and shouldered his bag before being the first to climb the stairs.

Tobio followed, trying to push his thoughts away. He knew that Hinata wasn’t the type to dwell on these things for long, so Tobio shouldn’t do so either. Maybe there would be a time could put it right.

They left the building, Hinata locked the front door to the regular liquor store, and side by side they walked down the street that was bathed in the artificial light of street lamps and empty of most people that usually could be seen during the day.

When they reached the izakaya near the station, a narrow building with two windows and a door hung with a curtain that fluttered in the chilly winter wind, they weren’t the only ones. Most people, however, were on their way home and hurried to pass the ticket gates and get their train. The others just came back from wherever they had been all day or went into one of the few locations scattered around the train tracks.

Since it was a weekday, the inside of the izakaya wasn’t busy. There were a handful of people who drank beer or sake at the counter, others were engrossed in murmured conversations on little tables.

Tobio looked around, trying to find a free spot where they could sit comfortably, but suddenly something warm and strong grasped his wrist – Hinata’s fingers – and pulled him into a corner.

"Lucky," Hinata said with a wide grin.

It was probably the quietest corner of the whole shop, with the sole disadvantage that due to the already small tables, they were now sitting in an alcove that brought their legs pretty close together.

Wait, disadvantage? Tobio wasn’t so sure about that, but he couldn't think straight. Not at all and especially not when Hinata’s leg was pressed against his so that he could feel the muscle twitch and relax. He was pretty warm, he always was. Tobio tried to relax as well and leaned against the wall.

"What do you want to eat?"

Tobio blinked and directed his eyes on the menu Hinata had picked up. "Uhm… Just some udon maybe."

Hinata’s cackle made him scowl.

"What?"

"Udon? Really? You could afford the whole menu, you know." Hinata nudged his knee against his leg. Oh, so he did know they were sitting that close?

"I can’t eat that much, dumbass,"

"Okay, the soup of the day then."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Nope, just serious." Hinata studied him. "You get lots of money, don’t you?"

"I… don’t really know."

A pause during which Hinata didn’t take his eyes away. "Really," he mumbled, but his lips formed a soft smile.

"A–anyway, what will you take? It’s on me."

"Huh? Generous, aren’t you?"

Tobio shrugged. "So? You just assumed that I’m as rich as my customers."

"Nu–uh, not as rich as them. You wouldn’t allow that."

"Probably."

"Mhm. So… How did I deserve this?"

"This?"

Hinata nodded. "You inviting me…" He trailed off on purpose.

Tobio resisted the urge to rub his cheek again. "Choose something or I’ll change my mind."

"Okay, okay, geez. I’ll take the ebi tempura with rice–"

"Alright."

"–and a salad, and soba with wasabi broth," Hinata finished.

Tobio cocked an eyebrow and stared at Hinata, who simply stared back.

"You weren’t bluffing, right?" Hinata asked after a few more heartbeats.

The wavering tone and the deepening wrinkles between his eyes made Tobio chuckle. It felt weird, bubbling and rough in the pit of his stomach, rippling through his throat and breaking out.

"No, I wasn’t," he assured.

Tobio watched how surprise flitted across Hinata’s face. He almost looked stunned. A speechless Hinata was a cute Hinata. He looked good like this; his eyes slowly widened, his lips parted and his pink lips shimmered a little in the light, as if he had licked them just moments before. Tobio kind of wanted to…

Tobio swallowed thickly. "Huh?" escaped his mouth.

"Huh?" Hinata replied.

Tobio couldn't take his eyes off his friend, then he shook his head slightly as if to shoo off a fly.

"Right, that okay? I can still pay for myself, you know? Although this feels kinda nice, like a date or something."

There it was again, the heat that flushed his cheeks and made Tobio flustered. He couldn't reply anything to that and tried to redirect the topic. "I, uh, I’ll take the boiled bamboo sprouts and ramen."

Hinata giggled. "You’re on a diet?"

"Ramen comes here with a thick broth, you know?"

Hearing this, Hinata's eyes widened. "It does?" He sounded awfully fascinated without so much of a trace of regret.

Tobio simply nodded, smiling as he saw the reaction unfold.

"Damn, I should come here more often," Hinata said with a grin.

"With me?"

"Who else is gonna pay?" Hinata joked and nudged him with his elbow this time.

Tobio forced a smile. "Seriously though, this shop is good. It’s not that expensive but the food is stable and reminds me of–"

He cut himself off.

Hinata’s eyes were on him, waiting, and when Tobio didn’t continue, he asked, "Reminds you of?"

"Uhm…"

"Hey, did you just say it’s not that expensive?" Hinata put the menu down and placed his palm flat on the table. "Is that why you said you would pay?"

Tobio’s eyes widened. "No, that’s not it. I just wanted… You looked so… I wanted to invite you!" he blurted out.

"Oh." Hinata tilted his head a little bit, his eyes were still on Tobio like two soft glowing orbs. "Okay, thanks."

"I don’t think that you’re…" But Tobio didn’t know how to continue his words without hurting his friend.

"Mhm." Hinata leaned back and relaxed. The tension bled away until it was gone and there was just this atmosphere of deep thoughts hovering between them. "I kind of know that, I mean…" Hinata became quiet. "I know that I won’t win an award for my job, but I do my best and I learn a lot of things and stuff. Nothing compared to you perhaps."

Tobio shook his head, but the words got stuck in his throat.

"Sorry," Hinata added and glanced at him.

"No, you’re not."

"What do you mean?"

Tobio scowled, unsatisfied with his words and tried to elaborate. "You’re… You’re good. Kinda. I mean, it’s not wine, obviously, but you know what you’re talking about. You talk about your whiskey with your heart, like you really recommend something from… from…"

"My heart?"

"Yeah," he said lamely. "I don’t know what I’m saying."

"Did you drink today?"

Tobio looked at his friend. "Of course not, I was working."

Hinata chuckled.

"Still, can we stick to water or something?"

"Fine by me."

"I’ll go order, okay?"

Hinata nodded and Tobio got up to walk over to the counter. He ordered their food and asked for two water which he brought back to the table. They drank a bit in silence, fingers busy with the corner of the laminated menu or brushing the surface. Hinata leaned back and gazed into the room, his eyes calm and shimmering.

"You," Tobio said but drifted off right after. He saw Hinata eyeing him curiously, waiting for him to continue.

It was weird that his friend had this effect on him, that whenever those soft brown eyes were directed at him, his insides became a warm, fuzzy puddle. He liked Hinata's eyes on him, especially when he was so patient with him.

"You’re… working with your heart," Tobio picked up again. "I think that it’s… pretty… amazing in itself. You love your work with your whole being."

Hinata opened his mouth but no sound came out.

"I know, I love mine too, it’s just… different. There’s always something you have to learn too, it never ends."

"Yeah," Hinata sighed out, "even at the age of thirty-two, huh?"

Tobio smiled and hummed in agreement.

"Thanks." It sounded steady and utterly genuine.

Tobio cocked his head in response. "It’s actually quite impressive. You changed jobs just four years ago, it’s a lot to do in such a short time. You had to get used to the customers, the environment, the products, to establish something that has so much worth and even renovated this old cellar."

"Mhm, you’re right."

"I… like when you’re working. Watching you I mean." Tobio blinked, realising that those words had been more than awkward. When he looked at his friend, he saw that Hinata was pressing his lips together. "What?"

A teasing glint in deep brown. Oh no.

"You’re watching me work, huh?" Hinata smirked. "Sounds kinda creepy."

"I was just being honest!"

"An honest creep!"

"Hinata," Tobio said with his daring voice, scowling and casting a glance into the room. No one paid them attention.

"Yes, yes." Hinata raised his hands placatingly. He grasped his water and turned the glass around between his palms. "Thanks, though, really. It’s… kinda weird to know that you’re watching me, but thanks. I like it too."

A faint blush dusted his cheeks. Tobio couldn't take his eyes off it.

"M–me watching you? Wait, is that really okay?" he asked, confused. "I mean, just a few minutes whenever we meet or something. It’s not that I stand in a dark corner and… stare at you or whatever."

Hinata hummed and looked up at him. "Yeah, that’s fine. And no, not that. I like knowing that you’re taking your time to watch me." He paused. "Wow, I just realised how weird that actually sounds aloud." He frowned thoughtfully.

Removing himself from the conversation, Tobio leaned back. "Well, okay," he said with the sense of determination.

"Was that an attempt to change the topic?" Hinata asked, chuckling.

"Can we?"

"Sure." Hinata grinned, then he looked at the counter. "I’m hungry, where’s our food?"

"You’re insatiable."

"Not only for food, you know?"

Tobio stared at the mischievous expression. He wanted to ask what his friend meant, but then the waiter came and brought their food to the stable. Steaming bowls and plates covered the narrow space and Hinata became overly excited, which made the waiter chuckle nervously.

Once everything was set – maybe it was only the table being small but it looked like a lot of food indeed – Hinata clapped his hands, picked up his chopsticks and dug in.

In the process, Tobio almost forgot that there was food for him as well. He hurried to take his chopsticks, mumbled his thanks and followed suit.

While focusing on their late dinner, they kept drinking water. After work Tobio didn’t want to drink any alcohol after being surrounded by expensive wines and people drinking it for most of the day. The two men talked about today’s work, the change of the train schedule, plans for the weekend and a new type of sports drink the konbini recently offered.

Once in a while they exchanged quick glances, watching each other while the other thought they weren’t. Whenever Tobio saw that Hinata had noticed him watching, he evaded his eyes or coughed. Not suspicious at all, great.

When they left the izakaya to take the train back home, more than an hour had passed. They bid farewell after the ticket gates to walk in the opposite direction, and as Tobio’s feet brought him back home, he was certain: There might be a third reason after all for him to go see Hinata, because… Well, this was Hinata he was talking about. That must be reason enough.

The main hall, which mainly served as a dining room and was used for tastings, was almost empty. Apart from the two customers sitting at a table near the counter and Tobio, only the kitchen staff were still present, but they could not be seen.

It was just before closing time when the two customers had started firing off question after question.

It was just before closing time when the two customers started firing off question after question. Tobio didn't mind, he could talk for ages about wines from every region of Japan, but he had already mentally prepared himself to go through each step of the usual process he normally did when his work was done. Now they were asking him about specifics and specialities from the Tohoku region, which led him more than once to the in-house wine cellar to retrieve more and more bottles, and he found himself engaged in conversations about the exact locations about the vine, the angle of the sun and the grapes of a long gone year.

"This red wine comes from near Kaminoyama and has a slightly fruity touch. It has a very low acidity, which gives the wine a well-balanced character," he said with his calm voice he solely used for customers and shifted the bottle to present the label.

The last two customers of the day.

Or so Tobio had thought.

The door opened and a gust of fresh wind made the hem of Tobio’s apron, which he had tied around his waist, flutter. The little doorbell ring and someone entered the main hall of Akatake restaurant.

Being in the middle of an explanation, Tobio kept his eyes on the bottle in his hands.

"If you would like to try some, you can taste its weight on your tongue, Sir." Tobio took a new glass, poured a little wine into it and handed it to the customer. "If you may excuse me, I will–"

The words were stuck in his throat as he straightened his back to turn to the new customer who had entered.

He had been already wondering who would come in this close to closing time.

"Oh, not bad!"

The voice, the familiar voice resounded in his ears. Tobio stared at the entrance.

Hinata. Hinata Shouyou in the flesh.

"I think the tapestry design changed, am I right? Looks flashy."

An odd sensation trickled through Tobio’s face and he tried to bow and smile as he would greet anyone else in Akatake. It was awfully difficult and he could see the sneering expression on Hinata’s face.

Fortunately, Tobio had perfected this over the years. He made a perfect forty-five degree bow, smiled and said with his usual voice, "Welcome to Akatake Restaurant. If I may ask your for a little patience?"

Hinata smiled in response. "Oh sure, Sir, no worries. I’ll just wait here until you pick me up," he added with a wink before leaning against a pillar.

Tobio suppressed a sigh, bowed once more and turned back to the two customers, who didn’t seem to have noticed anything odd about their conversation.

It took another seventeen minutes before the two customers decided to buy a bottle and come back soon – a success after all. Meanwhile, Tobio noticed Hinata looking around the restaurant with interest, as if he were here for the very first time. He was wearing his old jacket, the bag with the pendant around his shoulder and a fluffy green scarf. His short hair was windswept, reflecting the dull glow of the violet-blue lighting, and his eyes rested with an uncharacteristically calm and curious expression on the new tapestry pattern, which had indeed been installed only last week.

How could he look so casual in a setting where he didn't really fit in? With his freckles, the big, dark twinkling eyes and the soft smile on those pink lips and...

Tobio swallowed. Now was not the time to think about that.

As soon as the customers left, Tobio escorted them to the door and bid them farewell with a deep bow and a "Thank you for your visit!" that echoed into the late evening.

He remained in this position for a few seconds, then straightened his back, took a deep breath and returned. As soon as the door closed behind him, he locked it and flipped the sign to 'Closed'.

Finally he was able to drop his mask. He opened his eyes and glared at his friend, who returned it with a happy smirk.

"What are you doing here, Hinata?" he grunted.

"You came to pick me up last time, so I thought I would return the favour, you know?" Hinata explained with a shrug, still grinning.

These words, however, made Tobio flustered. "I didn’t pick you up! It was just convenient because… because we take the same train home!"

Unfazed, Hinata cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah?" he said slowly, "Then let’s just say that you’re convenient too. Can I get something to eat?"

Tobio scowled and huffed. "May I remind you that I don’t serve food?"

"This is a restaurant, isn’t it?"

"I’m a sommelier, Hinata."

"Then what about these lil’ crackers and pretzels and stuff?" Hinata looked around, eyed the large room, its counter and hundreds of bottles and glasses behind, the many tables and chairs, as if he could find something edible under an upholstery.

"That’s not food, Hinata, you should take care of your body." While saying that, Tobio tried not to look too hard at his friend or anything he was made of. He had done that a couple of times, never regretting it, and although he didn’t have his fair share yet – to be honest, he would never be done with looking at Hinata – he couldn’t stand Hinata leering when he knew Tobio’s eyes were on him.

"Just so you know," Hinata said, "I do take care of my body. I’m probably a better cook than you anyway."

"Oh, come on, you can’t even distinguish a Sauvignon Blanc from a Moscato."

"For your information, I don’t need to know that. I’m a whiskey connoisseur."

"Even whiskey connoisseurs know such basics, Hinata."

"Maybe you need to teach me such basics," Hinata replied with emphasis.

Tobio frowned, cleared away the bottles and put everything behind the counter back in order. He thought about their words while throwing glances at his friend, who had followed him further inside.

"You…," Tobio began and licked his lips. He glanced at Hinata. "You should stay with whiskey."

Surprise flitted across Hinata’s face. "Yeah?"

A shrug, but a genuine nod. "Yeah."

There was silence for a few heartbeats and Tobio could feel as he wiped down the sink how Hinata’s eyes were still resting on him.

"Okay," he finally said, drawling the syllables out.

"You have no good taste in wine anyway," Tobio added with a smirk, which made his friend flustered. He loved seeing him like this too.

"B–but my food is pretty tasty!" Hinata claimed and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Yeah?" Tobio replied with a smile on his lips.

Hinata smiled back, relaxing. "I bet I can cook better than you."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Guess you have to find out for yourself," Hinata answered, shrugging casually, but there was pride burning in his eyes, untouched and raw, beautiful that way.

"Yeah? Then why don’t you show me?"

"Huh? I should cook for you?"

"Yes!"

Tobio blinked. Wait, what!?

Before he had the chance to correct something he hadn't meant in a demeaning way, Hinata grinned and said, "Fine by me. But only if you’ll be honest with your judgement, Kageyama-kun!"

"You sound awfully confident."

"’Course!"

Tobio smirked. "I promise that I will be."

Hinata eased out of his posture and extended his hand. "Deal."

"Deal."

The tips of Hinata's fingers dug a little into Tobio’s skin and he could feel the slightly calloused skin from hard work and passion. Despite this, there was strength in the grip, steeled confidence and warmth, a pleasant touch. Tobio didn’t want to let go, especially not when Hinata squeezed his hand a little, a comfortable reassurance – for what, Tobio didn’t know.

"You have to change now?"

Hinata's words made him look from their hands to the brown eyes that were watching him, now peering over Tobio's suit and the apron he still wore. Well, he was still at work after all.

"Uhm, yes. You know, suit rule and everything."

"Mhm, can I join you?"

Tobio blinked in confusion. "W–what?"

To his relief Hinata nodded to the staff room. Though, perhaps ‘relief’ wasn’t the right word.

"Just… Well, if I stand here waiting, people might think it’s weird because you’re actually closed, right? The shop, I mean."

It sounded plausible if Hinata wouldn’t gaze at him with big round eyes and squeezing his hand a little more.

A fresh blush blossomed on Tobio’s cheeks. There was nothing he could do about that.

"Oh, yeah, you’re right," he heard himself agreeing. "Let’s go then."

Without any further thought, Tobio pulled Hinata to the staff room. It hadn’t been his original plan, none of this was, but he really didn’t mind.

Once they were inside and Tobio switched on the light and approached his locker, they let go of each other. Tobio didn’t see his friend’s face as he did so, but he heard Hinata close the door behind and leaned against the wall with a soft ‘fwump’.

The staff room was maybe half the size of Hinata's cellar, provided a few benches, lockers for each staff member and even a small vending machine for snacks and water bottles. Tobio had never used it; mainly because his favourite drink wasn’t included.

"Where are the others?" Hinata asked, noticing that the room was empty apart from the two.

"The kitchen staff always comes out a little later," Tobio replied as he opened his locker. "The manager is probably already gone."

"Hm, I see. Kind of an advantage huh?"

Tobio shrugged. "The higher ups manage those things."

There was a non-committal sound as reply, which closed the topic.

The quiet buzz of the lamp at the ceiling was the only noise for a moment. Tobio got out of his suit jacket and hung it in the locker, then he loosened the tie. Every piece of his working clothes were cleaned regularly and there was no speck of dust or stain anywhere. The dark blue fabric was some high quality cotton and the insides felt smooth on his skin. Tobio also had the suspicion that he was barely sweating while wearing this suit, but he wasn’t sure whether this was intended or not.

He was just about to unbutton the shirt, when there was suddenly a presence behind him. Hinata's solid warmth radiated heat, and as he splayed his finger across Tobio’s back, he couldn't suppress a shudder.

The touch was soft and tender, almost cautiously, and followed a smooth line from his back to his shoulders.

"Wh–what are you doing, dumbass?"

"Huh?" It didn’t really sound perplexing, more… focused. "Oh, just… admiring a little."

"Admiring?" What? Him?

"Mhm."

Tobio waited for an elaboration of sorts but nothing came. Not that he was refusing either because… Well, if he was honest, it felt kinda nice. Hinata's hands flat against his back, almost caressing his shoulders blades and tracing the curve of his spine. Tobio could imagine fairly well how it would be to be touched by these hands, not like this, not solely on his back either.

His hand on the lapel of his shirt shivered, his palms became clammy and he had to focus on his breath. He had become way too excited over something simple as Hinata touching his back.

For a moment neither of them said anything. Hinata kept touching his back through the thin layer of his shirt and Tobio fixed the key for his locker, which was attached to his lanyard keychain. He continued unbuttoning his shirt.

"Wait, lemme," Hinata mumbled, slid his hands underneath the fabric and pulled it off.

Tobio exhaled a sigh and folded the shirt to place it in the locker, but before he could take as much oxygen as he would’ve liked to, Hinata's hands were back on his back, tracing the muscles through the undershirt.

"You work out, right?" Hinata asked quietly while pressing his thumb gently between Tobio’s shoulder blades.

Tobio blushed, even more when he felt his muscles twitch. He wanted to see his friend’s face so badly, he almost turned around. But he didn’t want him to stop either and his legs felt like pudding, which is why he kept staring at his locker.

"And so do you," Tobio replied with a soft stutter none of them brought up. "Remember? We’re in the same fitness club."

A soft chuckle rippled through Hinata's throat, yet another beautiful sound. "Yeah," he breathed out, "I know."

A second hand followed the first, smoothing down Tobio’s back.

"A–any intentions?"

"No, just… touching you I guess. You don’t like it?" There was honest concern in his voice, as if Hinata would stop as soon as Tobio would say so.

But Tobio didn’t want that.

"I do!" he said hastily, perhaps a tad too hastily since Hinata leaned forward and looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a soft smirk. "I do, I mean…"

Tobio licked his lip and turned his head around to meet his friend’s eyes. They were blown, the deep brown glowing and soft.

Oh.

Tobio stared at Hinata, who was patiently waiting for him to find the right words.

The soft light from the staff room – since there was no way a restaurant like Akatake would put those bright artificial neon lights on the ceiling – fell on Hinata’s dishevelled red hair, emphasised every single freckle and reflected in his eyes. He was fiery and beautiful like that, an auburn flame set free in a classy hotel bathed in cold colours.

"I really… I really like when you…" Tobio swallowed. Hinata stared back.

He couldn’t help himself, his self-restraint withered away – why had he even harboured it to begin with? – and he let out a raspy "Oh, fuck it" before grabbing Hinata’s neck and pulling him close.

The first thing Tobio realised was that Hinata's lips didn’t taste like he had imagined them so many times before. No, in fact they tasted even better. He pressed his lips to the smoothness and angled his head to slot them together, then he cupped Hinata's neck properly, turned his body and wrapped an arm around his friend to pull him to his chest.

Hinata exhaled a shaky breath into the narrow space between them before relaxing and parting his lips, just enough for Tobio to slide against them and take the bottom lip between his own, licking over it with his tongue. He could feel a shudder running through Hinata’s body, satisfying and gentle.

There was one moment when Tobio thought he had pushed his friend too much or had gone ahead of themselves, but then Hinata clutched the front of his undershirt, tugging, and wrapped a hand around Tobio’s wrist to keep him where he was.

Hinata went pliant under him so that Tobio could easily turn them around to push him against the locker next to his. Tobio tilted his head a little to the side and kissed his friend, deeply and hungrily, while savouring the warm breath that came in bursts, mixing with little moans and sighs. Tobio’s insides were a tumbling mess, scalding hot and yearning for what he had between his arms. Desperate fingers clutched to clothes and fabric, neither knew who they belonged to anymore.

When Hinata’s arm flexed and he adjusted their position to push his leg between Tobio’s thighs, Tobio stuttered and broke away. He gasped for air, gazing at Hinata, who was merely licking his lips. His hands were still fisted in the remnants of a once crisp white shirt.

"C’mere," Hinata grunted, pulled Tobio into another row of deep kisses while crumpling a spot he hadn’t touched yet.

They easily found back into their previous rhythm, exchanging open-mouth kisses and getting closer and closer to what would officially be defined as ‘making out’, Tobio was pretty sure.

When Hinata started grinding himself experimentally against Tobio’s thigh, Tobio didn’t stop him right away, but turned his hip so Hinata wouldn’t notice how he was getting hard under the apron he was fortunately still wearing. When, however, his thigh brushed Hinata’s crotch, he snapped his eyes open, startled, and unconsciously pulled away from their connection. Hinata followed him, his eyelids fluttered, but when he realised that Tobio wasn’t coming back, he opened them.

Tobio didn’t want to return the disappointed expression.

"S–sorry," he gasped out and swallowed thickly.

"N–no, I’m… fine." Hinata knitted his brows and licked his lips once more.

"Okay."

By silent agreement, they eased out of their embrace, gave each other a shy look before straightening their back and patting their clothes.

Hinata’s eyes were still on him as Tobio untied his apron with soft hands. "Were you… Did you…"

No question was completed.

"Sorry, I–"

Hinata shook his head. "Me too."

"You didn’t do anything wrong, though. It was me who…"

But Hinata shook his head again. "Don’t be sorry, really. That was… I feel like ‘good’ sounds way too simple for that, don’t you think so?" He smirked softly and gazed at Tobio’s mouth.

Tobio nodded slowly. "U–huh."

Hinata smiled, maybe relieved that he had gotten an answer. He pushed himself up from the locker and gestured at Tobio’s shirt. "Maybe I’ll leave you to it? I’ll be waiting and… yeah."

He walked out of the staff room, and once he had closed the door behind him, Tobio exhaled a deep sigh.

Unsure what to do now, he looked down at his body and adjusted himself, then he stroked through his own hair and focused on his breathing. He needed to calm down, nothing had happened after all. Hinata wasn’t mad. If he were mad, Tobio was fairly sure, he would know that by now.

With a steady inflow of oxygen in his body, Tobio undressed himself, changed into his trousers and sweatshirt, grabbed his bag and left the room. He exchanged a few words with the kitchen staff before taking his leave, and as he stepped outside again, he already saw Hinata waiting next to the entrance door.

Hinata turned his head at the door being closed. The blush had vanished from his cheeks and his lips weren’t as shiny as they had been a few moments ago, but his eyes still shimmered and there was a soft smile on his lips.

Tobio’s insides melted a little bit at that sight, and if he wasn’t aware of being outside and moreover in front of his working place, he would’ve done a couple more things.

"You done? Let’s go home," Hinata suggested and nodded towards the station.

Tobio chuckled.

"What? Why are you laughing?"

"No, it’s just…" Tobio shook his head. "You make it sound like we live together."

Hinata cocked an eyebrow, then he frowned and thought about his words. "Oh, you’re right," he agreed, giggling hoarsely. A beautiful sound.

They looked at each other for a moment.

"Let’s go?"

"Yeah."

With silent smiles on their lips and the knuckles of their hands brushing from time to time, they walked down the illuminated street until they reached the station, greeting them like a beacon in the night.

Stacked crates and wooden boxes covered part of the shop front, its display window showing a row of bottles and flasks. On the other side was a small vending machine and there, between the liquor store and the neighbouring building, was a bicycle. A deep red curtain was hung over the door and swung back and forth as the winter wind changed.

Tobio was glad that the street was almost empty. It was dark, the stars were somewhere above him and the street lights had been lit for hours.

He wasn’t sure whether he should go inside or not and had already turned around multiple times to face the way to the station, only to turn back again.

He probably would’ve pondered a little while longer if it weren’t for someone pushing open the front door.

It was Hinata. Of course it was him.

"You'll scare away potential customers, Kageyama."

Tobio stared at his friend and blinked. "Oh, sorry."

He noticed that Hinata already wore his coat and had his bag around his shoulder, keys jingled in his hand. A grin flit across his lips, making the skin around his mouth and eyes wrinkle.

"Don’t worry, it’s late as it is. You only come when work is over anyway."

"Well, I don’t have time otherwise," Tobio replied with a shrug. "Except when I’m not working. But when I’m not working, you’re not working either so I wouldn’t be here."

There was a pause.

"So you came for me?" Hinata concluded.

Well, that was one way to see this.

Tobio frowned. Nope, definitely the only way.

"Uh… Well, yes. Sorry," he muttered.

"Why are you apologising, dummy?" The following chuckle eased the tension in Tobio’s shoulders.

Tobio shrugged, but his lips twitched. "I don’t know. I… The other day we…" He stopped himself and sighed, not knowing where to go with his words.

He glanced around, feeling Hinata’s curious-looking eyes on him while he inspected the empty street.

"Uhm… I can understand if you don’t want to, but I thought of getting dinner and like… It’s okay if you don’t want to. It’s not just because–"

No. You’re not convenient.

He took a deep breath, looked back and searched for Hinata's eyes.

"It's okay, I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have come."

Hinata stared at him for a few more seconds, then he stepped out of the shop and pulled the door closed behind him. "N–no, it’s fine," he finally said with an unusual stutter. "I'll come, I’ll come. Iku-chan will close the store today, I just got off. Where did you want to go?"

Some more well-harboured tension bled away and Tobio smiled. "Just something for dinner," he replied.

"You’re eating out a lot, you know?"

"Just… you."

"You eat me out a lot?" Hinata asked, cackling.

"Dumbass!" Tobio became flustered and turned around to check whether they were still alone. They weren’t. "I mean… Only with you. With!"

"I know what you meant, dummy, it’s just too much fun. You’re adorable when you’re all gloomy and scowly and so… pouty."

Tobio frowned and grumbled something unintelligible.

"Yeah, just like that!" Hinata laughed. "Let’s go get some food!" he declared happily and started walking into the directions where they knew a couple of bars and izakaya.

Tobio had no other choice but to follow. Not that he minded. While walking down the street, he studied his friend from the side.

"What?" Hinata asked. Of course he had noticed him staring.

Tobio shrugged.

"Don’t worry, it’s on me this time."

"Good to know, but that’s not why–"

"Hm?" Oh, that was unfair. Hinata’s shy and curious smiling face was just not fair.

"N–nothing."

For a while they walked along the pavement. The closer they got to the station, the more people they saw. They were the usual ones, workers coming or going, or those who lived nearby and were walking their dog.

"Does the invitation still stand? For your cooking?" Tobio asked and cast a sideways glance at Hinata, who blinked and looked adorably puzzled.

"My cooking?" he said in confusion.

"Yeah, your… When you cook and… I’m supposed to try and be honest and such. It’s not like we eat out every day."

"Oh yes!" Brown eyes started to glow and filled with a rush of excitement. "When do you have time?"

The sheer force that was suddenly unleashed on him was enormous. Tobio had to wait a few seconds, then he blinked and gave it some thought. "Maybe… somewhere next week? Today is Friday and we both work the whole weekend like usual."

Hinata hummed in agreement. "Yeah, you’re right. What about Monday?"

"Sounds good."

"Great! Gives me time to think about something to impress you."

Tobio chuckled.

"And to get groceries."

"Good start."

"Right?"

The two men exchanged a grin.

That day they went to a small bar that offered simple, yet hearty dishes.

They didn’t talk about the kiss, but were simply replenishing their energy after a full day at work and discussing changing the menu for the gym. As they talked about how much weight they could add over the next few weeks, Tobio realised that he wasn’t the only one casting furtive glances at his companion and that this time there was actually no reason to press their legs together like this.

Well, here he was.

Although they had known each other for some time already, it surprised Tobio that he was visiting Hinata in his flat for the very first time that day. He had only misread the address once, but since he had left his own flat quite early – leaving aside the fact that he would have had a fifteen-minute walk at most – he was still on time.

It was Monday, which is why the apartment complex was relatively quiet. The distant rumble of the trains and people murmuring in the street were the only sounds he could hear. The door to Hinata’s flat was plain white with a simple name plate next to it, neatly and clean.

Tobio stared at the familiar characters, his heart still thumping against his ribs, he swallowed hard and wiped his hands on his trousers.

Well, there goes nothing.

He clenched his hands to suppress the trembling, took a deep breath and knocked.

Just a few seconds later there was a ’thump‘ and thundering steps behind the door before it was pulled open.

"Hey! Perfect timing." Hinata grinned and his eyes lit up. "Come in, come in! I’m almost done."

Tobio nodded and complied. Hinata went back up to the genkan step, which gave Tobio enough room to take off his coat, scarf and shoes. He inhaled the heavy savoury air and immediately smiled; he simply wasn’t able to suppress it.

"Curry?" he asked.

"Oi, don’t spoil the meal." Hinata crossed his arms and pouted in mock offence.

Tobio cocked an eyebrow, smirking. "Who am I going to spoil, dumbass? I hope you know what you’re cooking."

Hinata smiled bashfully. "Whatever," he said while easing out of his pose. "Sit wherever you like. Well, not that there’s much space to choose, but still."

Tobio nodded and took a few more steps into the flat while Hinata returned to an adjoined room, which turned out to be the kitchen.

The flat was a bit smaller in size than Tobio’s, but that didn’t mean Hinata hadn’t done anything to make it look homely and cosy. The living room had a comfortable-looking couch, a coffee table, a few potted plants, a TV in the corner and a small shelf with books. A narrow door led on the balcony and a washing line; Tobio could see the few neighbouring buildings he had passed by on his way and the sign of a supermarket.

There were two other doors, one stood slightly ajar – the bedroom – and the other was presumably the bath.

Everything was surprisingly clean and orderly, as if someone had picked up every single speck of dust by hand. As Tobio inspected the new surroundings, he felt a little… odd. Perhaps because they usually met outside, in an izakaya, or the cellar, which were usually more convenient to meet after work anyway, and this… This was… private. This was new.

The distinct scent of Hinata Shouyou was hanging in the air, this and the smell of curry eased Tobio’s nerves a bit and he finally settled down on the couch. He noticed a few sport magazines on the table, picked one up, and as he leafed through it he realised that Hinata had marked a few of the training regimes recommended in an article. He nodded in acknowledgement and began to read the article himself. He was so deeply absorbed in his reading that he didn't notice Hinata stepping back into the living room.

"You want to change your menu as well?"

Tobio blinked and jerked his head. "Huh? My menu?" he asked, puzzled.

He registered that his friend was standing in front of him with two glasses and nodded to the magazine in Tobio’s hand.

"Yeah, menu," Hinata said. "For the bench press."

"Oh. No, not really. I like my current menu, but I still wanted to read this," Tobio added, a little lamely he found.

"I see." Hinata nodded. "Anyway, here you go."

Tobio accepted one of the glasses. "Thanks," he mumbled and watched how Hinata put the other down on the table. "Can I help?"

"Nope. I’m almost done anyway," Hinata replied with a cheeky grin before returning to the kitchen.

Feeling a bit helpless, Tobio drank a sip of water and placed the magazine back on the pile at the side. He could hear his friend at work, the clatter of pots and the steam being exhaled from the rice cooker. There was a happy hum in the air, adding to the sounds, and it made Tobio smile. He leaned back and allowed himself to relax a little. The couch was as comfortable as it looked like and the scents and sounds were pleasant.

When footsteps announced Hinata’s return, Tobio turned his head to watch him carry two plates to the table.

"Here you go, Kageyama. Careful, it’s hot."

Tobio sat up straight, accepted his plate and a spoon and made room for Hinata to sit next to him. There was a satisfied expression on Hinata’s face, almost pleased, and he grinned happily as he had his own food in front of him.

"Let’s dig in!" he announced, clapped his hands and picked up his spoon.

Tobio nodded and followed suit.

"And be honest, really," Hinata added.

"Yes, I will. I promised, didn’t I?"

The grin became soft. "Yeah, you did."

They looked at each other, gazing into depths of brown and ocean blue, and it was Hinata who first broke the silence.

"Eat, it’s getting cold."

"Oh, ri–right."

Tobio blinked and took in his plate. There was a gentle steam rising up from the curry and the rice, pure white and unseasoned, looked beautiful next to it. He swallowed and suddenly he realised how hungry he was. He could feel Hinata's eyes on him, but he tried to ignore that and took the first bite.

He ate some curry with rice, and he ate and ate and ate. He couldn't stop, he tried to prevent shovelling everything inside at once. This was just…

He stared at the curry and rice and swallowed thickly.

"This… This is…"

He looked up and noticed the knowing smirk on Hinata's lips. Tobio’s eyes widened, heat spread across his cheeks and he resisted rubbing them.

"Oi." Hinata said and raised both eyebrows. "You promised to be honest."

If possible, the blush deepened. "This…" and Tobio heard himself mumbling something even he couldn’t make out.

"What? I didn’t hear you."

"…"

"Kageyama-kun," Hinata said in a daring tone.

He sighed and gave in. "This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Satisfied!?"

For two seconds Hinata stared at him, then his eyes glazed over and he smiled, softly and warmly.

"Pretty much, thanks," he said quietly. The spark in his eyes didn’t vanish, not even when Hinata took up some curry himself, did something which would count half a wink and began eating.

Unable to respond, Tobio could only stare at the other man, then he blinked and looked at his plate.

Right. Curry.

He licked his lips and resumed eating, this time slower and more properly. He probably swallowed his pride too, but this was okay. The curry was really good after all.

For a moment they just ate and drank water, enjoying the peace of the day.

"Curry…" Tobio said after he finished his plate.

"Hm?" Hinata put his spoon down as well, leaned back and looked at Tobio from the side.

"It’s… a simple dish."

"Mhm, it is."

"But it’s… good. It’s a good dish." Tobio knitted his brows, unsure how else to say what he meant.

Hinata didn’t seem to mind. "It really is."

A pause. Then:

"Why?"

"Why what?"

Tobio turned his head to look at Hinata and asked, "Why did you make curry? Because it’s easy?"

The smile was still soft. "No," Hinata replied, "because you said it’s your favourite."

Tobio blinked. "I did?"

"Yep."

"When?" He couldn't remember.

"I think the second time we met at the gym. We talked about food and stuff, and you said that curry is the best. Though…" Hinata hesitated and shrugged. "I’m sorry, I didn’t have any eggs, the supermarket ran out."

Tobio felt his lips twitch, then he chuckled. "It’s okay."

"I really wanted to give you that though, the ‘real curry experience’, as you said it back then."

"But this was good. More than good." He could say it now, without blushing or thinking it wasn’t true, because it was.

"Thanks." A grin split Hinata's lips and he nudged Tobio with his elbow. "Next time I’ll make sure to have some eggs prepared."

"Yes," Tobio mumbled, "I’ll look forward to that."

Next time, huh? Didn’t sound so bad at all.

With curry in his stomach and a satiated feeling driving into each of his limbs, Tobio sat back and sipped his glass of water while listening to the sounds of the neighbouring flats. It was quiet for the most part, but he could hear the faint sound of music and low chatter. He exhaled deeply and smiled to himself, even when he placed the empty glass on the table and knew that Hinata was watching him. Tobio wasn’t sure how to put it, but knowing his eyes on him made him feel full.

Maybe it was because of that feeling that he didn’t flinch when Hinata reached out to touch his hand that was resting on his thigh.

"Is that okay?" Hinata mumbled, his voice was almost drowned out by the music.

Tobio shot him a quick glance before focusing on their touching skin. "Yeah," he said, his voice rough. He swallowed. "This is… fine."

Hinata replied this with a soft smile and slowly advanced to interlink their hands, squeezing Tobio’s long fingers and brushing his thumb over the back of his hand. A few moments passed like this, then Hinata started to trace each digit before taking the hand in both of his and tugging gently, signalling Tobio to come closer.

"This too?" he asked. He was so close that Tobio could feel his breath on his face.

Tobio gazed into the glowing depth of brown eyes. "Yeah… Yeah this… this is… alright."

The smile widened, then Hinata cast a quick glance downwards and for a moment it seemed as if his eyelids grew heavier. He blinked slowly, leaned in, but before he could touch Tobio, he opened his eyes again and searched for Tobio’s gaze.

"Okay?" he whispered.

Tobio made a sound at the back of his throat and was the first to close the gap.

After having done something similar in the staff room at work, it was almost a relief to find Hinata like this again. The touch of their lips was searing and inviting, any awkwardness gone and replaced with confidence. Whatever tension or doubt Tobio had stored up was now gone, he was at ease and relaxed as he was sitting on his friend's couch and kissing one Hinata Shouyou.

Tobio placed one hand against Hinata's cheek, stroked his thumb over his cheekbone and angled his head to slot their lips together. Hinata gave way, he gave what Tobio desired and adapted easily into every languid motion they found themselves repeating.

When Hinata parted his lip to grant him access, Tobio accepted right away and started exploring Hinata's mouth with his tongue while cupping Hinata's head with his hand. A soft moan spilled from Hinata's lips, stifled by another deep kiss that had them both gasp for air.

Tobio took a deep breath, and lunged himself forward again. And Hinata gave. His hands sought purchase in the sweatshirt Tobio had decided to wear today and his fingers slid easily into silky black hair, making a mess out of it. It made Tobio bite back a sigh and returned the favour by finally, finally, pushing one hand into soft red hair.

Hinata let out a soft sigh and licked into Tobio’s mouth, hungrily and deeply.

If possible, Hinata relaxed even more, but his arms flexed and pulled him closer until Tobio couldn't keep himself up anymore and had to brace himself on the couch to not topple over. But Hinata patted his side and tugged at his arm, and without wanting to stop their kiss, they changed positions until Hinata was lying on the couch, Tobio on top.

Tobio’s hands were still touching soft strands and freckled skin, but he could feel that one of them was eager to explore more. Hinata let go of Tobio’s hair – a fact Tobio bemoaned – tugged at his sweatshirt before shoving his hand beneath the fabric.

Tobio shuddered at the sudden contact, but Hinata's hands were warm and pleasant on his skin. He could feel how he dipped the tips of his fingers into the ridges of his stomach, smoothed his muscles and sides and slid his palms upwards until he could squeeze his chest. The latter made Tobio grunt and he grounded unconsciously down.

He met another hard length covered by sweatpants.

This time neither of them stopped, not when Hinata held on to Tobio’s waist and Tobio pushed his crotch down to meet the other in a rough grinding movement.

Burning excitement rushed through Tobio’s body and he saw how he wasn’t the only one whose blood flushed his skin. Gentle streams of red warmth were scattered all over Hinata's cheeks, neck and started to disappear under his t-shirt. Keen to see how far it spread, Tobio lifted the hem of the t-shirt and gazed in a daze how taut skin jumped and muscles twitched under his stare.

"Hey."

Tobio blinked and raised his head to look with wide eyes at Hinata.

"Let’s… let’s change."

"Change?" Tobio repeated, his throat felt dry.

"Yeah, rooms." Hinata licked his lower lip and nodded towards the door of the bedroom.

"Oh. Oh yes, good idea."

A rough chuckle rippled through Hinata's throat. "You thought of changing clothes, huh?"

Tobio glared at him. He urged his hips to a stop, then he managed to get up despite his legs feeling like pudding. "Not my fault. You didn’t say a full sentence."

"Mhm," Hinata hummed non-committally. He followed suit, took Tobio’s hand in his and guided him to the bedroom.

The bedroom.

Suddenly Tobio became a bit tense. He wasn’t an idiot, at least not a total one, he knew where this was going. Even though he was eager and he saw nothing wrong with it, there was still a part of him that made his heart skip a beat and his palms to grow clammy and twitchy.

He had no time to think or prepare himself to think as Hinata wrapped his arms around his head and pulled him down to kiss him slow and deep. Tobio’s fingers itched, and well, kissing was something he was able to do, especially when it came to Hinata, and so he tugged Hinata's t-shirt until he could finally slide it off to drop it on the ground as if it had accused him.

"You too." Hinata nodded at Tobio’s sweatshirt, licking his lips while having this look in his eyes.

Tobio nodded, and as he pulled the sweatshirt and t-shirt off over his head, he noticed that Hinata shoved down his pants before unzipping Tobio’s as well.

Dressed only in their boxer briefs, they stood in front of Hinata’s bed, and for the first time after they had started sharing the first kiss, Tobio took in Hinata’s almost naked features. His whole body was bathed in gentle midday sunlight that came in through the window, his defined muscles were spanned with freckled skin that ran across his broad shoulders and compact chest.

Tobio wondered what he looked like with a tan.

He wasn’t the only one ogling as he could feel Hinata's eyes on him as well. Neither of them seemed to have much restraint.

"Let me get the stuff," Hinata mumbled and stood there for a few seconds longer before he walked over to his drawer.

Tobio nodded, even though Hinata didn’t see it anymore, and busied himself with shoving away their fallen clothes.

After kicking the drawer shut with his hip, Hinata turned around with a smile on his lips. It widened as he saw Tobio and followed the gentle line of his cleavage.

"So," he said and fiddled with the bottle of lube and a package of condoms he had in each hand. "You wanna be top or bottom?"

Speak about blunt.

Some of the blood that had gone southwards returned to fill Tobio’s cheeks. "Uh…"

"Bottom?"

"Do you want to be bottom?"

"Oi, I asked first." Hinata tilted his head to one side.

Tobio hesitated. "What do you prefer?"

A shrug. "I can do both." Of course he could.

"Okay," Tobio said slowly, still thinking about what else he could add.

"How about you? We can try something new as well if you like." Hinata dropped the lube and condoms on the mattress and reached out to take Tobio’s hand in his, brushing his palm with his thumb. It felt good.

"I…" Tobio swallowed and redirected his focus from his hand on the man in front of him. "Why are you even asking? Isn’t that, like, natural?"

"No, not really. And I’m just being polite, y’know?" Hinata said with a chuckle.

"Polite," Tobio scoffed. "You already have a boner while I’m still wearing my boxers."

"It’s because of your boxers that I have a boner."

"How is that even related?"

"Because you look good in them?" Hinata replied, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

"What?"

"They suit you, really! The pants, I mean. The boxers too, of course. But they… They highlight every good part of you, have you actually seen your legs? I swear, someone with high powers formed them and brought them down to earth. And your ass, my lord!"

Tobio stared at Hinata, and became utterly flustered. "H–how can you say that so bluntly?"

Hinata shrugged, but there was a glint in his eyes and he squeezed Tobio’s hand. "I swear, every time you step forward to serve wine your crotch is doing something, I don’t know what, and I can see the outline of your–"

"Vulgar!" Tobio stared at him

"It’s not your fault, Kageyama," Hinata said placatingly. The glint wasn’t gone, however.

"It’s not?"

"Mhm." He shook his head. "Whoever is responsible for blessing you with this… thing between your legs, thank you."

"My…"

Hinata grinned cheekily. Tobio swallowed.

"How about you then?" he asked and licked his lips.

Both men glanced down at Hinata's erection tenting the front of his boxers. When Hinata’s eyes met his again, he smirked. "Wanna find out?" he asked quietly.

"Y–yeah," Tobio croaked. He really wanted to find out.

"Me too." It was a mere whisper.

"I thought you knew how you look."

"I meant you, dummy." Hinata laughed, his voice was full of mirth and thick syrupy desire. "I have a great imagination, but I’m still curious about the real deal, y’know?"

Tobio nodded and withstood the urge to glance down again. He would find out soon enough anyway.

"So," Hinata said determinedly and picked up the condom package to rip the carton open with one hand, "top or bottom?"

"I… I don’t know, what do you recommend?"

Quiet laughter fell from Hinata’s lips and he continued to fiddle with the package. "Recommend? Are we talking about songs or vegetables in the supermarket?"

Tobio swallowed thickly. He didn’t reply. It was the moment of truth, and although he felt slightly uncomfortable, he knew that he didn’t want to hide. Not when it included Hinata and wherever this was going.

Hinata hesitated, looked up from the package and knitted his brows. There was no mock or sneer in his expression, just confusion and soft concern.

"You, uh… Okay, this might be a stupid question, but you did this before, right?"

Tobio glanced to the side. "Would it be stupid to say no?" He only looked back to observe Hinata's reaction.

"No, not really." Hinata had halted his handling of the package and gave Tobio his full attention.

Tobio frowned. "Hinata, we’re thirty-two."

A shrug. "So what?" Hinata looked completely unfazed and stayed serious even when Tobio continued to stare at him. Of course the previous concern was still visible in his facial features, but that was probably due to another reason. Logistical reasons, to be precise, although from Tobio's point of view this wasn’t a problem at all. Not really at least.

As the silence dragged on, Hinata gave his hand a squeeze. "Kageyama?"

Tobio clenched his free hand to a fist and relaxed his fingers again. "Sorry."

"No." Hinata shook his head and dropped the condoms altogether. "No, no, no, why are you sorry?"

"It’s just…" Tobio shrugged while he searched for a word, "weird."

Hinata's brown eye stayed soft and gentle, he smiled and reached out to grasp Tobio’s shoulder, gripping it tightly, reassuringly. "No need to be, you know? But," he added and Tobio’s brows twitched, "you still wanted to…"

"Of course!"

Both men blushed at the bluntness.

"I mean," Tobio added, "it’s not that I never… tried things out myself or so."

"You mean…" Hinata trailed off and glanced down, "you… touched yourself."

Tobio nodded.

"All over?"

Another nod.

"Oh… great."

"Great?" Tobio repeated. It sounded so simple, yet when he looked at the other man, he could see that Hinata too was a bit affected by his words.

"It adds to my imagination," he said quietly.

Tobio blinked and chuckled roughly.

"You wanna top then? That’s easier anyway for the first time. Or you want to, dunno, just do a handjob or something simpler?" Hinata shrugged. "I wouldn’t mind sucking you because… that sounds pretty fun in itself." He licked his lips while casting his eyes down once more, taking in the half-hard cock sitting heavy in Tobio’s boxers.

The idea alone was enough to dry out Tobio’s throat. "I… Can you do it?"

Hinata studied him, probably to figure out what he had meant. "You wanna be the bottom?"

"Why does it sound so blunt?"

Hinata shrugged. "Better to be direct with these things. So?"

"Yeah," Tobio exhaled, relieved to be done with, well, most of the conversational part at least.

"Sounds very convincing," Hinata joked, nudging his shoulder, which had Tobio scowl so that he added with a chuckle, "Okay, okay, I get it."

"Sorry." Tobio blinked and pressed thumb and index finger together. "I…"

But no words came for a moment.

"Maybe I should’ve said it sooner," Tobio finally continued. "I… I can’t promise that I… will be good at this," he finally explained, slowly, with a quiet voice and a blush that shifted to a deeper shade of red.

Hinata eased his grip on Tobio’s shoulder and stroked over his arm, smoothing the skin. "Let’s find out?" he whispered and looked a little curious.

Tobio nodded. Maybe it did look a tad too eager, but he didn’t care. He really wanted to do this with Hinata after all.

"You wanna use the bathroom first?"

"Uh, yeah."

At first neither of them moved, but then Tobio took a step back, causing Hinata's hand to fall from his arm. He missed the warmth immediately. Envisioning what would come next, Tobio nodded once more to nothing and no one in particular, and left the bedroom.

As he had expected, the bathroom behind the closed door was right next door and as small and cramped as his own. There was only a shower, a sink and a toilet, the shelf showed a collection of toothpaste, floss, toothbrush, hairbrush, razor, pain gel and spare rolls of toilet paper, the laundry basket was half full and the floor spotless. Had Hinata cleaned?

Without giving it much thought, Tobio went to work.

A few moments later Tobio emerged from the bathroom with a flushed head and flaccid cock. The cooler air of the living room was pleasant on his skin and he inhaled deeply before stepping back into the bedroom where Hinata was sitting on the edge of his bed, playing with the cap of the lube. He looked up when Tobio came inside, and smiled. His erection had subsided, but the desire in his eyes was still present.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"I’m not a fragile sheet of paper that’s about to rip, you know?" Tobio replied with a scowl.

"Sorry." Hinata chuckled and patted the space next to him. "Sit?"

Tobio grunted and complied. The mattress dipped under his weight. He felt a little awkward, but as soon as Hinata's hand was stroking his back and grabbing his waist, he relaxed again, the gentle touch of callous hands easing him.

The two men shifted until they were facing each other, close enough to kiss again. Tobio couldn't help but push his hands back into red hair and tug a little at the soft strands, relishing the touch and the way it elicited soft moans out of Hinata's throat. Hinata didn’t stand still either, his fingers caressed Tobio’s back, his sides, his arms and chest. When he placed both palms on Tobio’s thighs, Tobio’s cock made a twitch and it didn’t take long for it to come back to life.

The boxer briefs were restricting – he wondered why he had pulled them on again after he was done cleaning – and he realised that he wasn’t the only one thinking so. Idle fingers played with the seam of his boxers and for one second Hinata pulled back from their kiss to give him a look as if in question. Tobio grunted his confirmation, and as they resumed where they had left off, Hinata made deft work and hooked his fingers under the fabric. Naturally they had to part again to get the boxers off, but when they both were completely naked, Tobio wasn’t so eager to close his eyes so soon.

Red hair, which probably felt as soft as the rest of Hinata's strands, curled above a purple-pink head, which looked velvety and shiny in the sunlight. A thick vein ran from top to bottom and was somewhere lost between the balls, tight and compact below the base of a very hard shaft. Its girth was a bit thicker than Tobio’s, but the length was shorter.

Tobio swallowed. He too had imagination, but Hinata was right, the real thing was better after all. How much… Tobio was sure he would find out soon enough.

"Guess it wasn’t a trick of the light," Hinata mumbled. His hands were still on Tobio’s thighs and his eyes were directed on the spot where most of Tobio’s blood had decided to gather.

"Because we have better lightning than your cellar," Tobio replied.

Hinata blinked in confusion, looked up and laughed quietly. Then he gestured towards the bed. "Lay down? I’ll get the lube and… yeah."

Once Tobio laid on his back, he noticed how comfortable it was to lay where Hinata was normally sleeping at night. The mattress was neither too hard nor too soft and the scent… Everything smelled like Hinata, it was intoxicating.

As Hinata’s weight settled between his legs and familiar hands settled on his skin, Tobio directed his focus on the man in front of him.

"You comfy there?" Hinata asked, smiling.

"Mhm, very."

A cheeky grin, one Tobio couldn’t help but like a lot.

"I’m gonna use some lube, alright?"

Tobio nodded. He watched how Hinata opened the bottle, poured some of the clear liquid on his fingers before discarding the bottle to the side. His second hand smoothed Tobio’s thigh up and down, pressing his thumb into the muscles and massaging the flesh.

"Alright?"

Tobio grunted.

The tips of Hinata’s fingers nudged against his hole, but instead of breaching it, he touched him everywhere around, smearing the lube and relaxing the muscles. It felt good like this, slow and careful, but good. Tobio eased into the touch, but he kept his eyes directed on the other man, whose brows were knitted in concentration and whose eyes were directed on his handiwork.

"Tell me if there’s anything I can do better," Hinata mumbled.

"Are you sure?" Tobio replied, cocking an eyebrow. "I would be talking the entire night and still not be done."

"Oi!"

Tobio smirked.

"Tell me, yeah? I want this to feel good for you." Hinata raised his gaze to look him in the eyes.

"I’m used to my own fingers."

"Your fingers might be longer than mine, but they’re thinner you know?"

He hesitated. "Is that good?"

"I think so." Hinata looked thoughtfully. "But I still want to know if it’s too much, so talk to me okay?"

Tobio nodded once more. He watched how Hinata used some more lube, then he brought his hand back to his hole. Tobio felt awfully exposed like this, but the feeling of broad fingertips against his sensitive body part was something he didn’t want to miss out on. Even though he had done this a couple of times to himself, he still tensed up as Hinata finally pushed inside with his index finger.

As Hinata coaxed his finger inside, slowly and gradually, his other hand stroked Tobio’s thigh until he relaxed again. He pulled the finger out and pushed it back inside, again and again, slowly and gently.

Tobio had to agree with him, it indeed felt different, quite a lot actually, even if it was only one finger. It wasn’t painful, not one bit, though not that he had reckoned with that, but it felt… different.

"Still okay?"

"Yeah," Tobio breathed out. "Add another one."

Hinata thrust his finger a few more times inside and out before adding a second one. He went slower now than before and didn’t use as much pressure as earlier. Tobio quickly adjusted to the girth of two fingers, his muscles giving way and seeking to be filled with more, to be touched with another warmth, strong and taut.

"You can… another."

Hinata hummed and pressed a kiss to the inside of Tobio’s knee. Tobio felt a smile on his lips but he didn’t open his eyes – when had he closed them? – to check.

The third finger was more difficult to adjust to. Tobio’s body wanted to make room, he wanted to help Hinata ease inside and forcefully relaxed into the touch. He wasn’t quite successful at first, but the longer he inhaled the scents around him, Hinata's distinct body scent, the curry and laundry detergent, the more he found himself at ease.

Hinata sure took his time to prepare him, but that also gave both of them time to explore what Tobio might like. He didn’t only touch Tobio’s thighs and knees, but reached out to pick up his hardening cock, stroked through the hoarse hair, brushed the perineum, his lower abdomen and his legs. He touched everywhere he could while gently thrusting inside and out.

After a while he started to experimentally spread his fingers while reaching deeper. Tobio keened at that, like this it was as if Hinata’s fingers felt thicker than before, and once he had adjusted, he began to move his hips and thrust back.

"Okay," he released, together with a shudder in his voice.

"Wait a bit."

"Huh?"

"Wait. I will…" Hinata trailed off and shoved his fingers a bit further, a bit deeper inside.

Tobio watched in confusion how Hinata focused with his eyes on a spot while his fingers were deep down his ass. He was about to ask, when sudden sparks shot behind his eyes and a loud moan rippled through his throat. His vision became blurry and he threw his head to the side, gasping.

"What the…"

"There it is." Hinata sounded far too pleased with himself. "Did it feel good?"

Good was definitely not the word Tobio would use, but he grunted anyway. "Yeah." Maybe there would never be a suitable word to describe such a sensation. Not when it included Hinata Shouyou.

"Can I go there again?"

"Yeah but… Not so much."

"Mhm, of course."

Hinata repeated what he had done before, placed his other hand flat on Tobio’s belly and tried to reach for the treasure spot inside. It took a few attempts, but he finally brushed it again. Each time the touch sent electric sparks through Tobio’s body, made him writhe, his muscles tense and relax again.

Oh.

Oh, Tobio had never felt that before.

Something changed and it took a few seconds until he realised that Hinata had withdrawn his fingers to let him clench on nothing. After being in the very centre of Hinata’s focus, it felt weird to be suddenly this empty.

Dazed, Tobio watched how Hinata tore open a condom wrapper, pulled one on, spread a fresh amount of lube in his palm and gave himself a few tugs, making himself groan quietly. Seeing him like this made Tobio feel excited and giddy all of a sudden. The thought that he had never had sex with an actual person was pushed to the very back of his mind; he felt like it didn’t matter anymore when it was Hinata who would be the one breaching him first.

For a few moments Tobio watched the thick head of Hinata's cock disappear and reappear between the grip of his fingers and thumb, sheathed by a thin layer of plastic, and unconsciously Tobio wriggled his hips into the mattress. He wanted to feel this girth inside of him, he wanted to know what it was like to be filled by this round and thick and dark shaft of Hinata.

"You good?"

Tobio blinked and directed his eyes higher so that he could look into the eyes of the other man. Hinata had let go of himself, pushed Tobio’s legs gently aside and fumbled for a pillow to push it below Tobio’s hip.

"Y–yeah." Tobio swallowed. "I’m fine."

"Alright. I’m gonna push in."

"Mhm."

Tobio felt the hot head nudge against his hole as Hinata aligned, and when he started to push it inside, there was resistance at first. Hinata leaned forwards, the muscles of his thighs jumped and tensed – Tobio wanted to reach out and touch them – and then the head was inside, swallowed by lax muscles and guided by lube.

It felt thick and big, much bigger than Tobio had imagined it to be. He was glad Hinata waited a few seconds before continuing to slowly ease himself inside by using shallow thrusts and gentle pressure. Hinata's brows were knitted in concentration, his lips were slightly parted and his eyes were directed on where they were connecting.

"Still good?" Hinata asked, slightly breathless.

"Mhm." Tobio took a deep breath, trying to stabilise it. "Fine."

With occasional questions, grunts and sighs, Hinata pushed into him until Tobio felt he was unable to take anything in anymore. The unrhythmic movement of Hinata's hips came to a halt and they both exhaled a breath.

Hinata finally settled inside of him.

The concentrated expression didn’t vanish from Hinata's face and his eyes were closed. Maybe he had to refrain from moving until Tobio gave permission, and Tobio was glad to have a break, which gave him a possibility to adjust. He focused solely on the shaft inside his body, the thick circumference and the warmth it spread. A shuddering breath spilled from his lips, a breath he wasn’t able to hold in any longer, and he frowned deeply, waiting.

"Move," he said, his voice raspy.

"Bossy," Hinata replied, mumbling, but there was a smile in his voice.

Tobio smirked weakly. "You like it."

His sole answer was a rough chuckle. Hinata gripped his legs and started to ease his cock out before slowly pushing back inside. Each movement was deliberate, as if Hinata didn’t want to forget each thrust, touch or sound they were making.

The smooth glide of hardened flesh over loosened muscles felt incredibly satisfying and Tobio found it easy to relax into the gentle rocking of their bodies. There was warmth engulfing him, Hinata’s scent was everywhere, he could simply let the tension bleed away and let himself be filled, over and over again.

"Tell me what feels good and what doesn’t."

At first Tobio didn’t register the words, they were somewhere at the back of his mind, swaying back and forth with the movements of their locked hips. The gruff panting and the grip of sweaty palms on his thigh shifting made him blink and open his eyes.

"Or if you want to try out something," Hinata added now.

Tobio grunted in acknowledgement of his words, but stayed silent for a while. It wasn’t that he wanted to change anything right away, but to reach out and touch. He extended his arm so that his fingertips brushed heated skin and freckles, seeking the contact with a smile on his lips.

When Hinata sat back on his heels and pushed forward from this position, the head of his cock brushed Tobio’s prostate and he gasped at the sensation shooting through his body.

He didn’t suppress the heavy moan that poured out from the depths of his throat and let his legs fall apart, counting on Hinata to catch them before his hip would hurt. This also granted Hinata better access, and whether intentionally or not, his cock slipped in a little deeper. Then he paused.

"This is good, huh?"

Tobio swallowed and stared at his friend. He nodded, he couldn't help himself.

"One more," Hinata announced and began moving again. He tried to push in at the same angle as before, but he didn't quite manage to replicate it. He hit a couple of other places though, which also felt good, but it wasn’t the same, it wasn’t what Tobio needed right now.

"Keep talking, yeah?"

Tobio only replied with a grunt and closed his eyes again. He tried to surrender to the feeling of being filled from a new angle as Hinata thrust into him at a faster pace than before. It still felt good, just like before, everything was warm and a little sticky, the soft slick sound of the lube squishing between their bodies filled his ears, and he chased after that certain sensation he had felt moments before. But to no avail.
Tobio frowned at nothing in particular.

"Can you…" he swallowed and gasped for air, clutching to the sheets, "change it?"

"Huh?" Hinata slowed down and looked at him as he gyrated his hips in small circles.

"Your angle, can you change it?" Tobio was glad that he was flushed anyway or otherwise asking this in the middle of doing it was embarrassing.

"Mhm." It sounded more like a hum, but eagerness was glowing in dark brown eyes. "I’ll try."

Two hands, smaller than Tobio’s but possessing more strength, grabbed Tobio’s thighs, pushed his legs a tad higher and picked up a different pace, a different angle.

This…

This was still good, but yet not right.

Hinata, who must have picked up on that as well, smirked and said, "You wanna try?"

"What do you–"

"Get on top."

"But–"

"I mean literally, on top of me."

Tobio blinked a couple of times, desire and lust made his thoughts trickle much slower through his brain than on a regular daily basis. He groaned when Hinata slid out of him, leaving him to clench around nothing. Hinata pulled him into something that resembled a hug – kissing him on this occasion – and turned them around until Tobio was hovering above Hinata, and that was certainly a view.

Tobio licked his lips and stared down at the other man, who had his palms flat against his chest, stroking up and down, while gazing at him with heavy-lidded eyes from a position Tobio had been a mere second ago. He could see his own cock hanging between their bodies, leaking pre-cum on Hinata’s belly, who didn’t seem to mind, and the twitch of Hinata's girth somewhere below ridges and muscular valleys.

There were a couple of things Tobio wanted to do now, but there was one in particular and he certainly saw the appeal in that. He nodded and sat back, his ass framed by Hinata's thighs.

"It might be a bit tough on your legs," Hinata mumbled, his voice thick with desire and concern, and he reached out to brush his fingers over Tobio’s sweaty skin.

"It’s fine," Tobio heard himself replying as he was rather busy trying to hide how eager he suddenly became at the thought of sitting on his friend’s crotch.

He tried to position himself over Hinata's cock, but it needed a few more hands than his own to guide him back until head and shaft disappeared once more inside of him.

Tobio had already missed this feeling.

It was a lot different than before, not only because he had to balance himself and actually take control of things, but because the angle was better, so much better. When Tobio tentatively lifted himself and Hinata's cock slid out, he took a deep breath before sitting back down.

Hinata's hands stayed on his waist, guiding him back if he came off their alignment or helping him move. When Tobio was fine on his own, he let his hands drop to his thighs, kneading the flesh and smoothing the skin.

Tobio braced himself on Hinata's waist and side, but once the flat velvety head of Hinata brushed his prostate, he keened and his arms grew weaker. He managed to stay upright, though he rather grabbed two hands full of bedsheets than cling to the man below him. He sighed and trembled, chasing that feeling of liquefied pleasure, of searing burns and prickling tingles down his arms and legs, of blazing passion coiling in his crotch.

There was strength in Hinata's grip, and when Tobio lost himself in grinding down, circling his hips and lazily pushing up and down for some friction, Hinata thrust from below. It wrung a moan from Tobio’s throat, who squeezed his eyes shut and entrusted Hinata the rest.

He wasn’t exactly sure how much time had passed, but when a hot and sticky hand wrapped around his cock, Tobio opened his eyes in surprise and stared at Hinata, who was transfixed on his palm and fingers stroking Tobio untouched member.

Tobio was first, his cum pulsing out of his cock and dribbling over Hinata’s hand, who kept pumping until there was nothing left to pump. The deepest itch was scratched, his body was touched all over, there was warmth everywhere and there was a soft throb in his crotch that slowly ebbed away in easy waves, adding to the prickle that spread from where Hinata was still inside of him. Tobio clenched purposefully and smiled weakly when Hinata barked and clung to Tobio’s side as he slowly began to fill the condom.

They more or less came to a halt – apart from a brief twitch and shudder – and Tobio eased his grip on the sheets and lifted his hips. It was odd, not only because his legs felt like pudding, but because everything was somehow sticky and moist. He tried not to wrinkle his nose – he failed – and ignored the sound of Hinata's cock as it fell into the puddle of cum that had accumulated on his stomach.

Well, it was perhaps a little funny after all, but Tobio didn’t have the strength to laugh, not even for a chuckle. Panting and exhausted, but utterly pleased, he flopped on the bed next to Hinata, who turned around to face him, breathing heavily himself.

They calmed down, breathing and swallowing, and bathed in the gentle glow of the afternoon sun that lit each grain of dust dancing in the air.

When Tobio opened his eyes, he saw that Hinata was already watching him silently. Tobio simply gazed back.

"Hm?" he said.

A soft smile spread across Hinata's lips. He reached out and stroked with one hand through Tobio’s hair. "Did you like it?" he asked quietly.

"Mhm."

Hinata chuckled, it sounded rough but genuinely amused. "Not bad for a first time."

"Well, it’s not that I didn’t have any experience. I just never went… all the way. With someone." Tobio knitted his brows, then he gave up on thinking and relished the touch of Hinata's fingers in his hair.

"True," Hinata mused. "I couldn't really believe it."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm. I mean… you’re you and…"

"I am me?"

"Obviously!" Hinata grinned, his eyes were glowing, even in the narrow space between them. "And… we kissed!"

"So what?"

Confusion flitted across Hinata’s expression and he blushed. "But… you were so…"

Oh. Tobio got it. He smirked. "Say it."

Hinata harrumphed and retreated his hand, but soon his fingers were back again, easing through black strands. "Okay, you were good. Got it?"

Somehow, hearing this being sad made Tobio blush. Even after everything they had done today.

"I thought," Hinata added, as if chasing an idea in his mind he almost forgot about, but he trailed off.

"Kissing doesn’t have anything to do with sex, you know?" Tobio replied. "Just because I’m good at it, just as you said."

Hinata studied him for a moment and closed his mouth again. Then he said, "I guess you have a point. You just proved it after all."

Tobio blinked, his cheeks felt hotter than before. He looked at Hinata's hand, its muscles shifting as he stroked his head. This felt good, really good.

"But it’s… weird."

"Hm?" Tobio glanced at him. There was an unsatisfied frown on his face.

"Like… you… you kissed others, right? To get better, I mean."

"Uhm, yes. I think so? I need to practice and…" then Tobio trailed off. It sounded weird when he said it like that.

"Lots?" Hinata wanted to know. He looked at him, suddenly curious and wide-eyed. His expression was so earnest that Tobio gave it some honest thought.

"A few? I didn’t count. I don’t keep a list, you know?"

Hinata chuckled. It sounded a little forced, hard and unusual. Tobio didn’t like that sound, he rather preferred the bell-bright laugh or the nasal one Hinata always had when he laughed at Tobio's jokes.

"It’s not like I kiss anyone I went out with," Tobio said, he wanted to. "I didn’t go out with many people to begin with."

A flicker shimmered in the depth of brown eyes, warm and gentle. It eased the previous look into something soft, something Tobio recognised immediately at Hinata Shouyou.

"I see," Hinata said and exhaled a swift breath of air, "makes sense."

"Oi." Tobio nudged Hinata's side, who giggled.

There was a short patch of silence during which Tobio studied Hinata, who knitted his brows thoughtfully and gazed at the mattress and the dishevelled sheets. A faint blush spread around Hinata's nose, his freckles were all there, sitting on his skin, and there was a drop of sweat that had gathered on his brow. His hand was still in Tobio’s hair, but his arm rested on his shoulder now, a little sticky but comfortably warm.

Tobio licked his lips and felt his heart pound against his chest. He grabbed a handful of sheets and let go of it a second later. He took a deep shallow breath, so quiet that Hinata didn’t hear it, and swallowed.

"You… you wanna do it?"

"Huh?" Hinata looked at him. "Again? We’re thirty-two, Kageyama-kun, I need a break that’s longer than five minutes."

Tobio blinked in confusion. "No, I mean… Uhm…"

The silence stretched, but they were both engaged in keeping the conversation going, even if neither of them knew where this was going.

"Kiss?" Hinata offered.

"Well, that too, uhm…"

Hinata waited, patiently so. It warmed Tobio’s heart a little more. "I mean… go out," he finally managed to utter his thought, his desire.

"We have February," Hinata commented.

Tobio scowled. "No, dumbass, go out with me!"

Three full seconds passed with Hinata staring at him, then he exhaled a very long, "Ohhhhhh."

The sheets were once more a tangible target for Tobio’s nervous fidgeting. "Yeah…" he confirmed.

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise," Tobio said, frowning.

A shrug. "Because… you didn’t go out with people often and such."

"That’s because they were all idiots I didn’t like."

"Oh." A heartbeat passed. "Then how about me?"

"You’re also an idiot," Tobio answered right away and with a smirk, then his smile grew softer. "But the difference is obvious."

"Thanks? Is that a compliment?"

"It wasn’t?"

"No!" Hinata shouted, but he laughed mirthfully and squeezed Tobio’s shoulder. Tobio smiled.

"But yes," Hinata then said, quieter now, "I will."

"You may now kiss…"

Tobio trailed off intentionally, which only made Hinata laugh again. He was still giggling as he leaned in and pressed his palm flat against Tobio’s chest when they met for another kiss. Tobio too smiled, wrapped his arm around Hinata's back and pulled him closer. He could stay like this for a while longer.