The 'Almighty' King

Little Space

Kageyama's POV
I was shaken awake the next morning, the soft sound of "Kags~ wakey wakey~" being repeated in my ears. I furrowed my brows and groaned.
"Leave me alone dumbass-" I mumbled pushing a pillow over my head.
"Kageyama we gotta go eat before we start our day of matches." Hinata informed me as I felt him sit up next to me.

I simply groaned again, having only gotten about three hours sleep because of that stupid blonde bastard's attempt to go after my tangerine. Without thinking I let the pillow fall off my face as I reached out to clutch Hinata from behind - sitting up to bury my face into his neck. "Two more minutes?" I mumbled quietly, suddenly feeling some weird urge to start talking like a child.
I refrained since I knew Tsukkishika and Yamaguchi were still in the room.
But with the close proximity, I knew Hinata could tell something was off about me.
I felt the same urge last night as I was trying to sleep. When I couldn't I did research and found out that apparently a coping mechanism for stress was something called 'Little space'. It's something that makes a person's mind revert in age in order to cope with stress or to help with sleep. I read that different ages affected them body differently. I was hoping to try and talk what I found out though with Hinata but I knew now wasn't the time. I'd have to push through until later tonight when it was just the two us in silence.

But after that thinking, my requested two minutes was up and I was dragged out of bed. I wasn't happy but I had no choice.
But eventually Hinata and I were on the court with Rikiya, Hikari, Malo, Tsukkishima and Yamaguchi facing Inarizaki's team. And I was face to face with the blonde Miya. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a worse hair dye job before in my life.
Alas the game started though, and Karasuno started strong. But with the lack of sleep I had I felt myself getting weaker and weaker with each jump, toss and serve I pulled off. Hinata was starting to see my weakening state because I kept noticing his constant worrying glances flying my way. I knew I wouldn't be able to convince him I was okay and eventually I was swapped out for Percephi. We'd managed to work out a way for him to communicate without him having to use hearing aids. His other senses save for his hearing were much higher than ours and honestly I was thankful it was him replacing me as setter when I left at the end of the year. Percephi was a promising first year and that's coming from me.
Right now though I needed to concentrate on getting my energy back or at the very least chilling myself out. Just looking at that Sangwoo knock-off pissed me off. I felt so angry my thigh was burning so much. I wanted to release her but the gym wasn't exactly big and I didn't trust her out on court with an unfamiliar team. Had it been Nekoma or Sehjo I wouldn't have minded but with Inarizaki? I wasn't going to risk it.

~Time Skip~

In the end, I couldn't calm myself down enough. My leg was bouncing in frustration and according to coach Ukai I looked paler than a ghost so I was sent back to the room before the second set of the second match was even over. Upon returning, I went to the washroom, finally releasing Shinryaku and sighing when the burning on my thigh ceased.

I stayed in the washroom for about an hour just trying to steady my breathing and relax but it just wasn't working. I had now left Hinata in the gym with Atsumu alone and no way of knowing what on earth was going on between them.

So failing to relax, I got out the hot baths and dried, once more getting into my pajama bottoms and walking back to the room with Shinryaku silently padding beside me.
I slipped into the futon once I got there. I felt awful I won't lie. Not only had I left Hinata but I was a captain that had just left his entire team alone. I'm a fucking fool.
That thought made something in me snap. I felt my hand move to my chest and start to claw at it. I didn't want to do this but I had no blades. I thought I had this under control. Damn it! I couldn't slip either. No one was here to make sure I didn't get hurt. Not that it mattered I'm still hurting myself. My other hand moved to my hair and tugged hard making me yell. Tears were in my eyes. I thought this had stopped. I thought I'd gotten over this. But it's all the same. It didn't change! "Damn it!!!" I yelled harder, feeling Shinryaku walk closer and try to get into my lap and failing as I kept thrashing.

I was trembling so bad I didn't even notice her leave and rush off to the gym. I only looked up when I heard a voice in the door.
"Tobio!" My head shot up, my vision blurry and only just catching sight of an orange smudge making its way over to me. I was pulled into a tight hug, gripping whatever fabric my hands could find as I tried to calm myself down.
His familiar scent struck me and eventually nulled the feelings of torture. Looking up I could finally see straight and could clearly make out Hinata's worried looks.

"What happened?..." he asked softly.
I didn't want to say but I still wasn't calm. I needed to sort myself out and right now there was only one thing I could think I of. So doing my best I tried to explain.
"I-I couldn't sleep last night because of... something I don't want to talk about yet... but... I felt something weird so I... I did some research. And I was hoping maybe... you could help me?..." it was hard to admit that I won't lie but I have to. I know I have to or I could kill myself.

"What with Tobio?" He seemed open to anything right now so I'm hoping he doesn't freak out at this.

"C-could I... could I try something called little space?..." I mumbled, looking down.
"What's that?"
"Basically... I-I revert my mind to that of a child's... to cope with stress or lack of sleep..." I explained.
Hinata was silent for a bit but he did eventually answer. "Sure. If it'll help you I'll stay here to take care of you."

I let a weak smile fall on my lips and finally let that feeling take over me.