The empty space where you used to be. (Kagehina)

Summer.

That day was probably the most painful of days in Hinata Shoyo's life. He had a terrible seizure, and almost had another if not for the hospitals medicine. It felt like he was dying. The way his body contorted...it was awful, and scary, and he went nonverbal for awhile after.

Kageyama was tapping his foot, checking his phone. He was being good about keeping touch with his teammates, and friends, though it was hard when he had to explain what he did. The doctor seeing over Hinata gave him a stern talking to and told his parents, which wasn't as bad as he thought it would be.

Another day had passed, and he wasn't able to see Hinata. Why? It was probably awful in that place. He kept looking at the screen until he finally got a message. From Ennoshita.

He responded quickly with apologies and assuring him he would show up. He wanted to play, but it wasn't the same without...Hinata.

"Idiot.." Kageyama put his phone in pocket and strolled up to his teammates room. When he peaked in, he saw Hinata doing that weird vibrating thing. "Come in."

He did so.

"Don't mind me," Hinata said in a pained way. "Are you okay?"

"Am I okay?!" Kageyama lowered his volume quickly. "I'm sorry." The ginger tried sitting up, but his neck was as stiff as a board, which meant pain. "Don't be. Things happen. I'm just happy I got to play. If only for a little bit."

Kageyama scoffed softly, sitting down. "You scared me. I thought I was gonna kill you."

"That would suck," Hinata said, chuckling. "Lame way to die, too." The setter couldn't help but snort. "Hinata!"

"It's true! My tombstone would say, died from being lame on it. I wanna have something cool!"

"You're not gonna die," Kageyama reminded. "Remember? You promised." Hinata smiled. "I know."

They fist bumped softly. Hinata's knuckles were more pink. And rounded than Kageyamas. His hands were unique in a way. Something so gentle, yet so destructive and...monster- like.

"Kageyama?"

"What?"

Hinata sighed, almost heaving it out. "Can you do me a favor?" Kags scoffs. "Depends."

"Next time you come, bring a volleyball." The two looked at each other. "For?" "To play!" Hinata exclaimed. "Even if I'm stuck here, I'm gonna play. Even if all my limbs give out and I fall on my face, I'm picking up a volleyball and playing."

Kageyama almost smiled. This was the one thing he most certainly admired about Shoyo. Always playing. Always winning. Life, was a game, in that sense.

"So will you?" Hinata asked again. "I will." Kageyama said, nodding his head. "Yes! I'm already so excited!" The ginger pumped his fists up and down in a celebratory motion. "So tomorrow?"

"It's a date!"

"No it's not-"

"IDIOT LET ME CALL IT WHAT I WANT-"

"NO YOU TURDLICKER IM GONNA STOP YOU-"

...

Tsukishima groaned. "Do we really have to come?"

"Yes!" Yamaguchi slapped his arm. "I don't care if you don't want to because tall peoples opinions are stupid."

Kageyama gave the other first years a look. "Yes, that means you," Yams teased, laughing. The setter rolled his eyes.

"Kageyama! You brought- people?" Hinata looked at the three boys. "Tsukishima?" Tsukki nodded. "Shrimp."

"Did you bring it?" Kageyama took a volleyball out of his bag and tossed it lightly to the ginger. "Yes!! And there's four people, so we can do a 2v2!"

"I am not playing," Tsukki drawled. "Get over yourself!" Kageyama said. "Says you!"

"Oh my god, shut up!" Yamaguchi grabbed the ball and threw it at Kageyamas face. "We're in a hospital! Be quiet for two seconds and play the damn game!"

The two taller people looked at each other in surprise. "Uhm, okay, I guess."

Hinata tried stretching his arms. "Ugh, I feel so tense!"

"You are."

"Shut up!"

Hinata served lightly underhanded and Yamaguchi received it, passing it to Kageyama, who set it to Tsukishima. The tall blonde decided to receive it, as to not destroy property that wasn't his. Hinata took it again, grunting at how much effort it took to receive the damn ball. His muscles were getting weaker whether he wanted them to or not.

Yams let it hit the floor and picked it up, smiling. "Aww! One point for Hinata." Tsukki rolled his eyes; obviously he would go "easy" on the small fry.

"Another?" Hinata looked at them expectingly. "Are you up for it?"

"Yes!" Kageyama served, and Tsukishima set it meekly over to Hinata, who whacked the ball into the wall. "OHMYGOD-"

"Dumbass! Don't do that!" Kageyama scolded. "I wanted to spike it!" Hinata argued. "Yeah, almost hitting the others! Nice one!" The setter quipped sarcastically.

"Can you two be quiet?" Tsukki groaned. "It's bad enough I'm dealing with the king, now I'm here with his knight in shining armor." Yams scoffed.

"We should go though," the green haired boy shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "We live back down the way."

"It was nice seeing you guys! And thank you for playing with me!" Hinata thanked them and bowed his head, albeit awkwardly because it was hard to move. "Yeah! See ya soon Hinata!" Yams guided Tsukki out and shut the door.

"That was so fun."

"Are you that bored?!"

"Yes!!" The decoy drawled, whining. "My body is stupid and I wanna play with you guys!"

Kags had an idea. He set the ball on the others lap. "Keep it. Practice while I'm gone."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! God, don't make it a thing. It's for you to get better, so use it or I'll kick your ass!" Kageyama threatened. Surprisingly, the ginger laughed, quieter than usual, but still. He smiled. "Thank you, Kag— wait can I call you by your first name??"

"NO! We are not friends!"

"You're so lame, bakayama!"

"Don't call me that!"