Soft Side

Comfort

It was Wednesday when the team finally had enough of Hinata's behaviour. He's been off of his game for three days straight, bumping into Asahi so often the team thought Asahi would lose his shoulder if it went on any longer, he's thrown the ball at Kageyama more than twice, it's a miracle he hasn't killed Hinata yet. That's probably due to Sugawara calming him down in time. His speed and stamina seemed to be depleting day by day. Kageyama was the one that ultimately snapped after the third ball thrown at him.

"Dumbass! What's up with you? You can't even throw a ball properly! I thought you've improved?" He bellowed, ignoring his bleeding nose.

The whole gym went silent, watching the two as Hinata nervously shuffled about, his eyes downcast.

"I---..." He stammered, breaking off.

"You what?" Kageyama asked, irritated, wiping his nose clean of the blood.
Hinata took a deep breath, tears welling up in his brown eyes.

"Izuku Uncle passed away," he got out hoarsely, his voice cracking at the end.

Kageyama froze. He knew how much Izuku meant to Hinata, he was the only one that believed in his dream of becoming the best volleyball player there is, he believed in Hinata when the rest of his family wouldn't. Hinata had told him multiple stories about the man, heck, he even told Kageyama that he thought he could probably be a better setter than him! The rest of the team gasped and stood still as well. Kageyama was the first one to make a move, hugging Hinata fiercely. Hinata stood still before wailing loudly and returning the hug. Kageyama began softly stroking his hair.

"It's okay, let it all out, let it out," he murmured softly as if acting solely on instinct. The members of the team stared at the pair with dropped jaws, even Tsukishima who is usually stoic had his eyes wide in astonishment. Tanaka and Nishinoya rubbed their eyes furiously before looking back at the scene, Sugawara pinched himself twice to assert that it wasn't a dream.

Kageyama led Hinata to the bench whilst muttering sweet nothings, and pulled him on his lap.
"It's okay..." he muttered.

"What's okay? The fact that he died?" Hinata sobbed.

"No that's not okay, it's okay that it hurts, its okay that you're off your game, it's okay that you don't want me to toss to you," he said, thinking back to the lack of requests from the middle blocker.

"It's okay that you don't feel like playing volleyball for a while," he continued, thinking back to the exhausted expression worn by Hinata during more than one practice session.

He finally glanced back at Hinata, to find him already looking at him," And it's okay to take a break to grieve, I'll take a break with you if it makes you better, then you won't have to worry about staying behind," he added the last part with a small teasing smirk.

"I won't toss to anyone, I won't practice my serves, receives, nothing, I'll wait till you get back," he concluded.

"Even if it takes me a week?" Hinata asked, in awe.

"Yes, even if it takes you a week." He confirmed.

"What about a month, or a year?" Hinata continued, testing his luck.

Kageyama cringed before reluctantly nodding. Hinata let out a giggle at his expression before dozing off on his friends shoulder.

"Thanks Kageyama-kun, you really made me feel better," he sleepily said before completely shutting down.

During this entire interaction, the remaining members of the team watched on with wonder, they could not believe their prideful, arrogant setter could be so gentle and comforting, let alone showing it to Hinata, whom he infamously finds annoying.