Whispers in the Dark

Chapter 7: Confrontations

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SUMMARY: Visitors come to the bakery. Kageyama confronts his feelings for Hinata.

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Kageyama is acutely aware that he is fucked.

He is well acquainted with the realization that Hinata has him wrapped around his little finger. He is intimately familiar with the idea that he would do anything for the omega. He is painfully conscious that he can't say no to Hinata's big, amber eyes and pouty lips.

The concept started as a little fluttering in the back of his brain, but now, seven weeks after hiring the redhead, five weeks after inviting him to live with him, and a week after painting the bakery and trying out some new specials, he has accepted the notion as truth.

He is in the bakery's kitchen, working on a new recipe for matcha chocolate cake and contemplating his fucked-ness when the back door to the bakery opens. Kageyama is confused because Hinata is out front waiting on customers, so who is coming in the back door?

"Good morning, Tobio!" Miwa calls as she enters, and Kageyama relaxes. She comes to hug him, but his hands are covered in flour, so he leans into the hug without returning it.

"What are you doing here, o-nee-chan? Don't you have to work today?"

"I do later, but I wanted to see the new paint."

"Oh, okay," Kageyama says. He had mentioned to Miwa how he and Hinata had given the bakery a makeover. He washes his hands and then leads her into the public area of the bakery.

Hinata has just finished serving a customer, so Kageyama introduces them. "Hinata, this is my sister, Miwa."

Hinata's smile is wide and bright. "Nice to meet you, Kageyama-san!" he says as he bows low. "Wow. I can't believe how much you two look alike!"

"Yes," Miwa agrees, "The Kageyama genes are strong." Then looking around the room, her eyes open wide and she starts to meander toward the walls. "This looks amazing!"

Kageyama follows Miwa, leaving Hinata to help the next customer. She is studying the big wall with the mural and smiling that small, fond smile she often gets.

As Kageyama comes to stand next to her, she says, "Tobio, it really looks great in here. It's welcoming and bright. I love it."

"I'm glad. I was a little worried about changing how ojiisan had it."

Miwa turns to him, "He would love this, Tobio. I'm sure of it." Her sincerity causes a warm feeling to take hold in his gut, and Kageyama nods as a response because speaking seems too difficult past the lump that has suddenly materialized in his throat.

"How's it going with the new daily specials? Is it helping business?"

"It's too early to tell, but I think it might. We'll have to wait a bit and see."

"Ah, well, I hope it helps." Miwa throws a glance over at Hinata before turning back. "How's everything going with Hinata?"

Kageyama's eyes automatically find the redhead, watching him for a second too long as he gushes about Kageyama's cheesecake to the current customer. "Good. He's a talented baker. And he's great with customers."

When he looks back at Miwa, one side of her mouth is turned up and she looks like she did when they were kids and she was about to play a trick on him. "And he's awfully cute, too."