When the Sun Stops Shining

Chapter Twelve: They Say Wounds Heal with Time

"There you go, Hinata-kun. All better." All of Hinata's wounds had been treated. Well, most of them. He'd had that stinging stuff put on them and some bandages to keep them hygienic and clean. The doctor had also shared some anecdotes about himself to keep Hinata amused during the long process. The ace was able to muster a smile or two, but he couldn't laugh. He just... couldn't.

"Thank you," Hinata mumbled, folding his arms around himself. Thanks to all the painkillers he'd been given, he could no longer feel any physical pain. However, he remembered every last thing that had happened during his time down in the hole. He remembered.

"Now, Hinata-kun... I hate to ask about this, but... how did you get so many wounds?" Predictably enough, Hinata chose not to respond. He instead stared blankly at the doctor. "Alright. What happened to you during your time at the Secure Housing Unit?" Again, no response.

Takeda produced a toffee chew from his pocket and held it up to Hinata. "Do you want some toffee?"

He shook his head. "I... I don't think I can chew. My mouth's sore."

Takeda placed the toffee chew back in his pocket. "That's OK. You didn't have much problem eating those mushy peas, didn't you? You'll have to stick to soft foods for a while, but you'll be fine soon. But, Hinata-kun... I can't help you as well as I'd like to unless you tell me what happened to you."

"I'm fine. I can walk now." Hinata slipped out of the bed. Ouch. He winced slightly, but brushed it off just moments later. He walked. His legs felt stiff and plank-like, but he could walk. It wasn't as fast as he was used to walking, but he could still walk. "Can I leave?"

"Wait, Hinata-kun. Someone's coming to see you."

"Who?"

"Chibi-chan!" Oikawa shuffled into the room, holding up a glitter flower. Oikawa's head was in the middle of the flower. "I heard you'd fallen sick, so I made you a flooru."

"Flooru?"

"My first name's Tooru, so flower and Tooru makes flooru, which rhymes with floral," he explained, handing out the flower to the now-standing patient. "Here you go, chibi-chan!" Hinata took the flower and inspected it. It had five petals, each petal a different colour. Purple glitter petal, pink glitter petal, blue glitter petal and so on. However, Oikawa's head in the middle kind of ruined it. Even in a picture, Hinata could just feel that arrogant air coming off Oikawa. It didn't help that he'd chosen a picture with him tilting his head up. (He insisted that it was his best angle because it showed off his jawline. Duh.)

"So, your head's meant to make me feel better." Looking around, Hinata noticed that the doctor had quietly excused himself to his office.

"Yes, it is." Oikawa pulled up a nearby chair and sat down. "Are you good at keeping secrets, chibi-chan?"

"Yes."

"So am I. Now, you know one of my secrets."

"You're a butthole?"

"Well, another term for butthole would be bottom, so you're not wrong."

Hinata was confused. Oikawa's calling himself a butt? "Huh?"

"Never mind." Oikawa burst into laughter. "But, but. My point is that since you know one of my secrets, I should get to know one of yours."

"Go to hell," Hinata muttered.

"Why? I'm a good boy! At least, that's what Tendou thinks." At the mention of Tendou's name, Hinata appeared visibly shaken. The eagle-eyed Oikawa didn't miss Hinata's change in demeanour.