On Thin Ice

Fifth Skate

Hinata and Kageyama sat across from each other and the latter watched the redhead in front of him devour a bowl of ramen with a slightly disturbed expression. He'd been dragged along to a noodle shop in downtown Natori with Hinata's insistence to buy him dinner, so here they were, parked at a table in the corner with bowls in front of them and chopsticks in their hands.

To say the atmosphere was awkward would be a major understatement. Though Hinata didn't seem at all bothered, Kageyama felt extremely out of place in the mostly-empty shop, not to mention he was sitting across from an extremely weird stranger who he'd been semi-stalking for the past week... He grimaced. No doubt Hinata would be super creeped out if he knew that, even though Kageyama really hadn't meant anything by it...

"Are you okay?" the redhead asked, startling him so much Kageyama dropped his chopsticks, spilling a spray of hot broth onto his wrist. "Ouch!" He jerked his arm away, swearing profusely as he fumbled for a napkin. Hinata covered his mouth to conceal a snort, earning a harsh glare from a steaming Kageyama. That was so embarrassing! "I'm fine! You just startled me," he fumed, tossing the crumpled napkin aside with a huff. This was not going well.

"I'm sorry I laughed," Hinata apologized sincerely. "You just act funny when you're nervous."

"I'm not nervous!" Kageyama growled defensively, feeling his cheeks warm. Gah, I need several drinks to deal with this idiot! I'm five seconds away from running out of here and hiding at home... "Can you just tell me why you wanted to buy me dinner so badly?" he muttered, covering his stinging wrist with a wince. "I really wasn't mad at you, y'know."

"I— I know that!" Hinata turned away with a flush, lips pursing into a childish pout. "I just... wanted to.. t-ta..." His voice lowered until he was mumbling incoherently, fidgeting in his chair like he was being interrogated. Kageyama waved the waiter over to order a drink before probing any deeper. Only when a glass of something strong was in his hand did he speak again. "Speak up. It's not like I'm going to yell at you or anything."

Hinata flinched like he'd been struck, letting out a splutter like he was spitting up water. "W-well... I always w-watched you on TV and in competitions, and... y-you're sorta like my— my idol, so..." He looked away, clearly embarrassed. (Even his ears were red.) "I really j-just wanted to... talk... with you..."

"Pfft..." Kageyama let out a tiny snort, snickering into his hand as he took a drink. Hinata blinked at him, shocked. Kageyama could already feel the alcohol taking effect. He knew he probably shouldn't have been drinking, but honestly, he was seriously nervous for some reason, and this made it so much better. And besides, Hinata's miffed expression was really cute... "Seriously? That's why?" He shook his head. "You're crazy. It's not like I'm famous anymore. You could've just approached me normally."

Hinata's expression turned angry. "Hey, you're still plenty famous! Everyone always talks about you at the rink and—!" He cut himself off suddenly, as if he had a lot more to say but was holding it in, face scrunching up in a way that would've been funny if he wasn't so mad. Kageyama was a little surprised by his outburst. The boy seemed genuinely upset and passionate about defending him; something not even Kageyama himself ever did. Really, who is this kid?

"No way!" The redhead shook his head so much Kageyama was afraid his neck might snap. "You've been my favorite ice skater for years! You were the only well-known skater from my hometown, and everyone always told me I could never make it big because I'm not good enough, I'm short and clumsy, and I'm from tiny, nowhere Yukigaoka in Miyagi Prefecture, but seeing you out there..." His chocolate eyes sparkled as his hands closed into fists against the table. "I knew I could do it, too!"