Guardian (Nishinoya x Reader) 🏐

Chapter 10: Butterfies

*Y/N's POV*

"Omg! The zoo?" I exclaimed, excited beyond compare. I expected we would probably just got to some cafe or restaurant (which would have also been fine), but Noya doesn't go for the usual. He likes making things interesting or unique. One of the many quirks I loved about him.

After Noya bought us two tickets at the entrance, even though I threatened to beat him up if he wouldn't let me pay, we entered the gates of the zoo and were handed a map.

"Okay, where to first?" I questioned, my eyes gazing over the many exhibits in front of me.

"How about this one?" Noya spoke, pointing to an exhibit on the map.

My eyes lit up as I read over the name. "You really want to go see the bird and butterfly garden?" I squealed excitedly. That was the exhibit my eyes landed on first, but I wasn't sure if he would want to go.

"Yes! You can even buy these popsicle stick things with bird seed on them!" He jumped up and down all excited.

We made our way to the bird and butterfly exhibit. I bought each of us some bird seed, since he paid for the tickets, and we entered the enclosed area. Immediately, a giant blue jay flew onto Noya's hand with the bird seed and another smaller bird sat in his hair. I couldn't't stifle my laughs. "Noya, turn and look at me," I ordered. He flashed me a giant smile and I took a picture of the funny moment. "I know my new home screen," I smirked at him.

After all our bird seed was gone, we entered into the butterfly section. It was so beautiful with all the multicolored butterflies floating through the air amongst the flourishing plants and resting on the various flowers scattered about.

"Eeeee," I head Noya squeal. I turned to look at him in confusion. He flipped his phone around, revealing a candid photo of me with my eyes full of wonder as a swarm of colorful butterflies flew around me. Damn, I look like some kind of princess. Can't believe I actually look that cute.

Astonished, I snatched the phone from his hand and stared at it some more to determine that this beauty really was me. Handing it back to him, I protested, "There must be filters on that or something. Too pretty. Can't be me." I shook my head still in disbelief.

At that statement, Noya's jaw dropped to the floor. "Are you kidding me! You're gorgeous Y/N!" He exclaimed. "I didn't realize you were insecure about photos. Here, let me prove how gorgeous you are." How's he gonna do that?

I watched as he sauntered over to an elderly zoo keeper in the exhibit, "Excuse me, do you mind taking a photo of us?" he asked politely. Noya skipped back over to me with a soft smile resting on his face. He put his arm around my waist and leaned down close to my face. I felt my heart beat speed up as his cheeks lightly brushed against mine. Our faces are so close.

"Say cheese," the zoo keeper help up Noya's phone and took our photo. She covered a hand over her mouth, "Oh my, aren't you two an adorable couple," she giggled.

Noya retrieved his phone to show me the picture. You could even see the pink tint on my cheeks from blushing over Noya being so close... but it was a gorgeous picture. Noya and I had such similar smiles too. "Woah..." I breathed. "Maybe she's right."

"Yeah? We make a cute couple, huh?" He smirked, nudging me in the side and wiggling his eyebrows.

"Staaaaahp," I whined, hiding my face from going bright red. I really liked Noya, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for a relationship yet. Plus, Noya's a flirt with lots of girls... he might not want us to be an item.

Noya just gave me a simple pat on the head before we followed the path leading us to the end of the butterfly garden. Exiting, we wound up in a gift shop. I was going to keep walking, but was stopped by Noya getting all excited about these cute, big eyed stuffed animals out on display.

"Awe Y/N-Chan these are so cute aren't they," he exclaimed with his hands on his cheeks and eyes growing about as giant as the stuffed animals in front of us.

I picked up a small lion with big blue sparkly eyes. "I think I'm gonna get this one, watchu think? Cute right?" I smiled, snuggling my face next to the plush toy.

Noya snatched it from my hands, "I'll get it for you!"

"Oh no no, you don't have to Noya," I tried to snatch the little lion back from him, but his ever so slight height advantage on me made a difference.

"Eh eh eh, I WANT to buy it for you," he shined his bright smile at me. "That way, every time you see it. you'll think of me," he pointed a thumb at himself and puffed out his chest. Holy shit, that's so adorable!

———

After the gift shop, we visited tons of other exhibits, even got ice cream, and took plenty more pictures that will stay stored in our phones as treasured memories.

Now, he was walking me back home. Walking side by side, I decided to take my chance. Carefully, I slipped my fingers into his hand. He was startled at first, but didn't hesitate to intertwine our fingers together. I let out a sigh of relief. It felt so comforting to hold his hand like this. It felt so right.

Once we arrived at my front door, I turned to look at him sweetly, batting my eyelashes, "Thank you for today, Yuu. I had a really great time." Shit! Did I just call him by his first name?

Panicked, I looked up at him to see his reaction. He looked stunned, but slowly the corners of his mouth turned up into a wide smile and he pulled me into his chest with his arms wrapped around my body, "I'm glad you enjoyed today. I did too."

We were silent for a moment before pulling apart. I spoke, "I know you'll probably be busy this week preparing for the Interhigh pre-lims, but I'm willing to stay after practices to help you train extra if you need me to."

"You're the best, Y/N-Chan," were the last words he spoke before he kissed me on the forehead and walked off. How can he be so calm at such an action? He just kissed me! And then just walked off all nonchalantly! Who is this guy?

I walked through the front door to see Tobio waiting for me with a smirk planted on his face. "Good day, hmm?"

"Oh shut up, Tobio," I gave him a playful push as I walked past him to go to my room.

At the thought of Noya's gentle kiss, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach flutter.

———

*A/N: I hope the zoo for a date wasn't too tacky. I could've gone with something clichè but I figured Noya would do something different.