To Fly To Freedom

You're Not Weak

Kageyama had been just about to start cooking since it was his day to cook when he got a message on his phone. He contemplated checking it since he hated using his phone but decided to be safer than sorry since it could be Hinata. Seeing the message that had been sent to him made him feel thankful for that decision as he rushed to grab his coat and wallet to rush out the door and call a taxi.

Knowing Hinata, him sending his location only meant something serious had happened. In the taxi Kageyama bounced his leg up and down in nervousness as he wished the taxi could go faster than the already fast speed he had requested.

The window beside him offered him a view of the building and lights flying by, merely a background image in his thoughts as he was consumed by the never-ending presumed thoughts that ran through his mind. A thought, for a single moment, of Hinata being hurt seemed to make every view he saw stop in place. His heart dropped in his chest. His hands tightened as if they were clasped together with glue. His head lowered into his hands as he wished upon anything that would listen to his cry of plea... Please. Let him be safe.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

When he had finally reached the location Hinata had sent he paid the driver quickly and told him to wait for him to return. He promised to pay him double the amount of what he was supposed to on the way back if he waited. As soon as the driver had agreed to wait for 30 minutes Kageyama shut the door and searched around trying to find Hinata. The location said he was at a convenience store but when Kageyama searched it he didn't see any sign of him. He began to look around in alleyways, constantly calling Hinata's cell but getting no answer.

Kageyama glanced at his phone to see 25 minutes had passed since he started searching. He sighed and looked around one more time before making his way towards the taxi. When he had almost reached the taxi, he heard the sound of rustling coming from the alleyway beside him. He assumed a racoon or stray cat was probably going through trash until he heard a soft sniffling and sob come from the dark abyss beside him. Kageyama felt his heart quicken as he dashed into the alleyway's entrance.

At first, he thought the dark shape he saw on the ground was simply a trash bag until he saw the figure move slightly and once again start to sniffle as it softly cried. Kageyama approached slowly, unsure if it was Hinata or not he gently called Hinata's name and watched the figure before him as it sat with its knees up to its chest, its arms wrapped around its knees and head face down. As he got closer, he recognized the orange head of hair before him.

"Hinata, it's me Kageyama." Hinata's orange curls bouncing up along with his face... his bruised and bleeding face.

"Hinata! What happened!" Kageyama ran the last of the distance and cupped Hinata's face in his hands gently as he inspected his face. All Hinata could do in reply was let out chocking sobs as he tried to hold back his tears, not wanting to show this pitiful side of himself to Kageyama. He felt himself calm down slightly as Kageyama ran his hand up and down in his hair, trying to soothe him. "You're alright, I'm here. Whoever did this to you can't touch you again, I'm here."

"T-take me home. I just wanna go home." Hinata said.

Taking his hand of off Hinata's head he saw blood coat his hand. "No" Kageyama said sternly, "We need to go to the hospital. The back of your head is bleeding really bad Hinata. There could be internal issues. Can you stand?"

Hinata nodded and was about to stand when he felt Kageyama carefully lift him into a bridal carry and start to walk out of the alleyway. "Your legs looked shaky, so I'll just carry you. It will be faster." Hinata wanted to protest but he just didn't have it in him. Instead he let himself lean into Kageyama's chest and listen to his heart, the sound soothing him.

When they reached the taxi, the driver stared shocked as Kageyama put the bloody Hinata into the seat.

"Wh-what happened to him?" The driver nervously asked. Ignoring his question Kageyama told him to take them to the hospital. Not even waiting for an affirmation Kageyama solely focused on Hinata as Hinata leaned into him, exhaustion consuming him as his head throbbed.

Kageyama ran his hand through Hinata's hair, careful not to touch his wound. He had no idea what to do. Did he need to put his head a certain way? Worries filled Kageyama as he tried his best to calm Hinata and let him know he was there for him. He had to change his method from petting his head however when he realized Hinata was close to falling asleep, which Kageyama did know was bad in this situation.

Trying to engage Hinata into a conversation so he wouldn't fall asleep Kageyama asked him which spots on his body was he hurting at.

"My head... face... my upper chest and stomach... and back..." Kageyama made sure to remember the places Hinata said so he could tell the nurses when they arrived.

"Can you... tell me what happened?" Kageyama asked. He was worried the question would make Hinata start crying again or recall the bad memories, but he needed to know. The police needed to know as well as the hospital staff.

Unlike what Kageyama thought Hinata only let out a long sigh and snuggled into him more. "A man... pulled me into the alleyway. I didn't recognize him; I've never seen him... or heard his voice before. He slammed me against a wall and... and waved a knife in my face.

After pushing me into the wall repeatedly... and scaring me... he told me-" Hinata paused and took a deep breath, preparing himself for his next words. He felt Kageyama grab and softly squeeze his hand in encouragement and support. "He told me Kutabare said hi." He finished in a choking sob.

Immediately Kageyama's hand holding Hinata's tightened and tensed up. "That bastard... he sent someone to rough you up and scare you so you wouldn't take him to court."

"I won't back down. I'm taking him to court! He thinks I'll stand down, but he's wrong. I'm not who I used to be. I'm not weak." Hinata said, anger lacing his words.

"You were never weak Hinata. To put up with him for those years, you are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for." With that Kageyama kissed Hinata's forehead and pulled him closer. Hinata felt his face burn up, tears glistening his eyes from joy as his heart fluttered. In this moment he knew, surer than he had ever been before, that he loved Kageyama.