Framed Sunset

+ Frame Two +

"...And thank you for joining us once again for Sunset Sounds' daily broadcast, we are your hosts Yuu Nishinoya and Shouyou Hinata, and we hope you have an amazing day! Nishinoya, signing off."

Hinata chuckled as his partner (in crime) sighed, shutting down their equipment and sending their voice files through to be edited before the day's broadcast. He and Nishinoya recorded themselves the night before, sent the files off to be reviewed, and then slept while the broadcast played. Occasionally they would do a live show, but it didn't happen often.

"You did great today Shouyou!" Nishinoya grinned, clapping Hinata on the back. He got to his feet, tidying up their workspace and gathering his things. His partner was just getting to his feet, so Nishinoya, being the kind elder he was, handed Hinata his bag the second the ginger was upright. "Koujimi, up and at'em boy!"

The golden retriever was immediately alert, trotting over to his redheaded master. Shouyou Hinata smiled as Nishinoya handed him the proper end of Koujimi's leash, the dog sitting patiently at the short ginger's feet.

"I'm just to your right," Nishinoya warned, leaning over to grab the sweater he'd left on Hinata's side of their office (which served as a recording room). He tugged it over his head, fixed his spiky brown hair and singular golden lock, then glanced at his friend. "Hug goodbye?"

Hinata nodded, squeaking softly as the shorter man wrapped both arms around Hinata's middle and squeezed. They both chuckled when Nishinoya pulled away.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk home with you?" The older asked (for the millionth time).

Hinata waved him off. "Koujimi and I will be fine, Nishi. Really. You need to get to the meeting Tanaka called you in for. Call me afterwards though, okay?"

"You got it! I'll be on my way now, see ya!" Nishinoya cheered, skipping away from the twenty-three-year-old ginger and his golden retriever. Once his partner was gone, Hinata let out a sigh. Working through the night always made him tired even if he'd been doing it for years. Maybe the bubbly man would never get used to being (attempting to be) nocturnal.

"Well, off we go, Koujimi," Hinata murmured. He adjusted the straps of his bag and the sleeves of his own sweater before tightening his grip on the leash, his steady steps leading him to the door. Koujimi stayed in his place just a little ahead of Hinata and to the man's left, the dog diligently keeping a consistent pace. By now the sun was starting to awaken, painting the city with pinks and oranges.

Traffic wasn't anything special during the wee hours of the morning which was a perk to Hinata's nighttime job. He didn't have to worry about cars as he and Koujimi strolled down the street, his soft breath breaking the peaceful quiet. During these still, tranquil moments, the only disturbance was himself; his breathing, his pace - even the pressure of the sunglasses resting on his nose.

The soft scuff of shoes against the pavement, breaking the eerie silence with their own disturbance, made Hinata jump a little. Then he realized he was a grown man and that the sound was just someone walking by, his cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. The person didn't seem to linger, missing the blush clear on Hinata's pale face as they passed each other.

Thank the lord for that. Doing the job he did, Hinata felt like his dignity took several beatings on a near-daily basis, so he wanted to salvage what he could.

After that small encounter, Shouyou and Koujimi Hinata made it home without a problem. The two lived in Hinata the Human's apartment, number 7-04 (seventh floor, fourth apartment). In front of their door was a plate of cookies, which, with Koujimi's help, Hinata managed to get inside and onto the kitchen counter without any disasters. He stuck one in his mouth as he unloaded his things, unclipping his dog's leash and moving around his home with practised ease.

"Koujimi," Hinata called, his dog trotting to his side, "you wouldn't happen to know where I left my slippers, do you?"

The man grinned at the comical silence that followed. Hinata patted Koujimi's head fondly, wandering around until he finally kicked something soft and plush. Tugging the shoes onto his feet, he strolled to his couch with Koujimi in tow. The dog lied at his slipper-clad feet once he sat, Hinata's eyelids already feeling heavy.

He was almost in dreamland when his phone rang.

"Hello..?"

"Oh, so you are alive, you just forgot about me."

"E-Eh?! Nishinoya, I--"

"Don't apologize, I'm already in tears!"

"You're so dramatic, Nishi. I told you to call me after your meeting. Isn't that what this is?"

"I called you once already!"

"When?!"

"I don't know! I just know that I called you."

What could have made Hinata distracted enough to not pick up his phone (which had an annoying ringtone)?

Oh.

"I got startled while walking home so I was probably distracted," Hinata explained lamely. "Sorry Nishi."

"Did something happen? Are you alright? Are you hurt? Is Koujimi--"

"Nishinoya!" Hinata interrupted. "We're fine! Someone just happened to walk by and I wasn't expecting it. Don't worry so much."

"I'm sorry man, I can't help it. I know you don't want me to, but as a best friend, it's my job. Don't be mad, I'll buy ice cream for us tonight."

Hearing the genuity in Nishinoya's voice, Hinata couldn't stay frustrated. The bonus of getting free ice cream also helped sway Hinata's mind in Nishinoya's favour. His wild friend had a point, after all; best friends tended to be worry-warts.

"I can't tonight, I'm meeting with Asahi before work, but let's go after our recording, deal?"

"Alright, fine... I'll see you tonight Sho. Call me if you need me."

"Will do Nishi, have a good night - yes, love you too - sweet dreams."

Once the connection dropped, Hinata slipped his phone back into his pocket and got to his feet, calling out to his dog. "Koujimi, bedtime! Let's have a long nap, shall we?" Koujimi obeyed dutifully and trotted over to join his master, the two of them making their way to Hinata's room. After the door shut softly behind them, Hinata crouched down to remove Koujimi's harness, letting the dog relax. His golden retriever immediately hopped up onto the queen-sized bed, snuggling into the pillows.

Hinata went over to his dresser and felt down until he got to the drawer with his pyjamas. Being too tired to care what he puts on, he grabs the first shirt and pair of pants he can find. He slipped off his regular clothes and felt a wave of comfort wash over him as he put the soft shirt over his head.

Ah... Shoot, I think I forgot to lock the door. Nishinoya would kill me if he found out I knowingly left it open for strangers to waltz in.

Hinata tiredly made his way back over to the apartment door, feeling up the side until his fingers hit the lock. It turned with a satisfying click. Before heading back to bed, he removed Koujimi's vest and threw it on the floor beside the dog. Knowing he will regret that when he woke up, Hinata picked the vest back up and set it on his dresser. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Hinata crawled into bed and got under the covers. Koujimi shifted from snuggling the pillows to snuggling him, both letting out a contented sigh as they drifted off into dreamland.