Without Me (kagehina)

Chapter 6

(they just left the mountain and are continuing their day)

Hinata stared out the window, this time, with a happy expression. After talking and getting some things off chest, he felt his mood had lifted and he could keep his head clear of negative thoughts. "Hey Tsukki! Where are we going now?" Tsukishima kept his eyes on the road and let out a 'hmm' as he thought "Are you hungry?" It had been a while since Hinata ate breakfast and Tsukishima was getting hungry. "Yeah, did you have someplace in mind? I'm good with anything!" Tsukishima thought for a moment, they were near Karasuno now which wasn't too far from Ukai's store. He knew Hinata really liked the meat buns there and it would prevent him from having to drive across town since there weren't any other restaurants or food establishments nearby "How about Ukai's? It's close and I know you like the food there." Hinata smiled in  agreement "Yes! I haven't been there in a while, I can get meat buns!" Tsukishima kept driving and smirked, trying to hold back a smile. I mean, you wouldn't want to smile when around Hinata? He's the kind of person that brings you immediate joy just by hearing his voice.

••• (arriving at Ukai's)

The two boys entered and were greeted by their coach, Ukai, who was also the shop owner "Welcome i- woah, that's an odd pair. Never thought I'd see the two of you hanging out together. Ah whatever, as long as you pay for something then I don't care who's here."

Hinata and Tsukishima both glanced at each other, having the same thought 'Please don't ask questions'.

Tsukishima ordered while Hinata wandered around somewhere in the back of the store.

Tsukishima- "Four meat buns, please."

Ukai- "Alright..so...what are you two up to? Blocking practice?"

Tsukishima- "Uhm...yeah, shrimpy over there needs to work on the timing of his blocks and no one else would help him so he came begging me. I didn't have any plans so I figured 'why not?'. *hands over money, paying* He thought this was the best excuse to give so he didn't have to explain the real situation.

Ukai- *handing Tsukki the food* "Oh? I guess that makes sense. Well...keep up the good work."

Tsukishima began walking toward the exit "Oi tangerine, let's go." Hinata ran to the front of the store with Tsukki as he waved goodbye to his coach with a soft smile.

As soon as they got back in the car, Hinata asked, in a hurried tone "Can I have mine?! Gimme!" He tried taking the bag of meat buns from Tsukishima which he eventually failed at. His short arms didn't reach across the car, which Tsukki noticed and snickered at "Well, look at that. The shortie can't reach, hahaha. You'll just have to wait til' we get home" he spoke in a smug, mocking tone. "Tsukishimaaa that's not fair.." Hinata whined "..I can't control the length of my arms!"

Tsukishima started the car and drove off, heading to his house, he figured he would have some fun and tease the smaller boy some more "What a shame! If you could control your size, maybe your blocking wouldn't be so bad, maybe you'd even be able to see eye-to-eye with me" Tsukishima laughed at his own jokes as he noticed Hinata's face turning red in frustration.  Even though he wasn't mad, Hinata always hated when he was talked down to due to his height, though he knew he wasn't being made fun of. Tsukishima just had that 'I'm an asshole' personality and thought insults were acceptable jokes. 

"At least I don't look like a walking beanpole with glasses!" Hinata crossed his arms and shut his eyes. It went silent for a few seconds. Typically, Tsukishima would have another snarky remark, yet he heard nothing in return. He slowly opened his eyes and took a quick look at Tsukishima, expecting him to look angry. Instead, he saw Tsukishima desperately trying to hold in a laugh "Hahahah a beanpole?! Is that the best you could come up with, shrimpy?" Hinata decided to take this as an opportunity. It was quite rare to even see Tsukishima smiling but, laughing?? That was unheard of. Hinata snuck out his phone and, being sure Tsukishima was still busy laughing, snuck a photo..or two. He quickly slipped his phone back into his pocket as Tsukki calmed down.