{kagehina} he smelled like oranges

Chapter 12.

They reached the stationary store and pushed open the doors. The whole place smelled like fresh paper, which was very nice. Kageyama didn't know what to look at first, but Kuroo pulled him over to a stack of journals and started flipping through them. After a minute, he'd found one he liked and showed it to Kageyama, "What do you think of this one? It's a nice dark blue color and there's no lines so if you draw in it, they won't be in the way."

"If there aren't any lines, I may not be able to write straight," Kageyama pointed out.

Kuroo patted him on the back, "That's alright, there's nothing straight about you to begin with."

"That has nothing to do with--" Kageyama began.

"It doesn't matter," Kuroo interrupted him, "It's perfect, I'll even buy it for you." He took the journal out of Kageyama's hands and marched over to the counter to pay. He came back a few moments later and gave it to Kageyama, who hadn't moved.

"Kuroo I--"

"Stop complaining," Kuroo told him, "Did you want to be labeled as a person who only cares about getting their lines straight? No, I didn't think so. You're welcome."

"Thanks," Kageyama muttered as the journal was forced into his hands. It was actually a really nice texture, and Kuroo was right, it would be good for drawing, and if he wanted lines, he could always use a ruler and a pencil. As much as he liked it, he did feel a twinge of guilt, he didn't want people thinking they had to do everything for him. Kuroo didn't seem to notice the conflicting emotions in Kageyama though, because he was too distracted looked around the store.

"Kageyama look! They have erasers that look like little video game controllers! Kenma would love these. I'm buying some," Kuroo announced. He turned towards Kageyama, "Is there anything else you want? Just pick it out and I'll get it for you." Kageyama didn't want to keep asking things of Kuroo, but he had seen some pens that looked cool that he wanted to draw with. He nervously pointed them out. Kuroo seemed delighted that Kageyama wanted more things and he picked them up immediately. Kuroo purchased everything and stuck the erasers in his bag while handing Kageyama the pens, "Okay, I need to head to class pretty soon, so just call or text me if you need anything."

They walked back to Kuroo's car and drove to the hospital, where Kageyama got dropped off. He waved goodbye to Kuroo and started heading to room 4878. He hadn't realized how much his mood had improved with Kuroo until he stepped through the door, saw the immobile form of Hinata, and all his feelings of worry and sadness came back.

He heaved a deep sigh and sat down in the chair again, set down his bag, and clasped Hinata's hand in both of his, "I know you probably can't hear me, but I need to say I'm sorry. I was the one that did this to you and it will always be my biggest regret. I don't have any right to ask anything of you right now, but please, please wake up as soon as you can. It's only been one day, and I know it's going to be at least a few more, because your body needs time to heal, but still, the sooner the better. I need you. Hopefully you need me too, because I want to be needed. I want to hold you in my arms as you tell me everything you're thinking, whether it be good, bad, or something in between. I want to learn how to comfort you when you want to comforted, since you've always done it for me. Maybe you can teach me. I just want to hear your voice, your laugh, see you smile. Just please wake up soon." Kageyama usually didn't just say all of his feelings like that, but since Hinata was asleep anyway he felt like he could be more vulnerable. He leaned down a kissed Hinata's hand before releasing it to dig through his bag and pull out the journal and open it. He hovered his pen over the blank page for a moment and then began to write.

At first, he had a bit of difficulty because he wasn't really sure what to write about, but when he just pictured that he was talking to Hinata and he could just write whatever he wanted, it became easier. He wrote for a while, but since it had taken him so long to get going, he hadn't gotten very far when the door of the room started opening. Kageyama hurriedly scribbled a few more sentences and shoved the journal back in his bag.

He turned to see Natsu and Hinata's mother. Hinata's mother was crying and Natsu seemed extremely upset, but Kageyama couldn't see her face because she had buried it in her mother's leg. Kageyama quickly moved out of the way to allow them to come over to Hinata.

Hinata's mother walked over to the bed and gave Hinata a hug, she looked up at Kageyama with tears in her eyes and asked, "Is he going to be okay?"

Kageyama gulped, "I think so, he's supposed to wake up in a few days."

Hinata's mother stood up and then hugged Kageyama tightly, "Thank you for being with him. This must be terrible for you too. He loves you a lot you know and it makes me feel better that he doesn't have to be alone." Kageyama felt Natsu move over and hug him too. Kageyama didn't know what to say. He just kind of stood there until Hinata's mother let go of him. She put her hands on his shoulders, and gave him a weak smile.

Kageyama nervously gestured at the door, "Um, I can step out if you want to have a moment with your son. I don't want to interfere with anything." He didn't pause before he said, "Actually, I'm just going to go, if you need me, I'll be in the hall." He picked up his bag and walked out of the door, Natsu following behind him. Hinata's mother made an effort to stop her but Natsu insisted and promised she'd stay with Kageyama. Kageyama and Natsu sat on a bench outside of the room.

"Why did you want to leave?" Kageyama asked.

Natsu wrapped her arms around Kageyama's torso, "I don't know, it just doesn't feel right." Kageyama understood what she meant. The hospital room wasn't very inviting, which is why Kageyama was trying his best to fix it. It still wasn't perfect, but he was doing as much as he could, because he wanted it to be a good place for Hinata to wake up in. He pulled Natsu in closer, they sat together, hugging each other, for a very long time. Eventually, Hinata's mother came out and told Natsu it was time to go home, so she reluctantly let go of Kageyama and followed her mother to the elevator.