Tsukishima Kei

“I’m not salty, I would’ve won anyways.”

     The thing he expected out of Kei… wasn’t this. Not at all. The moment it happened, Hinata was stuck in place, and all of his anger drained from him to be replaced with silent surprise. But, after a moment of regaining his composure, he realized that this had been the best possible outcome from their situation. Kei could have ushered him out the door. They could have avoided each other for weeks in their post-fight phase. He could have been yelled at more, to which Hinata himself would have continued to rage against whatever demons that Tsukishima had been holding captive.

     But instead, he was being hugged. He was being told a silent, ‘Okay,’ so Hinata returned the embrace with the full intention of showing, ‘I’m not leaving you alone. We’re all here for you.’

     He was also the one to pull away first, looking up at Kei with just as much intensity as before, though with none of his previous anger.

     “Forget about whatever you did before. It’s not you anymore.”

"Ok." The hug was kind of awkward seeing how they’re normally butting heads with each other and are not buddy-buddy. Kei also found out recently that hugging shorter people had its own kind of awkwardness because the shorter person’s head always found its way into his chest. Hugging was just weird, in general. Kei also wasn’t much of a hugger. The only time he recalls hugging others was when he teased Sora or when his roommate needed affection. He’s even given Yamaguchi a hug once, but that was when he told his best friend about his death.

     “You’re damn right people change!” Hinata had witnessed it himself, the change that Tsukishima had gone through back home. No matter where that person was, and who this person was, Hinata could feel in his heart that they were one in the same.

     Though he was shoved away, he came back just as quickly. It was in his personality — he wasn’t going to let something like this go, and no matter how far away Tsukishima would push himself, Hinata would close that distance.

     “Are you really going to give up on yourself? No matter what you’ve gone through, the real you is in there! He’s not gone, and he’s not broken!”

     “No matter what you think, we’re all sticking together. For as long as we’re here, we’re together until the end! We’re the only ‘home’ we get!” Hinata wasn’t going to be leaving Tsukishima alone anytime soon. No matter what the moon had to say about his condition, Hinata had faith that he could keep an eye on him and be that guiding hand that Kei was clearly in need of. 

For once someone has left Kei speechless. Well, almost speechless, “shut up.” He managed to mutter towards his teammate that looked boldly up at him with a determined look in his eyes. Hinata has no idea what has happened to him here in the city. His heartbreak, his death, burning down a convenience store, smoking and his recent mistake which was kissing Sora. If he knew those things about him and how far he’s spiraled down over this year, then maybe he wouldn’t be so bold to say these things. But, Kei knew that even if he did know then he’d probably yell the same words of being family and home bullshit.

It’s a weird feeling seeing a light when you’ve sat inside your dark despair for so long. It’s also kind of scary to think about the chance of escaping because once you taste freedom the light brings then there is a possibility of that being taken away.

Reaching forward the blonde did something unusual considering his current situation. He pulled his teammate into his arms and into an embrace. He’s hugged people before so it’s not a strange feeling for the teenager anymore... he just, he didn’t know how to tell Hinata that maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to embrace change. It will take a while, but it’s worth the shot, right?

     Hinata was a bit taken aback by the hand on his shoulder, but he didn’t shy away from it; constant contact in Volleyball had long desensitized Hinata to things like that. Instead, he listened carefully, and as he did, he could feel his heart drop into his stomach. Time here really did make a difference, and apparently it hadn’t made the best difference for Kei. But Hinata was stubborn, and he was loud, so he wouldn’t accept it.

     “That’s not right!” he exclaimed, clear anger and frustration on his face.

     “You can’t say that about yourself. I know perfectly well who you are!”

     How can he assume he’s flightless?!

     “I don’t need to hear anything about what you’ve done while you were here. This city isn’t your home! It’s big, and it’s scary.” In his growing anger, he grabbed the fabric of Kei’s sweatshirt, and shook him a few times.

     “We’re all together now, and we’re going to stay together. That’s what friends do, stupid! I won’t accept that you’re broken, because you’re not! Don’t ever say that to me again!”

“People change.” There was a very small and almost undetectable hint of sadness in his voice. His sweater was grabbed by the tiny hands that gave it to him. Kei felt bad for bringing this up during the holidays, however, he knew that Hinata had to know and he also knew that the small giant would retaliate back,(better sooner than later). Hinata may be small in height, but he’s always been big in character.

Tsukishima hated his useless hot blooded temperament and his sparkly drive to accomplish greater things that are out of his reach. Maybe he hates these attributes because they are the characteristics he had and lost. 

‘This city isn’t your home!’

     “Second Christmas…” Kei’s been here for a year?! So, then, what Kageyama said was a lie?! Whether or not Hinata had expected it, or could explain it, that kind of knowledge still made his head hang a little bit lower. All he could do was try to let the little happiness he still had bring him back up. The gift really was a kind thing to do, no matter what Tsukishima happened to remember.

     “Thanks, Tsukishima.” After all, they still had volleyball, the thing that had brought them all together in the first place.

     “Let’s get some practice in soon.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Walking towards Hinata the blonde placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. His face stern, and held what appeared to be a permanent frowned on his lips. Yamaguchi was already disappointed in the person Kei has become in Hive City and in time the other two will learn about what he's done and frown upon him as well. They only know of the future Kei and what he's capable of doing... They don't know the disappointment that lay within this Kei.

Kei didn't place a note in his gift because he planned on taking a moment to talk to Hinata. Out of the two that came into the city recently Kei felt like Hinata would be the most hurt about his recent behavior/actions. “Sure, but I need to tell you something.” Tsukishima sighed, “I don’t know what you’ve heard about me and the things I’ve done here...”

Despite what happen the past few days, a little thing like that wasn’t going to stop Sora from giving a gift to his friend. Wrapped up nicely was a nice gift that he hope Kei would like, along with a note.

Dear Kei, Merry Christmas! I hope you have a good day, and a Happy New Year. Keep on being the best brother I could ask for. Thanks for all the memories we share together, I’ll never forget them. :) From- Sora

Tsukishima opened his gift and noticed it was a stuffed Dinosaur. His cheeks warmed briefly, but then cooled back down. It was just a friendly gift and it was a thoughtful one at that... He’ll have to thank him later.

‘ Thanks for all the memories we share together, I’ll never forget them. :) ‘

     Festive Tsukishima or not, Hinata was here to be a stand-in Santa Claus for his team. But, that thing he said made Hinata’s nose scrunch up and his eyes narrow. Just because Hinata and Kageyama seemed to go a lot of places together, and do a lot of things together, and live together here in the city, didn’t mean that Hinata couldn’t go somewhere on his own. Though, he had to wonder if Kageyama had gotten Tsukishima anything on his own. Why didn’t they just come here together?

     He walked into the bedroom, expression clearing up at the sight of a gift.

     “Why wait until after the holidays?” he asked as he removed the (fitting) orange wrapping and open the box to reveal — !

“This is my second Christmas here in Hive City...” Kei frowned, knowing that they talked briefly about the time difference between the two, but he doesn’t know if Hinata understands or is still baffled about the whole situation. “I’m just not in the mood for the holidays.” He added while watching the smaller male open his gift. Inside the box was a deflated Volleyball, a small ball pump and a stuffed animal crow. Most of his teammates will receive the same gift, except for Kageyama.... who got powdered milk instead of a stuffed animal, (inside joke).