Side Story 1 - Sad Pumpkin

"Okay, I'll check it out.  I think Kei is already waiting for me.  Text Kageyama to know where he's at.  Maybe he got stuck at the vendo.  Bye Yachi, thanks again!" Hinata simultaneously walked while saying goodbye.

Tsukishima is approaching Hinata and heard a few of what he said to Yachi.  Because Hinata is not paying attention, he bumped into the human wall.

"Ouch!" He yelled but immediately felt warm arms around him.

"Hey pumpkin, look where you're headed. By the way, what's that about."

"Oh, you know stuff.  Recommendations from Yachi on what to read."

"Hmmm, she's still helping you study aside from me?"  Tsukishima hinted at a bit of jealousy.

"Yeah sort of. Kinda...? You can call it that... Anyway,... meat buns?"  So they went to the convenience store and chose a table where they can enjoy their snack.

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The next day...

Hinata picked up Tsukishima from his house.  Unconsciously, he pulled Tsukishima's arm down and kissed his cheek as if it was the most natural thing to do.  Then they walked side by side on the way to school.  Tsukishima was a bit surprised but did not complain.  Why should he?  Hinata's sudden bursts of sweetness are his treasure.

However, Tsukishima noticed Hinata is sad.  His eyes are a bit puffy. His light dim. It's like walking with a sick person.  He looks at Tsukishima from time to time, smiles timidly then continued to look ahead.

Hinata is still feeling down after talking to Yachi again before they sat down to eat during lunchtime.

"You okay baby?  Are you sick?"  Tsukishima asked.

"Yeah... no problem.  Hey, I wanna sleep over tonight. Can I?"  Hinata asked while munching his bento.

"Of course.  You practically live there now."  Tsukishima said, no offense meant.

"Don't you wanna have me over?"  Hinata pouted.

"Huh, I just said, it's no problem.  What's the matter, really? Are you in pain somewhere? Did I do something wrong? Why are you acting this way?"  Tsukishima is now a bit irritated not because of Hinata per se, but because he cannot figure out what's wrong and he cannot help his boyfriend.

Hinata stood up, "sorry comfort room."  Hinata left, teary-eyed.

"Haaaah...". Tsukishima followed him.

In a few strides, Tsukishima is already behind Hinata.  When Hinata opened one stall, Tsukishima immediately went in after him.  He pulled Hinata to face him and embraced him with his right hand rubbing Hinata's hair.

They did not speak for a minute.  Good thing nobody's at the cr.

"Baby, I don't know what's bothering you.  I'm here. Talk to me when you're ready. But for now, just let me embrace you."  He whispered.

"I—-I'm just sad... I'm sorry Daddy."

Hinata then looked up and kissed Tsukishima's cheek, then his lips.  Just a peck at first.  But he licked Tsukishima's lips and they kissed deeply.

"I love you Kei."

"I love you too Shoyo.  Let's go back to class?"  Tsukishima asked, to which Hinata nodded.

During his sleepover, they did not talk about it.  However, Hinata acted like a spoiled child and wanted non-stop cuddles.  Tsukishima gladly obliged.  They slept peacefully.

The next day, Hinata was back to his old self.  Tsukishima did not push to know what was wrong anymore.  As long as Hinata's happy, then it's fine.

However, Hinata was once again a bit down two days after.  But this time Hinata may be sad but he is just quieter.  Like a cloud hanging around the sunshine.  It's peaceful.  Calm.

"You okay baby?"  Tsukishima once again asked.

"Yes, Kei.  Sorry hahaha!  Don't mind me.  Just feeling peaceful today."

"Okay just perk up during practice okay?"  Hinata nodded.

This went on for about a week.  Tsukishima just observe Hinata.  He doesn't want to put pressure on him.  However, because Yachi seems to be the usual person he talks to before his mood changes, he talked to her.  Yachi didn't give him anything though.  Dead end.  She told him he has to talk to Hinata.

"Baby, sleepover tonight,"  Tsukishima whispered to Hinata before the class started.  Hinata nodded knowing such kind of tone from Kei means he has to agree.

At Tsukishima's room...

"So what's wrong with you the whole week? And don't try to escape, please.  I need to know how I should act, what to think, what to expect."

"Ahmm, I'm kind of embarrassed... please don't be mad."

"As long as you haven't fallen for somebody else, I will not get mad,"  Tsukishima said seriously.

"Huh?! No no nothing of the sort.  I started reading this novel 'Ten Years I Loved You The Most' and ... and... my heart just broke while reading..."

Tsukishima did not speak for a while.  He looked into his cellphone at randomly searched for the said novel and get the gist of the story.

"So how about the next day after you were so down, you were back to your sunny self?  What happened?"

"Yachi advised me to pause reading and look for a happy story to maintain balance in my emotions.  She said the novel is really heavy for the heart so I need to check if I need to stop and rest before continuing."

"Okay..."

"Are... are you mad?  I'm sorry Kei, I didn't expect I'd be affected this much."

"Come here."  Tsukishima beckoned Hinata to straddle him.

"I understand now. I'm not mad.  I think you were associating their story with ours.  But baby, we are in our 1st quarter of a decade.  We're happy now, aren't we?  I assume, there's cheating involved?", Hinata nodded.

"Okay there's cheating, do you think I can cheat on you?"

"No, but there are hurtful words..." Hinata's words trailed off.

"Ahhh Yes, but have I hurt you deliberately?  I mean I know my sarcasm is basically a skill to me, but have I ever, ever, tried to hurt you for the sake of really breaking your heart?"

"N—-no... no Daddy.  I'm sorry Kei, I'm sorry."  Hinata tried to make himself smaller and nuzzled into Tsukishima's neck.

"Haha, I'm really not mad baby.  This is good, at least I know now. What about we discuss stories you wanna read?  I'll help you look for them.  Maybe, for now, you start with light stories or stories with angst but with a happy ending.  Exposing you to different emotions is good too."

"Okay, Kei. Thank you."

"So now, can I punish you for making me worry the whole week?"  Tsukishima started undressing Hinata.

"Yes, Daddy.  Just don't make it hurt.  You can do anything to me."  They kissed passionately.

Tsukishima of course cannot punish his pumpkin and made love to him tenderly instead.