everybody around them knew.

they knew it.

they could see it.

they could see the way hinata looked at kageyama and the way kageyama smiled at hinata - the feelings they had for each other were not platonic. they were more serious than they imagined at first.

that's why it hurt so much to watch the two continuously fail to realize what they felt for each other.

the chemistry between them was strong, like two highly reactive chemical elements their feelings were on the verge of mixing all the time, yet somehow there was a barrier between them that prevented them from opening their eyes and fianlly seeing that they loved each other. 

the two were opposites, but... opposites attract, right? hinata was bright and warm, he was all smiles and chatter - he was so, so sweet that even looking at him you could get a sweet-tooth. hinata was open, he was honest about most things, while he was competitive, it was never to a point where someone would feel hurt. even while playing practise matches with other teams, during little breaks or moments of silence, he would quietly send his opponents encouragement which they would return most of the time, surprised by hinata's kindness. hinata was the embodiment of a sun.

kageyama was different. he seemed cold and dark, even though that was simply a wall he had built in order to not be hurt. he barely ever smiled and when he did, it was always a smile aimed at hinata. he didn't like chatting too much with others, unless it was hinata - with him he could talk for hours. he was a closed book, he liked to hide things - he believed firmly that being open would only bring him hurt and pain. and he had no reason to talk to the other team, he could never understand why and even how hinata managed to stay perfectly friendly with others even when they won against them. they were enemies, were they not? and yet all he could do is watch hinata smile at others while talking to them in that sweet voice of his.

he was jealous. but he wouldn't say a thing. he should have. he really should have, because sometimes hinata wished he would say something, he wished kageyama would ask him to spend less time with other setters and focus on him because that at least would be a minimal sign of mutual feelings.

opposites attract sometimes. but not all the time. because in some cases they express feelings differently - in ways that the other doesn't understand.

hinata, while he spent a lot of time with others as well, always made kageyama his priority - if he had plans with someone, but kageyama offered to go somewhere instead he would cancel plans with the other person just to go with him. he would touch him ever so gently, from brushing his fingers against kageyama's to leaning on his shoulder whenever they sat peacefully on a bench after long evening walks. he would look at him in a way that he didn't look at anyone else. he would never miss a chance to throw a compliment at him, to throw a subtle hint at him - and yet he felt like all of his little moves were rejected.

kageyama showed his love from afar. he would text hinata every morning and evening, wishing him a good day or sweet dreams. he would look over him at practise to make sure he didn't get hurt, and if he did he would tend to his wound. he would smile at him, and only at him because he had no reason to smile at others. hinata was the only one to hear his genuine laugh, to see his genuine smile. kageyama slowly opened up to him, he would talk about how he feels and hint subtly at hinata's presence being the thing that makes him happy, but for some reason hinata never noticed anything.

hinata was used to texts from people during mornings and evenings, he was social after all and he had people who were close to him. tending to his wounds? isn't that what any friend or teammate woud do? talking about deeper topics with friends, isn't that what all friends do? hinata had shared many private conversations with others, so those did not leave a lasting impression on him at all. without knowing, kageyama expressed his love in ways that hinata's friends already treated him - that's why he never noticed.

and to kageyama... hinata never told him that he cancels plans with others, so for him it was just hinata agreeing to hang out. the brushes against him, were accidental right? and the way hinata would lean on his shoulder would show that he is tired, right? that's what kageyama thought, as he wasn't used to this sort of physical thing. he thought hinata did it with everyone else. and all the compliments and the way he looked at him - kageyama thought it was admiration, not love. he often heard hinata complimenting others. what hinata needed to do was be more direct, though... that didn't work either.

as time progressed, hinata found himself bound. he no longer wished to be alone. he no longer wished to be lost in his empty world, he wanted kageyama to know, he wanted them to show feelings for each other and that is what everyone else wanted as well. they tried many times to help the two get together, but nothing seemed to work.

hinata, after a considerable amount of time, already in his third year decided to be more direct. he thought that would work.

he invited kageyama over. after pointless talks about competitions and exams hinata looked at him, he looked at him with clear intent. he sat closer to him and felt his cheeks burning up. as he raised his head, he asked the first question, "hey... are you romantically interested in anyone these days?"

to which kageyama replied, "o-oh? an interesting question you asked there. any particular reason why you're asking?".

hinata gathered all his courage. his palms were sweating and his heart was beating so hard in his chest, he could feel it in his whole body, "could you ever imagine us dating?", is what he asked. 

"i... i couldn't" is what kageyama answered. 

it was a misunderstanding.

kageyama meant it in a way that he could barely imagine them dating as it sounded like a dream come true. them dating? sounds like a dream too good to be true. kageyama would only daydream about it, that's why it felt so unreal. and that's why he answered in that way.

but hinata understood it in a way that meant - i couldn't imagine us together. his little heart shattered at the thought, he thought all his efforts were now pointless as kageyama never felt anything for him. he smiled, he kept that smile, he couldn't show kageyama his pain now, could he?

it was all a misunderstanding.

one tiny misunderstanding.

but it was enough for hinata to start moving on, to start mending his broken heart, while kageyama stayed in his hidden feelings.

and it was so, oh so excruciating.

and so bitterly sweet.