In Kageyama’s hard grip, a paper bag graced Shoyou’s eyes like an offering. His mouth parted around a half-formed question.
“Eat,” Was what Kageyama asked of him.
The paper crinkled as it was passed from one person’s hand to another’s. The movement of sharing something changed Kageyama’s hardness into care. Shoyou didn’t know how to look at him. He stared at the bag that sat silently in his lap. He could hear Kageyama being quiet, but pretended he couldn’t.
His fingers fumbled around the opening, reaching in apprehensively. As if he was afraid to eat.
The pork bun inside still held a little bit of heat. He wanted to tell Kageyama that he would eat it later, tell him he wasn’t hungry right now.
“Do you have anything to eat?” Shoyou asked instead, hand still wrapped around the floury dough.
“I ate mine while it was still hot.”
A laugh pulled at Shoyou’s lips. He took a piece of the bun out and held it up for Kageyama. What was he going for with that action? He didn’t know the answer to that, actually. Having someone eat with him just sounded good to him.
“Eat,” Kageyama said again, frowning. “It’ll make you better.”
Make you better. Better at what, volleyball?
“I will,” Shoyou promised, “If you eat this.”
Kageyama’s eyes narrowed, but he accepted the piece. His fingers were warmer than Shoyou’s when they brushed past each other. With Kageyama chewing on his little piece of nikuman, Shoyou took a breath and ate. The bun was lukewarm and underwhelming. He ate more. It was good food. He wished he were better, he wished he weren’t just lukewarm and underwhelming. His pork bun was still good, though.
It got easier to eat more as he went. He really liked it, actually… What was he bashing it for? Its texture softened his mouth, made his eyes fuzzy. The simple joy of free convenience store nikuman filled his body, the cooling pork and onion and mushrooms feeling steadily warmer. His tears fell warm like nikuman gravy.
Sniffling, Shoyou fisted one greasy hand in his t-shirt and wiped his eyes. He ate again, rubbing his wet face against his shoulder. He pushed the last bite into his mouth so his cheeks were stuffed and he chewed until he could swallow, his bitterness making its way through his body organically.
