Chapter Text
“Hinata!” Ukai roared from an odd corner of the gym, scaring the small boy right out of the air where he’d been excitedly fluttering moments before. From his location in the doorway, with Yamaguchi promptly bumping into his back, Tsukishima let out a barely concealed chuckle. “What have I told you about using your abilities during practice!” It wasn’t a question.
Hinata leaped to his feet in a mess of black feathers and more snickers from Tsukishima, letting out a small chirp, “sorry, coach,” and he fell into a deep bow as the large black wings sprouting from his back folded back into his skin.
“Suga, what have I told you about using your ability during practice,” came Ukai’s sharp voice from the benches, which were definitely behind Hinata. He chirped again—the small bird-like noise the only thing he seemed capable of in times of shock—and whipped around to face a second Ukai, this one with a scowl on his face and a pointed look being thrown over Hinata’s shoulder towards the first Ukai. “We have the Tokyo training camp in two weeks, and if a single one of you fu-”
“Language, Keishin,” Takeda whispered, his voice sweet and manipulative.
“Right, sorry. I don’t want any bad behavior while we’re in Tokyo. Do you understand?” There was a resounding yes, sir before practice resumed regularly, with only the occasional ability caused problem (usually Tanaka setting a ball on fire or Nishinoya randomly appearing behind somebody). Everyone was rejuvenated with excitement for the upcoming training (though not all of their motives were entirely volleyball related) but, regardless, it was a refreshing change from the normal pace of everyday practice. “And Kageyama, I swear to god, if you freeze Hinata’s head one more time I’m going to put my fist where the-”
“That’s enough Keishin.”
“Right, sorry.”
Takeda uses his ability on Coach Ukai a lot, Yamaguchi thought, his ability only able to penetrate Hinata’s birdbrain thoughts. The plants right outside sang happy songs into his head, which he would occasionally pass along to his friend, and both were welcome additions to Hinata’s mind.
He quickly flashed Yamaguchi a bright smile from across the room; his concentration usually so stuck on volleyball that his hair glowed and moved in a more flame-like than hair-like fashion, the little phoenix within him fighting to escape. I think it’s because Ukai needs it more than the rest of us?
We lose almost five balls a day to Tanaka alone. He could kindly ask him not to set them on fire, but he chooses to only talk to Coach that way. Hinata nodded along as Yamaguchi’s voice floated into his head. He’d learned pretty early on that Yamaguchi talked a lot more in his thoughts than he did out loud, and being the only part-animal team member meant that he was the only one who received Yamaguchi’s drawn-out rants. Of course, if he were to bring up any of their conversations out loud, then Yamaguchi would instantly turn into a flustered strawberry and stutter his way out of the conversation.
You think they’re doing the fricky frack? Hinata asked, waggling his inflamed eyebrows in a way that made water squirt out Yamaguchi’s nose. Like you and Tsukishima did last night? This time Yamaguchi choked.
“You… what?” Yamaguchi’s voice cracked so loudly that the whole gym went quiet, but he didn’t seem to notice as he stared bright red and bewildered at a floating Hinata. His wings were flapping lazily as he scratched the back of his head in the most awkward gesture of embarrassment.
“Well, I went on a walk last night… trying out new areas… and I guess I passed by your house cause your thoughts just went zing and suddenly I was a bit too included in-”
“That’s enough, dumbass, can’t you see he’s suffering?” Kageyama grumbled, his hand connecting by near reflex with the flaming top of Hinata’s head, a cloud of steam rising as Kageyama attempted to freeze him to no avail.
“What did I just say about freezing Hinata?” Ukai bellowed only to be followed by,
“Sugawara Koushi if you turn into me one more time I will throw you out of this gym faster than-”
“This is no place for violence, Keishin.”
“Right, sorry…”