theism

Hinata gets his wish, ultimately. He sleeps in the back of the strangers car - something too nice for him to be in. It’s comfortable, they have a throw pillow and blanket and Hinata has never slept that well in his life. He even snores lightly - a faint smile on his face because the back of a car is a much better place to sleep than all the locations he’d been sleeping at previously. It was.. almost soft in comparison to the toughened concrete. 

All the while Hinata sleeps, Kuroo drives. Tsukishima is a doing something in his phone, focused eyes looking through the information Kuroo can only assume is permanent. Suddenly, Tsukishimas voice cuts through. It’s thick from the high, he must be pretty far in - Kuroo thinks. 

“We have a shipment coming in tomorrow,” Tsukishima informs. Kuroo hums at the news. Tsukishima, Kuroo, and Yamaguchi share a greenhouse in the same fields back at headquarters. There’s about 6 lined up next to eachother, each of them respectively use two. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi use it almost exclusively for breeding marjiuana strains but Kuroo has a seperate place for Coca. The three of them, plus Yachi Hitoka - are responsible for the distribution of drugs in the market. 

Currently those details are unimportant - a shipment is exciting. Depending on the contents, Kuroo has new content to mess with. Most of his work takes place in the lab, but the cultivation process was a compromise between Kenma and Daichi  - and personally, he drew no issues with it. Tsukishima seemed much more hesitant on their end, but it couldn’t be helped he supposed. The blonde was easily flustered and provided Kuroo decent entertainment. They’d been partners for around 6 months - and they hadn’t had a new shipment in two.

“What’s coming?,” Kuroo asks, pulling into a 7/11. Hinata is still sound asleep, but the tinted windows don’t provide them much reason to be worried. Tsukishima smells like weed noticeably, but it can’t be helped. He takes a deep breath. 

“Coming from… California it looks like? Morning glory seeds per your request, and some seeds for me and Yams. Tanaka-san said he’d pick it up but he’ll be there early in the morning,” Tsukishima informed. Kuroo had primarily dealt in planting Coca and cutting pure white. He had, for a long time, been interested in the chemical makeup of LSD so he’d ask Daichi to do some connections. 

“How early is early?,” 

“4am,” 

Kuroo groans and Tsuksihima can’t help but laugh. He’d make a joke about how Kuroo still sleeps like he has an office job, but the two of them turn their head to Hinata, who has just seen to have woken up. They watch as he resettles into his body, for a moment panicking about the strange all red seats before his eyes settle on the strangers. Kuroo smiles at him, and Tsukishima looks bitterly. 

“Thanks for letting me sleep,” Hinatas voice is surprisingly deep as he wakes up, startling both Tsukishima and Kuroo respectively. “Are we there… to what was it again, headquarters or something?,” Hinata almost sounds like he’s asking about their day. The whole idea has settled with him, but he seems uncharacteristically positive. At least, for the average person in this situation. 

“Not yet,” Kuroo inform. Hinata immediately prepares himself to go to sleep again, but Kuroo is speaking just in time “We’ve got a couple stops to make for you, kid. Daichis instructions were to fix you up before we brought you home, so we’re at a 7/11 and then we’ll stop into a store on the ways to get you nice clothes,” 

“Whats the 7/11 for? Also, don’t talk about me like I’m a dog. I’m right here,” Hinata huffs. Kuroo laughs at that, if the situation weren’t so strange - he would’ve mussed up the kids hair. He has a charm to him admittedly 

“Didn’t mean anything by it. Daichi was very clear about letting you get some rest before bringing you back,” Kuroo explains. Hinata frowns at that, running a hand through his hair before sighing. 

“I haven’t said yes, yanno,” Hinata mumbles under his breath. Kuroo and Tsukishima stare at him intently as he yawns and opens his fluttering eyes to them staring him down. He rubs the back of his neck once he puts the pieces together “To… joining this whole.. crime thing,” Hinata explains awkwardly. 

“I mean - I didn’t say yes yet, so I don’t get why he’s being so nice to me,” Hinata stumbles over his words. He’s never been one to explain things verbally, but he continues to clarify anyways “Your boss,” he adds. Kuroo hums as Tsukishima seems to be losing interest. 

The blackhaired man curls his lips up in a smile “Hinata was it? Do you plan on saying no?,” 

Hinata chews the inside of his lip, a sore spot forming at the habit

 “Dunno,” He answers in the utmost earnest. Hinata was nothing more than a petty criminal at absolute best. He used to be a fighter for money, but he doesn’t think hes anything special  so the whole idea of joining something so big is both daunting and nonsensical in his opinion. What the fuck would he even do? 

“What's on your mind, shrimpy? What's really keeping you?,” Kuroo questions

“Well - you guys, what do you do? Like what made you join?,” 

Kuroo looks at Tsukishima to start, he’d been involved with Daichi a hair longer and felt he was more qualified to answer. Tsukishima takes a deep breath as he answers. 

“My brother started dealing, not really for any good reason. Long story short, he started getting involved in dangerous shit and Daichi helped him out in the end. He was shot when the same year I turned 18,” Tsukishima relays the story in a way that’s almost robotic. He has more to say, but Hinata lets him continue. 

“It’s stupid to say,” Tsukishima says with a deep breath “But weed changed my life. My panic attacks were less frequent, and dealing was making me enough money that I could help my mom keep the lights on. Daichi found me after highschool and ended up giving me work full time. Those are the basics,” Tsukishima finishes. Hinata stares in disbelief, something soft in his eyes. 

“The way you’re staring at me is annoying,” his voice is flat when he sees it, and it makes Hinata shake his head in whiplash. Right - he’s an asshole, remember? He smirks when Hinata takes offense but finishes the conversation swift “You got your answer, so hurry up. I wanna go home,” Tsukishima finishes, opening the car door before making his way out. Kuroo smiles at the man in the backseat. 

“Hmph,” he looks contemplative. Kuroo just watches - it’s almost like he can feel the gears turn in his mind. He doesn’t seem like he likes how hard he’s thinking about it, but Kuroo is more impressed by how little he’s daunted by it. It’s true, Kuroo and Tsukishima weren’t dangerous but this kid has to be fearless not to worry even a little. Golden brown eyes find Kuroos face, searching it for something before asking Kuroo the same question. 

“Well… his makes sense. Whats your reason.. to become a criminal and stuff?,” He voices. He almost talks like a kid, everything he does is almost too honest and it makes Kuroo laugh. He’s nothing short of a perfect pick, Kuroo can barely register him becoming short of permanent. He has a twinkle in his eyes, curiosity that should’ve gotten him killed years ago but hasn’t. Yes, Kuroo knows there’s something in him. He can sense it in the same way he could sense Kenma, but Hinatas strength is different. Daichi must know too. 

“I don’t think there’s any way to talk about why i joined without sounding like I’m bragging,” Kuroo says with a softened smile. Hinata looks at him curiously as he chuckles “Took a stupid IQ test when I was young and the number was so high that I was monitored for a long time. I’m a danger to society, even though I’ve never done anything violent or criminal, apparently. I take interested in Organic Chemistry and was supposed to develop bio and chemical weapons,” Kuroo says with ease. Hinata chokes at the news. 

“But that work meant I’d have to leave someone very important to me. So I took what I had and ran with that person. We did what Daichi did, but eventually - we joined him to create something better,” Kuroo says, not disclosing much else. Hinata flutters his lashes and then blushes - Kuroos sincerity talking about whoever was enough to do that to anyone. 

“I don’t have anything like that,” Hinata says it, smoothing a tongue over his lips. He hasn’t had anything like that. HInata has been homeless for a long time, years now. He knows his sister is okay and she’s going to college. She visits him from time time to time but she was so young when he got kicked out - he can’t bring himself to call it family ties. Truthfully, Shoyo doesn’t have any important ties. Survival doesn’t breed connections, that’s the truth. 

“Tsukishima and I are here for one reason,” Kuroo says, suddenly serious “You’ll see when we get back to Miyagi, but most of us are family. Found family. Chosen family,” Kuroos voice is low. Hinata is left speechless at the words. 

“That kind of brotherhood - the kind you find in the streets. We made something of it, that’s all,” Kuroo opens the door when he says it, before opening Hinatas. Hinata looks at him like he hungs the stars and he can’t help but laugh. He musses up the boys hair with a small smile. 

“You must be something, Chibi-chan,” Kuroo says with an eager grin. Hinata huffs at that, set to argue before Kuroo slings an arm around his shoulder. Hinata is so in shock by the action, he almost doesn’t know how to respond. But he smiles, nonetheless - and his words about companionship ring through his ears. He’s felt it before, of course he has - but, like this? Something… permanent eve. Hinata feels like he has butterflies at the notion. 

“Huh? Why d’you say that?,” 

Kuroo looks around the store when they enter it, Tsukishima staring at the drink cabinet like his life depends on it. He hums, flitting his eyes at Hinata before dropping his arms, bending down to look at him face to face. It’s too fun to tease him, the way he stumbles at fun things is entertaining beyond belief. Kuroo laughs. 

“Daichi-san has never requested someone before. Normally, we’d let you go with a threat or something - but you were specially requested,” He says, stretching his arms out. He reaches around in his pocket, pulling out a sleek blackwallet. There’s a picture of a boy with long blonde hair tucked under the plastic sleeve, Hinata notices. Kuroo hands him a black, slim piece of plastic and hands it to him. 

“You’re our special, handle-with-care, cargo, kid. Go ahead and get whatever you want, toiletries, food, whatever you want. No price is too high, the credit limit on this card is… high,” Kuroo says with a shrug. Hinata stares at the plastic with a dumb nod, going to get a cart while Kuroo goes to fall into step with Tsukishima. 

Tsukishima couldn’t look more fucked up if he tried. Kuroo taps his shoulder and he nearly jumps back, before sneering. Kuroo laughs heartily as he stares at the drink section with Tsukishima. He reaches for the strawberry milk behind the glass doors and hands it to him. Tsukishima is about to refuse with a blush, but Kuroo doesn’t let him. 

“Just take it dude,” Kuroo says with a small grin “We both know thats what you want, anyways,” 

Tsukishima snatches the bottle from his hands, unconsciously holding it to his chest before turning around. Kuroo does the same, their eyes scanning for the orange-haired ‘cargo’ they had picked up. He was being careful with his purchases, the cart had mostly dry foods and toiletries - it almost hurts to see. All things he can take for the road, they had to credit it for having street smarts. They watch him buy a new bag, a razor and hair-cutting scissors, a first-aid kit. He was thinking ahead, for sure. 

“He’s weird,” Tsukishima mumbles, rubbing his eyes as they watch Hinata walk to the counter. He talks animatedly to the cashier, who looks dead inside. He still smiles at Hinata though, small but genuine as Hinata talks to him excitedly about nothing in particular. 

“You noticed it, then?,” Kuroo hints vaguely. Tsukishima looks at him like hes just said something obvious, and in many ways he has. Hinata has that thing about him - that thing only that would make him worth initiation. It makes Tsukishima snort with laughter. 

“Hard to miss,” Tsukishima says honestly. He watches as the cashier helps Hinata pack up the items in the newly obtained bag “He came running as soon as he got the okay. Talk about obvious,” 

Kuroo doesn’t disagree. He watches as Hinata reorders everything. He’s switched out the busted sports backpack for a cheap duffle that he slides over his shoulders. He has the arm and shoulder strength to haul it around no problem. He runs a hand through his hair and places a hat with the rim backwards on his head. He looks around for the both of them and gives them a small wave. 

“Get everything you need, Chibi-chan?,” Kuroo yells over. Hinata nods and holds his bag up, then the card. Kuroo grabs it when the three of them wak out and make it back into the car. 

Hinata answers as they enter the car, taking a deep breath before placing the duffel on end of the seat and almost immediately going to sleep. 

“Yeah, I think so. What else are we supposed to do, again?,” Hinata asks, rubbing his eyes sleepily. Kuroo slings an arm around Tsukishimas seat as he pulls out of the parking lot and back onto the highway. 

“We’re gonna get you some clothes and then we’ll stop into a hotel for the night,” 

Hinata just nods, pulling the hat around and then over his eyes before mumbling something that sounds like all good and passing out in the back seat. Kuroo can’t help but laugh as they travel down the open highway, music playing softly in the stereo. 

__ 

The rest of the night comes as quickly as it goes. Hinata racks through yesterday as he wakes up in his hotel room - wearing actual clothes. Pajamas that are soft, hanging low on his hips. Lavender boxers that peak over the waistband, and tight white tank. Hinata isn’t sure how to take it all in, and despite being fully awake - he closes his eyes trying to get an idea of how to proceed. He recalls everything, but nothing has phased him so far. 

He knows, rationally, he should be very afraid of the entire situation. What kind of shit he must be in, having seen two high profile criminals involved in some criminal activity that ends in a shoot-out. He doesn’t know if anyone died and Tsukishima's reaction isn’t exactly a gauge to that. He went out with these same criminals, and not only learned personal details about their lives but got buddy buddy with them in the process. They had a beer in the hotel bar before heading to their rooms where Hinata ate to his heart's content. 

He doesn’t feel any fear. No anxiety looms in the pit of his stomach at the prospect. It all just feels… unreal, mostly. He doesn’t know what to make of it. In it’s own fucked up way, it feels like an opportunity. A strange, grimm fairytale version of a second chance. He’s left staring at the ceiling. His thoughts are flooded by the clothes we now own, and the food left in his bag. He turns to his side and just groans deeply. He should be afraid, his mind knows that but he’s never been someone who trusts his thoughts over his guts. The mind is an evil place, but instinct cannot betray - so if Hinata is relying on these facts, there's nothing to worry about. 

There's nothing to worry about, Hinata. So sleep. Thats what he repeats to himself as he blinks his eyes one or two times and falls into the deep slumber 

 He opens his eyes and does not know where he is. The floor below him crumbles, and each time he takes a step the earth is falling in on itself, yet he has not fallen. He takes steps forwards and back, and finds himself supported by nothingness. He is enraptured by the voice, eyes drinking in the dark. His hand reaches for it, and he has long since forgotten the sight in front of him. In a third view, a birds eye one - he can see paradise in the direction he was walking it. 

Yet, he cannot move any further. Each step he tries to take is sunken into blackness until he ankle deep in it. He isn’t falling, nor is he drowning but he is not moving forward. There is no destination. He is going absolutely nowhere, and he is content in that fact. 

A being, with wings, appears before him. He has gentle hands, when he reaches out for Hinatas fingers. In the dream, perspective changes again and he is looking at the face of someone he does not know. His eyes are cobalt blue and his hair is dark enough to be the same color. His lashes are stark black, and he is saying something. HInata does not know the words, but he wishes to do as he asks. He’s moving again, even as the world falls to pieces under his feet

Hinata wakes up in discontent - the familiar feeling one has after having a dream that is neither good nor bad. It was odd, if anything. Hinata takes a deep breath as he looks around, not sure of what he might see. He doesn’t expect a fancy hotel, and oddly feels out of place. He wonders if a home would ever feel like a home again and not just a place to sleep. 

A knock on his door wakes him up. His hair is flatly hanging against his face when Kuroo and Tsukishima stand at the door. Tsukishima looks as he always does, mildly irritated but there is a hot black coffee in his hand. Kuroo is in the same vain, himself. Kuroo grins as he sees Hinata - an immediate sense of fondness making itself present. 

“Morning, kid,” Kuroo says, ruffling Hinata's hair “You ready to go?,” 

“Shouldn’t be too long before I am forreal,” HInata says with a yawn, shuffling through his duffel bag for clothes. Though he had more focus on functionality, than fashion - the clothes he pick suit him. A beige hoodie, black jeans, and a snapback. Quality and function over style, it might just be Hinata's aura that makes him look like that. It only takes a few minutes before he’s back out into the room. Tsukishima is seated in a chair and Kuroo sits on the end of the bed.

A few moments pass before Hinata is slinging his bag over his shoulder and indicating that he’s prepared for what's coming. He looks at Kuroo with a mild grin. 

“I’m good to go,” 

 Kuroo nods lazily, patting his pockets for his keys before nodding at Hinata and Tsukishima respectively. 

“Alright then - we can stop and get breakfast but we should hustle over. Daichi-san is expecting your arrival with swiftness and I’d hate to keep the man waiting,” 

Everyone nods in understanding as Hinata shivers with a sudden onset of nervousness. It was finally, finally happening.