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Hinata Shouyou had always been alone. It's what he had known his whole 15 years of living.
He had grown up in an orphanage in Hokkaido before he ran away to Miyagi for a new start at the age of 15.
Solitude is something he was more than familiar with.
Although, runaway wasn't really the right term. It waas more like he moved. There was nothing in Hokkaido to tie him down after all, and his job (if one could consider dominating the stock market a job) is always online. He was now living in a condominium in the better side of Sendai, close to the high school he applied to. In the safety of his home, he allowed himself to smile as he folded his thousandth paper crane.
Origami, the art of paper folding, was a habit that he picked up when he was 10. His old orphanage had too many leftover papers, so he learnt to use them up and turn them into decorations.
He just turned 16, and it took him a little over 6 months to create a thousand paper cranes leisurely.
With a deep breath, he placed the crane by his lips and closed his eyes before he whispered.
"I wish to be somebody to someone."
Over in Hyogo, an 18 year old adolescent clicked his tongue in satisfaction as he finally finished folding his 1000th origami crane. He hadn't been satisfied with his first one when he tried it for the first time. It was so crooked and creased. So, he actually took the time to polish his origami skills until he created a thousand pieces of the cranes specifically.
Unlike Hinata Shouyou, Ojiro Aran never knew the pain of solitude, of loneliness. He'd always been surrounded by people that he cares about and that cared about him. He knew what the word meant, but he never experienced it. He'd feel lonely sometimes of course. That was inevitable.
But he'd never felt what it's like to have no one to lean on.
Did he want to experience it? Most definitely not.
And he'd never wish it on anyone.
Which is probably why he felt compelled to whisper that specific wish when he brought the paper crane to his lips in the silence of his room.
"I wish to be somebody to someone."
Hinata Shouyou is a quiet kid. He had an aura of mysteriousness around him, mainly because his background is unknown. His teammates in Karasuno tried to learn about that specific topic, but all they get is the cold shoulder. Hinata had always avoided that topic. The first time one of them asked, Hinata just changed the topic. The second, he said he didn't want to talk about it. The third, he straight up ignored them. The questioning went on until at least each member asked him once (some forced, some genuine,) until he had enough and ended up shouting at poor Yachi to leave him alone.
(He apologised later on by taking her shopping because he felt bad, but none of them ever asked him again.)
"Japan has so many legends!" Lev stated from where he sat down on his futon, reading a book about Japanese Legends and Myths.
joining Karasuno and their volleyball team, Hinata didn't expect them to end up where they are now. He didn't even know why he joined in the first place. But his gut told him to, so he did. Now, here he is, in a training camp with a bunch of schools from Tokyo. He glanced at the others sitting in a circle from where he sat by the window before going back to the darkness outside that was slightly illuminated by the city lights in the distance.
He listened to them babble on about various myths that they believed in, hiding his smile at the way a few bickered while the others just simply debated. He was pulled out of his bubble when Sugawara, his vice captain asked him a question.
"I'm sorry? I didn't catch your question."
"I asked if you had any myths that you believe in." Sugawara stated. It was difficult to have Hinata opening up to them. The ginger had always kept most of them all, teammates or not, at an arm's length away. Most of them, because there were a few that was respectful enough that he let them in slowly. (Akaashi, Kenma, and Bokuto, surprisingly enough.)
"Woah. Can you tell us what it's about?" Nishinoya asked as he subconciously shuffled closer to Hinata. The younger moved his from the outside to his team's libero as he answered.
"Legends stated that anyone who creates a thousand folded paper cranes gets to have a wish granted by the Gods."
His voice was soft as he answered and fought off the urge to play with the cuffs of his sweater. All eyes in the room were on him, and he wasn't sure if he was okay with it or not outside the court. Yamaguchi seemed to notice his discomfort and tried to help by asking a question.
"You like origami right? Did you do it? The legend I mean."
Hinata nodded as he pulled his hands deeper into the sleeves of his sweater, watching as his fingers disappeared inside the cuffs. Yamaguchi, bless his heart, had good intentions, but his execution was wrong as it placed all eyes on him again. "I did. I finished it last month. They hang on my bedroom window like a curtain."
"That's amazing, Chibi-chan! How long did it take you?" Kuroo, Nekoma's captain asked.
"A little over 6 months." He murmured as an answer, and gasps of awe went around the room. Not many people had the patience to even make one origami. For someone to commit to making a thousand of the same thing, it was amazing. That kind of dedication is astounding.
"What did you ask for?" Tanaka asked, and Hinata wondered if some of these people ever noticed his discomfort at being asked so many questions.
"Nooooo! Don't ask!" Bokuto stated as he glanced once at Hinata. "It's not polite to ask for someone's wish like that!"
He sent the ace a grateful smile, and Bokuto lit up and winked back at him.
Ah, his saviour, Hinata thought.
"Why?" Daichi asked as eyes moved from Hinata to the boisterous Fukurodani ace. Hinata felt his shoulders relax when eyes left him.
"Because what if the chances of it coming true lower? That's not good!" Bokuto stated loudly, causing Akaashi to sigh.
"I don't think that will happen, Bokuto-san." Akaashi stated as he tried to hide the proud look in his eyes when he caught Hinata and Bokuto's little interaction.
It wasn't a surprise that Hinata was drawn to Kenma and Akaashi. Those two knew when to pry and when not to. What had been a surprise to many when Hinata gravitated towards Bokuto. But Akaashi wasn't surprised. As Bokuto's setter, Akaashi knew exactly how Bokuto is. He was boisterous, curious, but also very perceptive to how people felt around him. Bokuto took one look at Hinata and approached him, not to ask questions, but just to be there for the ginger.
That simple act melted Hinata's heart towards the Fukurodani ace.
For once in his life, Hinata felt less alone than he usually did.
"Nooooooooooooo!" Hinata blinked when his thoughts got broken by Bokuto's loud scream when he lost whatever game they were playing. He hadn't noticed that his thoughts drifted off, but he's thankful. He didn't want anyone to ask, regardless of whether it comes true or not.
Maybe he should take Bokuto out for Yakiniku, as a thank you.
"Ah, shit. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
It was the Nationals, and Karasuno actually did it. They became Miyagi's representative for the Nationals.
He was on his way back from having a moment for himself when he bumped into a rather broad body.
Hinata looked up at the owner of the hand that was offered to him and met a gorgeous pair of green-grey eyes that stood out against the golden sepia brown of his skin and the burgundy red of his jersey jacket. Hinata had to fight himself to keep his jaw from dropping.
The guy was just absolutely gorgeous.
Hinata had to blink to get himself to move and talk. He accepted the hand and fought off the blush that wanted to show. He tried to fight off the need to flinch when electricity surged between their hands. If the tall male's confused gaze on their hands was something to go by, then Hinata wasn't the only one that felt it.
"Oh, yeah I'm okay. I'm sorry for bumping you." Hinata stated with a shy smile.
"It's completely fine. Here, you dropped this." Hinata accepted the book that the guy passed, his cheeks slowly glowing pink. "You... you like origami? Are you just starting?"
The attempt for a small talk warmed his heart for some reason. Normally, he would walk away by now, yet something was asking him to stay. So he did.
"I do. I started when I was ten, actually. I just wanted more ideas, hence the book." Hinata said as he lifted the book slightly. "Hinata Shouyou, a first year."
"Lovely to meet you, Hinata. I'm Ojiro Aran, a third year."
"It's lovely to meet you too, Ojiro-san. Do you like origami too?"
Before Aran could answer, his name got called. When they looked behind Aran, Hinata saw a guy walking towards them. Hinata absently noted that he looked like Bokuto if the ace had his hair down, was shorter and had less muscle mass.
"There you are. The team and I have been waiting for you." The guy said, and Aran smiled apologetically.
"Forgive me, Shinsuke. I lost track of time." Aran said.
"It's quite alright. Were you speaking to someone? I'm so sorry for interrupting." Aran moved so the newcomer can see Hinata fully.
"Shinsuke, this is Hinata Shouyou. Hinata, this is my close friend and captain, Kita Shinsuke." Aran introduced them both, and Hinata blinked when he found that he could breathe better now that he knew that they were just friends.
"It's nice to meet you, Kita-san." Hinata stated after a bow that was returned by the older male.
"Nice to meet you too, Hinata. I apologize for interrupting but our match will begin soon." Kita stated with an apologetic smile, and HInata blinked.
Right. He had his own match to get through.
"Right. I should get back to my team as well. It was wonderful meeting the both of you. Thank you for the chat, Ojiro-san. Maybe I'll see you across the net. Goodluck." Hinata bowed before walking away and Aran found himself enthralled with the small smirk on the younger male's lips.
Aran had never been one to wander around before a match. No, he stuck to his team like a glue, especially when the twins turn more mischievous than normal. Yet his gut told him to go for a walk.
He had never ignored his gut before, so he got up and went for a walk after letting Kita know. He had time before their first match after all.
Aran didn't know where his feet were taking him, until he bumped into a short male with orange hair. His first thought was to ask if the hair was real. No one is naturally a ginger like that, right? until he remembered that his own captain's hair was natural too.
His second thought was to help him up, before a third one came up after the electricity moved between their hands.
His third thought was to get to know him. His gut begged that he learn more about the ginger haired male.
Before he could fully do so, they got interrupted.
"ah shit." Aran cursed as soon as they got back to the locker room.
"What is it?" Kita asked with a raised brow.
"I forgot to ask for his number." Aran pouted, and Kita scoffed to hide his amusement.
"I'm sure you'll get another shot later."
Aran certainly hoped so.
A second chance, Aran did have.
Kita couldn't quite stop the amusement from growing in his system when his eyes caught the bright orange hair across the net. The twins looked at Kita in confusion when a small chuckle left the captain's lips. Before they could ask anything, Kita spoke up.
"Hey, Aran. Look across the net."
Aran raised a brow at his friend before doing so, shock gracing his features. "It's him..."
It seemed that Aran didn't notice Hinata, which was a surprise. No one can easily miss that bright hair.
"Looks like you had your second chance, after all." Kita said as he patted the ace's arm. "You should think of ways to get his number."
Aran tilted his head in thought as he considered Kita's suggestion. He then jogged over to their coach and asked for a piece of paper and a pen. He quickly scribbled his number on the paper and turned it into a lily and asked their coach to keep it for him for now. The team just watched their ace in confusion and interest, since Aran never really showed interest like this before.
Kita just shook his head and smiled, something that his boyfriend noticed.
"Shinsuke-san? Why are you smiling?" Atsumu asked, but Kita just ignored the question and walked away. "Shinsuke-san? Shinsukeeee!"
"Focus on the warm-ups, Atsumu."
"Yes, Shinsuke-san."
"That was a wonderful game, Ojiro-san. You're an amazing volleyball player." Hinata said as he faced Aran now that their game is over.
"That was a great game, Hinata-kun. Congratulations on the win." Aran smiled as he looked at the younger male before reaching across the net and placed the paper lily on his palm gently. "I hope this answers the question I was not able to answer earlier. Open it whenever you're free. I hope to hear from you soon." Aran then walked away with a wink and a sly smirk, leaving Hinata confused and blushing at the warmth that lingered from the ace's touch.
Hinata stared at the numbers that was scrawled neatly in the middle of the now unfolded lily. He never entertained people that gave him their numbers before, but his gut was telling him to not let the opportunity slip. With a sigh, he reached over for his phone and typed in the number before debating on a message.
6pm
Hinata: The lily was beautiful. How did you do it?
Aran: I'm glad you think so. And they're actually quite easy. I can teach you if you want me to?
Hinata: ...I'd like that, actually.
Gentle, soft, sweet and understanding. Those were the words that Hinata would use to describe Aran everytime someone asked.
Aran is also, quite possibly, the most romantic and softest man Hinata had met. The ginger never thought that he'd get along with someone, ever. Yet here he is, incredibly comfortable with Aran.
Everytime Hinata tried to push the male away to protect himself, Aran knew the exact words to say and do to get Hinata to stop overthinking.
Aran stopped him from feeling lonely. Whenever Aran messaged him, the shadows that hang around his head from being alone for so long was being pushed away by the light that was Ojiro Aran.
It was amazing to Hinata, how endeared he was towards the older male.
Falling in love for the older male was something that they all saw coming.
No one would dare and do anything but watch in silence and joy as Hinata's cold exterior began to melt.
For once, Hinata was happy. They weren't about to destroy that.
"Hey, Angel." Aran stated as soon as Hinata opened the door to his condo. He just arrived at Miyagi for Hinata's graduation, and the ginger immediately offered up his place for the older male to stay at. Despite the graduation being a month away.
"Hey, love. How are you?" Hinata asked as he helped the male with his luggage.
"I'm really good, now that I'm with you." Aran replied with a wink.
Hinata blushed as he looked away, making his boyfriend chuckle. Despite knowing Aran since he was sixteen and began dating the day after he turned 18, Hinata doubts that he'll ever get used to Aran and his smooth, flirtatious nature. The ginger chuckled as he let his boyfriend into his home. It's been 9 months since they began dating, yet Aran had never been to his condominium. He was more comfortable with visiting Aran in his University dorms in Tokyo or the Ojiro home in Hyogo, and Aran being the whipped guy that he is, puts Hinata above everything.
Aran knew that Hinata lived alone. He was Hinata's confidant, and at this point, there were no secrets between them, including Hinata's childhood.
"So, where do I put my stuff?" Aran asked, raising a brow when Hinata blushed.
!I was...uh...wondering if you'd like to stay in my room? Especially since..." Hinata trailed off as his mood fell. He was terrified if he was being honest.
He had spoken to Aran about his plans after high school graduation, and was surprised when Aran supported him and asked him to pursue it. Yet he didn't know if he was ready. He didn't know if he was ready to leave Aran while he worked himself from the ground up in Brazil. They just began dating and Hinata didn't want to jeopardize their relationship. Hinata knew that Aran was special, and he knew that he was in too deep.
"Are you excited? I know Brazil will polish your skills so much!" Aran stated as he smiled brightly at Hinata. "And I'd love to stay with you. Cuddles and waking up with your gorgeous face in the morning for the next few months? Sounds perfect!"
Hinata smiled as he led Aran to his room. "I am. I'm still apprehensive about leaving but..."
Aran stopped him by squeezing his hand once. "Shouyou, Angel, I waited for you for two years. Another two is nothing, as long as I know that I still own your heart like you own mine."
Hinata sighed as he returned the squeeze. He truly adored Aran, and he wouldn't him for the world. As soon as they walked into Hinata's room, Aran's eyes were drawn to the folded paper cranes curtain.
"Did you wish on your Senbazuru?"
"I did."
"Did it come true?"
"Yes."
"What did you wish for then?"
Hinata looked at Aran and sent the older male a soft smile.
"I wished for you." Aran looked at Hinata in confusion, and the ginger just smiled as he walked towards the cranes and ran his fingers through them. "I wished to be somebody to someone. Of course, I never...I never expected it to come true but... " Hinata looked back at where Aran stood by the door.
"But then I met you."
Aran couldn't help but walk over to Hinata and wrapped his arms around the petite frame of his boyfriend.
"I love you so much, Shouyou."
"I love you too, Aran."
Hinata did not want to let go.
"Angel, you'll miss your flight."
"I know that but..."
Aran lifted Hinata's face up and kissed his crying boyfriend.
"I will be here for you, Angel. Whether you come back tomorrow, the next year or the year after that. I love you."
"I love you so much, love."
The final call for Hinata's flight was called, and Hinata was forced to let Aran go and run towards the terminal after one last kiss and a teary goodbye.
It was difficult. The timezones, the exhaustion, it was so difficult.
But they survived through it.
Hinata smiled as he tried to fight off the drowsiness, favouring to stare at his boyfriend's back while Aran got ready for his noon class.
"Love? I have a question." Hinata asked, slurring slightly. Aran tilted his head in response. "What's your favourite position in bed? I realised that I never asked you this before."
Aran blinked before responding. "Near the wall so I can use my phone while charging."
"Are you kidding me, Aran? I'm trying to flirt here!" Hinata whined, hiding his red face in the pillows on his bed.
"I know you are, Angel, but you're exhausted. So why don't you head off to bed. It's midni-." Before Aran could even finish talking, a soft snore echoed across the speaker of his laptop. Hinata had fallen asleep.
"Good night, Shou. Sleep well. I love you." Aran said ass he kept his laptop plugged in and grabbed his Ipad for school instead. Before he closed his bedroom door, he heard Hinata whisper his name in his sleep.
Aran had a permanent smile for the rest of his lectures.
A year after Hinata arrived to Brazil, Aran called him abruptly in the middle of the night. In all honesty, Hinata was more than ready to snap at whoever called him so late at night. Until he saw who called.
"Hello? Love? Is something wrong?"
"Angel! I got recruited to the Tachibana Red Falcons!" Aran said excitedly, and all sleep evaded Hinata's body as he bolted upright.
"What? Oh my god?! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations love!" Hinata squealed out, not even bothering to keep his voice low. His roommate is still awake anyway.
"Thank you so much, Angel! Oh Gods I can't believe it!"
If Hinata gave up a day of morning beach volleyball so he could sleep, no one has to know.
A year and a half since he left Japan and Hinata found himself cackling in laughter.
"I cannot believe I have to fight over a million people in twitter." Aran complained, making Hinata laugh even harder. "Shou! Stop laughing!"
"I-I'm sorry for laughing but you shouldn't have posted those pictures then!" Hinata stated as he tried to control his laughing fit.
Aran had posted his beach volleyball moniker in twitter along with a few pictures of a shirtless, sweaty, muscular and tanned Hinata. It ended up going viral and Aran ended up fighting over a million people in twitter in jealousy. It was hilarious for Hinata to see.
"Oh god my stomach hurts from laughing so much." Hinata wheezed out as he tried to calm his breathing. When he looked back at the laptop, he found Aran looking at him intensely.
"You're going to get punished for laughing at me like that when you get back here, Shouyou." Aran stated, his voice a few octaves deeper than normal. Hinata smirked.
"That better be a promise, love." Aran's eyes darkened even further.
"You bet it is."
Aran didn't need to see to know that Hinata shivered at his words. He knew his boyfriend and the ginger's reactions all too well.
Hinata showed up to the Tachibana Red Falcons' practice with a disguise. The team weren't having tryouts, much to Hinata's chagrin, but the coach gave him the opportunity to surprise his boyfriend.
He hadn't messaged Aran at all in the past three days that he spent travelling back to Japan, and he knew that the older male was grumpy at the lack of response.
As soon as his jetlag was gone, Hinata showed up, wearing a hat and a mask.
"Delivery for Ojiro Aran?" Hinata said, and he bit his lip to stop himself from laughing at the confusion in his boyfriend's face. The rest of the Falcons watched them in glee, having been told about what will happen soon.
"uh...yes? I didn't order anything though, so what's the delivery?" Aran stated, eyes going wide when Hinata pulled his mask down and took his had off, showing his boyfriend the new undercut he was now sporting.
"I'm your delivery."
Aran stood, frozen in shock before he ran and tackled the younger male to the floor.
"My Angel! You're back!" Aran said, voice cracking in emotion. Hinata laughed as he wrapped his arms around Aran, crying softly.
He missed the warmth. He missed the hugs.
Hinata missed Aran. So much.
"I am, my love. I'm back."
Hinata ended up being a member of the MSBY Black Jackals, the very same team his close friend, Bokuto Koutarou, and Aran's old kouhai, Miya Atsumu, were in.
As a member of a division 1 team, it gave him the opportunity to be chosen as a member of the Olympics team when 2020 came around.
Aran got chosen too, and they ended up sharing a room in the olympic village, being one of the very few couples in the team.
Which also led to moments that had the entire team either face palming, or on the floor laughing.
"Aran, baby, love..." Hinata nearly pleaded as they walked into the gym for morning practice.
"Teammate." Aran said as he walked away, causing Hinata to sigh in frustration while the rest just watched them in confusion.
"What did you do, Shouyou-kun?" Atsumu asked.
"I'd never seen him dismiss you like that." Suna added.
Hinata looked at the blond setter and the fox like wing spiker and gave them the most deadpan look he could manage.
"I forgot to give him a kiss before I went for my morning run and meditation."
Silence went around the room before they all looked at a blushing Aran in incredulity.
Aran just pouted.
"What? He never missed one for the past two years! He broke tradition!"
Hinata sighed again before stomping over and tugged Aran's collar down, giving the taller male a deep kiss that left him dazed.
"Happy?" Hinata asked after he pulled away, ignoring the catcalls (Bokuto and Hoshiumi,) the fake gagging noises (Kageyama and Atsumu,) and the sound of a camera going off (Suna).
"Very. I'm sorry." Aran whispered.
"No. I'm sorry for forgetting." Hinata whispered back.
"No I should be the one apologising."
"No? It was my fault!"
"Angel, I overreacted. It was my fault."
"Love, I forgot. It is my fault."
"My angel..."
"Aran, you can't be sorry when I'm trying to be sorry!"
"Shouyou, your sorry is wrong and mine is right."
The team blinked as they argued back and forth, and Atsumu stepped up before it turns into a full blown argument.
"Oh my god just hug already!" The blond setter nearly screamed, making both Aran and Hinata jump in shock. They then looked at each other before they began laughing so hard to the point that they had to lean on each other just to keep themselves up. The rest of the team found themselves laughing along, since the couple's laughs were so contagious.
The entire team cackling on the floor was what their trainer, Iwaizumi Hajime, walked into.
"Why the hell are you all on the floor?"
That pushed the team into another fit of laughter before they calmed down.
Hinata leaned on to Aran and kissed the older male's cheek.
"I love you, Aran."
"I love you too, Shouyou."
"Oh my god can you spare us single ones and be less lovey-dovey please?!" Yaku said loudly, and Hinata let out a mischievous grin as he skipped away towards the locker room.
"If you weren't a coward and asked Nishinoya-san out already, you wouldn't be single, Yaku-san~" Hinata said in a sing-song tone.
"HOW THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW THAT?!"
"That's for me to know and for you to try and find out, Yaku-san!"
By 2021, half a year before the Olympics, the largest argument between the Japanese Olympic Team wasn't who was in the starting line-up.
No, it was whether Hinata's jersey should stay as Hinata, or should it be changed to Ojiro S.
"Why do we have to change it?" Yaku asked.
"Because it should be Ojiro S!" Atsumu retorted.
"Do we even have time for a jersey name change?" Ushijima asked this time.
"Yes we do and I will pay for it if I have to!" Bokuto practically screamed to the group.
"Why is this even an argument?" Suna asked.
"Because the only people that knows that they are married are the ones invited to the wedding." Kageyama answered as he filed his nails in boredom.
Aran and Shouyou looked at the bickering of their teammates and then at each other before shaking their heads in amusement. Under the low lights of the large office that they're stuffed into, their matching rings glowed in their intertwined left hands.
It really shouldn't be a problem, considering that Ojiro Shouyou and Ojiro Aran got married two months before the current discussion.
In all honestly, Shouyou was fine with either.
"Guys, I'm fine with either." Hinata stated, only to end up getting ignored as if it wasn't his jersey they were debating about.
By his luck, the team decided to vote on it. Since Shouyou was the topic of the debate, he couldn't vote.
Aran had to break the tie.
The older male looked at his husband and smirked. He loved the idea of the world knowing that Shouyou is his, and that the ginger is bearing his name. And at the Olympics at that?
No, he would never pass the opportunity.
"So, how long will the jersey name change take? I'll cover the costs too."
Shouyou could do nothing but roll his eyes at his possessive (and hot) husband and resigned himself to his fate.
Not that he was complaining.
When Shouyou walked into the court for their first game in the Olympics, screams of Hinata and Ninja Shouyou were echoing everywhere.
The screaming rose even higher when people finally noticed his jersey name, and the name the announcer said.
"#10, Ojiro Shouyou."
Over at the Olympic Village, in room 410, a gush of wind flew past a curtain of paper cranes, making the origamis look like they were floating and fluttering their paper wings in satisfaction before they settled.
If anyone was in that room, they would've questioned how the wind got in, considering that the doors and the windows in the room were closed shut.