Chapter Text
Tangerine Dad is in the airport very early in the morning, just arrived back in Japan. He’s very much excited to surprise his family because he was supposed to arrive a week later but he was able to complete his work earlier than he expected. He received a call from his wife and he’s nervous that he has spoiled his surprise and his wife has somehow learned of his early arrival. Imagine his horror to learn that something happened to one of his precious sunshine babies, Shouyou, while in volleyball training camp. His wife hasn’t gotten all the details from the Karasuno coaches, only that Shou was hurt last night but was assured he’s better now and no hospital trip was needed. To say he was so pissed was an understatement. He only calmed down when his wife’s voice broke, clearly distressed. She said she only called to let him know because she knew if it was the other way around, she would be so angry if her husband doesn’t tell him something happened to baby Shou. Yep, Shou is already sixteen but he’s still an innocent baby to them. According to his wife, Tangerine Dad spoils him too much, even letting him go to Karasuno when he could go to any school he wanted but Shouyou is more stubborn and strong-willed than his dad so they let him. They fully support his love for volleyball.
His wife assured him she’s on the way to pick Shou up and will make sure herself that he’s okay. Forgetting all about the surprise, he asked for the address where the volleyball camp is being held. She told him but was a little confused until she realised that this is one of her husband’s surprises to arrive home earlier than initially planned. She almost cried, relieved that he could be with her when she gets Shouyou because honestly, hearing that her son was hurt was so painful that it’s surely worse when she sees him. After telling her husband that she’ll see him at the camp, she ended the call. Tangerine Dad immediately calls for a taxi to take him where his son is.
Now he’s standing in front of the school where the camp is being held, not even five in the morning, worried and tired with jetlag in his rumpled suit. He did not even thought of changing clothes before his flight, he just hauled his suitcase and duffle bag to the airport the second his work was done. He couldn’t just barge inside the school though and he’s not sure where exactly Karasuno team is staying. He didn’t want to call Shouyou because he’s still sleeping for sure and the kid needs it. Good thing he saved contact details of the teachers and coach in Karasuno just in case but has never once needed to use them until now. It’s too early but who cares anyway. He decided to call Takeda-sensei.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Takeda-sensei. I’m really sorry if I woke you up. This is Hinata Shouyou’s father. I’m outside the gate where you’re staying right now. Can I see my son, please?”
“Oh, of course. It’s fine. I’m already awake anyway. Give me a few minutes, please. ” He heard rustling on the other side then a closing door. “I’m on my way to get you, Hinata-san. Not that I mind but I thought it was your wife who’s coming?”
“Ah, that. My wife is on her way here. I just happened to arrive from my business trip earlier than expected. I was on the airport when she called me. I hope I can stay with Shouyou while waiting for her.”
They ended the call when they see each other. The teacher let him in and guided him to the Karasuno’s room all the while profusely apologising for letting Shouyou get hurt. The father dismissed it and asked the teacher to stop apologising. He said it’s not like they can guard each student all the time and Shouyou can be stubborn at times.
They arrived at the dim room of Karasuno, the boys still asleep so they keep a hushed conversation. Coach Ukai who woke up when the teacher left their room met them at the door. Takeda carefully looked at Hinata’s father who, after greeting Ukai, bee-lined to where his son is. The man is rather tall in contrast to the younger Hinata’s short stature who must have gotten it from his mom. However, they have that same orange hair and facial features except the eyes. The older man plopped to sit beside his son, somewhat relieved to see the boy. His demeanor changed when the faint light of the room coming from the hallway showed how ragged the boy looked.
Tangerine Dad gingerly kissed sleeping Shou’s head. He removed his suit jacket and draped it over Shou. After a few more minutes of silently fussing over the young ginger, he settled in his seat then turned to asking the coach and sensei what happened. In hushed voices, they explained as best as they could including what Shouyou told his teammates before he slept. Ukai thought the father is rather calm but his hardened jaw said otherwise. He and Takeda-sensei have been told to stop apologising as it's not their fault and he would never blame them or the volleyball team. Both are thankful but it still didn’t reduce their guilt and frustration.
Shouyou moved then elicited an uncomfortable sound. The kid most likely felt the soreness but exhaustion prevented him from waking up this early. Tangerine Dad frowned at the bruises and scratches littering Shouyou’s skin. The very skin he and his wife doesn’t even let a mosquito get close to has been mapped with evidences of a painful incident. Several band aids and gauze pads covered what have probably been areas of open wounds or cuts. The most painful to look at is the splinted right wrist. Shou will be so sad about that, he won’t be able to train in the coming weeks. One band aid in Shou’s arm came off and he inspected the area where the outer skin looks like it was burned.
“Is this a burn mark?” He gritted. “What could have caused this?” He wanted to check if there are others like that but removing band aids would wake Shouyou up.
“It was a cigarette burn, Hinata-san.” Takeda said then explained how the Tora students who did this to Shou were smoking too.
“Sensei, I need names.”
Takeda and Ukai looked at each other. Hinata-san’s voice is devoid of emotion.
Tangerine Dad put a new band aid over the burn. He looked at the coaches.
“I’m sorry Hinata-san. We promise those students will be punished.” Takeda’s words were slow, clearly trying to calm the budding storm of an angered father. “We have spoken with their coach.”
“A few days of school suspension and a year’s suspension in volleyball games.” Coach Ukai scoffed, shaking his head to show how unsatisfied he was with it.
“I know that’s very light considering what happened, but their school and everything, we tried but we couldn’t…” Takeda one again trails, unsure of what to say anymore.
“I totally understand. Schools like that only cares about their prestige, brushing all their shit to the side so brats like that grow up as scumbags.”
The coach eyed Hinata-san’s hands that covered the sleeping boy’s ears as if to shelter him from his brash language. Takeda and Ukai doesn’t comment about his choice of words.
“But I need names. Please, Takeda-sensei, Coach Ukai. I promise not to do any bodily harm or confront them. I know better not to physically hurt those brats even if I wanted to. And I will not put a dirt on Karasuno’s name or this volleyball team that my son loves so much. I just want to protect my baby.”
Tangerine Dad was looking at them dead in the eyes. His words leave no room for argument. He looked scary, like a huge crow ready to prey on something. Or someone in this case. It was Ukai who breathed the names of the Tora players. Next thing they know, Hinata-san is texting someone in his phone. Takeda and Ukai just looked at each other once again, understanding that this person is not someone to be messed with.
When Daichi woke up without the usual bickering of two first years and Noya’s gleeful greeting while opening curtains to let sunlight in, he remembered the last night’s ordeal. He immediately looked for Hinata, his body still on edge at the thought of his kouhai getting hurt. What greeted him is a confusing sight. When did Hinata became bigger? That’s clearly his orange hair but why is he wearing a long-sleeved shirt and vest? He’s supposed to be sleeping but he seemed like an office worker sitting on the floor, back against the wall and eyes closed. It’s kinda funny and a bit unsettling so he rubbed his eyes before looking again. The scene did not change but he now noticed another orange head sleeping on a futon next to Hinata.
“Huh? Why are there two Hinatas?”
Daichi heard the question he was about to ask from Suga on the futon next to him.
“What to do you mean? Why would there be two of him?” Tanaka who’s just waking up grumbled.
“One Shouyou. Two Shouyous. How did that happen? And why is he like that? He’s like really long.” Noya was confused, too.
“Don’t describe someone as long. You mean to say tall but the chibi won’t get tall overnight.” It was Tsukishima’s early saltiness.
Noya let out a series of annoyed unintelligible sounds while Yamaguchi admonished his friend. The sounds of rustling sheets and morning voices of exhausted boys just waking up filled the once silent room. Remembering about Hinata, Daichi hissed, “shut up!”
“Hinata is still sleeping. Please keep it down.” Ennoshita added.
“Oi, boke. Why are you sitting up? Lie down and sleep on your futon.” Kageyama who was next to Hinata did not get the quiet memo when he saw the orange head’s position.
Daichi was just walking up to him to see what’s going on when sitting Hinata straightened up and opened his eyes. He’s clearly a Hinata but not Hinata Shouyou as he’s clearly an older version. They’re almost identical except the eyes as the younger one has large expressive gold-brown orbs as opposed to the older’s smaller dark green eyes. The man saw Daichi but ignored him in favor of frantically checking on the small Hinata sleeping on the futon next to him. He visibly sighed in relief at seeing the boy there but his jaw tightened at his still poor physical condition. Daichi noticed a black suit jacket draped over younger Hinata’s blanketed form. There’s a giant suitcase and duffle bag not too far from the man.
“Good morning. I must have fell asleep for a second. I’m Shouyou’s father. I’ll just wait here until he wakes up so please don’t mind me. Your coach and sensei left to ready your training today, they said.”
“Oh, uh good morning sir. I’m Sawamura Daichi. Glad to meet you. Uhmm…”
“Ah, you’re the captain.” Hinata-san smiled then looked at Shouyou who’s hair he keeps combing softly with his fingers. “Shou likes to talk about you and the team.” He faces up again then looks around to all of the now awake boys. “And if someone plans to start apologising for what happened to him, I suggest you stop now. I won’t hear it.”
Shouyou started fussing in sleep. His dad tries to calm him. Daichi turns to his team and quietly orders them to fix their beddings so they can get ready for the day’s training. They comply despite their want to check on the ginger but his dad seem cut out for the job.
Shouyou whimpered, clearly in distress and kept calling his dad, mom and Nat-chan. That’s his sister from what Hinata mentioned before as Daichi remembered. The scene caused the team to stop, anger rising, it reminded them of what happened last night. If only they could just tear apart the Tora students who did this to their resident sunshine. Noya, Kageyama and Tanaka are visibly seething. Asahi is in the verge of crying too. The rest are not fairing better.
Tangerine Dad tried more at soothing Shouyou, combing his son’s tangerine locks carefully, cooing soft reassuring noises.
“Hey, Shou. Dad is here. It’s okay.”
When Shouyou’s mind came back to consciousness, he smelled then heard something familiar. When he opened his eyes, he saw someone sitting next to him. And well, hovering him. He felt the fingers combing his hair and wiping his wet cheeks. He heard the reassuring voice, recognised the very familiar calming smell that hugged him and Natsu before they sleep at night.
“Hi, baby Shou. I missed you. How are you feeling?”
Shou was confused but he can see the face almost like his own and the usually tamed orange locks that he and his sister liked to mess with so it will look like theirs too.
“Dad? How are you here? Aren’t you in Rio?”
The older man gasped in feigned hurt, clutching over his heart. “Baby, is that how you greet your old man after three months of not seeing you? I’m hurt.”
Shou poked his dad’s cheek several times. The man just smiled, poking back his son’s cheek. The younger orange head’s eyes widened then got up suddenly to hug his dad. He’s really here. Emotions caught up to him and tears streamed down like waterfalls. He clung to him while the older tangerine calmed him down once more.
When Coach Ukai and Takeda-sensei came back, Shouyou had already stopped crying but still with the occasional hiccups and was clinging to his father. The team saw the coach of Tora and grimaced. Shou stiffened, his face showed fear before sinking further to his father’s embrace in search of comfort. Daichi’s body straightened, guard up like a threatened animal. And he wasn’t the only one.
“Hinata-san, can we speak with you outside for a few minutes? Or would you want to wait for your wife first instead?” Takeda asked.
“Even if I wait for my wife, I’d request you to discuss this with me instead. I don’t want to see her hurt, too. We can discuss it now.”
Hinata-san is weirdly calm, almost cheerful, like nothing happened. His hand motioned ‘wait a moment’ when Shouyou clutched his good hand on his dad’s vest. Then he looked up, head tilted on the side as if assessing his dad’s emotions. Hinata-san just smiled, ruffled his son’s hair then kissed his temple.
Daichi then heard the older Hinata said something to his son, like explaining, but it wasn’t Japanese or English. Shouyou seemed to understand anyway as he shook his head while answering in the same foreign language fluently. They kept conversing that way, Hinata-san seemed to be convincing his son who is very reluctant about something. Daichi deduced Shouyou did not want to let go of his father judging by the way he clung to him. Something was off when Shouyou suddenly started a rapid fire string of words as if pleading, complete with that infamous puppy eyes that Karasuno, other volleyball teams and generally any one they know of, are weak to. The father treaded carefully with his answer, albeit foreign to Daichi and every one else there, so as not to prompt another bout of crying and kept soothing his back and hair. This man’s patience is admirable and it appeared to have worked as Shou only pouted then he let go of his father’s clothes. When Shou spoke again in that foreign tongue, Daichi heard Suga’s name being mentioned.
Hinata-san smiled then looked at Suga. It’s like he knows him already, probably all of them.
“Sugawara-kun, could you please sit with Shouyou for a bit?”
“Sure! I’ll be happy to do so.” Suga eagerly nodded, his team mom mode on.
Hinata-san thanked him as he draped his suit jacket around a still pouting Shouyou. Coach Ukai ordered the team to stay in the room until they come back. He must be trying to keep them there until the Tora team left, Daichi thought. Probably to prevent possible brawl or something.
“Ne, Hinata. What language were you and your dad speaking earlier? Can you tell us?” Suga broke the silence as he pulled Shouyou to lean onto him.
“Brazilian Portuguese.”
“That’s so cool Shouyou!” Noya sat next to him, followed by Tanaka. “Yeah, Hinata! You’re like really fluent.
Their energy cleared the tense atmosphere and prompted every one to gather around sitting on the floor near Shouyou.
“I guess. We use it sometimes at home. It’s handy when we visit Rio.”
“Rio?”
“How did you learn?”
“I’m surprised considering you’re so bad in languages.”
“Tsuki!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“So that’s the language you mutters sometimes when you’re all nervous.”
“Haha, I hear that sometimes, too.”
“Oh, I thought he was just chanting something to ward off spirits.”
“The heck! Boke, you keep grumbling like that in your sleep, too.”
“Aha, so that’s what it was when I heard you singing in the showers.”
“Shouyou, teach us some words. It would be even cooler to use them in volleyball so our enemies won’t know.”
“I wanna know the curse words, Hinata.”
“That’s enough! Let him breath.” Suga covered both Shouyou’s ears, finally shutting their questions and comments and before Daichi can snap. Shouyou was making weird faces, overwhelmed by them.
“No curse words allowed, Tanaka-san. My mom will surely ground me and dad will be disappointed. Maybe Noya-san’s suggestion so you guys can use them.”
“Your dad, he’s not letting you quit volleyball, right?” Kageyama asked reluctantly.
“Oh, no. No. I also thought of that and I got afraid so I was clinging to him. But he said he won’t do that but he gotta talk to the coaches and sensei so he told me to stay with you guys. And that mom is coming to pick us up so we’ll wait for her.”
“Ne, ne, Shouyou? Can you tell us about your dad? He seems really cool.” Noya excitedly ask.
“Yeah, he is cool. Like really, really cool.” Shouyou smiled brightly with pride. Then he pouts, “he’s always travelling for work though but when he’s here, he spends as much time as he can with Natsu and me and mom. When he’s finished with work, he always arrives earlier than planned then he would surprise us and bring lots of souvenirs. Like today, he was supposed to arrive next week but he’s here already.”
“Maybe he was really concerned of what happened to you so he came back as soon as he can?” Ennoshita voiced out and almost all of them nodded in agreement.
Shouyou shook his head. “That’s impossible. He was in Rio. That’s like really, really far, almost a day by plane and there’s stopover too.”
They could only murmur in Ahhs at the ginger’s answer.
“Tell us more, Hinata.” Tanaka nudged with interest.
“Oh, he’s what they call, hmm,” Shouyou thought for a moment, pointy finger on the side of his cheek. “Ah! The fun parent,” he giggled then yawned. “He kisses and cuddles me and Natsu to sleep while mom is the stricter one who doesn’t let us play longer, sleep later than usual or have a cookie before bedtime. Mom said that Dad easily caves by just looking at me and Natsu, whatever that means. Then he will get scolded by mom, too, for being a spoiler but Dad always say we just have to hug her and that’s what we do.”
The door suddenly opened to show a panting Kenma followed by Kuroo.
“Oi, Kyanmaaaa. Coach told us not to go outside yet. Tora is still –“
“Shut up, Kuroo.” He did not even glance at the rooster head and stomped inside. Kuroo looked resigned and just closed the door.
“Kenma!”
“Shouyou.” He zeroed in on his ginger friend and smaller as he is than most of them, he just walked his way between Karasuno members. They just let him because there was no stopping him until he planted himself next to his friend.
“Gomen, Karasuno.” Kuro sat next to an annoyed Tsuki. “Huh? What’s with the giant suitcase?”
“That’s Hinata-san’s.” Yamaguchi answered after several seconds when no one seemed to want to talk to the Nekoma captain just to annoy him.
“Hinata-san?” Kuroo furrowed in confusion then looked at Shouyou who shook his head.
“Your dad is home early?” It was more like a statement from Kenma, whom Shouyou is now leaning to, eyeing the suit jacket that looks more like a blanket to him. The Nekoma setter adjusted the ginger for a more comfortable cuddle while Shouyou hummed with another yawn. “Oh, he wasn’t happy, I bet.” It was kinda creepy for Kenma to state the obvious with a feral grin. The glint in his slanted eyes was more pronounced.
“Kyanma, you look creepy.”
Kenma just turned his nose up and rolled his eyes at Kuroo. This prompted giggles from Shou and confused faces of the rest of Karasuno.
The door slammed open, again, and Bokuto came barreling inside. His white and black hair was surprisingly flat.
“Hey, hey, hey! Is my number one disciple already awake?” His booming voice echoed making them cringe, except Shouyou.
“Bokuto-san! We’ll get in trouble with just your presence.” Akaashi hissed but the owl-head just laughed.
“But Akaashiiiii, I need to see my baby owlet.”
“Oya? Chibi-chan is a crow, though.” Kuroo piped in.
Bokuto snorted then went and sat next to Kenma. “Hinata, your greatest mentor is here.” He did not even notice the glares from Karasuno members and Kenma.
“Bokuto-san… You’re here, too.” Shou directed a sleepy smile to Bokuto making him so giddy and more oblivious that Suga and Kenma almost wanted to strangle him, if not for a baby tangerine nestled between them.
The ever so helpful Akaashi interfered before his captain could drop dead either from Shou’s cuteness or the crow mom and a feral cat’s piercing eyes. “Bokuto-san, not so loud or I’m calling coach.”
This made Bokuto’s eyes widen knowing that they will get an earful and punishment drills from their coach for sneaking. He whispered an overdramatic “No, don’t. I’ll behave. I promise, Akaashiiii,” before lunging around Kenma to crouch down. His face lied on the floor next to Shouyou’s arm that he immediately hugged. He looked so ridiculous that they couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.
The door opened again, this time, carefully.