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Hinata had never been bothered by the mark on his hip, a single kanji that he traced absent mindedly whenever he got dressed. Pull on his underwear, trace the three lines, pull on his pants, go on with his day.
He’d always been fascinated with the ink, so permanent and bold, but the meaning behind it was less interesting to him.
“Everyone has one,” his mother had said, sharing her single kanji forever imprinted on the inside of her wrist. “When you touch your soulmate for the first time, the rest of their name will appear.”
Hinata had seen that, too, seen his volleyball captain with the four kanji scrawled across his outer thigh, and their vice captain with four different kanji in the same area. He thought they were cute and wished them the best.
The locations the character showed up in weren’t varied enough that you could tell your soulmate from placement alone, but between that and the kanji itself, it sometimes worked.
It didn’t work for Hinata, but he wasn’t upset. At sixteen, he was only just getting started with his life, and volleyball took up more than ninety percent of his brain power anyhow.
But once every morning, he was reminded of the mark on his hip.
川
Just a single character that could complete a multitude of names.
Hinata didn’t really care what name it completed though. He was focused on learning to receive, learning to control his spikes, learning, learning, learning.
Sometimes, occasionally, he wondered what character of his name his soulmate had on their hip.
日向翔陽
None of them were on Kageyama’s hip, but he’d figured that out since before he knew Kageyama had a kanji between his shoulder blades. After all, they had touched (read: fought) more than once, and neither of them had seen their kanji completed.
So Hinata easily put aside the thought of soulmates (Matsukawa? Oikawa? Kawanishi? Kawaki?) and became the greatest decoy he could be. He fought like hell for volleyball through high school, even though by his second year, he knew.
Not about his soulmate.
He knew about his height.
About his talent.
About the amount of time he was going to have to dedicate to the sport to play on the level he wanted to.
Hinata Shouyou knew.
Japan might have been his birthplace, but his dreams couldn’t be restricted to the chain of islands that he called home. The borders of a place that let his classmates reach greatness were closing in on him, and he knew.
Leaving to train in Brazil was simultaneously the hardest and the easiest thing Hinata had ever done. His heart was heavy as the plane took off, but the longer he was in the air, the lighter his shoulders became until he thought maybe he could fly.
He hit the ground running in Rio, helping to teach classes with his new mentor Lucio the very first day. But his roommate was aloof, the language was hard to keep up with, and even with all of the preparation, all of his hopes, all of his dreams, he still stumbled. He still looked up at the dark night sky, wondering how the stars could look so different on the other side of the world.
He sat in his room, the sounds of the city crashed into the quietness of his space, and he succumbed to the heaviness of self doubt.
Why does it have to be so hard? echoed in his heart.
He blew out a deep breath.
This was a moment of pain, but he didn’t have to take it lying down. Even though his legs were tired from a long day of work and helping teach, he stood up.
Even though his roommate didn’t acknowledge him, even though he’d lost his wallet, he pressed forward, getting on his bike and riding.
He made it to the beach, the siren call of the water and the sand. The sight of people playing volleyball was an immediate balm for his soul. Even though he couldn’t yet make out the words people were yelling, the intention of a “merda!” came through in its intonation, the cheers and whistles followed a good play. It all came through and pulled him forward like a lifeline.
But not even the joy of a well timed save could lift him from his sorrows the way a single phrase in Japanese could.
When Hinata turned on the sands of Ipanema beach and saw the grand king standing there, his mouth open in shock, relief burst through his system like a dam splintering into pieces.
“Oikawa-san! What are you doing here?” Hinata asked, handing the volleyball to one of the people playing and wishing them a good rest of the game. To imagine he’d see a piece of his home here!
“That’s my question, thanks,” Oikawa replied, and just like that, they were talking.
It was kind of funny, Hinata thought. They really hadn’t ever talked in high school, though Oikawa had complimented his broad after that first practice game and Hinata had never forgotten how warm and fuzzy that praise had made him.
But now they were talking over dinner and he was laughing–again!–at something funny Oikawa had said. Who knew Oikawa-san was such a funny guy?
“Come on,” Hinata said after they ate, unwilling to let this connection to home be severed so soon. “People play on the beach until late!”
He didn’t notice the way Oikawa smiled at him, but he definitely appreciated Oikawa’s enthusiastic agreement.
And sure, they lost their set to the pair of brothers who had challenged them to a match, but even so. Hinata couldn’t deny that his spirits had soared back into the sky, released from the heavy weight of being all alone.
He wasn’t the only person who’d had to leave.
Rejuvenated by the promise of another game tomorrow, Hinata headed home, ready to take on the world.
Or, at least, getting his reluctant roommate to open up over a discussion of anime and manga.
He could do this.
*
The next night, Hinata and Oikawa met up for a rematch. This time, Oikawa was even more steady on his feet, picking up the nuances of beach volleyball with a speed that astonished and impressed Hinata.
Watching Oikawa think through each of his moves, account for the wind, put in his best efforts on a match that ultimately was just for fun, gave Hinata a surge of joy and excitement.
Stay on my feet, stay on my feet. Make it easier for Oikawa-san so he can make it easier on me!
Oikawa’s set was perfect.
Hinata slammed it down for the kill, the familiar sting of the ball against his palm followed by another familiar sting–that of a celebratory high five with Oikawa.
Hinata’s whole body buzzed with heat after that play, no doubt an effect of the adrenaline running through his blood. Playing with Oikawa was just so enjoyable; it was like he was enjoying the sport all over again.
Oikawa gave Hinata a grin, rubbing his hand against his hip to massage it out after the play. “I think we’ve got it this time,” he said.
“Let’s keep doing our best!” Hinata agreed.
This time, they won.
Hinata couldn’t believe the way that wave of adrenaline kept flowing through him, even as they enjoyed dinner with their opponents afterward. At one point, Oikawa excused himself to use the restroom and came back with the oddest expression, but then he’d gone straight into a new story and Hinata had forgotten to ask about it.
Even by the time they finished dinner, Hinata was still worked up from their game. He’d have to run some laps before bed. But when he went to say his good-bye to Oikawa for the night, Oikawa shook his head.
“Come with me to the beach,” he said, holding out his hand to pull Hinata back to the shore.
Hinata smiled, and for some reason, a wave of goosebumps broke out over his skin when he took Oikawa’s hand and let him lead him down the beach.
It was dark now, the stars shining above them and the water lit up with the choppy reflection of the moon. There were still plenty of people at the water, but they walked a ways along the shore until the throng of people had thinned out enough to afford a small amount of privacy.
It was only when they stopped that Hinata realized he’d been admiring the stars and the sea and the quiet company so much that he hadn’t noticed they weren’t talking.
“Hinata.” For just a moment, Oikawa seemed to hesitate, but he shook it off.
Curious, Hinata met Oikawa’s eyes with a steady gaze. The stars reflected off of Oikawa’s skin, giving him an almost celestial glow. Amazing.
“Did you notice it when we touched earlier?” Oikawa asked, quietly.
“Notice what?” Hinata asked, thinking about the excited energy that still hadn’t quite worn off yet.
Oikawa shook his head with a small smile. “You probably just think you feel this way because of our game, don’t you? The energy? The way your skin is buzzing?”
Hinata’s mouth rounded into a little ‘o’ of surprise. “How did you know? I was thinking I’ll have to take a quick run before I can sleep tonight!”
“I know because…” There was that moment of hesitation again, but then Oikawa had his hands on his shorts, and he pushed the waistband down a scant few centimeters, revealing dark ink.
Hinata’s heart started to race as he recognized the very familiar lines making up four very familiar kanji.
日向翔陽
Right there on Oikawa’s hip, mirroring the same spot Hinata had traced so many times in the course of his life.
Blood rushing loudly in his ears, Hinata scrabbled at the front of his shorts, fingers suddenly numb as he tried to move the waistband down to trace that spot one more time.
The heat rushing through his body hadn’t just been volleyball.
Even in the darkness of the night, the thick black ink was unmistakable. Two new kanji surrounding his original three lines:
及川徹
“Oikawa-san,” Hinata breathed out, overwhelmed by the implications, the meaning, the weight of these three characters on his skin.
“Shouyou.” Oikawa’s soft tone matched Hinata’s. “Can I kiss you?”
Hinata’s heart started to race. “Yes.”
Oikawa gathered Hinata up into the most kind, gentle hug, pulling him in close, tipping his chin up, and pressing a soft kiss on his lips.
If Hinata had thought his skin was buzzing with excitement before, now it was positively vibrating.
Oikawa’s breath lingered on his lips. Intoxicating. Pulling him in deeper to find a need he had never really noticed before.
Warm heat like a sunrise rose inside him, even though the stars lingered high above them and the cool night air wrapped around them.
Oikawa pulled back, carefully searching Hinata’s eyes. Hinata wasn’t sure what exactly Oikawa was feeling, but if it was anything like the galaxies starting to unfold inside him, he knew there was only one thing to say: “Kiss me again, please.”
Oikawa broke into a smile, scooping Hinata even closer. The sand shifted underneath them, but they kept their balance as they kissed, another press of lips against lips.
A first kiss Hinata never knew how much he craved.
Once Oikawa’s hands were on his arms, Hinata never wanted him to let go. His body was bursting into life, nerve endings singing in joy as Oikawa’s fingertips traced over biceps and shoulders, followed the line of his neck, caressed the imperfections of his skin.
“Like that?” Oikawa asked.
“Like that,” Hinata agreed, breathless.
Someone walked by them on the sand, but Hinata didn’t really notice them. He stood on his tiptoes so he could try another kiss.
Soft shivers slid down his spine as they kissed and Oikawa ran his tongue against Hinata’s.
This time, when they broke apart, Hinata was panting.
“What do we do now?” he asked, eyes wide.
Oikawa grinned, so confident and sure. “Whatever we want, Shouyou.”
Hinata swallowed. His fingers still felt numb and he thought he would float into space if Oikawa let go of him.
He never wanted Oikawa to let go.
“I never thought this would happen, that I’d find my soulmate,” Hinata admitted softly. “But now that you’re here, suddenly it just makes sense.”
“If I had known you were gearing up to come over to this part of the world, I might have made a guess that we were meant for each other,” Oikawa said. He shook his head. Laughed. “Damn. I would have never guessed that we’d meet like this, though.”
“Me neither! Oikawa-san showing up and not only being funny and smart and suspiciously good at beach volleyball and…” Hinata couldn’t help the blush that started at the tips of his ears and spread across his cheeks. “Really beautiful. My soulmate.”
“As if you’re not hot enough to have half this beach staring at your every move,” Oikawa replied with ease. “And thank you. My soulmate.”
He was blushing too.
Tentatively, Hinata reached out for the spot on Oikawa’s hips where his name was imprinted. As if he still couldn’t believe it. “It’s so weird,” he said, fingertips on the outside of Oikawa’s shorts. “Everything has changed. But, somehow, it all feels the same.”
Oikawa nodded. “I think I know what you mean.”
“I kind of like that.” Hinata smiled up at Oikawa. It was funny how even just three days ago, he would have said he didn’t know much about Oikawa, let alone even thought of him. But hadn’t they talked for hours two days ago? Hadn’t Oikawa told him about his inspiration to start playing volleyball and the challenges of moving overseas? Hadn’t it left Hinata feeling like they were old friends catching up instead of former rivals having a single chance meeting?
It was like fate knew.
“It’s getting late,” Oikawa said, his voice soft as he placed his hand over Hinata’s.
“Do you…” Hinata paused, uncertain what to offer, but unwilling to lose even a moment of time with Oikawa. “Do you want to come back to my apartment?”
“Oh my, Shouyou, I didn’t know you were so forward.” Oikawa laughed, but the look he gave Hinata was downright smoldering, and it warmed Hinata as thoroughly as the sun on a cloudless day. “I would love to come back to your apartment.”
*
It wasn’t like the movies; it wasn’t a slam of skin against skin as they kissed up against the walls, shedding clothes in between hot kisses. It was something much sweeter, more gentle. Exploratory kisses as they sat side by side on Hinata’s bed, Oikawa pressing his lips against Hinata’s and Hinata so warm and floaty that he wanted to giggle. It was like flying in a whole new way, drifting up to the ceiling with joy.
Oikawa held Hinata’s hand as he leaned in for another kiss. His breath tickled against Hinata’s nose. His body tingled with the knowledge that Oikawa’s name decorated his skin. A soulmate! On this side of the world! Hinata scrunched up his toes in joy.
Oikawa gave his hand a little squeeze, sneaking in another kiss.
“I think I could do this forever,” Hinata declared, breathy and giggly. What a incredible reality. The grand king in his bed. Kissing the grand king. Hinata was seconds away from kicking his feet and trying to curl up in his blanket.
He curled up in Oikawa instead, basking in the glow of their newly growing connection.
“It’s so funny,” he said, unable to help himself. “Once, I had thought about how, like, what if my soulmate didn’t want me? What if it was all a cruel joke? But I just–”
Oikawa kissed him again. His lips were so warm, so perfect.
“I’m so honored to be your soulmate,” Oikawa said. “It could have been any of them, but it was me,” he added with a smirk.
Hinata laughed. This time it was his turn to give Oikawa’s hand a squeeze and his turn to kiss Oikawa, kissing him so firmly that Oikawa nearly toppled over on the bed.
Oikawa laughed, too, pulling Hinata with him so that they were tumbling onto the covers together, holding each other close and sharing another round of kisses in a new orientation. Hinata liked horizontal kisses. He liked feeling Oikawa’s chest expand with air underneath him, Their hearts pressed against each other, and their lips never straying far.
“Don’t go,” Hinata murmured when he noticed the time.
“We can kiss more tomorrow,” Oikawa teased, but he didn’t make any movement to leave the bed, let alone the room.
“We can kiss more right now.” Hinata backed his words up with his actions, but it was getting late, and they both had an early start tomorrow, earlier still for Oikawa if he had to go back to his hotel room in the morning to get ready.
Hinata dug out an extra toothbrush and they took turns washing up before getting into the bed properly for sleep. It was a touch too small with Oikawa at his side, but Hinata didn’t mind sleeping on his side. Oikawa wrapped an arm around his waist and held him gently.
“Good night, Shouyou. My soulmate.”
Warmth flooded Hinata’s body. “Good night, Oikawa-san.” He wanted to giggle all over again, but he managed to wiggle out the energy and cuddle closer to Oikawa instead. “My soulmate.”
He wasn’t quite sure what their future together would look like, and he was still in awe over the way his life had pleasantly changed in just a few days, but he was truly excited to explore it all with Oikawa.
A soft peace blanketed him as he fell asleep with Oikawa’s name lingering on his lips and four very special kanji tingling on his hip.