Don’t panic. Just don’t panic.

RING RING.

Oikawa almost jumped out of his skin by the sudden shrieking of his mobile. He scooped up his phone, wincing from the pain in his hand.

‘Iwa-chan,’ Oikawa said weakly.

‘Are you alright? You OK?’

Wow. No rudeness. No nicknames. It takes an earthquake to make that happen.

‘I’m… fine. Are you alright?’ Oikawa suddenly felt like he could collapse from sheer exhaustion, like every bone in his body was calling out for rest.

The conversation was brief but Iwaizumi seemed satisfied. Oikawa hardly said much. But as soon as he got off the phone he heard a noise,  another ringtone –

He turned. A light blared through the pocket of Hinata’s shorts. But Hinata was still staring into the distance, unmoved by the shrill of his  phone.

Oikawa dashed forward.

If he doesn’t answer everyone’s going to think something’s happened to him.

‘Chibi-chan,’ Oikawa crouched in front of Hinata, lower than him.

Hinata blinked and looked down at Oikawa.

‘I need you to answer your phone, and I need you to call your parents right away and tell them you’re OK.’

Hinata slowly nodded. His phone suddenly stopped ringing.

‘Are you going to call your parents too?’ Hinata asked.

Why is he so cute?

‘Yes, chibi-chan, I’m going to call my parents.’

With movements so delayed, so unlike him, Hinata retrieved his phone  from his pocket. The screen was smashed in the corner, the glass  splintered like a spiderweb. To Oikawa’s great relief, it still worked.

‘It was my mother,’ Hinata stared at the screen. He pressed the call button and didn’t have to wait long. ‘Hey. Yeah I’m OK. Yeah I’m still near Sendai Castle… with a friend. No… I’m at his house -’

Oikawa gestured for Hinata to hand the phone to him. And he did.

‘Hi, Mrs Hinata?’ Oikawa spoke nervously. ‘Hi, I’m Toru Oikawa, I’m  actually a third year on the volleyball club at Aoba Johsai, I bumped  into your son at the cafe he was meeting his friend in when the  earthquake hit… I think he’s in shock. He’s OK – he has a cut on his leg but it’s not very deep or wide so I’m going to bandage it up… Oh  really? No, I didn’t know… Yes, here too. Yes, of course. Of course. Do you want my number too? I don’t know long my battery will last but you can try -’

Oikawa gave his number and address to Hinata’s mother. After the call, he handed the phone back to Hinata who held it loosely in his palm, as if he didn’t care if it slipped out and hit the floor.

‘Your mother said that the roads around Natori are closed off. There were some accidents. The rest of your family are fine. She doesn’t know how widespread the power cut is but apparently it’s hit quite a few areas in Miyagi. She’s asked if you could stay here until the roads are cleared so that’s the plan for now.’

Oikawa might as well have been talking to a cushion on his sofa. Hinata’s mind was clearly lost on something else.

‘Hinata?’

Those brilliant bright brown eyes met his.

‘Is this the first time you’ve ever been in an earthquake?’

‘An earthquake like that… yeah.’

‘Weren’t you here during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake?’

‘I was away visiting my grandmother in Nara at the time.’

‘I see.’

This was nowhere near as bad as The Great East Japanese  Earthquake but still it must be quite a shock if he’s never been in an earthquake like this before.

Shit! Oikawa suddenly realised the room was a dull burnt yellow as the sun was quickly going out. Candles. I know I have some somewhere –

Oikawa fumbled about his apartment searching for candles. 

Ever since he’d looked at his hands he’d become annoyingly aware of the feeling of pinprick glass and the throbbing of the tears in his flesh. But he bore the discomfort. Every time he opened a draw, every time he picked something up, he felt the pain in his hands. Hinata’s phone started ringing  again. But the ginger didn’t pick up. Well, Oikawa thought to himself, we can do the rounds later but this is more important…  About ten minutes later Oikawa had collected three large candles in glass jars, a lighter, disinfectant, cotton pads and the first aid kit on the kitchen island.

‘Right then, chibi-chan -’ he sounded playful. On the inside, Oikawa’s anxious heart felt like he was single-handedly holding up a wall of worry that was about to come crashing down on him any moment now.

The room was a purple hue, the last lines of sunlight soon to die. Oikawa looked over at Hinata. And his heart froze –

Hinata’s whole right leg was covered in blood. It had soaked down to his white socks turning them red. Oikawa’s brown tie was still knotted around Hinata’s thigh – but half of it had fallen down, leaving the cut exposed.

I mustn’t panic, I must not panic –

Oikawa practically flew over and hooked his arms under Hinata’s knees and around the spiker’s waist. He lifted the boy up – he’s so light – and carried him over to the kitchen island, hearing a soft clamour to the floor – Hinata’s phone. Oikawa gently placed Hinata down by the supplies he had found before his own phone started screeching: mother. Oikawa put his phone on silent and rushed to light the three large candles, placing two behind him on the kitchen counter but leaving one near Hinata’s leg.

The sun was almost entirely gone. Purple was making way for the black of night. To Oikawa’s left, the large kitchen window gave up its duty to light and placed them solely on the three quivering candles in Oikawa’s kitchen. The candle next to Hinata’s leg illuminated the tie and cut on his thigh. It gave a soft glow to the surrounding perfect flesh, dribbled in blood.

‘Grand King.’

Oikawa jumped. Hinata stared at Oikawa, his perfect features flickering in the candlelight, with a look so penetrating that Oikawa involuntarily took a step back. The redhead suddenly didn’t look so fazed anymore.

‘Are you OK?’ Hinata asked him.

Oikawa blinked a few times. ‘Me? Am I OK? Your leg is covered in blood -’

‘I feel… fine. What about you?’

What had happened? In the space of minutes? What was going on in that little Karasuno’s mind?

Hinata’s features were defined in determination, the kind Oikawa had seen in him during matches. There was no hesitation, no fear, no relenting in the power of his gaze locked onto Oikawa’s.

‘We’re going to be OK.’ Hinata said. ‘We just survived an earthquake. It could’ve been a lot worse but we’re here now and we’re safe. So you shouldn’t worry, OK? I… I trust you. And you should trust me too. We’ll do whatever it takes to get through this together!’

Oikawa’s strained elastic heart felt the pull ease. The sincerity in Hinata’s eyes was like a balm for Oikawa’s soul.

He’s right. That’s the attitude we need if we’re going to get through this.

‘OK short stuff I’m glad to see you’ve got your fighting spirit back but just to warn you – this disinfectant is going to sting and I’m going to have to put more pressure on that wound of yours to stop it bleeding.’

‘I – I know. I’m ready.’

It was a good thing Oikawa had had a date. He’d dressed in jeans and a shirt with a tie, his arms and legs fully covered. Hinata on the other hand was in blue shorts and a white t-shirt, his legs and arms fully exposed to the wrath of the earthquake.

Oikawa took out several cotton pads, opened the disinfectant and poured –

‘Ah!’

‘What happened? What’s wrong?’

Oikawa had flinched at the scorching pain of the disinfectant soaking the cotton pad on his open-wound fingers. He’d dropped the cotton pad on the floor, the stinging sensation still echoing on his fingertips. The alcohol was too strong.

‘Y-your hands!’ Hinata grabbed Oikawa’s wrists closer to him, putting them on either side of the candlelight.

But Oikawa had loosely balled his palms into fists.

‘Open them.’

Oikawa sighed. Reluctant, he showed the young spiker his hands. He expected Hinata to blanch. Instead the crow stared intensely at the wounds like a doctor.

‘There’s some sparkly bits in your hands.’

‘I think they may be shards of glass.’

It took a moment for Hinata to register what Oikawa had said.

‘So you… you won’t be able to set a ball for a while.’

‘That’s true.’

Hinata looked up and met Oikawa’s eyes. Their faces were inches apart. Hinata was gripping Oikawa’s wrists on either side of the candle, so close Oikawa could touch his bloody thigh. Ba-dum. Hinata felt his heart punch his chest. What is this… this feeling? Oikawa’s eyes in the flickering candlelight were even more mesmerising up close. His face was heartbreakingly beautiful, understandably the attraction of every TV station and girl within a hundred mile radius. Hinata suddenly remembered the comforting sweet musky smell emanating from Oikawa’s warm body and neck earlier on when he had hugged him. He wasn’t sure why but… he wanted to smell that smell again.

What? Hinata thought. What am I saying?

Hinata blushed and released Oikawa’s wrists, looking away from those perceptive eyes, thankful for the cloak of the blackout. Collecting his thoughts, it only made sense if he… 

His heart was still pounding as he spoke without meeting the setter’s stare.

‘I think if you’re going to treat me I’m going to have to bandage  your hands first. But I’ve… never bandaged someone before so you’re going to have to tell me what to do.’

Hinata made the mistake of locking eyes with Oikawa once again. Oikawa hadn’t moved back so he was just as close as he was before. Hinata felt an inexplicable urge to reach out, to comfort, to touch Oikawa – his hair, face, neck – anything to give him warmth. As confident and charismatic as Seijoh’s number one was, Hinata had seen it  today – the cracks in fleeting moments which revealed crippling worry and anxiety.

As if Oikawa had had an electric shock, he snapped his back up straight, a look – was it fear? – in his eyes. But then it was gone, replaced by a smirk as Seijoh’s captain rested the back of his hands on his hips.

‘Well aren’t you the calm and collected one now? The thing is – take off my tie from around your leg. Has the bleeding stopped?’

Hinata pulled down Oikawa’s tie from his leg. The cut still shimmered; tiny amounts of blood crept out of the sides.

‘I think so. Oh. I think it may still be bleeding just a tiny bit.’

What the fuck have I been doing? Oikawa thought to himself. Am I just letting him bleed to death?

Oikawa forced himself to smile. ‘We need to put more pressure on that wound to make sure it’s completely stopped bleeding. Can you open the first aid box and take out some bandages and scissors? I’ll get you some tissue. We have to stop the bleeding -’

They did. Oikawa felt a massive weight leave his shoulders when, upon a second round of Hinata pressing a wad of tissue to his thigh cut, it stopped bleeding.

‘Keep that pressure on your thigh, we don’t want to get this wrong again,’ Oikawa said as he washed his hands delicately, wincing as he did so, by candlelight by the sink.

‘Here. I’ll dry your hands.’ Hinata said.

Oikawa shook his hands in the sink before bringing them over to Hinata. Hinata ripped off loops of toilet paper and rested his left forearm across his right thigh to keep the pressure on the wad of paper.

‘You’re going to have to bring your hands closer,’ he said, moving the candle slightly up towards his hip to make room for Oikawa’s hands, but close enough that he still had sufficient light.

A few drips of water splashed onto Hinata’s exposed thigh. With the gentleness of an angel, Hinata dabbed and wiped the back of Oikawa’s hands before carefully nudging them palm-side up. The sight of the  pierced skin pierced Hinata – it’ll be a while before he can hit a ball again. Hinata tried to graze the slashes in Oikawa’s hands with tissue with the minimal amount of force possible, so that he barely stroked the wounds but collected water.

‘Does that hurt?’

There was an arrow lodged in Oikawa’s heart. Why is he being like this? We’re rivals. He could’ve left me under that chandelier. He had no reason to put himself at risk. He could be roughly drying my hands.  He should be relishing this but instead… 

Hinata’s touch was more caring than a nurse’s, and more loving than a –

Lover’s.

Oikawa felt a lump in his throat.

‘No.’ Oikawa said a little more firmly than he’d intended to.

Once Hinata ensured that Oikawa’s hands were dry, he opened up the pack of bandages and grabbed the scissors.

‘I think I need a bit more light.’ Hinata requested.

Oikawa awkwardly but successfully brought the other two candles in jars over by lifting them near the base with the backs of his hands. Hinata placed one on the other side of him and also one between his knees. It created soft bubbles of light, encasing Hinata in a mini-half halo. He looked holy almost. Like a cherub, Oikawa thought.

Careful not to burn yourself chibi-chan. We already have enough cuts and bruises as it is – Those words surfaced to Oikawa’s mind, playful and mood-altering but he didn’t want…

He didn’t want to alter the mood.

‘Alright.’ For some reason, Hinata didn’t look Oikawa in the eye. Instead he stared at the candle in-between his legs. ‘You’re going to have to tell me what to do.’

Oikawa instructed him. Hinata nodded, that expression of determination etched across his face. And so, he began. He worked silently, focusing intently on Oikawa’s wounds. He’d never touched another person’s hands so much. The backs of Oikawa’s hands felt surprisingly soft. It must be because I’ve never done this before. That’s why I feel so nervous. Ever so faintly, he thought he could detect that addictive scent of Oikawa’s. Maybe if he just leaned in closer… Hinata felt a blush creep on him and tried not to make his face give him away. Despite being in shorts and a t-shirt, he was sweating. He could sense the burning gaze of Oikawa watching him… All he knew was that under no circumstances must he lock eyes with Oikawa again so close to his face. The thought thrilled him and terrified him and made his stomach flutter.

When Hinata wrapped the first layer of bandage around Oikawa’s palm it was too soft.

‘Harder.’ Oikawa said.

Hinata pulled on the material. The sudden pressure made Oikawa jerk his body back and wince.

‘I’m sorry!’ Hinata looked up; Oikawa took a deep breath to steady himself.

At least he’s not so close now, Hinata thought.

Hinata still held Oikawa’s hand and hadn’t relieved the pressure of the bandage; it was still pulled taut against Oikawa’s palm. ‘Is this OK? Does it hurt?’

‘Yes. But I guess it has to. Please proceed.’

Oikawa bit his lip as Hinata weaved the tightened bandage around.

‘What about your fingers?’ Hinata asked, after he’d wound three layers of bandage tightly.

‘I’ll just use some band aids. Don’t bandage them. I’ll struggle if they’re wrapped up like a mummy,’ Oikawa chuckled.

But Hinata didn’t laugh. He was already taking band aids out of the first aid kit.

He’s so focused, so serious right now. Oikawa watched as the  little bird split open a band aid. Unconsciously, Oikawa moved closer. Hinata froze for a milli-second and then fumbled. As he was gently placing the band aid on a cut on Oikawa’s thumb, Oikawa realised that Hinata’s hands were slightly shaking.

‘Are you cold?’

‘No.’ Hinata didn’t even look up. Determined, he wrapped the band aid around Oikawa’s thumb and delicately smoothed it down.

The little Karasuno member worked diligently, examining Oikawa’s cuts and finding band aids to match, his features intimate, glowing in the candlelight. He examined each one of the captain’s fingers as if he were a painter looking at valuable pieces of art. Oikawa felt a pang in his chest. Hinata stroked and held up each finger towards the candle, assessing each cut. Both were hyper aware of their hands touching, of skin on skin… That feeling had lingered since the cafe – Oikawa wanted to hold Hinata, to feel the small, warm life of his body again, to comfort him and be comforted. He felt the impulse to touch him, to ruffle and play with his soft unruly hair even with his scarred hands.

Oikawa’s attention suddenly fell on the wad of tissue on Hinata’s thigh. Hinata had finished plastering Oikawa’s fingers and was getting the bandage ready for Oikawa’s other hand.

‘I think we should still put pressure on that.’ Oikawa couldn’t help but worry.

‘Huh?’

‘Your cut.’

‘Oh, well, you can just lean on me for a moment while I bandage up your hand. It shouldn’t take too long -’

Oikawa didn’t want to put too much pressure on Hinata’s leg or use his ragged palm, so he placed the outside of his wrist firmly down on Hinata’s thigh. And then he wished he hadn’t.

Oikawa’s heart exploded in his chest and his breathing hitched up in his throat. Hinata froze, his delicate fingers around Oikawa’s pinky, about to tape the bandage in place. He felt the blood rush down and felt  himself get semi-hard. Crimson bloomed on his cheeks, their colour disguised by the yellow candlelight. Involuntarily, his eyes darted to Oikawa’s. Oikawa’s eyes smouldered. A tangle of electricity shot between them. If Oikawa moved his hand ever so slightly  up… Oikawa’s pulse was deafening against his ears. Hinata’s slightly parted lips, his perfectly pert nose – those features of his painfully pretty face made Oikawa want to move in more… Hinata felt his whole body throb under the pressure of the back of Oikawa’s wrist so close to his crotch.

Slick. Hinata shakily rubbed down the tape on Oikawa’s skin. 

Slower now, he continued to work, his gaze back on Oikawa’s exposed  hand. He could feel the eyes of the setter on him like lasers.

I could, Oikawa stared at Hinata’s mouth… the impulse was so strong, the air so tense, and the two of them were alone together –

Oikawa lowered his head and closed his eyes, trying to regain composure. He felt the tape tap onto his skin, and Hinata pulled the bandage across his palm. Sure it hurt but if I turned my other hand right now I could grip his thigh. Oikawa tried to steady his breathing. He only opened his eyes again when the last band aid was placed on his finger and the spiker had pronounced that it was done.

Hinata was… trembling. Sweat gleamed on his face and there was a strange look in his eyes.

Hinata was gripping onto the edge of a cliff with his bare fingernails. What were… all these feelings? He knew, since that first hug under the table, he craved to feel the reassuring warmth of Oikawa again – his touch, his body, his scent… but… what were these other feelings? Oikawa’s hand near his thigh, and the setter’s alluring eyes… The closeness of Oikawa’s beauty and his body made the spiker want to do something unimaginable and reckless…

And this avalanche of new feelings –

Terrified him.

For Oikawa, one instinct was replaced by another. Birthed in the earthquake, Oikawa hated seeing the crow like this, it pulled at him too much – the elastic strain broke –

Oikawa removed his wrist from Hinata’s thigh and, leaning in, gingerly cupped one side of the boy’s face with his bandaged palm.

‘Chibi-chan… what’s wrong?’

Hinata closed his eyes and exhaled as if letting a truck-load of  tension out. When he opened his eyes again, those orbs full of hidden realms locked onto Oikawa. Ba-dum. Oikawa was sure that Hinata was a magical pixie; no one else’s gaze made him feel like his heart was bouncing between the floor and the sky.

Without warning, Hinata placed a warm hand on the side of Oikawa’s cold, strong neck.