Hinata Shoyo turned over in his bed, for what seemed like the thousandth time.

Just another sleepless night for me.

He turned over, again, running his small hands along his feathery black wings.

My wings.

They were beautiful, in Hinata's opinion. Having crow's wings in this day and age was considered relatively rare. Even his family had regular swallow's wings. But Hinata's wings were small. Really small. They were the size of his five-year old sister's little, baby swallow wings, but Hinata was 15, turning 16 soon. Hinata was bullied at school for his wings, everyone bragging about their glorious, glossy wings, calling Hinata Tiny Wings. It wasn't a very creative name, but it still hurt Hinata.

He had almost no friends, relying on the presence of scattered-minded Tsukishima, who had hummingbird's wings, always flitting about, worrying about every little thing. But Tuski didn't care about Hinata's small wings. He saw through that. Tsuki was kind and sought out Hinata's good traits, such as his great cooking skills, or Hinata's great smile.

Hinata sighed, looking out the window. The moon was full, throwing a pale light over the town.

All I want is to be special.

Like Yamaguchi, Tsuki's best friend, who had beautiful, extremely rare bird-of-paradise wings; wings of the astrapia. They were wonderful. Then there was Daichi, who had the largest wings Hinata had ever seen. Daichi even had to fold his wings to stand in the locker room properly, without smashing anyone in the face.

Hinata stepped out of bed. On restless nights like these, he would climb to the roof, where he could be alone. Being careful not to wake his sister, who slept in a bed across from him, he crept out of their room and out to the balcony, where he climbed up the grapevine trellis to the roof.

He couldn't fly. Most people could fly at about age 8 when their wings are almost fully grown, but since Hinata had the wings of a five-year old, he wasn't anywhere close. Hinata's heart and wings would ache whenever he saw Daichi and his friend Sugawara flying to school together every day, through the sky, holding hands and their matching messenger bags.

He glanced in the mirror that hung on the left wall of the room. His short ginger hair was messy, as usual, and his small build made him look like a shadow in the dim light. Hinata's Karasuno High shirt was a few sizes too big and hung loosely around him. All ones who had wings had hollow, lightweight bones, to make flying possible, but Hinata's were especially light and broke easily. Like the time Daichi had spread his wings and knocked over Hinata, sending him flying down the stairs. He broke his arm. Daichi probably would never forgive himself for that.

Hinata perched on the edge of the roof, looking out into the moonlight. The roof tiles were warm beneath his feet, even though it was late January; usually, it was cold and windy.

I must be the only person in the town who is awake right now.

Hinata shifted his gaze a few blocks down and saw the big, black house where a Dragonwing was rumored to live. Dragons were so rare; Hinata had never seen one. Their wings could only be passed down through the family, which lead to the Dragons either giving up entirely or having lots of children. Apparently, this dragon had given up.

Hinata stared at the house.

It must be wonderful to have wings that can actually fly.

Hinata's mother would always tell him, Don't worry about your wings. Where your mind leads you is more important.

Hinata blinked.

Did he see another silhouette, outlined by the moonlight?

He did. A few houses to his left, someone else was sitting on the roof, the same way as small-winged Hinata. But that person's wings were huge. Even folded up to sit, they were big. The person stood up, and the moonlight shifted ever so slightly, revealing large, flared crow's wings, just like Hinata's.

Hinata gasped. Who is that?

The person stretched, their wings expanding out upwards, giving him the antagonizing view of these perfect wings that Hinata dreamed every day of having.

The moonlight shifted again, showing Hinata the person's face.

He drew in a sharp breath. It was Kageyama, who went to his school, in the grade above him. Hinata had never seen Kageyama, but he knew his name.

Hinata stared. Kageyama's dark blue eyes turned towards Hinata and they locked eyes. He couldn't breathe. Hinata just stared, and stared at Kageyama, at his wonderful wings, at the shade of black they were, how the moonlight reflected off of them. Kageyama narrowed his eyes, and Hinata looked away. It was too painful. He backed up a bit, as to apologize for staring. But Hinata forgot that the roof ended there.

Hinata fell. It wasn't a long fall, and Hinata tumbled into the rose bushes that his father had worked hard to plant the last spring. The thorns scraped at his bare legs and arms. Hinata pulled himself out of the bushes, rubbing his scraped limbs. But he didn't care.

He had just seen the most beautiful wings in the world, even prettier than Daichi's or Yamaguchi's.

And he wanted to see them again.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Kageyama had just made someone fall off a roof. He felt bad. Really bad. Judging by the size of those wings, the person had only been a five-year-old child. But Kageyama would never forget the way those brown-gold eyes stared at him, at his wings. The stare had chilled him to the bone, even though nothing usually did that to him. It also made him feel… strange. Kageyama had never felt that feeling before.

Kageyama sighed. He had the habit of curling his wings around him in a protective cage when he felt threatened or scared. He drew his wings in closer to him, burying his face in the soft black feathers.

I wonder if the person is okay?

Maybe he would go over to that house tomorrow and ask the person who answered if their child was OK.

Maybe he wouldn't. Many people mistaken Kageyama's quiet, reserved, calmness, as crippling shyness. But Kageyama wasn't shy…

He just had secrets.

Kageyama spread his wings, flying down from the roof. He landed with a small thud.

He crept through the back door that led to his basement bedroom, being careful not to wake anyone.

Kageyama pushed open his door, jumping at the soft creak it gave. His room was small, with a desk on the right, bed against the far wall, and closet on the left. It took him barely three steps to reach his bed at the end of the room, and Kageyama could walk from desk to closet in seven.

He pulled back the soft covers and slid into them, sighing. Every single night since he was ten, he would climb to the roof and look out at the sky. Usually, Kageyama would hide behind the chimney, but tonight had been different. He had felt more confident like he wanted to impress someone by sitting on the edge. Then he made a small child fall off a roof.

I think I'll stay behind the chimney from now on.

Kageyama turned onto his side, facing the beige wall. He tucked his wings around him, brushed his soft black hair out of his eyes, and fell asleep.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Hinata grabbed the milk from the fridge and poured it into his bowl of cereal. It was a Saturday morning, so he didn't have school. Right now, Tsuki would be knocking on his door, ready to take Hinata to Karasuno, the local high school. Hinata's parents had to work, so they left pretty early in the morning. He was home alone, besides his sister who he was in charge of taking care of. She was asleep upstairs right now.

He set the bowl down on the rectangular table in the center of the kitchen and grabbed a spoon from a nearby drawer.

Hinata's phone buzzed. Daichi was messaging him. He opened his phone in curiosity.

Hey, the message read. Do you wanna go to the Nationals on Friday? We don't have school. Suga and Tsuki are coming. You can bring your sister and stuff if you want.

The Nationals. The famed Nationals. The Nationals were a series of competitions and exhibitions of flying stunts and acts from people 16 and up. Hinata had never gone, but he had watched it on television every year.

Karasuno did have a team for the Nationals, but they had never placed very well. Yamaguchi's sister, Mei-Lee, was on the team, but mainly performed duo and solo acts. She was one of the best on the team.

Hinata scooped cereal into his mouth excitedly. The Nationals were hosted in different cities around the country each year, but this year, they were coming here. He could see the stadium from the house, and it was huge. It looked like your average sports stadium, but what was special about it was that it was open air, with suspended platforms around it for competitors to perch on before flying.

He couldn't wait until Friday. It had been declared an official day off for Karasuno, because of the Nationals.

There was a knock on the door. Hinata jumped up from the stool he was sitting on, almost smashing his wings into the kitchen cabinets.

Who would come over at nine in the morning? I'm not even wearing pants!

Hinata hid around the corner of the door, hiding his wings (and legs) from sight. It was a habit he had when opening the door for people, so they wouldn't see his tiny wings. He gingerly swung open the door, then peered outside.

It was Kageyama. Hinata drew in a sharp breath. Kageyama was dressed in black jeans and a blue shirt, black hair falling in the middle of his forehead. He held a small brown leather bag.

"Um... Hello?" Kageyama began.

Hinata blinked. "Can I help you?"

"Yes actually," Kageyama said. "Do you have a younger sibling?"

"What?"

Kageyama shifted from foot to foot. "Um... this may sound weird, but I think they fell off the roof last night. I saw. Are they okay?"

Hinata's heart pounded. That was me! He doesn't know it was me!

"Well," Hinata sighed. "I do have a younger sister, but she didn't fall off the roof. That was me."

Kageyama took a step back, shaking his head. "No, their wings were small. It wasn't you. What are you? Fourteen? Fifteen?"

Hinata stepped out from his hiding place, spreading his wings to their full extent, a mere four feet. Your wings, (if you were a CrowWing) were supposed to be about 6 and a half feet at Hinata's age.

Kageyama gasped. "You... It really was you..."

"I guess..." Hinta still couldn't stop staring at Kageyama's wings.

"Well, are you okay?" Kageyama asked. "You fell off the roof! I'm so sorry... Like, really sorry. You're okay, right?"

"No, I'm fine. Do you want to come in and talk more?" Hinata offered. His mother said it was a good idea to invite people inside when they appeared at your doorstep.

Kageyama tucked his wings in, stepping through the doorway. "Sure."

Hinata glanced down at his baggy Karasuno pajamas, turning to go upstairs. "In that case, have a seat in the kitchen and I'll be back. I need to change."

Hinata ran back down the stairs, stunned by the turn of events.

Why did Kageyama come over? Why did I even invite him in? And why am I so nervous?

He turned the corner into the kitchen, where Kageyama sat, looking at the brochure for the Nationals.

"Hey, Kageyama." Hinata sat next to him.

Kageyama looked up. "How do you know my name? I don't even know yours!"

"You go to Karasuno, right?" Hinata explained. "So do I. You're in the same grade as my friend Tsukishima's sister, Mei-Lee?"

"Yeah, I know a Mei." Kageyama nodded. "And you are?"

"Hinata. Hinata Shoyo." He stood up. "Do you want something to eat?"

"Yes, I'll take a tea. And I'm Kageyama, Kageyama Tobio."

Hinata walked over to the hot water boiler, and their wings brushed. He drew them in reflexively, but Hinata liked the feeling of those big, black wings touching his small ones. He poured two cups of tea, one for him and one for Kageyama, setting them down on the table.

Kageyama placed his hands around the red cup, looking up at Hinata. "Thanks."

Hinata sat back down, and there was an awkward silence.

"So tell me Hinata," Kageyama broke it. "Why were you on the roof that night?"

Hinata looked at him with his warm golden eyes. "I couldn't sleep. Every time that happens, I climb up there. You?"

"I really don't know. The first time I did that, I was ten, and now I do that every night because I can. It's just so peaceful, feeling like you're the only one in the town awake." Kageyama started wistfully out the round window. Hinata had melted his icy exterior.

"But you weren't. And I thought I was, too. All I wanted was to be special." Hinata moved a little closer to Kageyama.

Kageyama looked down at him. "But you are special. Everyone is special in their own way."

"Not me," Hinata said. "I can't even fly."

Kageyama jumped up. "Yes, you can. You can fly."

"No, I can't." Hinata placed his orange cup of tea on the table, standing across from Kageyama, looking up into his dark eyes.

"As I said, you can. Spread your wings, Hinata." Hinata flared his wings, staring at Kageyama, wondering what he was going to do.

Kageyama stood behind Hinata and ran his hands along Hinata's wings. Hinata shuddered.

"That tickles!"

Kageyama inspected the feathers at the end of Hinata's wings, then force-folded one just to see how everything came together. He stepped back.

"You can fly, Hinata. You have the strength, and the feathers are all fully developed. I don't think size will matter in this case. And, you're super light." Kageyama reached under Hinata's wings and lifted him up, Hinata squirming and telling Kageyama to put him down.

"Put me down, Kageyama!" Hinata tried to be annoyed, but he was so excited by the news that he could actually fly that didn't care.

Kageyama plopped Hinata back into the stool and sat down. "Anyways, yes, you can fly. You just have to try."

"What do you want me to do?" Hinata asked. "Jump off the roof?"

Kageyama shrugged. "I guess."

"Kageyama! I was kidding!" Hinata glared at Kageyama.

"Yeah," Kageyama said. "But it still might be a good idea. Your instincts will kick in, and you'll be flying!"

Hinata glanced at Kageyama, a long glance that made both of them feel really... weird. "Last time I fell off the roof, I didn't fly."

"Yeah, but this time you know you can actually fly. You didn't believe you could until I told you." Kageyama picked up his cup of tea.

Hinata's eyes grew wide. "Wait! No! That's my tea!"

Kageyama slammed the cup down on the table, but it was too late. Natsu, Hinata's younger sister came thundering down the stairs.

"Indirect kiss!" She yelled gleefully, her ginger hair bouncing up and down.

Hinata and Kageyama glared at Natsu, who grinned innocently at the duo. Hinata picked up her, and placed her on the other stool, her little swallow wings trembling in excitement.

"Who is that?" Natsu asked, sticking a small finger out at Kageyama.

Hinata looked up at him. "That's Kageyama. Can you say hi to Kageyama-kun, Natsu?"

"Hello, Yama-kun!" She waved ecstatically, almost knocking Hinata's tea over.

Kageyama smiled at Hinata and Natsu.

"Is Yama-kun your friend, Hinata?" Natsu peered inside the tea cup, swirling the leaves around.

Hinata looked at Kageyama. He nodded. "Sort of...I guess you could say that..."

Natsu looked up at Hinata, her golden eyes shining with happiness. "What do you mean, sort of?" Her eyes grew wide. "You mean he's your boyfriend? You didn't tell mommy you had a boyfriend, Hinata!"

Kageyama's cheeks reddened. So did Hinata's. "I'm not Kageyama's boyfriend, Natsu."

Another awkward silence.

Kageyama stood up, clearing his throat. "I guess I should go, Hinata."

Hinata nodded slowly. "Okay... I'll see you at school on Monday?"

"Monday it is." Kageyama turned out the door, closing it firmly behind him.

Hinata watched Kageyama walk down the street, then picked up the now-cold tea, pouring it down the sink.

"Natsu, how about you go get dressed. Maybe we can go to the park today!" Natsu nodded obediently and ran back upstairs.

Hinata sighed and leaned against the counter. Natsu could be a handful. He glanced at the floor. Kageyama had left his bag.

"Kageyama, you left your bag-" He began, before remembering that Kageyama had left a few minutes ago.

Hinata set the brown bag down on the counter. It landed with a heavy clunk.

What?

Overcome by curiosity, Hinata unzipped it and looked inside. It wasn't very intersting. the bag held a few books, a water bottle (that was what had made the thunk) and a notebook with a pen clipped onto it.

Hinata had a sudden urge and grabbed the pen and the notebook. Turning to the front page, Hinata wrote down his phone number, e-mail, and drew a quick picture of himself, just so Kageyama would know it was him. Then he closed it, shoving everything back in the bag.

I'll give the bag back on Monday, I guess.

I can't wait for Monday.