Here is the new chapter! Thank you to everyone who followed and favorited! :D
I FORGOT LAST CHAPTER BECAUSE I DIDN4T REALIZE IT IN TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR OVER 400 REVIEWS! :D I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! :D
starrat : I hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well! :)
Krisia : Ahah, you'll see how things turn out~! ;)
Aquafin : There's no more suitable name for a bearded-dragon than Godzilla (I'd personally use he name of a famous dragon, like Smaug, or Daenary's dragons...but well, that's me XD)
pinkdoughtnuts : You really want Kuroo and Oikawa's stories, don't you? I'm trying to finish Sowlmates and Quiet Voice as soon as possible but there are a few more arcs to write so... you'll have to be a little bit more patient, sorry!
Leja : Thank you for your review and honesty but there are several tings I must answer to after your review. Firstly, I can't help but disagree with your words. Adoption IS a huge deal, abuse is a huge deal whether it comes from your birth parents or not. You're right I probably already met someone who was adopted who didn't make a huge deal out of it, but usually people don't scream from the rooftops "I'm adopted" or "I'm abused by my family" or "I suffer from severe ptsd and depression and anxiety issues" becaue that's not something that's easily shared (look at Kiku, no one knew she was adopted until it was shared). Just because people don't talk about it doesn't mean the hurt and pain aren't here - and i believe it's important for victims of abuse, or the aodpted children, to feel like they CAN open up about their hurt but by saying "it's not a big deal" it' refusing to acknowledge their feelings. Secondly, everyone reacts differently by this sort of traumatic experience - adoption, abuse, etc. not everyone is going to deal with it the same way. Some people will get over it, some will be haunted by it, some might deal with the idea of being adopted, some will wonder their wholes liveswhere they come from and whhy they were abandoned... Thirdly, despite what you seem to think I didn't use adoption and abuse against children with the intent of 'insulting" anyone.A negative connotation? How is adoption and abuse positive in ANY way? Of course it'd have a negative connotation because it's not something good that makes someone's life turn into rainbows and meadows of unicorns. If you felt insulted by the way I wrote these topics, I apologize because I had no intention to wrong you or anyone. My only intention was to make people aware of a part of our society that gives up babies, that let adopted children wander without any proper guidance and the abuse of children (adopted or not) that's more common than we'd like to think. One last thing about your review and don't take it the wrong way because I get that you're being helpful but I don't see how my writing is "shallow" - over the top, full of clichés and stuff I could avoid if I wanted to finish the story faster and to make it better but I write fanfictions only half-seriously but the half that I take seriously I'm pretty sure it's not "shallow". Thank you for your review, I hope you'll see this answer so you can understand my point of view. :)
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE
CHAPTER XLIII : Stormy Hearts
"Your mind can be a convincing liar."
— Unknown
"Insecurity is the worst sense that lovers feel… Insecurity twists meanings and poisons trust."
— Graham Greene, The End of the Affair
"I saw you at your worst and still thought you were the best."
— Anonymous
"Care, because it is what you do. Care, and be vibrantly alive."
— Ralph Marston
"I hope you find someone who knows how to love you when you are sad."
— Nikita Gill
"I'll always care for you."
— Bruce Adler
"You're too sweet, I can't tell you how sweet I think you are."
— Marcel Proust
"When I talk to you I am happy. Because you listen, and my words find a home."
— Edmond Jabès, The Book of Questions Volumes 2 and 3
"I'll kiss you softly to wash away your pain, and then hard enough to make you forget everything but my name."
— Unknown
"Wait for someone who bumps mouths clumsily with yours cos they're too busy smiling to kiss you properly. Yeah. Wait for that."
— Azra Tabassum
Kiku checked herself in the mirror before whipping around, showing her make-up and outfit to Yuuna who was sitting on her bed.
"How do I look?" Kiku asked nervously.
Yuuna looked her up and down, flushing a little before answering with glossy eyes:
"Y-you look beautiful…" She said in a hushed voice.
Kiku flushed, smiling happily before looking back at her mirror, pulling a little at her hair to make sure it'd stay as she wished.
"I hope Hajime will think so too…" She said, her smile unwavering.
Yuuna glanced at her once again, her heart squeezing painfully. Her attention was brought on Kyuupid who climbed on her thigh. Pip and Birb were playing around as well, while Kiku was getting dressed and making sure she was perfect for her first date with Hajime. Yuuna thought that if he really liked her, he wouldn't want her to be particularly pretty, he'd find her pretty no matter what she wore, but Kiku kept repeating that he didn't ask anything of her and she just wanted to be pretty for him, a nice surprise or something.
A sudden gust of wind made Yuuna's hair fly around and she glanced over her shoulder, at the open window, while Kiku caught a few papers that flew around.
"…Are you sure it's a good idea to go out today?" Yuuna asked worriedly, seeing the sky darkening with heavy clouds, wind starting to shake the trees.
"Hajime said it'd be inside, so we'll be fine! In the worst case scenario, we'll be stuck in a café for hours~!"
"And that's just what you want, isn't it?" Yuuna continued with a knowing, teasing smile.
Kiku flushed a little but didn't deny it. Yuuna furrowed her brows, worry filling:
"Y-you're being safe, right?"
"I'll be with Hajime, he'll keep me safe," she answered with a smile.
"That's… not what I meant…" Yuuna hesitated.
It took a short moment for Kiku to understand. She gasped and blushed, unable to meet her friend's gaze:
"W-we're not…"
"But… you'll stay safe, okay? Promise me!"
"D-don't worry! We're not doing anything!" Kiku exclaimed, too embarrassed to talk about this particular topic.
"But you'll have to be safe when you'll start getting all… touchy-feely…!"
Yuuna felt sick just thinking of this disgusting man touching her Kiku intimately, or even seeing her without her clothes on. But she also knew that eventually, it was what would happen…
"W-we didn't talk about it yet b-but don't worry…!"
"You didn't even talk about it?! What are you waiting for?!" She exclaimed.
"We've been dating for only…! Only a few weeks! We didn't even have time to do anything! I… I don't even know if he wants to do anything with me, so…"
Kiku looked down, worry filling her eyes as she held her dress tightly. She didn't want to let her insecurities and fear doubt of Hajime but… but…
Now feeling guilty, Yuuna glanced down at Kyuupid, absentmindedly petting him. She sighed then looked back at Kiku:
"You're beautiful. He's going to fall even more in love with you when he'll see you." She said with a smile even if it broke her heart.
Kiku smiled back, reassured. She took a deep breath then clapped her hands:
"I should start going! I don't want to be late! Thanks for helping me out choose my dress, Yuuna! Pip, Birb and Kyuu, you're being nice! I'll tell mom to come put you back in your cages!"
Pip squealed a happy "Yes! Yes!" and after making sure she had everything, Kiku went downstairs, impatient to see her Hajime. Yuuna left her at the train station, then they went their own ways. Kiku almost bounced off her seat in impatience and as soon as she arrived at the train station that Hajime had indicated to her, she walked to the nearby park and went to wait under the big tree on the hill. She checked her phone – she was over thirty minutes in advance.
She didn't mind the wind, even as it blew stronger and stronger until she had to hold onto her dress to keep it from flying. It was right around the time they had agreed on – she hoped the rain wouldn't start falling until he arrived. She didn't want to be soaked for their date…
Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen…
Leaning against the tree, she looked up when a thin rain started falling. Thankfully, she was safe and sound under the tree as long as it didn't get any worse. Checking the time, she swallowed hard.
"What are you doing… where are you, Hajime…?" She mumbled, staring at her phone.
She saw the minutes tick by, but no message came. She sent him a message, expecting a quick answer as he usually did… but no answer. Now, instead of waiting for him to come, she waited for his message…
Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen…
The rain had accelerated, getting heavier, the wind was blowing stronger. The storm was growing wilder, just as Kiku's heart sank more and more.
Not expecting any answer, not anymore after waiting for so long for Hajime when he obviously wouldn't come and didn't care enough to warn her, she felt stupid and broken-hearted. She didn't understand why she had hoped that someone like her would interest someone like him. Hajime might have fallen in love with her but these were just words. They might be dating but it was just an appearance. He barely held her hand, or kissed her, he hadn't showed any interest in her. He had probably forgotten about their date, or about her, or he had found something else to do…
Now soaked from the heavy rain, trembling from the wind freezing her limbs, Kiku didn't move from under the tree despite the storm. She didn't care anymore about getting soaked, or if her make-up was ruined. It wasn't even the rain that had ruined her make-up. It was her quiet tears.
She hated herself for believing in Hajime, for thinking so foolishly that he'd go as far as having a date with her. This whole thing – falling in love with her, dating her… it must have been one big joke. He was Hanamaki's friend, after all. Now that he had had his fun, he's going to reveal the whole thing at the high-school and she'll be mocked by everyone for thinking Iwaizumi Hajime had been serious. She was such an idiot…
She pushed herself off the tree and slowly made her way away from the park, trying to keep her tears at bay to not make even more a fool of herself in town. She'll just go straight home, try to avoid her parents and cry her heart out in her pillow. There was no point in staying in the storm, being miserable…
"Hurry up, Kindaichi!"
She didn't even recognize the voice or heard the 'Kindaichi' that someone bumped into her. Kiku tripped forward and whether it was her broken heart, the slippery sidewalk or the violent wind, she fell on her knees. The person who had bumped into her immediately turned around:
"I'm sorr– Akiyama… senpai?"
"Akiyama-senpai?!"
Kiku looked up, seeing Kunimi and Kindaichi looking down at her, stunned to see her here… soaked and alone… Though, they were just as soaked from being surprised by the storm as well.
"I thought you were supposed to go on your date with Iwaizumi-san? Why aren't you–"
A sudden gulf of wind made a branch fly over their heads, Kindaichi's voice trailing off in a squeal of surprise and Kunimi took matters in his hands when he realized that Akiyama-senpai was not feeling well and they were in possible danger:
"Let's go somewhere safe," he said, helping up Akiyama.
All three went under a bus stop that felt relatively safe. They would still receive the rain, but they were already dripping so it didn't really matter.
"What happened, Akiyama-senpai?" Kindaichi asked, his hair flopping down a little from the rain.
"…Nothing." She answered, glancing away, not wanting to deal with her kouhais at the moment.
Kindaichi and Kunimi glanced at each other.
"You were supposed to go on your date with Iwaizumi-san, where is he?" Kunimi asked.
"…I don't know…" She answered in a tiny voice, shoulders shaking.
"What if something happened to him?! We should call the police! Oikawa-san!" Kindaichi exclaimed, starting to panic.
"Kindaichi, calm down," Kunimi told him, narrowing his eyes.
They glanced back at Akiyama who kept her head turned away, stubbornly, to not show them her tears. She wiped away the tears that had rolled down her cheeks despite her will. Not knowing what to do, the two first-years glanced at each other, at a loss at what to do with a crying woman.
"Let's try to contact Iwaizumi-san or Oikawa-san, they probably know–"
Kunimi turned around when Kiku walked away without another glance their way.
"Wait! Akiyama-senpai! You shouldn't…"
His voice trailed and he kept his lips thin then glanced back at Kindaichi who was fumbling his fingers nervously.
"What do we do?" He asked.
"We call Oikawa-san and tell him what just happened…" Kunimi sighed, taking out his phone from his pocket.
"I hope nothing bad has happened to Iwaizumi-san… He was so excited to go on his date with Akiyama-senpai…" Kindaichi murmured to himself.
"She probably thought he dumped her." Kunimi said, rolling lightly his eyes, making Kindaichi look frightened at the idea that Iwaizumi and Akiyama might have an argument and worse break up because of this story.
One thing was certain: Iwaizumi wouldn't have left Akiyama alone if he didn't have a good reason. He certainty would warn her. If he didn't, it meant something must have happened…
Some time ago, in the Iwaizumi apartment…
Hajime was running around. He was late. The one day he had to be ready in time and he was late! He had come back from his running just in time to take a shower and get ready but just when he was about to go out to be a little in advance, the tap of the bathroom had a problem. He had to fix it hurriedly, as fast as possible, but because he was covered in water, he changed clothes and now he was late!
"You're not doing anything bad, Godzilla! I'll be back–"
Hajime stopped and glanced at his bearded dragon… Godzilla was laying on his side, eyes half-closed and twitching occasionally. Suddenly worried, Hajime took off the lid of the aquarium and checked on him but the more he tried to reassure himself, he more he realized he had no idea what was happening. He had never seen Godzilla acting this way, but he could tell it was definitely not good.
"Fuck… fuck, fuck, fuck…" He mumbled to himself.
He stopped and tried to take the most responsible decision – his parents were at works, which meant no answering the phone. Perhaps Hayate– no, it'd be a loss of time. Deciding to go to the veterinary before it was too late, Hajime sent a quick message to Kiku, threw his phone on a side then looked for the bag to transport Godzilla. He put him in carefully, checked twice he had his wallet and keys then hurried out of the apartment, not realizing he had forgotten to take his phone with him.
He hurried to the veterinary, it wasn't close but it was close enough for an emergency. When he entered, in panic, the veterinary assistant calmed him down, doing a first check-up on the bearded-dragon.
"He doesn't seem to be in immediate danger. Considering you don't have an appointment I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the doctor to be done with his current appointment." She told him.
"I-it's fine…" He answered with a nod, reassured that Godzilla's life wasn't threatened.
He reached for his phone before cursing to himself, biting down on his lower lip. He wanted to send another message to Kiku to warn her of how things were going but he must have forgotten it. He just hoped she had understood that it was an emergency and wouldn't wait for him too long… Outside, the weather only worsened and with it, his panic for Godzilla and at how Kiku must have been feeling at the moment. He had sent her a message but it hadn't been very explicit and it might be just more worry.
But at the moment he had no choice but to wait for the veterinarian to take care of Godzilla.
"Hypocalcemia," he said long minutes later after examining Godzilla.
"What?" Hajime asked with wide eyes.
"Hypocalcemia occurs when there are low levels of calcium in a bearded dragon's blood. Low levels of calcium can result in twitching muscles, or seizures like you saw. Hypocalcemia is most often seen in young bearded dragons, as they are slightly more fragile than adults. But not to worry, I'll give you the indication for his diet to make sure it doesn't happen again." He said with a reassuring smile for the young man.
"T-thank you…"
After receiving all the advices, he took Godzilla back home. He made sure his bearded-dragon was safe and sound, he already seemed to feel better but he wasn't sure if he could go right now or should wait to make sure Godzilla was fine – if only someone was at home so he could–
"Iwa-chan!"
Hajime startled when he heard Oikawa's voice, hurried steps coming straight for his bedroom. The setter flung open the door then stared at him with big, wide eyes:
"What the hell are you doing here?!" He screamed.
"I should be the one saying that! Why did you come in like that?!" Iwaizumi exclaimed.
"Kiku-chan! Your date! What–!"
Suddenly reminded that he had his date with Kiku – well, he was way too late for any date to happen but he had been so focused on Godzilla that he had forgotten to send a message to Kiku to update her on Godzilla.
"Kiku! I need to send her a message!" He exclaimed, looking around for his phone but it was out of view.
"I just received a call from Kindaichi and Kunimi, Kiku-chan was–"
"Call me! I can't find my phone!" He exclaimed, cutting him.
"Are you listening?!"
"Just call me, Trashykawa!"
Oikawa did as asked and explained what he had heard from Kunimi and Kindaichi while Iwaizumi, who heard the buzzing sound of his phone, looked for it frenetically.
"They told me that they met Kiku-chan in town, that she was crying and was soaked from the rain! Why would you leave her alone without any warning, Iwa-chan?!"
"Eh?! What are you talking about – I sent her a message!" He exclaimed, just as he finally found his phone.
He unlocked it and his eyes widened. He had received several messages and phone calls from Kiku – from impatient, to worry to desperate…
"No…" He whispered, "No, no, no! I'm certain I sent her a message to warn her I had to go to the veterinarian for Godzilla! An emergency!"
"You mean… the message I received a few hours ago?!" Oikawa exclaimed with wide eyes.
Iwaizumi glanced at him, panicked then quickly opened his last message… He closed his eyes, clenching tightly his phone. In his panic he had opened the first message tab to warn Kiku – but the last message he had sent had been to Oikawa… If only he had checked the name, if only he had–
Angry at himself, he threw his phone on his bed, clenching his hair and covering his face in panic, not knowing what to do anymore. Quickly understanding the situation, Oikawa spoke up:
"Calm down, Iwa-chan! What is done is done, you should tell Kiku what happened and try to find her! With luck she went home directly – if not, she's in the rain, all alone and she thinks you dumped her!" He instructed, taking his friend's phone and forcing it into his hands.
"I would never do that to her!"
"Don't forget that she spent years being mistreated and she doesn't trust people easily – she might just… have let her fears and apprehension fill her mind. Warn her, tell her what happened! I'm sure she'll understand!" Oikawa said, pushing the phone towards Iwaizumi's chest.
"S-someone has to watch over Godzilla–"
"I'll do it! Just go!" Oikawa exclaimed, pushing him out of the room.
Too panicked to thank him, Iwaizumi went off in the rain, sending dozens of messages to Kiku, trying to call her but she didn't answer. The last people who had seen her were Kunimi and Kindaichi, in town, near the park where they had been supposed to meet. He went there first but with the rain and violent wind, he couldn't find her. He ran around the neighborhood, asking the people he ran by if they had seen someone fitting Kiku's description, then going into shops and cafés to try to find her, hoping she had taken refuge somewhere safe. The rain only got worse, the wind stronger – he didn't want to imagine her outside in this weather when she felt betrayed by him…!
If only he had checked the name of the person he was messaging! If only he hadn't forgotten his phone at home! If only…! If only!
After running through the entire neighborhood he went back into the ones close to Seijou, and ran directly to the Akiyama Bakery, hoping she had gone home instead of wandering around. He ignored the bakery and knocked at the back door, breathing hard after all his running. No answer, he continued knocking until he was almost pounding his fist against the door. Finally, it opened and Nanami stared at him with wide, shocked eyes:
"Haji–"
"Where is Kiku?! Is she here?!" He asked at once, water drops rolling off his face from the rain.
He was completely soaked but he didn't care, he just wanted to know if Kiku was safe.
Nanami suddenly looked annoyed and crossed her arms over her chest:
"She's here, she's all right. Well, as much as she can be at the moment." She answered sharply.
Hajime startled guiltily and stepped forward:
"Let me see her, let me explain, I–"
He didn't finish his sentence that running steps resonated in the stairs behind Nanami, she barely had time to look over her shoulder that Kiku appeared, looking panicked, hair still wet from the rain.
"Is he found–"
She froze when she saw Hajime in the doorway. She stared at him, tears filling her reddened eyes. Hajime's heart sank, his stomach knotted, he felt terrible for doing such a thing to Kiku. If only…!
"Kiku– I can explain everything! Please, let me–"
She looked away from him, and this quiet rejection cut deeper than knives in his heart. He swallowed hard, stepping forward once again but Nanami stopped him with her arm:
"You should go home," she told him calmly.
"Kiku! Please, I sent you messages to explain! I'm so sorry! I wanted to warn you, I swear! But–"
"I know. I received your messages." She said sharply, looking away from him.
"T-then I… I… I'm so sorry… you have no idea how terrible I feel for doing this to you…" He whispered, staring at her with panicked, green eyes, "Please, Kiku… I'm… I'm sorry…"
She hesitated, glancing quickly at her mother and silently telling her that it was fine. Nanami sighed, sent a hard look at Hajime then turned around but didn't leave, just leaving enough space for the teenagers to discuss quickly. Kiku went to the door but didn't let Hajime in, even if he was taking all the rain and the wind but he didn't care.
"I'm so sorry, I–"
"I… I know…" She answered, looking down, "How is… Godzilla?" She asked.
"…He'll be fine."
More tears filled her eyes and her throat was knotted, she glanced away, heart squeezing painfully.
"I… I'm glad but… I think you should leave…" She murmured in a trembling voice.
"If it's because I–"
"It's not you but… you… I felt betrayed and you broke my heart but by the time I received your messages… something else, something terrible had happened a-and I'm stuck in here and can do nothing so please… leave."
She was about to close the door but his hand stopped it, blocking the door. Kiku looked up, stunned by his action, but he looked as desperate as her, for different reasons…
"Can I help? Can I do anything?" He asked worriedly, understanding that he wasn't the one who had made her cry so much (even if he had, unfortunately, participated to her feeling so down).
Kiku's lips trembled and more tears appeared in her eyes, she quickly wiped the tears away but before he could take her in his arms to comfort her, Nanami appeared and surrounded her daughter's shoulders with her arms.
"There's nothing that can be done in this storm, thank you but you should leave, Hajime. Especially after leaving her alone without any warning in the cold, harsh rain during a storm." She said accusingly.
He opened his lips but Kiku interrupted her mother:
"It wasn't his fault…"
"He should have warned you. I'm sorry for what happened to Birb but you can't go outside in this storm Kiku–"
"Birb? You mean Barnaby? Your bird, what happened?" Hajime asked, looking between mother and daughter.
Nanami hesitated while Kiku trembled, then covered her face to hide her tears.
"H-he's g-gone…!" She said in a broken, smothered voice.
Hajime's heart sank, realizing that the reason why she looked so broken was because her bird was gone… Because of his own stupidity and clumsiness, he couldn't warn her in time and she got broken-hearted, thinking he had betrayed her. And when she arrived home it was to find out that her bird was…
"I… I'm…"
He wanted to apologize but before he could say anything, Kiku shook her head and turned around, going back into the house. He wanted to call her name but he had no idea what he'd say or do… he couldn't even comfort her after what he had done.
Nanami watched Kiku leave then turned back towards the high-schooler:
"Birb likes to stay on the windowsill, it happened a few times that he'd fall off but he would always stay nearby. He knows how to open the cage on his own. I… I forgot to check the window of Kiku's room, it was open and with this storm…"
She looked down guiltily, shaking her head:
"He can't fly, with this wind he was flown away and a cat or another animal probably caught him already… Kiku tried to look for him but we couldn't find him and after staying almost an hour in the rain waiting for you… she has a fragile health, I don't want her sick and–"
"It's… I understand…" He said with a nod, shaken up and sad for Kiku.
Nanami hesitated before speaking up again:
"You should go home, with this storm, it's not safe to stay out for too long."
She closed the door and he stared at it for a little while, the wind blowing furiously and the rain drops so cold it felt like tiny ice daggers hitting his skin. He turned around, slowly walking away before he glanced up at the window of Kiku's room. The curtains were pulled close. If Birb had been at the windowsill when the wind had pushed him outside, he must have fallen nearby. He was an intelligent bird, knowing it'd be risky to go away from the house. Nanami said so herself.
Not quite knowing why he'd do that when the storm was raging, Hajime started to look around but there was no sign of the bird, no feather, no bush for him to hide… There was no blood, which might be a good sign but with the rain it meant nothing.
He started to advance, glancing around and looking for a green bird with a bad character. He refused to believe he had been caught and killed by an animal – it'd break Kiku. Fists clenched together, he looked around for a long time, not quite knowing how long went by. Bushes, under cars, nearby houses and possible hideouts… he looked everywhere for hours. He ignored the wind pushing him around, or his clothes so soaked by the rain that he could feel the cold dampness get into his skin.
"Birb! Barnaby!" He called, turning around in the middle of the street.
He passed his hands through his spiky, wet hair, lips thin and brows furrowed.
"Come on, Birb! Answer!" He screamed, trying to cover the wind, "Come on… Kiku needs you…" He continued, in a voice so low he barely heard himself.
He closed his eyes tightly. He knew he couldn't comfort Kiku and the chances of finding Birb in this storm, after all this time, if he was even still alive were thin… but… but after breaking her heart, making her think he didn't like her, after dumping her… He couldn't give up on the one thing that gave her hope. When he saw her she had been so desperate, so sad, her eyes red from crying too much – and it wasn't because of him, not entirely, all of her tears had been for Birb. The guilt she must feel, imagining her bird out there, in the cold rain, pushed around by the wind, calling for her…
Unlike Nanami, Kiku hadn't given up hope Birb was alive and could be found… When she had heard someone at the door, she ran down the stairs, hoping someone had found Barnaby. Her reaction upon seeing it was Hajime and not Birb wasn't the sadness caused by his incompetence as a boyfriend – it was the disappointment that it wasn't her bird…
"I'm stuck in here and can do nothing."
If Nanami wasn't keeping Kiku into the house to keep her from getting sick, if Kiku hadn't spent hours under the rain waiting or him, she would probably be out there, ignoring the storm to find her bird…
"Barnaby! BIRB!" He continued calling, walking around and still hoping he could go back to Kiku with Birb.
He spent so much time looking for the bird that as soon as he'd see something greenish, he'd try to jump on it – just branch and leaves, not Barnaby. In between calls, he'd hold his breath and he'd think he had heard a little squealing – but it was just the wind whistling. He'd see something move from the corner of his eyes but it was just something flying around because of the storm.
"BIRB!"
He froze when he heard a little, squealing sound. It was different from everything he had heard until now – it was high-pitched, tiny, almost… frightened. He was away from the Akiyama house, but not that far away. A reasonable distance for a bird that couldn't fly stuck in a storm. Hajime started looking around but no sight of the bird.
"Birb! Barnaby?!" He called, turning around.
Once again he heard the tiny, squealing sound. He searched for where it had come from. He went to push away the bushes at the bottom of a tree but no bird. His hand reached out and he grabbed a bright green feather that had been stuck in the bush… He only knew one bird with such a vivid shade of green. He looked around and then up…
"Birb?" He called, standing up.
A hole in the tree trunk, a little move and something green appeared.
"Birb! How the hell did you get up there?!" He exclaimed, putting the feather in his jacket pocket, "Come on! Come here!" He shouted, lifting up his arms.
He wasn't tall enough to reach the hole and if Barnaby looked down at him, the moment the wind shook the tree, he hid once again, too frightened to jump down in the storm and towards someone he didn't even like. If it wasn't Kiku he would not go down at all…!
"Come on! I know you don't like me but Kiku is waiting for you! Come down here!" He shouted, thinking that the neighbors will think him crazy for shouting at a tree in the middle of the storm.
He wondered if he should go to the bakery to tell Kiku, but Birb was so scared, he wasn't sure it was a good idea. Nanami might not even let him see Kiku after what he had done to her…
Fists clenching, he tried to reach for Birb, to climb on the tree but he didn't have enough height or anything to hold on long enough to get Birb out of his hiding hole. Hajime cursed before stepping away to get some momentum, then he ran and jumped. He didn't try to reach for the hole, knowing he'd just slip off the tree trunk and land on his behind so he grabbed the nearest branches, big enough to support him (he hoped). He raised himself like he used to do when he was a child and with an uneasy balance on the branch and against the tree trunk, he bent down a little to try and grab the bird. Now that he was up-there he realized it was much higher than he had thought, that the branch didn't seem quite as solid as down there (especially with this crazy wind shaking him around) and his hold wasn't good.
"Cicadas I'd catch up in the trees…! These are easy to get, one net and it's easily done!" He mumbled to himself while he tried to get the right position to catch Birb, "Come on, Barnaby! Get out of here! It's me, Hajime! The guy you hate because I'm dating your mommy!"
He managed to get his hand into the hole but Birb bit him several times until he managed to get a hold of the bird. Not wanting to hurt him despite his growing annoyance against the stubborn, frightened animal, Hajime slowly let go of his hold on the tree trunk. Using his thighs and abs to not fall off the branch, he managed with his two hands to get Birb safely out of his hole. The bird didn't stop squealing and whining, biting hard on his hands but he didn't let go as he straightened up on the branch. The wind kept shaking them and he held the bird close to his chest, trying to give him some human warmth and comfort. Slowly… Birb calmed down and stopped trying to bite him to death.
Hajime sighed in relief and moved a little to get off the branch but his sudden move, his weight and the wind were not a good mix. He heard a cracking sound, freezing as Birb looked up at him with an annoyed expression as if saying "really?! You couldn't choose a BETTER branch to hang on?!" and suddenly, it broke off. He cried out and before he knew it, he landed on the hard ground. Air expulsed from his lungs, he gasped and it took Hajime a moment to be aware of his surroundings once again – and it was thanks to Barnaby.
The bird, that he had kept in his hands and against his chest to protect him from the fall, moved in panic as the wind shook his feathers. Hajime relaxed his hold onto him, Birb standing on top of his chest while trying not to get blown away by the wind.
"You… you owe me one, got it?" He mumbled, frowning at the bird.
Barnaby bit his hand, making him clench his jaws to not scream at the sharp pain. He stood up, not letting go of the bird. Birb didn't bite him and remained safely wrapped in his jacket he had taken off to protect the bird and not hurt him by accident. Hajime made his way back to the bakery, all the while whispering to the bird to reassure him. Though, when Birb squealed, he sounded more annoyed than grateful.
Kiku was sitting on her bed, trying to hold back her panicked flow of tears while she heard the wind blow outside. Hearing a sharp, squealing sound, she looked up, seeing Pip who kept calling her and tilting his head on a side, asking her where his friend was… Even Kyuu was staring at her from his cage… More tears filled her eyes when a loud banging at the door downstairs made her stand up, hope filling her heart. She ran, beating her mother to the door, almost falling down the stairs and flinging open the door, hoping that whoever had come would have found Birb.
Kiku stopped breathing when she saw Hajime standing there, soaking wet, covered in scratches and mud, keeping his arms close to his chest… He looked up silently and he pulled at the jacket gathered in his arms and she saw a familiar bird looking up at her and squealing happily.
Her heart exploded in happiness, sobs of relief escaping her lips as she wiped away the tears of joy. She opened the door wider, letting Hajime enter while Nanami stared at the scene from afar. He took off his shoes while Kiku took his jacket and Barnaby, running upstairs to have a better look at him. Hajime hesitated at following her, glancing at Nanami warily but when she turned around and went back into the kitchen, he took it as a sign that he could enter. He found Kiku in her room, his jacket on a side as she was examining Birb. He was so happy to see his mommy again he didn't stop squealing. She checked his wings, his feathers, making sure he wasn't injured but by some miracle, he only had ruffled feathers.
"You scared me so much, Birb! What were you thinking going on the window when there's a storm going on! You could have died, do you realize that?!" She scolded, doting over him like a child.
He squealed, too relieved to form words, or maybe he didn't know words expressing his happiness to see his mommy again after all of his fears. Kiku's fears had been washed away the moment relief had hit her, when she had seen her Birb safe and sound. Now certain he was fine, except for some wet feathers, she wiped away the tears that didn't stop flooding. She looked up, seeing Hajime standing at the doorway, a little awkwardly but a soft smile on his face just to see her smile again… If he had to see tears fall from her eyes, he'd rather see tears of joy than sadness.
Realizing she had caught him staring, Hajime glanced away with a flush, still feeling terrible for what had happened earlier. Kiku sniffed and stood up, Birb going on her forearm then she left him in his cage.
"Thank you…" She said with a tight voice, turning towards Hajime.
She took in his appearance – he was soaking wet, he was shaking from the cold even if he didn't seem to realize that and he was bleeding at his hands and had a bad-looking scratch at his face.
"It's nothing… When your mother told me what had happened to Birb, I couldn't… do nothing…" He answered with a shrug, putting his hands in his back when he noticed her staring worriedly.
"…Come with me…" She told him, grabbing his elbow and dragging him into the bathroom to take care of his injuries, "I-I'll go get a towel and some clothes… you're going to catch a cold…" She said, disappearing for a short moment.
When she was back, she left him alone, giving him time to dry himself and put on the clothes she had given him. They were big enough for him but not big enough to be her father's.
"Whose clothes are these?" He asked curiously when she took his clothes to clean and dry them.
"Nobuteru's son's." She answered, disappearing once again for a few minutes.
He didn't even know coach had a son. It felt a little weird wearing these clothes so he tried not to think of it. Thankfully, he was distracted when Kiku came back with a first-aid kit, making him sit on the bathtub's side while she took care of him.
"I'm fine, really–"
He hissed when she took his hands and applied a cotton imbibed with antiseptic, the stinging pain startling him. She glanced at him guiltily then looked back at what she was doing.
"Sorry…"
She kept his hands against her palm and delicately applied the cotton. Hajime relaxed then looked at her face. Her eyes and nose were still red from crying so much but she definitely looked relieved now that Birb was back…
"I-I'm sorry Birb was so rude to you, biting you so much…" She murmured, seeing all the various little biting marks.
"It's fine, he was scared and he doesn't like me. We can't doubt that birds are the closest beings to dinosaurs, uh?" He said, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.
It worked and she smiled, a little amused, which made his heart go wild.
"I hope it won't have any influence on your playing…" She continued, brows furrowed.
"My hands might be numb for a day or two, but by Tuesday, I'll be fine. It bled a bit but it's not deep." Hajime answered, clenching and unclenching his fingers.
Now done with the antiseptic, Kiku covered his hands with hers.
"You're cold…" She whispered, raising his hands to her lips and kissing his fingers, eyes closed.
Hajime stopped breathing, blushing and suddenly feeling very hot by her soft touch and protective smile.
"…Why did you do that? Going for hours in the storm to find Birb? Where was he even? I looked everywhere for him…" She asked, looking up at Hajime.
It took a moment for his brain to function, her eyes were too distracting and he felt too dizzy from her gentle kiss to think clearly.
"He was in a hole in a tree trunk, he's a good climber."
"I-I should have looked up, I d-don't know why I didn't…! He always climbs up using his beak and feet! I… I'm such an idiot…! If only…!"
"Hey… it's not your fault… Kiku…" He said, tilting up her head with his fingers, forcing her teary eyes to look into his, "You did everything you could, you were panicked and you were… sad because of me and all of the bad outcomes about Birb. Maybe he wasn't even in this tree when you were looking for him… don't feel guilty, okay…?" He said in a reassuring voice.
He brushed her cheek very quickly and as she nodded to his words, a tear rolled down her cheek. He wiped it away softly then hesitantly pulled away.
"…I'm sorry for leaving you alone in the rain. If it weren't for me… I should have been more careful about what I was doing with my phone but I-I was in such a panic I didn't realize I was sending the message to Oikawa and not you and then I–"
"Hey…" She said, cupping his cheek with a soft smile, eyes sparkling beautifully, "It's not your fault. Don't feel guilty, okay?" She said, repeating his own words.
He smiled a little, then took her hand in his, leaning against her touch.
"I read your messages and I understood the reasons why you were late and you didn't answer but I was so scared for Birb that I didn't really realize what it really meant. You must have been very scared for Godzilla and even if I was a little angry at you… I understand the circumstances and I don't hold it against you… I forgive you, Hajime." She said in a low voice.
Too grateful, he sighed in relief, closing his eyes and letting his shoulders drop a little.
"You didn't seriously think I'd break up with you for that?" She asked, chuckling a little at his reaction.
"W-well… I would deserve it for being such a shitty boyfriend…" He mumbled, flushing in embarrassment.
"A shitty boyfriend wouldn't brave a storm to find my baby bird… you're the bravest person I know… the sweetest… the kindest…" She murmured, cupping his cheeks and forcing him to look up.
She kissed his forehead just as he smiled a little, looking amused.
"That's… how I feel about you… Kiku…" He answered, keeping her hands in his, not letting her move away from him.
Not after he had feared she might leave him for his stupid mistakes.
"You didn't answer me, why did you go in the rain to find Birb? I didn't ask you anything but… you went anyway…" She continued, recalling very well that she had asked him to leave – she was glad he hadn't listened.
"Y-you seemed so distressed, so panicked… I couldn't bear it… You seemed so helpless, as if you were begging me to do something… I… just… I couldn't see you sad and I hoped that… you were hoping for the right thing, for Birb's survival and that he could be found so I just… started looking for him. But the only one I could think of was you…"
He looked into her eyes, green eyes sparkling when meeting her beautiful night blue eyes, glossy with tears. Her fingers brushed his scratches, against his temple and his cheekbone. He didn't react even if he felt her touch burning his skin, but it was a comforting warmth rather than a smoldering fire.
"Going as far as getting hurt… how did it happen? You didn't…"
"I'm a little heavier than when I was ten years old, the branch didn't like me very much…" He answered, a little amused by the ridiculous fall.
She smiled, but it was a mix of sad and amused. Her guilt, her fears and her love were mixing together when she leaned down and delicately kissed his scratched cheek.
"Thank you… for coming back to me…" She whispered, looking into his eyes.
He knew she didn't mean just for coming back with Birb – but simply coming back to her despite their ruined date… despite the storm, despite everything…
"I'll always come back to you, Kiku…" He whispered, his gaze unwavering.
Before she could react, he kissed her on the lips. Her hands fell on his shoulders as they kissed, long and hard, quiet and soft, all at once. He grabbed her hips as she kissed him back. It was their way to express their happiness to be back together after the storm, their way of expressing how much they cared for each other, their way of apologizing for everything wrong that had happened… and their way to promise to always come back to each other. No matter the storm they had to go through.
Her fingers clenched his shirt, pulling him a little. He stood up and, never stopping to kiss, he gently pushed her to her room. She surrounded his neck with her arms, pulling him closer to her. His hands pulled at her shirt, not to take it off but just because he felt the need to move his hands over her. She let her hands go under his shirt, letting her fingers wander against his side. Until he hissed, and she immediately pulled away.
"Eeeh…" He mumbled, lifting up the shirt.
Kiku bit on her lower lip when they saw the big bruise forming on his side. Probably from falling off the tree earlier. He just shrugged it off and smiled to her. She kissed him again and pulled him until her knees hit her bed and she sat on it. He almost fell over and they chuckled, cheeks red. He laid down on it and she immediately rolled on top of him, kissing him gently while his hands rested on her waist. They might have kissed for longer than they ever did ever since they had started dating and once they were satisfied with the sweet, peppering kisses, Kiku rolled off him. In one motion, they cuddled together. He wrapped his arms around her, her back against his chest and his nose brushing the back of her neck. They closed their eyes, feeling warm and safe and without realizing it, they fell asleep like they had fallen in love. Softly and tenderly.
BONUS
[Some time later…]
Hajime was shaken awake and he blinked his eyes, holding Kiku tighter before looking up. And freezing in terror. Shouta was looking down at him ferociously, arms crossed over his broad chest.
"We called your parents, your clothes are dry and your father is here to pick you up." He said.
"O-oh… T-thank you…" Hajime answered, letting go of Kiku.
He had tried to not wake her up but with her father's loud voice and Hajime moving around, she couldn't help but be woken up. She rolled on her back with a moan, covering her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Dinner is ready, Kiku." Her father said while the teenagers gathered their thoughts after their numbing nap.
"…I'm not feeling well…" She mumbled.
Hajime glanced at her worriedly but one look from Shouta and he stood up to leave before he'd be thrown into the storm by the window. When he stood up though he remained frozen on spot for a moment.
"…I'm not feeling well either…" He mumbled, feverish and dizzy.
"It's no wonder after being outside in the rain for hours and hours. You're not recovering here, though. Come on, go home and rest." Shouta told him, helping him walk out of the room.
Just before leaving, Hajime glanced over his shoulder At Kiku who had rolled on her side to watch him leave. They smiled, even if they were sick and their first date had been a disaster… it had been a day they'd remember.
Without surprise for anyone, the two spent the rest of the week-end in bed, taken down by a fever for spending too much time in the rain. It brought a lot of rumors at school about what the couple had done when both Hajime and Kiku showed up with colds – and quite some scratches on him.
See? Everything turned out all right in the end. Also, you'll like next chapter. I don't remmber who had mentioned something about the scars, but well~ ;)
NEXT CHAPTER : IMPERFECT PERFECTION
Yours Truly,
May