" When I was little, I would often visit the ocean with my dad, after Asahi left. He seemed like the only one who understood the way I was feeling, just that there was nothing to be done about his." Hinata began as he started drifting to that particular unfortunate day.
BACK IN AMERICA 10YRS AGO.
" Why didn't you just follow him? You this ungrateful bastard," Thier mom's voice shot through the air.
Ever since Asahi and his dad left America, their parents have been having these fights that Haruki especially was getting tired of. He would always take his lil bro to his room, increase the volume of the music.
After their usual fights, their dad will come get Hinata and they'll set off to the ocean together.
That day stared as usual with another bickering just it was longer this time around. Hinata was little then but was smarter than his age. Way smarter.
" Getting married to you was the greatest mistake of my life. You should've just gotten married to him instead," she yelled once again.
" Get out!! Get the fuck out of my house!!" She screeched and their dad just strolled off. Taking Hinata as usual and setting off to the ocean.
Haruki was not at home this time around.
" Dad, you miss him right?" Little Hinata asked as he sat down at the shore beside his dad.
The older man chuckled and pulled his son's cheek teasingly, " You're too smart for your age Hinata," he said chuckling.
" But you're right you know? I miss him. I've always had," he said.
" Then why did you marry mom?" Little Hinata asked, looking confused.
" So we could've have adorable Hina and amazing Haruki," he replied, chuckling.
" Be serious dad," Hina whined .
" We were separated, by family and stuff you know... I was forced to marry your mom when he got married."
" But she's dead now right?" Hinata asked and his dad looked at him puzzled. How can this boy know too much, he wondered.
" Well I can't go back to him," he replied " not when he left me first ," he mumbled the last part.
" Well let's forget about all this and play with the water. I can hear it calling us. You should be able to hear it when you're older, cause you my boy are no ordinary boy. I love you," he said and made his way to the water.
" We're not swimming freestyle today Hina," he said as he got close to the water. " I'm teaching the other three okay?" He added.
" Let's just swim free, dad," Hinata replied pouting and his dad chuckled at his cute son.
" No baby, no freestyle today." He said firmly but teasingly.
Just as he entered the water, the wind started getting heavier. He tried to compose himself not to alarm and scare Hinata.
He planned to swim steadily to the shore to meet his son, but the water had a different plan for him.
The wind became stronger and heavy rain started pouring down.
Hinata panicked and tried to call his mom with his dad's phone. She picked it up but yelled at him to fuck off, not waiting for a second and hung up.
" Dad, I'm coming, I'm coming to save you, I'll save you dad," and with his tiny body, he swam to where his dad was. He was almost where his dad was but the waves kept pushing him down. Few passerbys saw the familiar duo-that were always in the ocean everyday-struggling in the water.
It was too late and his dad couldn't be saved. When they got him out of the water, he was already lifeless. Hinata knew his dad was strong and could've struggled not to drown but his dad just gave in. Left him alone in this cold and cruel world. He accepted death because he was tired. Tired of living, tired of fighting, tired of waiting and tired of longing.
Ever since then Hinata swore never to forgive their mom. He blamed Haruki for not being there when him and their dad needed him. He didn't hate him as much as he hated their mom though.
PRESENT
Hinata wiped the tear away as he told the story and the room was quiet. " And that's why I only swim free."
" I'm sorry baby, I'm so sorry. I..I didn't know," Asahi said pulling Hinata for another hug.
Kōji and Arata felt guilty for reminding him of something he buried deep down.
" We... we're so sorry, Hinata I shouldn't have asked." Arata said but Hinata smiled.
" It's okay, I'd have said it sooner or later, and telling you guys make it seem like a heavy load has been lifted off my shoulders..... I'm feeling sleep," he said looking at Asahi, and Asahi carried him on his chest, lying down.
Arata and Kōji also drifted asleep.
" Are you sleeping baby?" Asahi asked, and Hinata who was already already accustomed to the nickname shook his head in reply.
" I just want you to know that I love you, I really do love you. I regretted leaving back then, but I was young and it was not my decision to make. No matter what I'll never leave you're side okay? I love you." He said and after few seconds of silence, Hinata raised his head, gave Asahi a quick kiss on the lips and went back to sleep, his heart racing uncontrollably. Asahi smirked at his cute reaction and cuddled him to sleep.