Oikawa had slept fine and had also managed not to eat the boy even though he smelt divine. The pain in his side, the blood… Oikawa had been through much worse. He had still managed to fall asleep and woke to find big, luminous golden eyes staring into his soul. 

‘Are you feeling better?’ the boy called Hinata asked him.

Oikawa could not understand, as they dusted themselves off and prepared to leave, how trusting and considerate this walking ginger snack was. Oikawa was no one to him, just a stranger and yet Hinata enquired about every tiny thing: how Oikawa slept, how was the pain, how Oikawa was feeling. 

‘As soon as we get to grandmas we should clean your wound! You should also know - my grandma, she isn’t well. I am not sure how much food we will have to share but I am sure we’ll give you something!’ Hinata smiled.

Oikawa stared. The boy’s smile was breathtaking.

‘We are in a famine,’ Oikawa said, fixated on that pretty sunny face.

‘So?’

‘So not even scraps should be given to strangers.’

The sunny smile faded and was replaced with deep consideration. 

‘But then,’ Hinata gazed up at Oikawa, ‘how then will the stranger survive?’

Somewhere in the forest, a bird called, high-pitched and piercing, beautiful but unnerving. 

‘How will you survive,’ Hinata asked, ‘if you are away from family, if circumstance has made you alone?’

‘But why should you care… whether I survive?’

‘Because… I could be you. And you could be me. And the only way we’re going to get through the famine is if we help each other.’ 

For a moment Oikawa was enchanted like one under a spell but then it broke -

No, Oikawa thought to himself, the only way to get through the famine is if you help yourself. He gripped his palms.

‘Let's go to your grandma’s house.’

They were cold but movement soon brought warmth. Oikawa couldn’t help it: every time he breathed in he could smell the blood of the pigeon and boy and it was an intoxicating mix. The cooing and fluttering of the pigeon was distracting but not as distracting as the smell of Hinata’s skin. But fortunately for Oikawa, he was a master of self-control and also the orange-haired boy made excellent conversation. As they journeyed and talked about Hinata’s family and the famine, Oikawa almost forgot that he was talking to his food. Hinata shared about his mother and sister, and his father traveling South, and the reasons why grandma stayed where she lived.

‘Grandpa died only last year. He was a woodcutter. That was why they lived further out. She loved him so, she didn’t want to leave her home because all her memories of him are there.’

Oikawa could not remember the last time he had conversed this long with another human. More than that, he could not remember the last time he had conversed and enjoyed it. Not forced to explain himself and conjure up excuses, or flirt and behave a certain way to allure someone to a secluded place, to use his well-skilled charm; here his prey had walked right up to him and did not seem suspicious of his wound or back story but had attached to him as if Oikawa was harmless. 

As they ambled along enjoying each other’s company, Oikawa forgot that he was hungry, forgot that he was supposed to be in character, forgot that he was a -

‘There’s grandma’s house!’

A small, circular cottage stood in a clearing right before the next wood. It had a tilted thatched roof made of a patchwork of miscoloured straw, and a chimney. Hinata’s excitement was infectious and for a moment Oikawa too felt excited and then had to snap himself out of it.

They approached and Hinata ran up and banged on the door.

‘Grandma, it’s Shoyo!!’

The small wooden door opened and out shuffled a short, plump belly of a woman, with grey hair tucked in a bun and beautiful, warm eyes that Oikawa recognised. 

‘Shoyo?! Is that you?!!!’

Oikawa worried for a moment that she would topple down with the force of which Hinata jumped on her but all her wobbles cushioned the impact and she safely embraced him.  

‘What a wonderful surprise! And who is this tall and handsome guest you’ve brought with you??’ Grandma asked, eying Oikawa as she released Hinata.

‘This is Oikawa! I met him in the forest!’

She gave Oikawa the once-over with her eyes - which was enough for Oikawa to catch her scorching suspicion. Not that prey as old as her would be able to escape, suspicious or not.

Oikawa bowed low. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you. Your grandson came to my aid when I was hurt in the forest and provided me with care. I am merely escorting him to you and will hinder you no more. I shall now be on my way -’

Oikawa made to go but two different hands grabbed each of his wrists. Hinata held his left and Grandma held his right.

‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Grandma chimed. ‘In such times we need unity and companionship! And also - food!’ 

Who were these crazy people, Oikawa wondered, as he was almost dragged into the cottage. Who welcome a wolf into a sheep’s pen?