A thousand cranes
Through the Crusador‘s tiny porthole the colours of dusk were crawling in. A lively orange and a soothing saturated purple ushered in a calm night on board of one of Astoria‘s most infamous battle ships. There was dead silence in the galley. Only the scratching sound of a pen on rough paper could sometimes break it. The room reeked of centuries old garlic and booze. A smell Hitomi was already so used to that she wasn’t bothered by it anymore. The crew of stinky but friendly soldiers didn’t pay much attention to housekeeping, no matter how often their commander lectured them. However, above all these olfactory impositions, she was sure to catch a breeze of fresh air and nature… The girl just stood and watched. Indeed, it was a peculiar sight. After a short search she had found the king of Fanelia here of all places. Only accompanied by a mug plus a kettle full of green tea and a considerable mountain of paper he sat at a high table. Was he seeking solitude? “Hey", she finally dared to greet. “Hey yourself“, he replied, not startled or surprised in the slightest. He had probably sensed her presence the moment she decided to search for him. “Are you busy?”, she asked. “Not too busy for you.” He made a welcoming gesture toward the bar stool next to him. Smiling brightly she walked closer and slipped onto it. In order to make herself comfortable she took off her jacket.
Without asking he poured some tea into a cup she hadn’t spotted before. Did he deliberately placed it there in case she would decide to join him? The thought delighted her. Despite not being a big fan of the bitter beverage, she took a few sips. While doing so she glanced over the small table covered in documents. Sadly she had never found the time nor energy to study the Gaean alphabet. It was very different from the Japanese kana or the Latin letters she had to learn at school. At least she could admire his elegant handwriting, which looked as if he took extra care to every stroke of ink. “So many papers. Are you already writing your memoirs?” “In fact, I do”, he said and picked up one of the papers, well aware of the fact that she couldn’t decipher it. He gave her a serious glance and pretended to read in a grandfatherly manner. “Once upon a time there was a brave, strong, INCREDIBLE handsome prince who ventured out to prove himself worthy of the crown. Mysterious lightning took him away, through time and space, to a place far away. There, in the mystic realm called “sports field” he duelled a horrible dragon, saving the lives of some innocent bystanders in the process. With the help of the girl he was victorious. However, despite the fact that he had just been beaten up badly by the deadly beast, said girl rewarded the poor guy only with a loud slap in the face.” “Sorry.”, Hitomi couldn’t help but chuckle and feel a bit guilty. “In my defence the prince was just as rude as he was handsome. I hope you will come up with something nice to say about me.” He frowned and stroked his chin in a gesture obviously copied from Dryden. “Let me think… over the course of their shared adventures the former prince, now king, slowly realised that the violent girl was truly special in multiple ways. She saved his rude skin more times than he could count. She stood by his side without expecting anything in return. She was clever, strong, the fastest runner this world had ever known, brave… kind…“ Hitomi felt her cheeks flush with hot blood. His eloquent speech surprised and entchanted her. Never before had he so openly flattered her. Van had to clear his throat before continuing. "Compassionate… funny… beautiful…“ As Hitomi‘s smile grew wider, Van hid his face more and more behind the paper he was holding. “And the king…” By now only his bright red ears and the chaos of pitch black hair could be seen. His voice was tender and almost caressed her skin as his made up memoirs came to an end. “He fell in love with her… so deeply that it was often impossible for him to think of anything else than her wonderful green eyes…”
“Van”, she whispered. What he had said could easily be described as incredibly cheesy, even slimy. If it hadn’t been coming from the exact right person, this formerly always grumpy young man in front of her. Who had opened up to her so much during their time together. What a delightful journey it had been getting to know his unfiltered self. She leaned forward until their knees touched. Gently she pushed aside his hiding paper. Behind it the sight of his nervous expression made her giggle. “I didn’t know there was a little poet sleeping inside of you.” “Hitomi… I want you to know… how much you mean to me.“ "I do know. But it’s still nice to hear you say it.“ She came even closer. She always found it hilarious how confused he looked whenever she wanted to kiss him. As if he couldn’t quite believe what was happening. Their first clumsy attempt at a kiss had taken place shortly after Zaibach’s defeat and the final return to Pallas. Hitomi hadn’t been sure if it had been appropriate since the devastating events of the war were not yet far in the past. But he had looked so lost and depressed when she had explained the circumstances of his brother‘s death to him. Upon seeing his watering eyes she simply had not been able to hold back. Closing the space between them, she had pulled him into a comforting embrace. Quickly one thing had let to another. It hadn’t been exactly bad, simply just as fragile and helpless as first kisses often were. And a bit surreal. However, Hitomi preferred an honest, emotional kiss over a perfect one by a long shot. Proving himself once more as a fast learner Van's technique had become better and better over the course of their little romance. As soon as he had gotten over the obligatory first shock, he played his part with astonishing self-confidence. For such a pointy guy like him, with a sinewy body full of sharp angles, his lips were surprisingly soft. A hint of the tea‘s bitterness still lingered on them. As they exchanged tenderness the Crusador‘s smooth flight gently cradled them above the clouds. Flying towards a horizon whose darkness slowly spread across the purple sky. “But now, Shakespeare, tell me", she demanded after their lips finally demanded some well deserved rest. “What are you really writing here?” To her surprise a long sigh escaped him. “Stuff I need to do once we arrive back home. Get an overview of the situation. See what has already been done. Formulate decrees. Organise what is needed, build shelters, work out time schedules and supply routes, prioritise.“ His index finger described a circle at his temple. “These things keep on rotating in my head so I thought writing it all down might help me clear my mind.” “I see.” She glanced again over the to-do lists mountains. “Kingly business then.” “Afraid so… and plan Folkens funeral. I can only pray our family grave is still intact.” His words were calm and collected, giving the impression that he had at last found peace with the loss of his only remaining family member. But then, in an sudden expression of despair, he ran a hand over his face and through his hair. „I still don’t know how I should explain myself to the people. Why I dare to bring back the body of an alleged traitor and want to give him an honorable resting place instead of simply burying him in a pit somewhere…“ "Van. Expecting the worst will only make it come true. We‘ll figure it out together.“ she promised, tracing the white knuckles on his clenched fist with her thumb. He hadn’t been wearing neither his gloves nor his sword since the departure from Astoria. For a moment she enjoyed his face liting up and the concerned line of his mouth curving to one side. Although she had no idea yet how, they would come up with a solution. As always. „Agreed.“ He opened his hand to lace his fingers with hers.
Sharing the mutual feeling of unbreakable connection they fell silent for a while. Until she freed her hand to fiddle with a blank piece of paper. “What about a school?” “Hmmm?” He had started to write something down and was now looking up at her. “You know. Set up an educational system. I admit to know very little about ruling a country, however… everything you described so far was to guarantee bare survival, which is fine of course. But wouldn’t it be good to invest effort into teaching the children a thing or two? Reading, writing, basic mathematics.” On the last word she shivered demonstratively which made him huff a little laugh. “Something that might take their minds off the past and help heal the trauma. Would be an investment in the future, don’t you think?” She saw him ponder the suggestion, head slightly tilted like a curious puppy. “That is a great idea. Would you volunteer as a teacher?” The last sentence escaped his mouth and immediately it filled him with regret. She wasn’t coming to Fanelia to stay, of course. Her return home had been decided long before. May the gods have mercy on his idiot heart… she was still here yet he was already beginning to miss her painfully. “Your trust in my skills honours me.”, she said after a short, uncomfortable silence. “Yet I fear I am just as qualified to be a teacher as I am to be a chef.” He didn’t believe that one bit. Again he wished he could find the right words that would make her stay with him for all eternity. Instead he changed the subject. “What are you doing to that paper?” “Oh?” She looked down and saw to her own surprise a half-done origami between her fingers. Her hands had simply moved on their own accord. “It’s supposed to be a crane.” At first she considered that there was no such bird on Gaea because his face turned from curious to downright confused. "That’s what cranes look like in your world? Are you sure? Do they even fly?“ She gave him a reproving look but knew he was just trying this brand new thing called humour. Unimpressed by his teasing she continued to fold until her little creation was done. She placed it in his palms. There it laid between his fingers, looking even more delicate than before in contrast to his rough skin. Its fragile wings were proudly spread, ready for take off. He gazed at it with awe. Then surprised her with a question. “Can you show me how to make one?” "I'd love to.“ Within moments all dull bureaucracy was forgotten. Hitomi saw Van wrinkle his forehead in cute concentration as he followed her instructions. The paper was surprisingly well suited for something like that and he showed more talent than expected. Soon they admired his first crinkly attempt at the high art of Origami. "Not even half bad.“ She placed her own crane close to his so that their beaks where almost touching. "You know.“, she lectured with enthusiasm. ”In my culture the crane is a symbol of peace and a long, happy life.“ Carefully he repeated the words as if he feared they would break in his mouth. "In addition, legend has it that whoever is enduring enough to fold a thousand ones will be granted a wish.” "Really?“ He looked full of hope, treating the legend like a scientific fact. He would gladly fold a million more just to have one wish fulfilled. Make their situation less complicated. Somehow change her mind…
"Let me show you something else!“, she exclaimed when he reached for the next paper to produce 999 more right on the spot. "Something that flies for real. Observe.“ Not long after her announcement and another round of crafting they were both equipped with paper planes. Hitomi jumped to her feet. „This tiny kitchen cell is barely suitable for its maiden flight. Let’s go somewhere spacious!“ Her energy was quickly catching on. “I know just the perfect place.”
After a short race through the narrow corridors they reached the almost deserted cargo bay. Escaflowne, tall and mighty, crouched in an uncomfortable looking pose, oversleeping the entire foyage home. Taken completely out of context it looked like some piece of abstract art better to be displayed in an edgy museum. As if it was the most natural thing in the world Van and Hitomi climbed the gigantic knees and swang themselves onto the battle machine’s shiny shoulders. "Three, two, one!“, Hitomi played the countdown and released her plane by giving it a mighty push. With as much grace as imaginable it glided through space. Finally it landed on top of a whisky barrel. Van whistled his respect. "Try to beat that!“ she challenged him. "Wasn’t aware this was a competition…“, he murmured while trying his best to imitate her gesture. Indeed his own plane surprised with a confident tour through the bay. Still it crash landed several meters before hers on the floor. Hitomi couldn’t help but chuckle when he let out a disappointed huff. "Again!“, he demanded, already climbing down. The endeavour had clearly woken his competitive side. In practically no time his plane glided further than hers and he even mastered a little looping. "This might come as a surprise.“, she said with a wink. "But I think you are a natural at flying.“ Her little joke was honoured by a laugh. Hitomi couldn’t stop smiling. Never in the entire history of mankind were there two people having so much fun with just two pieces of paper. She loved the playful mood he was in today. Not a care in the world. She observed how he run after their two planes to fetch them. The widest grin ever to be seen on his face made her believe in a bright future for him and whole Gaea. Could things someday always be as easy as they were tonight?
Fortuna be thanked they met nobody on their way to the quarters. The Crusador almost felt like a ghost ship so quiet was it. Expect for the few poor souls guarding the bridge the crew was probably busy sobering up. Even the notoriously omnipresent Merle had made herself scarce. A bit exhausted from their play and definitely drunken from having fun, Van and Hitomi walked side by side. Without much thought, she had taken his hand. The way he held hers tight felt natural and reassuring. Was she hearing things or was he really humming a little song for her? Far too soon Hitomi and Van stood in front of his cabin door. Her own sleeping arrangements were on the starboard side of the ship. “So, here we are.“ Unwilling to leave Hitomi leaned against the wall. There she felt the gentle vibration of the ship‘s engines at her back and looked at Van with a somewhat unsure smile. For the first time ever it was him who initiated a kiss. Perhaps he also wasn’t quite ready to let her go just yet. Helplessly drowning in endorphins she responded to the tender pressure of his lips. It was different than the one earlier. Somehow expressing a longing or did her mind play tricks on her? Whatever, she just went along with it. In a small yet significant motion he moved a bit closer until his upper body slightly touched hers. The connection was already enough for her to feel the thunderous beat of his heart. He paused for a second, fearing she would demand him to leave her personal space. But to his infinite joy she simply swung her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer. Soon their play became braver than ever before. He gently traced the curve of her waist, allowing her to tousle his wild hair in return. A warmth grew between them Hitomi found both beautiful and dangerous. That unique scent of fresh air and nature was all around her. Her knees were wobbeling like a jelly fish riding a carousel. If not for his strong arms holding her close, she would have helplessly collapsed on the ground. He didn’t really need to unfold those amazing wings of his to make her fly… So why did he suddenly pull away? Van loved how she looked. Illuminated only by a small lamp her eyes shone like a million stars. Her cheeks were painted in a soft pink. Her lips were a little puffy and a healthy red from the kisses he had placed there. Cupping her face in his palms he summoned all the courage in the world to ask a simple but sincere question: "Will you stay with me tonight?“ "What?“, she whispered with a confused smile. When the significance of his question sunk in, her heart began to drum so loud in her chest it became almost deafening. He knew he could destroy everything now. Or win a lot if he choose the words wisely. "Tomorrow we arrive at my homeland and everything will change. I doubt we’ll have any more moments like this together. So maybe tonight, for the last time, we can be just ourselves?“ Her eyes widened. Was it by fear? Was he pushing her in a direction she wasn’t comfortable to go to? „We don’t have to do anything…“ "Yes.“ Now it was his turn to sheepishly ask: „What?“ "Yes, I will stay with you.“ His inner self burst into anthems of joy. "Tonight.“ she precised her promise, fearing the false hope that burned brightly in his chestnut irises. He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Tonight.", he repeated, lips still in touch with her skin. "Okay then… I think you were about to show me your room.“ He took her by the hand, opened the sliding door to his quarter and led her inside.
Continue with the next chapter on ao3. But be warned, because things are about to get hot.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/64637239/chapters/166035343?&view_adult=true
Originally, I wrote this story as part of my long running fanfic. Few weeks back I decided to rewrite it in English since I believe it works without much context. I deliberately decided to post this today on Van‘s birthday (44 and still got it, seriously). The character really deserves some love sometimes after everything.
Fun fact: my husband loves to fold cranes. We have them laying around our house everywhere!
Ahhh love it! This is so sweet! ~
Also I love origami too! He should make koi fish origami next
