"Hajime!"

Iwaizumi turned at the sound of his name.

"What do you want, Tooru?"

The eight year old gave him a huge smile, all his teeth showing, as he held out his hand.

"The stars are pretty tonight! Lets go!"

Iwaizumi sighed as Oikawa took his hand, dragging him out the back door of his house. They laid side by side on the grass as Oikawa started pointing at all the constellations, informing Iwaizumi on their names.

"You see the three bright stars lined up? And the stars around it?" he asked. Iwaizumi nodded.

"That one is called Orion!" Oikawa exclaimed.

Iwaizumi stared at his best friend. He smiled as Oikawa rambled on passionately about Orion before pointing to the next constellation, but despite all the information Oikawa was trying to ram into his brain, Iwaizumi became too distracted by the light in Oikawa's eyes. He swears he can see the stars reflections.

"Hajime! Pay attention!"

Iwaizumi blinked and gave a nervous chuckle. "Sorry..."

"Hmph!" Oikawa puffed. "Anyway, as I was saying... you think the aliens are looking down at us?"

Iwaizumi's blank stare was answer enough.

"Don't look at me like that! Aliens exist! I'm sure of it!"

"Right," Iwaizumi chuckled.

They went into a mutual silence for a few minutes before Oikawa broke it.

"Hey, you and I will always be best friends, right?" he asked.

Iwaizumi looked at him, surprised by the sudden question. He glanced down at their hands, which were still together.

"Of course we will, you idiot. Why wouldn't we be?"

Oikawa was quiet for a while, before he broke into a smile.

"Good!"

"Iwa-chan!"

Iwaizumi twitched. "Stop calling me that! And what do you want?"

"Lets join the volleyball club together," Oikawa insisted. They were in their first year of middle school.

"No."

"But why, iwa-chan?" Oikawa whined.

"Just no. And stop with the stupid nickname!"

Oikawa pouted.

"Why can't you just join yourself? Why do I have to be involved?" Iwaizumi asked.

"Because, I want to play with you, too! You like volleyball, don't you?"

And yeah, he does like it. It's a fun sport to play. However, Iwaizumi wasn't sure if it was a sport he'd want to stick with growing older. He couldn't tell if volleyball, to him, was a fun hobby or a serious passion. He told Oikawa exactly that.

Oikawa pouted. "How will you know if you don't at least try?" he asked.

Iwaizumi didn't have an answer. Oikawa stumped him on this one. He sighed, "Fine, I'll think about it," he said, but after seeing Oikawa's smile, he knew he had his answer.

Their last year of middle school was the most stressful thanks to Oikawa's insecurities. Iwaizumi couldn't even begin to explain what could have happened if he didn't stop Oikawa from hurting their underclassman. It wasn't until that moment, when Oikawa over-worked himself too much, that Iwaizumi realized how much he cared for that idiot and how much he just wanted to help him.

Iwaizumi knew Oikawa was the best setter, but at that moment, those words wouldn't have meant much coming from him. That's why Iwaizumi took a more aggressive route to getting through to his best friend.

Oikawa looked up, eyes wide. Iwaizumi was pissed.

"Do you think you're fighting by yourself?! You've got to be kidding, you dumbass!" he yelled. "There are six players on the volleyball court! Even if our opponent's some genius first-year or Ushiwaka, the team with the better six is stronger, you dumbass!"

Oikawa was silent for a while.

Before they left the gym, Oikawa said the words, "all of a sudden, I feel invincible."

Iwaizumi felt satisfied that he was able to calm him down, but took a mental note to keep an eye on him.

"Really though, Iwa-chan," he complained, "did you have to head butt me that hard?"

"Would you like me to do it again?

It didn't take much for Iwaizumi to realize that what he felt for Oikawa wasn't what a regular best friend should feel.

Every time he talks about her, kisses her, touches her... even looks at her, Iwaizumi's blood boils in a way that can only be described as jealousy. Iwaizumi doesn't want to hate her. After all, she's his best friend's girlfriend. But that's just it, she's his best friend's girlfriend. More proof that Oikawa would never return his feelings.

It was in their first year of high school that Iwaizumi figured out his feelings for Oikawa, and now it's their third year and Iwaizumi has yet to confess. Hell, he hasn't even come out yet. He doesn't want to ruin their friendship and scare Oikawa away.

"You really are the perfect girlfriend!" he heard Oikawa say. The three of them were eating lunch together along with Hanamaki and Matsukawa.

The girl laughed, "honestly, you'd be lost without me."

Again, Oikawa forgot his lunch, and usually that was Iwaizumi's queue to share his (he always had extra food saved for him) only to find that his girlfriend brought an extra bento. Yeah, Iwaizumi wasn't in a good mood, but he was trying hard not to let that show, especially over something so small. After all, Oikawa didn't belong to him.

"Iwaizumi, you okay? You've been awfully quiet," asked Matsukawa.

"I'm fine," he lied.

Hanamaki gave him a look, and he could feel Oikawas gaze at the side of his face, but he ignored both.

The bell rang, and Iwaizumi was glad to get away from there.

When practice began, Oikawa's little club had decided to come watch, one of them being his girlfriend. "Tooru! Nice serve!" they heard her scream. Iwaizumi cringed at the use of Oikawa's first name. What gives her the right to call him that, he thought. But she had every right.

Iwaizumi was too busy moping that he almost missed a receive, barely keeping it in play. When the scrimmage was over, Hanamaki pulled him aside. "Are you sure you're fine? You seemed pretty distracted."

Iwaizumi was starting to get irritated. He was happy his friends cared for him, but this was something personal that he really didn't want to talk about. "I'm fine, just not feeling well," he lied. He gave Hanamaki a small smile, "don't worry so much."

It was obvious Hanamaki didn't believe him, but lucky enough for Iwaizumi, he decided not to press the issue.

Like usual, Iwaizumi waited for Oikawa after practice. Since they lived in the same neighbourhood, they always walked to and from school together.

They walked in a comfortable silence until Oikawa broke it. "Is something bothering you?" he asked.

Iwaizumi let out a frustrated groan. "How many times to I have to say it? I'm fine, nothing is bothering me," he told him.

Oikawa stopped walking. "You're lying," he said.

Iwaizumi stopped, sighed, then turned around to face him.

"Fine," he said. He looked down and hesitated before he admitted he was feeling stressed lately.

Oikawa asked why.

"It's personal," he said, "nothing I want to talk about right now."

Oikawa frowned.

"We're best friends, aren't we? We're supposed to talk about these things," he said.

Iwaizumi sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day. "I know, but I'm just not ready to talk about it right now."

"And when you are ready?" asked Oikawa.

"I'll come to you."

Oikawa's frown disappeared, but you could tell he wasn't satisfied. He gave a simple "okay" before they began walking to their destinations again.

"We still seeing that movie Sunday?" asked Oikawa.

There was a new sci-fi film Oikawa was dying to see, so Iwaizumi got them tickets to go opening night.

"Of course. I didn't buy two tickets to see it with my mom," he joked.

"Good," Oikawa laughed, "I'm excited."

Iwaizumi had to remind himself that it wasn't a date.

Saturday eventually rolled around, and Hanamaki and Matsukawa invited both Iwaizumi and Oikawa to hang out, whining that they haven't spent much time together as a group. Oikawa disagreed, saying they practice together therefore see each other everyday. Hanamaki rolled his eyes.

"There's a big difference in practicing and hanging out. It's our final year. Before we know it, the spring tournament will pass, hopefully we'll go to Nationals, and then graduate. We need to spend as much time together as we can!" he exclaimed.

Matsukawa then insisted they have lunch at his favorite burger place. They sat in a booth, Iwaizumi next to Oikawa and Matsukawa next to Hanamaki. Once their order was taken they started chatting and telling jokes. Hanamaki even showed them a few memes.

Iwaizumi was having fun. He missed times like these, and although he might not admit it, he knows Oikawa has missed this too. Everything was going well until they heard a familiar laugh by the entrance. They all turned to see Oikawa's girlfriend with someone they assumed to be her friend, both holding to-go boxes. Oikawa stood up and called out to her, and Iwaizumi couldn't help but feel like punching him.

She turned at the sound of her name, mood instantly brightening when she saw him. She started to walk over. Iwaizumi was going to be sick.

"I didn't know you would be here," she said. She introduced her friend.

Oikawa put on his best smile, a smile to big to be genuine. "Ah! Nice to meet you!"

The friend blushed, "th-the pleasures all m-mine!" she stuttered. Iwaizumi stopped himself from rolling his eyes. All girls were like this towards Oikawa. If only they knew what a piece of shit he really was.

Oikawa first introduced Hanamaki and Matsukawa.

"And this here right next to me is Iwa-chan. Be careful though, he's an angry brute most of the ti-"

Iwaizumi cut him off by stomping on his foot.

"Ow! See what I mean?"

Both girls giggled.

"I'm actually glad I ran into you. My mom is back from her travels and she's dying to meet you, so I wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner with us tomorrow..." she trailed off, obviously nervous.

"What time?"

"Eight."

Iwaizumi inwardly smirked. That was the same time as their movie, something Oikawa would never miss out on.

"I'll be there."

Iwaizumi whipped around and looked at Oikawa. Did he forget?

She smiled, "I see you then! Oh, and try to be a few minutes early, if it's not too much trouble," she said.

"You got it," said Oikawa with a thumbs up, ignoring Iwaizumi's glare.

The girls said their goodbyes then left the restaurant.

Matsukawa whistled, triggering a curious glance from Oikawa.

"It's only been a few weeks and you're already meeting the parents? A little fast if you ask me."

"Pfft. Please, it's perfectly fine," he replied.

"So you're definitely ready to be judged?" asked Hanamaki.

Oikawa placed a hand on his chest. "They'll love me! I'll make sure of it. After all, I'm a joy to be around."

Hanamaki scoffed. "I'd have to disagree with that."

"Rude! You're just like Iwa-chan."

Matsukawa spoke up, "speaking of, you look like you want to say something, Iwaizumi."

All eyes were on him.

"Sorry," spoke Oikawa. At least he looked guilty. "I know we were supposed to see that movie tomorrow, but... I can't really say no to my girlfriend, can I?"

Yes, Iwaizumi wanted to say. You can say no. Pick me over her.

But he knew that wasn't fair

"Don't worry about it. I understand."

Although it wasn't a lie, Iwaizumi couldn't say it was okay.

"What movie were you two going to see?" asked Hanamaki.

"Arrival," Iwaizumi replied.

"Oh! I'll go with you then, if that's okay," said Hanamaki.

"I do have an extra ticket," he smiled.

"Then it's settled. I'll meet you half an hour early?"

"Sounds good."

"What am I, chopped liver?" asked Matsukawa.

They laughed.

"I doubt its sold out. Want to go?" asked Iwaizumi.

Matsukawa grinned but shook his head. "I would love to, but I actually can't. I have to babysit tomorrow night."

Oikawa clapped his hands. "Well then, I'm glad that's all settled."

Their food finally arrived so they dug in.

After paying for their meals, they left the restaurant. Hanamaki left with Matsukawa while Iwaizumi left with Oikawa.

Hanamaki waved. "See you tomorrow, Iwaizumi!"

"Yeah," he waved back.

They were halfway to their neighborhood when Oikawa apologized again.

"I really did want to see that movie with you tomorrow, but..."

Iwaizumi's smile tightened. "It's fine. After all, can't really say no to your girlfriend, can you?"

Oikawa flinched at his tone.

"I promise I'll make it up to you," he said.

Iwaizumi let out a soft sigh once he calmed down.

His face softened. "Honestly, it's fine. We can see a movie some other time, so don't apologize. "