Iwaizumi: you fell asleep on me
Oikawa: But Iwa-chan it was boring
Iwaizumi: you were the one talking
Iwaizumi: you left me there like I'm a piece of trash
Oikawa: It's all because of you
Oikawa: You told me to keep it detailed and it bored me
Oikawa: As expected from everything that is detailed.
Oikawa was glad that they did not talk about Iwaizumi's little breakdown. It was unexpected, taking the state of calmness and collectiveness of Iwaizumi into consideration. Oikawa was proud of his ability to read people but it didn't work with Iwaizumi this time, they had been enjoying themselves and bam! Their mood ruined for some reason unknown.
Iwaizumi said that he needed Oikawa, almost begged him to stay on the line. It sure surprised Oikawa, and although it shouldn't, it pleased him. He wanted to see Iwaizumi from every angle possible, to learn every little thing about him, because of his curiosity of course. Just out of curiosity.
Iwaizumi: whatever
Iwaizumi: one should learn from his mistakes
Iwaizumi: at least i learned that you suck as a friend
Oikawa: Don't you have classes or something Iwa-chan
Oikawa: Stop breaking my heart
Iwaizumi: my tuesdays are free
Oikawa: Well, mine are not
Oikawa: See you later, friend!
Iwaizumi: mature.. very mature Oikawa
Iwaizumi: runnin away from your problems like that
Iwaizumi: i was going to say where we will go but now that you're busy
Oikawa: I don't have time but I can create some for you Iwa-chan
Iwaizumi: please don't
Iwaizumi: it is my duty to make sure that you are doing well with your responsibilities.
Oikawa: Iwa-chan!
Iwaizumi: bye, friend!
Oikawa grimaced and paid his attention to the girl who was making a presentation. He enjoyed the presentations, he liked to present his ideas and discuss them with his class. The atmosphere in his department was more than suitable for it and unlike the rest who had decided to keep their ideas to themselves, he liked to share.
Though, the case was not the same with sharing his emotions, and his mind shifted again to Iwaizumi. He was forcing Oikawa to share, not intentionally maybe but he was damn successful in each talk that passed between them. It was like he was waiting for Iwaizumi to set forth an outburst of emotions. More interestingly, it did not even have to be about himself, when Iwaizumi was the case, he felt the same outburst coming.
Iwaizumi deserved the best, he shouldn't be sad or bothered by anything in life, according to Oikawa. The guy was bearing with all his annoying attitude first of all. It was something rare, considering his whole life. Besides he was really considerate and flexible because of his versatile personality and it made Oikawa's head spin, and stomach drop. On one hand, he wanted to do everything to make sure that Iwaizumi lived a good life, felt good and was happy. On the other hand, the more selfish and dark side of Oikawa wanted to keep Iwaizumi away from everything and anything to prevent him from getting harm from the world just like he did.
When he was thinking all of this, Iwaizumi's attitude worried and scared him, because he did not want Iwaizumi's attention and specifically attraction. For a mere second, he was happy that Iwaizumi needed him, and said it without any hesitation. But it was only for a second, then the fear washed over him again. He was not the person that Iwaizumi should be needing, he was not the best. Oikawa was slowly coping with his problems and he did not want anything that required him to be the best, so thanks. It was okay for him to have a crush on Iwaizumi but it had to stay a one-sided thing. Maybe suffering would help him to become a poet, who knows?
Iwaizumi: i thought you would be more persistent
Iwaizumi: smth wrong?
That was exactly what Oikawa was thinking about. No one cared this much about him other than Hanamaki and his mother. Hanamaki was his best friend, and his mother was… She was his mother. He didn't know where to put Iwaizumi in his life, of course there were some appealing options but no, not appealing options. Could they become best friends? Yes, If Oikawa could manage to keep his fangirling to himself, which was not possible so no, not best friends either.
Oikawa: Iwa-chan are you my mom?
Iwaizumi: no but i'll gladly be your murderer
Oikawa: I highly doubt that.
Iwaizumi: SO
Iwaizumi: you're good, right? If there's anything bothering you, i'm here
Oikawa: Drop it already Iwa-chan!
Oikawa: I'm fiiine.
Iwaizumi: I don't expect you to be just fine
Iwaizumi: I want you to be great
Iwaizumi: because i'll take you somewhere you'll really like
Oikawa: It should be a place we both will like
Iwaizumi: i'm not forcing myself into something i don't want, if you're implying that
Oikawa: You should enjoy yourself, rather than thinking about others Iwa-chan
Iwaizumi: i appreciate your concern but i'd rather have both parties enjoy
Iwaizumi: so we will go there and have a good time
Iwaizumi: together
Oikawa: It will be on saturday, right?
Iwaizumi: right
Iwaizumi: unfortunately
Oikawa: You get addicted to me so easily Iwa-chan.
Oikawa: I know I'm impossible to resist but
Oikawa: Don't do that.
Iwaizumi: yes, it's hard to resist to the urge to break your neck
Iwaizumi: btw it's my life and my choices, you get away from them
Oikawa: Don't be rude
Oikawa: I'm just being a good friend
Iwaizumi: don't push yourself much
Oikawa gave out a deep sigh, those were words he had longed to hear for many years. He needed to be reminded of that fact fairly frequent and the only ones saying it were Matsukawa and Hanamaki. He wondered what kind of face Iwaizumi was making while saying that, and wished he had been able to see it.
Oikawa: Your fridays are also free
Oikawa: We can meet on friday
Iwaizumi: you're saying that because you will already be out of school, aren't you
Iwaizumi: nah, thanks
Oikawa: I meant it as another meeting but your rudeness spoiled it
Iwaizumi: are you serious?
Oikawa: No, I'm being incredibly sarcastic.
Iwaizumi: oh my god oikawa
Iwaizumi: where have you been all my life
Oikawa's eyes widened, so it was Iwaizumi's turn to use cheesy lines, huh? They were going closer and closer to the point of no return, for the hundredth time, and it was dangerous. He locked his phone, preventing himself from responding to those words. The class was about to end, so he absentmindedly started to pack his notes.
On his way home, he tried to focus on the things he saw here and there, on the people around him but it was all in vain. Looking at the sky, he forced himself to think about the NASA's news about the life in outer space, but the only life he was interested in was Iwaizumi. He shouldn't have promised anything, he shouldn't have been so friendly, so close, so open…
What were his options? It was obvious that there was something intimate between them no matter how much Oikawa tried to control himself. Iwaizumi was perfect on many sides, it was hard to not to be affected by him. He was nice and warm, he was willing to do anything for Oikawa and apparently was not holding himself back like Oikawa was. Iwaizumi was also handsome, it was an undeniable truth, especially for Oikawa. He remembered the night they spent together, it was such a hard time for him because Iwaizumi was more attractive and hotter than he imagined. He was gentle while stroking Oikawa's hair, he was determined, there was no doubt in his actions and it made Oikawa jealous at how easily Iwaizumi expressed himself.
The only thing was, for both Iwaizumi's and his purity, to set boundaries. It was sad but their timing was not right, it was too late, Oikawa was broken and Iwaizumi needed to be happy.
As soon as he arrived home, Oikawa undressed and got under his blankets, without checking his phone or computer. This whole situation depressed him and he was the only one to blame. As he was in all the fields in his life, he was not enough in this subject too. Swearing to his inadequacy, his hesitance, his lacking, he decided to enjoy Iwaizumi's presence until saturday.
If there were something for sure, it was the affection he was currently, strongly, passionately feeling towards Oikawa. He was right about Iwaizumi getting addicted to him, he was right when he said that he was not even trying to seduce Iwaizumi yet successful at it. Oikawa was the only person who annoyed Iwaizumi to hell, Oikawa was the only person whose absence made Iwaizumi unable to breathe, Oikawa was the only person Iwaizumi ever wanted to protect, only person he wanted to hold onto.
After his little breakdown, Iwaizumi came into the decision that he would make Oikawa happy at all costs. He wanted to keep that nerdy alien delighted, to keep his true, heart melting smile on his stupid pretty face forever.
Was that the feeling Iwaizumi has been looking for for years? Yes. First things first, why not? He'd had several relationships before but none of them made him feel that alive, that active. They had all been outcome of physical attraction, nothing on emotional level, thus short and not serious. He was looking for someone with whom he could share practically everything of his. It was what love meant to him, devoting everything one had, from all the joys to unbearable pains, to the one particular person. That one person was to be the other's soulmate. Iwaizumi wanted to test and see whether Oikawa was that special person or not.
There was a frozen lake where his father had taken him in every winter since his infancy. His plan was to take Oikawa there. It was a secluded area, therefore they could be alone, which he thought would please Oikawa. Iwaizumi himself was eager to go too, he had wanted to visit there for some time but had not been able to find a chance yet. The transportation was provided by the ways of ropeways, so if nothing else, they could enjoy the scenery.
It was not the only thing on his mind, searching for some answers, Iwaizumi was determined to make Oikawa spill everything in his mind out. They could argue and even fight, he didn't mind, the only thing he minded was keeping the things that bothered Oikawa away. Speaking of Oikawa… that idiot had not texted him for almost a day, which was firing up his worries. Deciding to take the lead in conversation, as a true adult, Iwaizumi sent the first message.
Iwaizumi: don't tell me you've started preparing for saturday so hard that you forgot to text me
Oikawa: I haven't.
Oikawa: You sounded awfully like me.
Iwaizumi: your saltiness level can compete with mediterranean sea and win
Oikawa: Then go take it out.
Iwaizumi: how rude!
Oikawa: That is my line, Iwa-chan.
Iwaizumi: then don't make me use it again
Oikawa: I'm sorry, classes are keeping me busy.
Oikawa: And tense, of course
Oikawa: I didn't mean to be rude.
Iwaizumi: idk
Iwaizumi: you broke my glass heart
Oikawa: LOL
Oikawa: Your heart is anything but a glass
Iwaizumi: it hurt
Oikawa: It did not hurt when you were torturing your books
Oikawa: You deserved this
Oikawa: Take it as a man Iwa-chan
Iwaizumi: they like the way i treat them
Iwaizumi: i haven't seen any of them leaving so far
Oikawa: It doesn't mean that they don't want to
Iwaizumi: of course they don't, they're mine
Oikawa: I scorn you, scurvy companion.
Iwaizumi: i beg your pardon but
Iwaizumi: did you just insult me
Iwaizumi: with a shakespeare-insult?
Oikawa: How do you know?
Oikawa: (。ŏ_ŏ)
Iwaizumi: i googled it
Oikawa: I memorized 45 of his insults
Iwaizumi: that's something you'd do
Iwaizumi: i'm not surprised
Oikawa: But nobody knows it
Oikawa: Must stay between us
Oikawa: Seal it with an embarrassing thing about you
Iwaizumi: there's nothing embarrassing about me
Oikawa: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Iwaizumi: i have a hidden photo album in my phone, full of spider pics
Iwaizumi: i mean thousands of them
Oikawa: O horror, horror, horror!
Oikawa: Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!
Iwaizumi: are you studying shakespeare or what
Oikawa: I feel Shakespeare today, not Tooru.
Iwaizumi: i want my tooru back
Iwaizumi: you're dead, shakes, now march to your grave please
Oikawa: Sometimes I hear voices
Oikawa: Telling me I am dead.
Iwaizumi groaned with frustration, Oikawa was playing with him. He already knew that Oikawa became sassy when he was angry but Iwaizumi never witnessed it to this extent. It was clear that Oikawa did not want to talk, so he let it be. He had promised to do a video call with his friends from India and actually did not have time for Oikawa's sass, although he was curious about the cause of it.
Anil, his friend from India, was a good guy, Iwaizumi liked to hang out with him and his band. There were four members of his squad, two guitarists who were twin brothers and a drummer girl, Anil's girlfriend, and himself, as vocal. Despite being a local band, they had been giving concerts in overseas and Iwaizumi met them during one of those in Indonesia. Their music was light and calming, it could be considered indie but they played all kinds of songs while practising. Iwaizumi learned through experience from many times abroad that musicians were the most secure and reliable people when one was an outsider in a country. There had been days when he had to wander in streets for a place to stay and most of the time, street musicians helped him to find a good one.
Iwaizumi himself was also interested in music since his childhood but never found a chance to pay attention to it, nor was he allowed to. His parents brought him up as though they were raising up a aristocrat, they shaped him up as they please until college. Iwaizumi did exactly what he was told, counting it as a payback for their efforts in his well being. However in college, he started to think more about himself, he was always thinking before but this time on more existential level. He had a one life and was going to live rest of it as he pleased, so he decided on his travels.
His travels added to Iwaizumi's personality much. For the first time in his life, he experienced starvation in Ghana. He went boating and got lost for two days in Venice. For the first time he celebrated Losar and prayed with the natives in Tibet. For the first time in his life, someone divided his pritzel into two for sharing it with Iwaizumi in Bosphorus, and he learned the true meaning of melancholy in Istanbul. For the first time in his life, he played Halimora with Caucasian children in the foothills of Mount Elbrus. In Nordaustlandet, he saw the sun that never sets. He ate the tastiest viennoiseries in Sebastien Gaudard, in Paris. Those were only a part of what he lived. He saw so many cities and so many people, he met hundreds of them, and as his parents had done, those people also shaped Iwaizumi, bringing him into his current self.
Coming back to the talk with his friends, it was to persuade him into the Singapore tour they were planning. There was nothing specific about there but after it, they would come to Tokyo and they wanted to bring Iwaizumi with them both as a guide and a member of their band as they promised before. Normally, he would jump at this offer but he was feeling exhausted. Of course he would gladly guide them, join them in Tokyo but the Singapore part was… to be honest, he was still excited about Oikawa's cameo into his life, internally, and wanted to focus on their friendship for a while. Additionally, it had been merely two weeks since he returned from France, for the heaven's sake, he wanted to rest.
"Lord Henry went out to the garden and found Dorian Gray burying his face in the great cool lilac-blossoms, feverishly drinking in their perfume as if it had been vine. He came close to him and put his hand upon his shoul-"
"Hoe don't do it-" Oikawa cut Matsukawa's voice.
"SHOulder. 'You are quite right to do that,' he murmured. 'Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul'"
"Awww."
"That's it- I'm gonna hang up!" Matsukawa said "Why am I the one reading this"
"Because I like your voice Mattsun, I'd like to make babies with it If I had a chance." answered Oikawa, changing the phone to his other hand to check his nails.
"No babies, gentleman, leave your gayness out while talking to my man." Hanamaki yelled warningly.
"Don't worry honey, everything is under my control. I was about to hang up on this perv."
"No you were not, Mattsun! You promised to read until I feel satisfied." he whined, hitting the bed with his feet.
"I'm reading for three hours but you are not even close to being satisfied Oiks, let me live my life in peace."
"Go stick to your cause of nervousness!" again yelled Hanamaki. He easily became jealous with Matsukawa and it amused Oikawa every time he witnessed this.
"I'm not nervous!" he yelled back "I'm just trying to repress my overflow of negative feelings with the help of calmness coming from the voice of a person to whom I thrust deep inside."
"Don't use academic language with me!" he heard some muffling sounds from the other end of the line and the phone was now obviously on Hanamaki.
"But mom-"
"I'm not your mom, I will make you pay our telephone bill." Hanamaki sneered.
"Makki but-"
"No buts, go call Iwaizumi or I will call and ask for his address so that I can be able to post him your embarrassing photos."
"It was nice to talk, bye, guys!" Oikawa bursted out at speed of light and hanged up.
Oikawa was so busy with his assignments and presentations that they could not speak a word properly to Iwaizumi. It had been two days since they last talked, not talk actually but Oikawa bitching around. They nevertheless sent 'good mornings' and 'good nights', and occasionally talked about their days but those were not counted as gratifying so… their plan to go out was tomorrow and although Oikawa was dead curious about where they would go, he didn't asked. The idea of accepting to go somewhere unknown was terrifying for him, he strongly prefered to be in control of everything in his life. However, he trusted Iwaizumi with his choices and wanted to show both it and the fact that he could go out with anyone and have no problems with it.
He also made up his mind on putting some space between Iwaizumi and himself. At least make sure of the fact that they were just friends and would stay like that for the rest of their time together. For everyone's sakes.
Even so, a phone call wouldn't hurt anyone, would it? They could not find a chance to talk yet and the whereabouts of their meeting was waiting to be decided. Not that he wanted to hear Iwaizumi's voice or something, the situation required a call, so he dialled the number. After three rings, Iwaizumi answered with a huff.
"Hey, wait a sec" he greeted but did not continue, rather Oikawa heard screams and other strange noises and Iwaizumi yelling "Okay guys, party is over now go home- no there's not where people sleep! Yuuji get your shit together! Or don't, take your friends and go-"
Oikawa smiled while listening to Iwaizumi's struggle with his obviously drunk friends. Though he didn't go out much, even Oikawa knew the reputation of Terushima Yuuji and his party squad. It was not bad kind of reputation though, people liked hanging out with them and Oikawa would never understand why. Iwaizumi's cough took him out of his thoughts.
"Hey, Iwa-chan."
"Hi again Oikawa, sorry to keep you waiting." now there was only Iwaizumi's voice.
"I had fun while listening you struggle actually." he said.
"Oh yes- I forgot for a moment that you're a demon, who watches the world crumble and burn with his popcorn."
Oikawa pouted "Didn't your parents teach you not to look down on others' fancies?"
"You're not even denying it anymore." Iwaizumi laughed and Oikawa decided to keep his angry response to himself, for the sake of that laugh.
"No matter how much I denied it, you kept on calling me that and I had no other choice but to go with it." Oikawa laughed too.
"So? Why did you call? Anything wrong?" serious Iwaizumi was back.
"Do I need a reason to call you Iwaizumi-san?" serious Oikawa sounded strange.
There was a pause, "No... but you just surprised me, after sassing three days long..."
"I was overwhelmed by responsibilities, Iwa-chan, it was a hard week," he sighed. It was the truth, along with the thoughts of how to put a distance between them though.
"I'm not complaining but you could share some of your trouble with me, you don't have to be alone."
"Uh, thanks," was all he could manage out. Iwaizumi knew all of his weak points and was hitting them one by one every time.
"Don't just thank me- dumbass, do as I say!" other male was riled at him.
"I decide what I will do or won't do Iwa-chan," Oikawa defended himself.
"Ahh- I see… there is still some salt left."
"I'm not salty, if anything, I'd be luscious," he opposed. God, haven't this guy met Tsukishima Kei yet? He is salty. Not me. Pickles are salty. Jonathan Swift was salty. Not me. Matsukawa's omelettes are salty. Every single time. Napoleon Bonaparte was salty. Small and salty. Not me. Not Oikawa.
"Salty things can be luscious too."
Oikawa started to cough uncontrollably. Iwaizumi sounded serious about his subject but Oikawa couldn't help it. None of those up was luscious, including Tsukishima. No, exclude pickles. Oikawa liked pickles. He wouldn't let them be victims of generalization.
"Anyway Iwa-chan, I thought you couldn't get any sleep because of excitement and come to relieve it a bit."
He heard Iwaizumi 'tch' and giggled silently, "The part about not getting any sleep is true, out of all nights, Terushima decided to throw a party tonight."
"You said he barely comes by."
"Yes, this is the first time we've seen each other after my arrival." he sighed.
"I hope it also happen to be last."
"Why did you said so?" said Iwaizumi, taken aback.
This time Oikawa sighed, "Your voice comes out tired and rough Iwa-chan, this is not fun, this is pain."
He heard Iwaizumi exhale loudly "you're right, I don't even know when our room will be available for me to be able to sleep."
"You can always come by." he offered without thinking. Apparently, Inner Oikawa was not taking any of the shit of Outer Oikawa about putting a distance.
"I know, thanks."
"Don't just thank me Iwa-chan! Do as I say." he repeated Iwaizumi's earlier phrase.
"I'm not a proud shit like you, I have no problem in doing things that others say."
"What a coincidence Iwa-chan, me neither!" he dismissed.
"Oikawa, I want to punch you in the ribs," Iwaizumi's voice was low.
Oikawa, too, made his voice low intentionally "Oh, exactly how much do you want it Iwaizumi?"
"So much that it makes my fingers twitch."
"Iwa-chan you can't guess how much I like messing with you while you're away from me."
"You won't like me messing with your ribs."
"Nah- It depends, you know-" he said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, although they were talking on the phone.
"Oikawa!" Iwaizumi cut him warningly.
"Let a man dream, Iwa-chan!" he whimpered in response and continued, "I was serious about the offer though, we're going to meet early tomorrow, aren't we? You should sleep well to handle me."
"I can sort that out by myself."
"Share your troubles with me Iwaizumi." Oikawa said with highly concerned voice.
"That's it, I'm going to Singapore, I can't take your shit anymore."
"At least don't tell me where you will go, now I have no other choice but haunt you in there too."
Iwaizumi chuckled on the other end of the line and it would sound so cheesy, fluffy, romantic and corny but Oikawa's heart swelled with it.
