Chpt 9: I'm not dating my cousin...
Never had the silent treatment lived up so fully to its name. Iwaizumi's whole world was so much quieter without Oikawa. At first he thought that it would be a bit of a relief, but it had been so long since they fought like this that he forgot just how oppressive silence could be when you're use to someone constantly texting you in class, whining at you during passing periods, hanging on you during lunch and practice, and retelling the same story to you on your walk to and from school. Sure, he was talking to other friends (he had plenty, no matter what Oikawa teased him about), but they just weren't as all consuming as his best friend. Even surrounded by his teammates in the weight room seemed abnormally quiet.
That's probably because you don't have a crush on any of your other friends, reminded a deviously honest voice. He groaned in response, happy to see Watari approaching him for help with weight training. Anything to distract himself.
"Thanks for spotting me," Watari said, sitting at the weights. "I know you normally do this with Oikawa, but I figured since he isn't here," Watari let his voice fade away, obviously noticing the annoyed look on Iwaizumi's face. Watari cleared his throat and tried again, "Where is he any way?"
"How should I know," shrugged Iwaizumi, watching the libero push the weights up and away from his chest. Watari gave him a look before bringing the weight down again. Iwaizumi sighed, caught. He added, "I think he's at some student government meeting. They usually put on a festival around this time and I bet they're trying to rope us into it."
"You don't sound very sure," Watari noted continuing his reps as they chatted.
"Oikawa and I haven't really been on speaking terms," Iwaizumi grumbled.
"Because of that comment you made during practice," Watari nodded, knowingly.
"And because he's a brat," Iwaizumi added, annoyed that so many people thought this was his fault, because it wasn't.
Okay, it was mostly his fault, but it took two people to complete a week of silent treatment and it's not like Iwaizumi hadn't tried to make amends. Just this morning he'd arrived to class (after his eerily quiet walk to school) to find Oikawa scribbling down the rest of his homework. Iwaizumi had watched out of the corner of his eye. Oikawa's hair bounced as he moved his head from the open textbook to his paper. A few times he paused to shake his wrist, obviously cramping from the speed. Oikawa had paused, as if sensing Iwaizumi's gaze (which he probably did). When their eyes met, Oikawa had opened his mouth, then closed it. It was the perfect time to offer an olive branch.
"You should have done that last night," Iwaizumi said gruffly. Sure, it wasn't the best apology, but it was the first words they'd said outside of practice to one another in days. That should have counted for something!
"That doesn't count for anything," Matsukawa informed him during lunch when Iwaizumi complained about it to him.
"It's what I'd normally say," Iwaizumi snapped.
"Did you get hit too hard with a volleyball? How is that the apology you came up with?"
Iwaizumi didn't reply.
"How'd he react," Matsukawa asked.
"I don't know," Iwaizumi shrugged.
In fact, Iwaizumi had seen the setter's response. Oikawa's mouth had opened again in shock before making a tch sound and going back to his notes, brows furrowed and glaring furiously at the paper he was writing on. He wasn't going to tell Matsukawa, Hanamaki, or Watari that though. He was already getting enough shit as it was.
Watari paused in his reps, giving Iwaizumi a look as if he wanted to prod further. Before he could, Iwaizumi found the perfect distraction in the form of Yahaba, mid-squat, asking, "What's Hanamaki doing?"
Iwaizumi glanced up. From his position, he could see right through the single open door and out across the field. Hanamaki was standing with a few girls, all leaning over something. The girls pointed at whatever it was between them, before exchanging looks. Hanamaki replied to a question. The girls discussed again. Was that money exchanging hands?
"Matsukawa," Iwaizumi called. "What is Hanamaki doing?"
Matsukawa didn't even look up from his own squats. "Volleyball business."
"Volleyball business," Iwaizumi repeated. "What kind of volleyball business?"
"Fundraising."
Iwaizumi scowled at him, moving his gaze back to Hanamaki, who was waving good-bye to the girls. He was clearly counting money.
"Give me a few minutes, Watari," Iwaizumi grunted, making sure the bar with weights was secured before jogging out to the field.
He caught Hanamaki with his hand still shoving money in his pockets. Hanamaki froze, eyes large for a second in guilt before settling again into their usual neutral expression.
"Vice-captain," he greeted, taking a step to move around Iwaizumi. Iwaizumi mirrored him, blocking his way. Hanamaki attempted to move the other way, but Iwaizumi mirrored him again. Hanamaki sighed, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Something you want to get off your chest, Vice?"
"What was all that about," Iwaizumi asked, gesturing to the place Hanamaki had been. Hanamaki turned to follow his gesture, as if expecting to find something in the empty field.
"All what?"
"You and those girls?"
"Can't a man have some privacy when trying his best to make the ladies swoon?"
"You have a boyfriend."
"Don't put me in a box, Iwaizumi. I can like whomever I please."
"That's not what I meant and you know it." Iwaizumi ran a hand across his face in frustration. "Just tell me what this fundraising is."
"Fundraising?"
"Makki," Iwaizumi warned.
Hanamaki sighed resigned. "Fine, but just know I'm doing this for all of us."
"That doesn't make me any less concerned."
"The ends justify the means."
"Hanamaki..."
"Imagine if we have to do a butler cafe again!"
"Who said anything about a butler café?"
Now Iwaizumi was interested. No one on the team had forgotten last year when each club was required to hold an activity for the annual sports festival. Their team had been torn between a few ideas and, unable to come to a consensus, had allowed the student government to break the tie. If Iwaizumi remembered correctly a fake wrestling match was on the table, which Kyotani had been surprisingly enthusiastic about. Rather than choosing any of the possible activities, the student government had opted to assign the volleyball team a butler café. Needless to say it had been more work than it was worth and the majority of the attention had been on one particular butler (Oikawa). Even he seemed unhappy about the decision ("This is taking forever, we could be practicing," he'd whined, tugging at his suit. "And this outfit is hideous"). Iwaizumi had almost been trampled by some transfer students and at one point a table had flipped over when a third year at the time bumped into it, spilling coffee and cakes everywhere. They hadn't even raised that much money.
"The student government is planning another festival. That's where Oikawa is now," Hanamaki explained. "And it's the same student president who assigned us the butler café last year. Matsun thinks she has a thing for Oikawa in a suit."
Who wouldn't, Iwaizumi thought despite himself. Aloud he opted to say, "Oikawa won't agree, he hated that whole ordeal."
"He's not very good at saying no to batting eyelashes, you know that," Hanamaki reminded him.
Shit, he was right. "Let's pretend that I agree. What is this fundraising tool that will keep us out of the café business," Iwaizumi asked.
Hanamaki's eyes lit up as he pulled out an envelope. "Glad you asked because it's souvenirs!"
That was about as confusing and ominous as the idea of another butler café. Iwaizumi took the envelope and opened it to reveal candid pictures of the volleyball club boys. Watari was arm wrestling with Iwaizumi. Yahaba was jogging next to Matsukawa. Oikawa was rubbing the bridge of his nose looking as if he were about to break into a tragic soliloquy at any moment. Iwaizumi continued flipping, each picture slowly becoming more embarrassing than the last: Kindaichi getting a wedgie from Hanamaki, Kunimi just a second after a volleyball hit him in the head, Oikawa shirtless yelling at an underclassman with half of his hair standing up on its ends, the other half flattened. Iwaizumi paused, scanning his best friend's expression which was pulled into a look of rage rarely seen by any of his fan club. How had Hanamaki even caught this moment?
"Does Oikawa know about these?" Iwaizumi asked curiously, his eyes trailing up Oikawa's back muscles.
"I figured of all people he would mind the least," Hanamaki said innocently.
"How many of these have you sold?"
"Maybe five? No, seven if I count the last transaction."
"What pictures did they get?"
"That's confidential information, Iwaizumi. I can't disclose customer purchases."
Iwaizumi raised his eyebrow skeptically at his friend.
"Not surprising, Oikawa is a higher seller, but your pictures are almost gone as well. Glad I had so many from our impromptu arm wrestling competition."
"That isn't going to work."
"What?"
"Flattery. I'm not Shittykawa." Iwaizumi glanced up at him as he turned to the next picture.
He paused again, this one had Oikawa looking up at the sky as he leaned back on his hands, talking about something. There was a clear shot right up his nose from the angle of the camera. Next to him sat Iwaizumi, sleeves rolled up to his shoulders, mouth full of lunch (maybe a few pieces of rice on his cheeks), but his eyes were on Oikawa, a soft smirk tugging at his lips. He looked positively love-sick. Iwaizumi could feel a heat creeping up his neck. Shit.
"I'll give you that one for free," Hanamaki offered, "If you keep this between us."
Iwaizumi glared at him, taking the envelope and shoving it into his pocket, despite Hanamaki's noises of protest. He turned to go back to the weight room with Hanamaki close behind. "You shouldn't be taking pictures of people when they don't know about it."
"A butler café, Iwaizumi!" protested Hanamaki desperately. "What if it's worse this year? What if they want us to dress up like maids?"
"I'll get you a pink outfit to match your hair."
"I would look terrible in a skirt! I don't have the legs for it!"
"Shut up, Oikawa won't agree to anything that ridiculous," Iwaizumi snapped. "Now go train before I make you run a lap for every picture in this envelope."
Hanamaki complied, grumbling darkly as he moved towards Matsukawa's laughing face.
"Sorry about that," Iwaizumi grumbled, returning to where Watari sat waiting for him. "Let's start again. Ten reps."
"It's okay, Yahaba spotted me," Watari admitted. "But I'll spot you, if you like."
Iwaizumi agreed and they switched places. He lined up his back, positioning his shoulders and hands to begin. He took a few breaths to focus, pushing all his concerns to the back of his mind: his conversation with Hanamaki, his argument with Oikawa, his homework. He slowly brought the bar low to his chest before pushing them up again. It worked as a distraction until Oikawa came hopping into the room, still tugging on his second volleyball shoe. The sound of his voice calling to the team pushed the picture to the front of Iwaizumi's mind: the light across Oikawa's neck, the closeness of their figures, the intent gaze Iwaizumi was giving his best friend. Iwaizumi nearly dropped the weighted bar on his face, but Watari was able to stop it.
"You alright," he asked.
Iwaizumi nodded, laying on the bench, eyes closed as he pretended to be too exhausted to move.
...
"What did you say?" Iwaizumi asked, pulling his shirt over his head to reveal his surprised expression. He'd expected to finish his shower and find himself alone in the locker room, having taken extra time to clean up today and organize his flustered thoughts. Instead, he left the showers to find Oikawa half changed, sitting on the bench fiddling with his jersey nervously. When Oikawa spotted Iwaizumi he jumped up, bowing more deeply than Iwaizumi had ever seen.
"I'm sorry I made you feel uncomfortable" Oikawa repeated. "It was not my intention."
"I can't remember the last time you apologized to me," Iwaizumi said thoughtfully, his mind trying to catch up with his mouth. A pained look flashed across Oikawa's face as he stood back up straight, pulling his own jersey off in a quick motion.
"But I'm sorry too," Iwaizumi added, turning away to change. "I was out of line for saying what I did. I don't think you have any complex."
"It's okay," Oikawa agreed, nodding as he looked at his hair in the mirror in his locker. "I know I can be... a lot."
"That's an understatement," chuckled Iwaizumi. "I'm used to it." He finished changing just in time to see Oikawa's eye squint slightly at his reflection, a grimace passing again.
"That's true," Oikawa muttered, but something in his tone seemed strained. He hurriedly changed his shirt, tossing the jersey into his bag to be washed. "Sorry."
"You don't have to keep apologizing," Iwaizumi said, narrowing his eyes as he watched his friend. "I like you the way you are: shitty personality and all."
The usual calls of offense didn't follow. Instead, Oikawa closed his locker, dropping to the bench to tie his shoes with an intensity that made it look like he might have forgotten how to complete the task entirely.
"Almost ready to go," Iwaizumi asked.
Oikawa paused, before re-lacing his shoes a second time. "This may take a while, you go ahead."
"I can wait for two minutes while you tie your shoe," Iwaizumi assured him. Oikawa hummed in response, finishing his other shoe and pushing himself up. He seemed more hesitant than usual, but Oikawa had never been the best at apologies, so Iwaizumi wasn't too worried.
Iwaizumi glanced over at his best friend as they walked home. It was the first time they had been completely alone without any distractions since he returned from the wedding. Iwaizumi checked over his shoulder to make sure it was true. No unexpected cars, no teachers to pull them into class, no fan girls or teammates to distract Oikawa. Iwaizumi took a deep breath. It felt like as good a time as ever.
"You know, I wasn't really mad at you," he said nervously. "I was sort of annoyed at the situation." Oikawa stiffened next to him, hands shoved into his pockets.
"Yeah, sorry about that, I guess I was just trying to," he paused, considering his words before finishing the sentence. "Trying to prove something to myself, maybe?"
"Prove something," Iwaizumi said. "Like what? That girls like you?"
Oikawa hummed noncommittally to show he was listening, but didn't look at Iwaizumi. Iwaizumi was a bit relieved. It made it easier to stay focused on what he was trying to say.
"You know I've been trying to talk to you about something important since I got back."
"Oh?" Oikawa said, watching his feet. "I heard you were applying to college in California. I think you're sure to get in."
Not what Iwaizumi wanted to talk about, but a nice compliment all the same. Iwaizumi scratched his neck bashfully. "Thanks, I thought I told you about that."
"Maybe," Oikawa said, glancing over at him. "Probably just wasn't listening." His tone was almost teasing, but the strain was still there.
"You know if you do go to Argentina, then we'll only be five hours difference instead of twelve."
Oikawa glanced at him again, this time a questioning look on his face. "You looked that up?"
"Of course I looked that up," Iwaizumi shrugged. "I figure I can't get rid of you that easily, even if you're in another country, so I better make sure I'll be awake when you are. Otherwise I'll get calls at some ridiculous hours, but I probably still will, knowing your sleep habits."
"You don't have to worry about me," Oikawa reminded him, glancing up at the sky, though the slight upturn in his lips showed he was pleased. "I would never want to hold you back, Iwa-chan."
"Hold me back," Iwaizumi said confusedly. "I don't think you could hold me back, Oikawa."
"Okay, good." Oikawa nodded. "You should do what's best for you."
"You'd want me to stay back without you?"
That same grimace passed across Oikawa's face again, but he gulped and shook his head. "I just want you to know you don't need to worry about me. I'll make sure to survive long enough to see you again no matter what."
"Well, you factor in no matter what," Iwaizumi said stubbornly. He was getting off track and they were nearing the turn that would separate them.
"That's not what I wanted to tell you," Iwaizumi continued. "It's actually about us, I guess."
"Us?" Oikawa's fingers twitched slightly in his pockets, as if he were physically restraining himself from fidgeting.
"Right, when I was at the wedding I talked to Akaashi a bit," Iwaizumi continued, running his hand through his hair. "Oh, Akaashi is my cousin," he added. Oikawa stopped, frozen under the streetlight. It was so sudden that Iwaizumi didn't realize the setter had stopped until he was a few steps ahead.
"Your cousin," Oikawa repeated, staring just above Iwaizumi's shoulder.
"Yeah, my cousin," Iwaizumi continued. "We caught up at the wedding and he really helped me work up the courage to-"
"He's your cousin?"
Iwaizumi looked over at his friend. If he hadn't felt nervousness gyrating through his every fiber, he might have found Oikawa's shocked expression funny. Instead he found it unnerving. "Why do you keep repeating that?"
For a second, Oikawa looked like he was about to run. Iwaizumi took a step forward to stop him. Instead, the setter squatted where he stood, putting his head in his hands as he tucked himself into a surprisingly compact ball. He muttered something incoherent that sounded like a half whine, half muffled scream.
"Oikawa," Iwaizumi asked, squatting next to him and nudging his shoulder. He heard a muffled moan in response and leaned closer, noticing how red his friend's ears were. "What was that?"
"I'm an idiot," Oikawa repeated. "Stupid, stupid, stupid."
"Not that I don't appreciate this sudden self-awareness, but can you explain? I'm a bit confused," Iwaizumi admitted, poking Oikawa's cheek to try and get his attention.
"Ugh, Iwa-chan," Oikawa wailed, turning to him, a crimson band across his cheeks and nose. It shouldn't have been cute, but the effect it had on Iwaizumi was so distracting that he almost didn't catch what Oikawa said next. "I thought Akaashi was your boyfriend."
"My boyfriend?"
"Your boyfriend!"
"I'm not dating my cousin..."
"I know that now," Oikawa wailed.
"Why would you even think that?"
"I saw the picture of him wearing your jacket and you never lend your jacket to anyone, except now I know you lend it to everyone, but still the picture looked so couple-y and- Iwa-chan!"
Iwaizumi couldn't help the chuckles that escaped his mouth. Oikawa's head whipped back to look at him, an offended look that only added to Iwaizumi's mirth.
"I told you I was going to a wedding," Iwaizumi chortled. "And you thought I had a secret boyfriend there?"
"Well, Makki suggested it and- Stop laughing Iwa-chan!"
Oikawa leaped up, knocking Iwaizumi off balance but he couldn't help himself. The laughter kept coming. Iwaizumi felt his sides aching, his stomach cramping. It was just so funny! The great Oikawa, flirt of flirts, heartbreaker of Aoba Johsai, had thought that he, Iwaizumi, was dating someone and that someone was actually his cousin.
"You gave him your jacket," huffed Oikawa, stomping his foot like a toddler. "You never give me your jacket."
"So you automatically decide that we must be dating?" Iwaizumi managed between guffaws.
"Madly in love, actually," Oikawa sniffed, but a slight smile tugged at his face. That idea sent Iwaizumi into another fit of laughter. Oikawa crossed his arms, waiting patiently for Iwaizumi to recover. When he seemed to finally be at a point of recovery Oikawa sighed.
"Well, I'm glad one of us finds it funny. I'm going to kill Makki. I was so..."
"You were so what," Iwaizumi asked, the laughter completely leaving his system to be replaced by a sudden nervousness again. Grossed out, supplied his mind. Disgusted? Iwaizumi had never stopped to consider that Oikawa be prejudiced and that would really complicate his confession and their friendship.
Oikawa shifted from one foot to the next. The street light created a halo around his wavy brown hair, casting some shadows across his angular face as he chewed his lip, his eyes watching Iwaizumi with an unreadable expression.
"I thought you were keeping secrets," he said.
"Liar," Iwaizumi accused, narrowing his eyes as he pushed himself up to stand next to the setter. Oikawa's brown eyes met him.
"Did it bother you that I had a boyfriend?"
"No," Oikawa sniffed. "Any one would be lucky to date Iwa-chan."
"Tell the truth," Iwaizumi warned. "Does it weird you out that I like guys?"
"No!"
"It does," Iwaizumi snapped. "I can tell! Even now you're being weird about it! If you think it's weird just say it so I can punch you and we can move on."
"I don't!"
"You do!"
"I don't!"
"You do. Admit it, Shittykawa!"
"I don't! I was jealous that it wasn't me!"
It felt like a stillness had fallen over them. Iwaizumi hadn't realized that he'd been approaching Oikawa in their argument until they were practically nose to nose. This close, Iwaizumi could count the freckles across the setters nose and feel the heat from his blush. All the anger he'd been building dissipated at once as he blinked, digesting what Oikawa had said. Oikawa's eyes were scrunched close, as if he were already ready for the headbutt Iwaizumi had been preparing to give him. When it didn't come, he opened one eye to peak at his friend.
"Why would you be jealous," Iwaizumi breathed. The air made a stray strand of brown hair move slightly against Oikawa's ear.
"Iwa-chan, don't make me say it."
"You have to say it or I won't know."
"Can't we forget about it?"
"I don't want to. Tooru, tell me."
"I wished," Oikawa gulped, he looked as if he would rather be anywhere but here under the streetlights after practice with Iwaizumi. "I wished that I was dating Iwa-chan. I'm sorry-"
He didn't get to finish his apology. Iwaizumi reached out, grabbing the front of Oikawa's shirt and hauling him down a few centimeters for their mouths to meet. It wasn't the best kiss. The surprise caused their teeth to clatter against one another and Oikawa was motionless for it, his arms held stiffly at his sides. Still, Iwaizumi couldn't help but notice the taste of Oikawa's chapstick and the fact that his lips were softer than Iwaizumi had imagined. Oikawa's after practice smells weren't as repulsive as they ought to have been. They were sort of intoxicating. Iwaizumi pulled away, crossing his arms, determined to stay put even as his mind was screaming for him to run for the hills. Oikawa blinked at him like a deer caught in headlights. Work with me, he thought desperately to his mouth. For once it did.
"I've been trying to confess to you since I got back."
"W-what?" Oikawa's eyes widened, mouth dropping open in surprise.
"I wrote a confession letter and everything."
"You like me?" Oikawa's voice was small, his hand fidgeting with the bottom of his shirt again.
"It's not that surprising is it?"
A smile blossomed across Oikawa's face, lighting his features in a way that made Iwaizumi wonder if he were at risk for a heart attack from the muscle skipping a beat so often. It couldn't be healthy. "There was a letter? What were you going to do?"
"Give it to you."
"Just a letter?"
"What do you mean just a letter?"
"Normally they come with a treat as well."
"Normally you reject them," Iwaizumi reminded him, scowling, but the effect was lost. There was no real annoyance in his face.
"That's true." Oikawa let out a laugh and Iwaizumi felt himself folding, a smile breaking through his own stern look.
"I can get you a treat now, if you want."
"And the letter?"
"Do you still want it? It sort of feels like we cleared it all up already," Iwaizumi said nervously. "We did clear this up, right?"
"But I want to keep it," Oikawa pouted. "I want to see how Iwa-chan planned to woo me."
"It wasn't much of a plan. I was just trying to tell you how I feel."
Oikawa looked visibly disappointed and Iwaizumi suddenly had the sinking feeling that he'd made a grave mistake. Why did he fall for this specific idiot, out of all the idiots in the world?
"So, no wooing?"
Iwaizumi ran a hand through his hair. "You just said you like me too."
"I do."
"So why would I need to woo you?"
"Iwa-chan," Oikawa whined. "You did this all backward. At least present the letter properly."
"Now I don't think you should see the letter."
"You're reconsidering your feelings?"
"No, dumbass. I just don't think the letter is all that good now that I know how important this is to you."
"What did the letter say?"
"That I like you."
"That's all? Dear Tooru, I like you. Sincerely, Iwa-chan?"
"Basically. I may have said it was against my better judgement."
"Iwa-chan!"
"It was better than my initial attempt, when I kept talking about vomiting."
"That was you trying to confess? It's a low bar, Iwa-chan," Oikawa pouted, but his eyes were dancing. He was having too much fun making Iwaizumi's squirm.
"I regret this already. I think we should break up," he said, taking a step back from Oikawa, but Oikawa had another idea. He moved back into Iwaizumi's personal space, a predatory look in his eyes.
"We can't break up if we've never been together."
"It was nice for the five minutes it lasted."
"You're not going to ask me?"
"Not anymore. I think we should just stay friends. It's too much."
"I'll make it up to you, Hajime," Oikawa purred.
Oikawa's hands were resting on his shoulders in a flash, stopping Iwaizumi's retreat. A moment later they were toe to toe again, Oikawa's lids dropped slightly as he inched closed. Instinctively Iwaizumi found his hands on Oikawa's waist.
Their second kiss was a lot better with less teeth and it came with a rush of emotion that Iwaizumi hadn't expected. The third one was deeper, as Oikawa ran his hand through Iwaizumi's hair and Iwaizumi tugged Oikawa impossibly closer so there was barely any space between them at all. The fourth, fifth, and sixth kiss had Iwaizumi wondering if maybe he would write a new letter and confess properly. After that Iwaizumi lost count of their kisses as they blended together in the darkness around them.
...
Makki, I'm going to kill you.
That's fair. Just curious, what for?
For telling Oikawa I was dating my cousin.
Sounds like it all worked out in the end.
It could have worked out sooner without you and Matsun interfering.
I have years of experience that disagree, but think what you like.
Whatever. I'm keeping the picture.
You're welcome.
...
The idiots have landed, I repeat, the idiots have landed. Mission accomplished. -Salmon-senpai
Always nice to close up a project. Let me know if you're ever in Tokyo.- Rooster-senpai
I never say no to a good time.-Salmon-senpai
A/N: Just one chapter left! It'll be mostly fluff and some appearances from our Tokyo idiots & friends! Hope you enjoyed this story and feel free to review. I have a few other stories because I apparently live in IwaOi hell now. This ship has ruined my life. It's all I think and write and read about. I love it.