Chpt 10: A Visit to Tokyo
The first thing Iwaizumi did after stepping off the train and onto the platform was text Akaashi that they had made it to Tokyo safe and sound. He wasn't expecting an answer since Akaashi had warned him that their Saturday practice might run longer than expected. They would meet up later for the illumination and fireworks, if they couldn't do so sooner. Until then, they could wander around Tokyo and explore. After all, Hanamaki might attend university in the city, so best to figure out what was worth doing.
When Hanamaki had originally mentioned he was going to visit Tokyo for a day and night, Iwaizumi had thought that it was simply a point of conversation. Then, Hanamaki had offered to split the cost of a hotel room with the other third years. It took Oikawa three seconds to look up the lights and fireworks that covered Tokyo in December and that was all the convincing the setter needed. They should all go.
"Maybe we can even meet this Rooster-chan," Oikawa said. "I'd like to meet the troublemaker who almost ruined my life."
"As if you need any help," Hanamaki replied. "Besides, it was all my plan, don't give Rooster-chan the credit I deserve."
"It's unbelievable. Something you planned actually worked. If this happens a thousand more times, I may have to rethink my perception of you."
"I love it when you almost respect me."
Iwaizumi chuckled to himself, remembering the conversation. After that, he and Matsukawa had simply been dragged along for the trip. Not that he was complaining. Watching Oikawa's eyes light up wasn't the worst way to spend an evening and he had also applied to some schools in the city.
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar whining.
"Iwa-chan it's freezing here!"
Iwaizumi sighed, his breath spiraling away from his mouth as if to confirm that Oikawa's complaint was correct. It was a significant difference from inside the train. A chill wind blew passed, making him pull his collar up more securely. He already knew what was going to happen before it did, so he wasn't surprised to hear his boyfriend's whine that followed.
"Iwa-chan, give me your jacket."
"What? No way," He replied. "You're already wearing a coat!"
Oikawa pouted, crossing his arms like a toddler. "You never lend me your jacket."
"You only ask at stupid times," Iwaizumi retorted. "Beside, I gave you my coat last time we went to the movies."
"I don't remember that."
"Because you're getting old and senile."
"I'm going to look young forever and Iwa-chan will get accused of robbing the cradle."
Iwaizumi rolled his eyes. "I told you it was going to be cold today. It's supposed to snow later this week."
Oikawa moved next to Iwaizumi, wrapping his hands around Iwaizumi's arms and pushing his chest so close that it nearly made Iwaizumi lose his footing. Iwaizumi scowled at his boyfriend who began rubbing his cheek against the shoulder of his jacket for warmth. Iwaizumi pulled off his hat and shoved it down on Oikawa's hair. For good measure he rubbed the wool against the brown hair, sending a shock to his fingers. Oikawa made an annoyed sound, but didn't release Iwaizumi's arm.
"Your domesticity is so gross," Hanamaki observed, looking up from his phone before going back to tapping.
"You two made out on the train for half the way here," Oikawa snapped in response.
Hanamaki sent his message, tucking the phone in his pocket before responding. "That's only because we couldn't be outdone, right Matsun?"
"Right," Matsukawa agreed. He zipped up his jacket peering around the platform looking for a sign. Finding the correct one, he nodded to it as he elbowed Hanamaki lightly. They all began to walk towards the stairs.
"We didn't do anything," Oikawa said, a faint flush (either from embarrassment or the cold) sweeping across his nose. Iwaizumi put his hands in his pocket for warmth and to avoid bringing the setters face closer for a kiss. It wouldn't help their current case. Instead he agreed with Oikawa.
"We fell asleep because someone insisted on taking the earliest train."
"We need the whole day in Tokyo so Makki can see the city," Oikawa said. "Besides, whose side are you on here?"
"You fell asleep on each other," Hanamaki corrected.
"So," Iwaizumi asked. "We always fall asleep like that after games and it never bothers you."
"Says you," Matsukawa said.
"Neither of you have any shame," Hanamaki responded. "Haven't I been scarred enough?"
"I can't help it if Iwa-chan's shoulder is the most comfortable pillow ever," Oikawa sniffed and Iwaizumi glanced at the setter. He was beaming, his eyes crinkling at the corner as he rubbed his cheek against Iwaizumi's shoulder again. Iwaizumi drew his eyes away, glancing around to see a few weekend salary men moving around the platform.
"Knock it off," he told Oikawa, but when Oikawa tried to pull away entirely, he tightened his arm, pinning the setter's hand where it was. A few steps away, Matsun pretended to vomit.
They walked for some time until they came to a coffee shop with a variety of desserts in the window. Hanamaki and Oikawa made sounds of delight, so they moved inside. Oikawa released Iwaizumi's arm, hurrying over to the displays, discussing the options with Hanamaki. Iwaizumi and Matsukawa moved to a table.
"How much sugar do you think they'll bring back," Matsukawa asked.
"Enough to make them puke," Iwaizumi replied.
He allowed his eyes to move to the two friends across the store. One of the upsides to dating Oikawa was that Iwaizumi didn't have to hold back from watching his best friend. Before the confession, he had tried ("and failed," Hanamaki informed him) to keep his glances to a minimum, reserving his longer looks for when Oikawa wasn't paying attention. Now, he could watch to his heart's content without any timidness about being caught. As he watched Oikawa arguing with Hanamaki about one of the purchases, Iwaizumi saw the hat slip off Oikawa's hair. He paused, standing straight again as if noticing something had changed, but unsure what it was. Finally, he turned to see the hat on the ground. Hurriedly he grabbed it, shoving it into his coat pocket before catching Iwaizumi's eyes. For a moment they just stared at one another. It was broken when Oikawa winked.
Iwaizumi could practically hear his teasing tone ("Like what you see, Iwa-chan?") so he looked back at Matsukawa instead. Maybe he still needed to try and not get caught. The last thing he needed was his boyfriend getting any more arrogant, even if Iwaizumi did like what he saw. Matsukawa seemed unbothered by the whole silent exchange. Instead of commenting, he nodded towards two figures as they entered. One of average height and a small build, his posture hunched slightly so that his blond hair covered his face. The other figure was taller with broad shoulders and a muscular frame. His black hair was styled into messy spikes upwards except for a fringe on his right side that partially covers his eye. His narrow eyes scanned the room until it fell on Hanamaki.
"Salmon-senpai," he greeted, raising a hand in a wave.
"Rooster-senpai," Hanamaki replied, his hands carrying a box of treats. "Come sit with us and I'll make introductions. This is Matsukawa Issei, Iwaizumi Hajime, and Oikawa Tooru."
"Idiot number one and two, huh?" Rooster-chan replied nodding to Iwaizumi before pulling up a seat. "I'm Kuroo Tetsuro and this is Kozume Kenma."
"Did he just call me an idiot," Iwaizumi asked Hanamaki, but his question was pushed to the side as Hanamaki explained.
"Kuroo is my partner in crime."
"That's rude," Matsukawa observed, opening the box to look at the desserts. "I thought I was your partner in crime."
"You are as well," Hanamaki agreed, taking the plates from Oikawa and passing them around.
"So more like an orgy of crime," Matsukawa considered. "I think I can work with that."
"You get me," Hanamaki sighed. "He helped make sure that Bokuto and Akaashi didn't spill the beans."
"Not that I had to do much after Oikawa interfered with Bokuto," Kuroo added, a sly smirk on his face as he looked over at Oikawa.
Iwaizumi glanced to his right a bit unnerved by Oikawa's silence. His eyes were narrowed, watching Kuroo with an intensity that Iwaizumi often saw on the volleyball court. He was obviously trying to decide who this Kuroo was and how he should feel about him. Kuroo seemed unbothered by the look as he glanced into the pastry box, taking the slice of apple pie out and placing it before Kenma. That seemed to break the spell. Oikawa turned to speak to Kenma instead. Iwaizumi wasn't exactly sure what the setter had decided about Kuroo, but it seemed the brief storm had passed.
They spent about an hour in the coffee shop talking, joking, and eating before Oikawa and Kenma stood, making everyone look at them curiously.
"Ken-chan is going to show me his favorite gaming store nearby," Oikawa announced. Kenma looked less enthusiastic than Oikawa sounded, but nodded all the same.
"Alright," Kuroo said, cat-like eyes watching Kenma carefully. "We'll wait here until you get back. Don't buy up the whole store."
"I won't," Kenma replied, rolling his eyes. "Tooru just wants to see it because I told him they also have souvenirs."
They watched the two leave.
"Your idiot has quite the personality," Kuroo observed, though there seemed to be some fondness in his tone. "It's rare to see Kenma open up to anyone."
"Is Akaashi meeting us as well," asked Hanamaki, leaning back to stretch.
"He said they'll meet us in Odaiba for dinner and fireworks," Iwaizumi replied, feeling thoroughly stuffed. Matsukawa let out a low whistle.
"You're really trying to show me up, huh?"
"I didn't plan it," Iwaizumi assured him. "Oikawa did. He said there are great photos and you know how he is."
"Does your agreeing to it have anything to do with what we talked about before?"
Iwaizumi's eyes darted to the door instinctively. Oikawa had a way of appearing when he was being talked about and Iwaizumi didn't want him to reappear now.
"What did you talk about before," Kuroo asked, leaning in conspiratorially.
"Our little Iwaizumi is thinking about dropping the L word to our little Oikawa," Hanamaki replied casually.
"Laparoscopy," offered Kuroo.
"Landlordism," countered Matsukawa.
"Lilliputian," agreed Hanamaki.
"Llama," Iwaizumi said, happy the subject seemed to have moved away from where it was headed.
"Lame," Hanamaki sighed. Iwaizumi glared at his friend, but Kuroo let out a chuckle.
"What are you so nervous about," Kuroo asked. "He seems to like you enough."
"Was it the lovesick side-looks that tipped you off," Matsukawa asked.
"Or the blushing like a new bride," offered Hanamaki.
"Actually, it was the secretly holding hands under the table that did it," Kuroo replied.
"Shut up," Iwaizumi snapped. He was really regretting this new found friendship that Hanamaki had made. "I'm not worried about him not liking me. We just haven't been dating for that long, you know."
"You're worried it'll be too soon," replied Matsukawa with a nod. "You'll scare him off?"
"If you're scowling and yelling hasn't done it already I doubt saying I love you will," Hanamaki said. "I say tell him."
"You make it sound easy," Iwaizumi replied leaning back, his hands resting on the back of his head in thought. "Have either of you said it?"
"Does Hanamaki strike you as the type to want sweet nothings whispered in his ears," Matsukawa asked.
Hanamaki looked offended. "Excuse me, I told you sweet nothings just last week."
"Saying cream puffs over and over again until we stop at the bakery is not what Iwaizumi means," Matsukawa replied.
"It's official," Hanamaki sighed. "Romance is dead."
"I have a solution," Kuroo said, but his expression made Iwaizumi feel a certain uneasiness.
"Thank god," Hanamaki said.
"It involves fire," Kuroo began, but Iwaizumi cut him off there.
"Absolutely not."
"No,no, let's hear him out," Hanamaki urged. "Rooster-chan continue."
Luckily, Kuroo did not get to continue because at that moment the door swung open again and Oikawa rushed in, Kenma following slowly behind. Before Iwaizumi could ask his boyfriend how the shopping had gone, there was a very yellow blob being shoved into his face. Iwaizumi pushed the creature away carefully, far enough to see that it was a Pikachu plush doll with an angry expression: eyebrows and mouth turned down, arms slightly out as if it were about to attack.
"Look what I got," Oikawa said, sitting down proudly. "It's an Iwa-chan Pikachu. Can you see the resemblance?"
He held it up next to Iwaizumi's face. Hanamaki, Kuroo, and Matsukawa glanced between the doll and Iwaizumi, who could feel a flush rushing up his neck from the attention. He scowled, hoping they'd get the hint and stop encouraging Oikawa. It didn't work the way he'd intended.
"The likeness is uncanny," Kuroo agreed.
"Practically twins," Matsukawa said solemnly.
"Iwaizumi, you should really sue. They shouldn't use your likeness without permission," Hanamaki added. Iwaizumi pushed the doll away from his face.
"You got me a doll that looked like me?"
"How vain, Iwa-chan," Oikawa sighed. "Iwa-chan Pikachu is for me, not you. You just need to look in a mirror to see that scowl."
"Of course," Iwaizumi replied, rolling his eyes. "How silly of me."
"Don't worry, Iwa-chan," Oikawa replied teasingly. "I got you something too."
He put the Pikachu doll back into his bag, shuffling about until he pulled a new figure out. He placed it carefully into Iwaizumi's hands: a gray dinosaur with a toothy mouth that almost seemed to be pulled into a smile.
"Now you can have an Oikawa Godzilla. Don't we look the same?" Oikawa beamed at him, posing with all his teeth showing. Iwaizumi blinked, a mixture of embarrassment and fondness swirling in his chest as he moved his eyes from the setter to the Godzilla plush and back to the setter again. He was very aware of the other teens watching him and could feel his cheeks warming.
"Godzilla can't smile," Iwaizumi replied.
"That's probably true," Oikawa said. His smile fell into a pout as he glanced back at the plush doll. "I can return it if you don't like it."
"I didn't say that," Iwaizumi retorted. He shoved the Godzilla into his coat pocket before Oikawa could take back the toy. Oikawa's bright smile returned as Iwaizumi threw his arm around his shoulder, pulling him closer. He avoided looking at his boyfriend and their friends, but he could still feel their teasing looks as he scowled determinedly at the pastry case across the bakery.
They split up after that. Kuroo and Kenma headed home, but not before Oikawa exchanged numbers with them both and promised to subscribe to Kenma's youtube channel once he had a computer. Kenma seemed torn between pleasure and embarrassment by Oikawa's gushing, but Kuroo just watched on with a smirk. Hanamaki & Matsukawa decided to check in to the hotel and take a nap. A nap didn't sound too bad to Iwaizumi either since they'd woken up so early to catch the seven am train, but Oikawa refused. They waved goodbye to their friends, agreeing to meet up later in Odaiba. Then they headed on their way.
It seemed Oikawa was determined to drag Iwaizumi all across Tokyo, not that Iwaizumi was complaining much. He didn't necessarily mind spending some time alone with Oikawa, especially if it meant the teasing from his friends would decrease a bit. They visited the Meiji Shrine Imperial Garden, walked in Shibuya Crossing, shopped for a bit on Takeshita Street, and finally ended their adventure at National Yoyogi Stadium, where Oikawa relayed all the information he remembered about the Olympics that had been there. Iwaizumi let him talk, gesturing animatedly as his conversation drifted to the most famous volleyball plays from the games and his disgruntled mumblings that Japan's volleyball hadn't advanced to be contenders. Iwaizumi watched him silently, noting the curve of his cheeks, flushed with the cold, his eyes flashing with determination as he spoke.
"We're going to be there someday, Hajime."
"Sure, for nationals."
"Yes," Oikawa agreed. "But, I mean the Olympics."
"You'll definitely make it," Iwaizumi agreed.
"Iwa-chan," Oikawa gasped. "You won't be there with me?"
"Probably not on the court," Iwaizumi admitted. He wrapped his fingers around the setter's. "But I'll be in the stands shouting louder than anyone else."
"You'll be on the court for sure," Oikawa grinned. "As the best trainer for the legendary Oikawa!"
"Don't get so cocky," Iwaizumi huffed, tugging Oikawa's ear and making him squeal in protest. He felt a vibration in his pocket, pulling it out to see a message from Akaashi.
"Is that cousin-chan," Oikawa asked, peering over. Iwaizumi hummed in response. "I'm so embarrassed," Oikawa admitted, running his hands down his cheeks. "What's he going to say when I see him?"
"Probably that you're ridiculous," Iwaizumi answered easily, turning to head back towards the bus stop.
"Iwa-chan, you have to protect me from him," Oikawa called, falling into step. "Bo-chan and I are friends, but Akaashi will just turn those pretty eyes on me and I'll die in shame."
"Are you telling me you're in love with my cousin," Iwaizumi asked, leaning against the bus stop sign. He smirked at the offended look that crossed Oikawa's face.
"More like you were in love with your cousin. You dated him!"
"You're so loud," Iwaizumi groaned, tugging Oikawa forward so he stumbled into Iwaizumi. He dropped his forehead onto Iwaizumi's shoulder, arms wrapping around his waist snuggly. "And I didn't date my cousin. The only person I've dated is my insane childhood friend."
"That's mean, Iwa-chan," Oikawa said, but his voice sounded too content to be offended. "I'm your childhood best friend."
"Just relax, Idiotkawa," Iwaizumi grinned, using a free hand to play with the stray hairs at the base of Oikawa's hair. "It'll be alright."
...
Iwaizumi could say what he liked because Akaashi was his cousin, but Oikawa knew for a fact that he had reason to be nervous. He'd tried to get some intel from Kenma at the store: What was Akaashi like? How mad was he at Oikawa? How happy was he to be dating Bo-chan now? Kenma had listened patiently, watching with those ever observant cat-like eyes before pointing out that Akaashi didn't really hold grudges. So, he was also a better person that Oikawa was. That made it so much worse!
Something about his unease must have shown as they got off the train in Odaiba because Iwaizumi grabbed Oikawa's elbow, pulling him lightly to the side. He used the leverage to tug Oikawa down slightly and kiss him hurriedly on the lips before flicking his forehead.
"Stop worrying."
"Iwa-chan," Oikawa complained. "How can you be so sweet and then so mean to me?"
"It keeps you honest," Iwaizumi shrugged, moving towards the food court where they planned to meet Akaashi and Bokuto.
"I don't deserve to be kept honesty, I deserve to be loved," pouted Oikawa. A strange look passed over Iwaizumi's face and he gulped. Oikawa was about to ask what was wrong when he heard his name (or some butchered version of it) shouted across the shopping center.
"OIKY!" Bokuto was standing there, nearly jumping up and down as he waved for their attention. Standing slightly behind him with a neutral expression, hands in his pockets as if he were use to this level of energy, was Akaashi.
"Oiky," repeated Iwaizumi, his tone torn between amusement and confusion. Oikawa patted his shoulder.
"Best to ignore it, Iwa-chan." He turned his attention back to the two just as Bokuto rushed forward and put him in a bone crunching hug.
"You made it," he said happily.
"Bokuto-san," Akaashi urged. "Let them breathe for a moment."
"Hey," Iwaizumi greeted with a smile. "This is Oikawa Tooru. Oikawa, this is my cousin Akaashi Keiji."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Oikawa said, putting on his best smile as he shook Akaashi's hand. Akasshi's face remained expressionless.
"I've heard a lot about you," Akaashi replied. He glanced at Iwaizumi who was shaking hands with Bokuto as they discussed volleyball practice. When his eyes came back to Oikawa, there was the slightest quirk of his lip. "From both of our boyfriends."
"Ah, ha, yes," Oikawa managed to splutter. Akaashi's tone had remained neutral, but Oikawa felt himself flush with embarrassment. "About that..."
"If I hadn't read the messages myself I might think you were trying to steal Bokuto-san," Akaashi said, releasing his hand, standing straight again.
"Oh I would never," Oikawa assured him. "He's not my type."
"Yes I can see," Akaashi agreed. "I hope you and Hajime are able to discuss the ethics of human portrayal of aliens with as much passion."
Oikawa let out a long breath he hadn't realized he had been holding as a teasing smile stretched across Akaashi's face. He supposed he deserved a little bit of teasing after all the interference he had provided. He beamed at Akaashi. "Of course!"
"I'm starving and the lighting is happening in just a few hours," Iwaizumi called. "Let's eat!"
"Oh, this place is great," Bokuto urged. "Right Akaashi?"
Akaashi nodded, the smile remaining on his face as he nodded for Oikawa to follow. "Of course, Bokuto-san."
They fell into casual conversation over food, exchanging jokes and stories. Oikawa found himself wondering what he'd been so nervous about. He glanced at Iwaizumi, seeing his face light up with laughter. Oikawa felt a happy warmth in his chest that prompted him to reach out and squeeze Iwaizumi's hand before going back to eating and joking as well. After they cleaned their area they stood to find the best place to see the lighting.
"The rainbow bridge has a pedestrian walk," offered Bokuto. "And it lights up real nice."
"It is considered a romantic spot," Akaashi agreed. "You can see the lights of Tokyo and Odaiba."
"Let's go there," Oikawa urged., not that Iwaizumi needed much prodding. He simply shrugged his consent and they made their way.
When Tokyo was lit up, it was even more impressive. Oikawa knew that it was a large city, much larger than the area they had grown up in, but to see all those lights was another thing entirely. They practically blocked out the stars with red, yellows, and blues. To think that Hanamaki might be in this large a city. Was university enough time to explore it all? It seemed never ending. Oikawa leaned over the edge of the bridge, peering down at the dark water below. A few ships made their way across the river beneath them. He wondered where they were heading off to. The breeze blowing from the water shot up, sending a shiver down Oikawa's back and a flush to his nose and cheeks.
"Isn't it pretty, Iwa-chan," Oikawa asked, turning his head back to see Iwaizumi watching him. "Should we take a picture here or closer to the rainbow lighting?"
"Whatever you like," Iwaizumi replied with a shrug. "You're the master photographer."
"Not as good as Makki," Oikawa observed. Iwaizumi looked confused. "I could never have caught you looking at me so romantically."
Iwaizumi's face flushed with embarrassment. "You saw that picture?"
"I found it last time we had a study session at your house," Oikawa teased, poking his finger in between Iwaizumi's eyebrows. "Iwa-chan was so focused on me. He looked so love sick."
"More like sick in the head," Iwaizumi retorted. He grabbed Oikawa's finger, pulling it away from his face but not letting go. Oikawa beamed up at him.
"You should frame it instead of keeping it in your desk drawer."
"You shouldn't go through other people's things," Iwaizumi retorted. He paused, realization starting to color his face. "Wait, did you also find-"
"Your confession letter? Yes I did!"
Iwaizumi moaned, releasing Oikawa's finger to put both hands over his eyes. "And you read it, I just know it."
"Of course, it had my name on it!" Oikawa straightened up and recited. "Tooru, despite my better judgement and all my efforts against it, I like you a lot. It's been like this for a while, so I think it's a terminal condition. I just wanted to let you know because I guess I'm an idiot. Burn this letter after you read it. From Hajime."
"It's worse than I remember," Iwaizumi moaned, hands still securely covering his face.
"It's certainly one of a kind," Oikawa laughed.
"I was under a lot of mental and emotional strain," Iwaizumi huffed. "You've never written one."
"If I wrote one it would have been much more romantic."
"Yeah right," Iwaizumi said crossing his arms. "What would it say? Congratulations, you've been honored by the affections of the wonderful Shittykawa."
"Maybe I would have looked up poetry for you, but you don't really like literature class," Oikawa tapped his chin in thought.
"That's cheating."
"Fine, fine. I would have written something like dear Iwa-chan,"
"You wouldn't even use my first name?"
"Who is writing this letter anyway," huffed Oikawa.
"Alright, continue."
"Dear Iwa-chan, I recently discovered that I like you, but I'm pretty sure I've liked you a lot longer than I realized. Maybe I'm dense, but I'm also very good looking, so at least that balances out." Iwaizumi a noise stuck between a scoff and a laugh, but Oikawa ignored him, closing his eyes in thought as he continued. "When I think about our time together, I can't help but smile because you've always been there for me on and off the court. Even that one time I accidentally squished you pet Cicada, even though I told you bugs aren't good pets. Even despite that, and all the other annoying things I do just to get on your nerves, you never give up on me. I hope we can still be best friends and partners, even if you don't feel the same. You are one of the most important people to me, Hajime."
He opened his eyes, satisfied, though not entirely conscious of all he had said. He'd sort of fallen into a flow about half way through and just been speaking his thoughts as they came. He snapped his fingers, remembering it was a letter, so he added, "Sincerely, Tooru AKA your best friend and the best setter to ever conquer the world."
It was then that Oikawa realized that Iwaizumi was staring at him, mouth just slightly agape with an unreadable expression on his face. The longer he stood there, the more Oikawa could feel uneasiness building, making his fingers fidget slight with his coat. Had he said something wrong? Was it too much in public? Maybe it was embarrassing for Iwaizumi? Maybe he could defuse the situation with a distraction, he thought. Where had Akaashi and Bokuto disappeared to anyway?
He readjusted the hat he was wearing and turned towards the sky, pointing up as he spoke, grateful that his tone still came out its usual teasing lilt. "The only problem is you can only see like two stars, see!"
"I love you."
Oikawa turned back suddenly, nearly losing his hat over the side of the bridge from the speed of it. He managed to catch it just in time (all those years of sports paying off in quick reflexes and great hand- eye coordination). Iwaizumi was still staring at him, but now his mouth was set, a slight smile tugging at his lips, his expression softer than Oikawa had ever seen it.
"You can't just say that kind of stuff without any warning, " Oikawa blustered, feeling his face flame with color.
"Well, it's true," Iwaizumi shrugged, closing the distance between them and wrapping his arm around his boyfriend's waist, tugging him closer. Oikawa dropped his forehead on to his shoulder, hiding away his embarrassed expression. His own arms wrapped lightly around the ace's waist.
"Besides, what you said was way more embarrassing," Iwaizumi added.
"Was not," Oikawa replied into Iwaizumi's shoulder. "It was just better than yours."
"You basically said you've liked me forever."
"I didn't! I said I've liked you longer than I realized before."
Iwaizumi hummed thoughtfully. "So I win."
"That doesn't even make sense. I don't even know what we're competing about" Oikawa pouted, pulling his head back to see Iwaizumi beaming, eyes crinkled. Oikawa dropped his eyes to Iwaizumi's coat, fingers tracing the bottom of the jacket where it met Iwaizumi's lower back. Iwaizumi must have taken his bashfulness as discomfort because tried to give Oikawa some assurance.
"You don't have to say it back if it's too soon."
"It's not that," Oikawa muttered, soft enough so only Iwaizumi could hear. "It's just...You know if you waited twenty more minutes you could have said it with fireworks."
"Your personality is truly the shittiest."
"I love you, Hajime."
"Me too, Tooru."
A/N: Conclusions are honestly the worst and hardest thing to write without sounding like straight cheese, but I gave it a shot :) Hope you enjoyed and thanks so much for the reviews and follows! I really enjoyed reading them & seeing the notifications! Review & check out some of my other stories if you like!