Iwaizumi is there when he gets the e-mail. They're sitting in his bedroom, Oikawa flipping through Iwaizumi's comic books, even though he has read them all before, and Iwaizumi reading through a novel for class. Oikawa's phone buzzes, and initially he thinks its a snapchat from one of his teammates, or a text from his mom to come back for dinner, but instead its an e-mail.
He sits up, swiping his phone open to see an e-mail from his top choice, an American University abroad, with an excellent volleyball team. He clicks on it, and, after a few sentences, states that they were accepting him into their program. He gasps, and Iwaizumi looks over at him, closing his book.
"What?" He asks, starting to come over.
Oikawa stares at him, dropping his phone to hold his face as if to confirm that this is real. This isn't a dream. He feels his fingers on his face, warm and tingly, "I got in." He whispers in disbelief, more for himself than Iwaizumi.
"What?" Iwaizumi repeats, head tilted, eyebrows furrowed.
"I..." And now Oikawa is working a mile a minute, eyes watering as he grapples for his phone, "I got in!" he cries out, and now its a mantra as he shoves the phone into Iwaizumi's hands. "I got in! I got in! I got in!" He's crying now, grinning helplessly and feeling light as a feather. He's almost giggly, shaking where he is sitting wondering how. He couldn't believe it.
He got in.
He got in to an abroad program to get him on the way to play professionally.
This was everything he had ever wanted.
Iwaizumi stares at the phone re-reading the message twice before looking up in a daze, until he too is all smiles. A giant wide smile, and eyes lit up with pride. He tackles Oikawa to the ground, both of them a mess of gangly limbs and giggles. Iwaizumi grabs Oikawa's head, ruffling his hair roughly, and pulling him close.
"I told you. I told you, you were shoe in! You talented asshole." Iwaizumi laughs, pressing his smiling face into Oikawa's hair, nuzzling him. Oikawa continues his own laughter, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend and pulling him down so his face is level with his own. Iwaizumi leans forward, pressing kisses into Oikawa's neck, peppering him up and keeping him close.
Oikawa giggles harder, taking Iwaizumi's face with his hands to kiss him on the lips. They keep breaking apart to smile and grin and Iwaizumi never stops holding him the entire time.
Iwaizumi is pressing his forehead against Oikawa's when the latter speaks up again, catching his breath from all the excitement, "I need to tell my parents." They're both breathless, a little sweaty, and red in the face. Iwaizumi nods after a momen, moving away for the first time. Oikawa feels cold without his ace's arms around him, keeping him close and pressed against him, so he grabs his hand, "You'll come with me right?"
Iwaizumi looks slightly surprised but quickly nods, picking himself up. He offers a hand to the brunette, who's still sprawled out on his bedroom floor, eyes glazed in a dream. Oikawa takes the offer after a second, hauling himself up. The pair soon dash out of the house, crossing the street in a flash before Oikawa lets them into his own home. They almost forget to slip off their shoes in their shared excitement. He finds his mother in the kitchen, letting go of Iwaizumi's hand before being spotted to shove his phone at her.
She looks at him like he's crazy, and she probably has good reason to. His hair is a mess, his eyes are shining, he's red and he wont stop smiling and yet the stain of tears is still present on his cheeks.
"Mom, I got in!" He shouts, jumping a little, and his mother blinks, "I get to go to America!" He continues, imploringly. As if to say please be excited for me. It takes her a moment to process but soon her eyes shine with recognition, glancing at Iwaizumi in disbelief. He nods his head, grinning, as if to say this isn't one of Oikawa's dumb tricks, it's real. And she wraps her son in a tight hug, kissing both his cheeks fiercely.
"Tooru, I'm so proud! This is amazing!" She praises when she pulls aways.
And Oikawa is shining even brighter, tears once more brimming his eyes. "Let me tell Dad, ok?" He pleads and she nods, already planning a celebratory dinner for her son.
He hops away to another room, Iwaizumi in toe, and can't believe how luck he really is.
Oikawa is there to help Iwaizumi move into his new dorm room in Tokyo because American schools start later.
"I don't think you have enough pictures of me." Oikawa comments, looking on top of Iwaizumi's dresser. It was lined with a series of framed photographs, them as children, the aoba johsai team with them front and center, and a couple others of them now. He picks one up, of him pulling Iwaizumi into the frame with a glittering smile and Iwaizumi mid laugh, eyes squeezed shut. It's a little blurry, but it only adds to the dynamic shot, a captured moment. He loves this picture.
Iwaizumi rolls his eyes, "Once you leave my room they're all going into the trash where they belong." He snaps and Oikawa whines, pouting his lips at him playfully.
The older teen just turns away, focused on making his bed. Oikawa is not one for being ignored, and quickly goes to sit down on the object competing with him. Iwaizumi glowers at him. Pulling at the sheets now trapped under his boyfriend's body.
"Get off." He orders gruffly, pulling harder to no avail.
Oikawa lies down, spreading his arms and legs as if making a snow angel, creating wrinkles and smirking deviously, "This bed would be so much more comfy if you had gone with what i had picked out for you." He sighs out into the air mournfully.
Iwaizumi gives him a stare, letting go of the sheets, "Why the fuck would I ever want a duvet of cartoon aliens."
Oikawa looks wounded, stretching his arms into the air indignantly, "Because aliens, Iwa-chan!"
Iwaizumi smacks him with a pillow and Oikawa lets out a piercing shriek, groping blindly for Iwaizumi. He swears it's almost as if the spiky haired teen moves to accommodate him when he finally grasps at his arm. With his prisoner secured, he pulls him onto the bed on top of him.
When Iwaizumi is seated, practically perched atop Oikawa's hips, he lifts the pillow to reveal his boyfriend's mussed up face, eyes a little teary and cheeks red. Iwaizumi rolls his eyes at the sight, but can't help the smile. He's careful not to put his whole weight down on him, straddling the others body carefully.
Oikawa pouts up at him, "Iwa-chan is always so cruel to me." He laments, turning his head to the side. His eyes still look up at Iwaizumi, large and wet. His lips pursed and a point, sniffling a little to add to the spice of drama. But Iwaizumi can tell he's also showing as much of his neck as possible, stretching it out in an appetizing manner and its working but Iwaizumi likes to tease almost as much as Oikawa does so he ignores the ploy.
"Anyone else would have murdered you by now." He responds dryly, smiling broadly.
Oikawa catches the glint in his eye and can't help the giggle erupting from him. He abandons his coy attempts to seduce is boyfriend in favor of just tugging him down to peck his lips. Iwaizumi catches himself by placing his forearms on either side of Oikawa's head, careful not to fall on him. Their conversation is mostly forgotten then, as they keep up there kissing, and Iwaizumi tangles his fingers in Oikawa's brown fluffy hair.
"Should we christen this bland bed of yours?" Oikawa asks in an almost sing song voice, head tilting up at his boyfriend.
"Would you fuck on a cartoon alien bed for kids?" Iwaizumi asks, brow raised.
Oikawa grimaces at the thought, "Touché."
Iwaizumi laughs, a short brisk one, and climbs off. Oikawa is too slow at grabbing at him to keep him his prisoner. He looks over with a huff, "What was that?"
"I still need to unpack, keep it in your pants." Is the noncommittal reply. Iwaizumi is already going through another one of his boxes, completely unaffected.
Oikawa whines, kicking his feet into the bed like a tiny child who didn't get what he wanted. He is ignored, much to his disappointment, as Iwaizumi rifles through his boxes. So, the ex-captain lounges on the bed, watching his ex-ace, no, always his ace, bend down and move about. It's a bit lecherous, but Oikawa is in the mood. He had made that pretty clear.
He whistles at one point, when Iwaizumi's shirt rides up and his pants ride down in one magical moment, only to get him a reddened glare.
"Aren't you going to help?" Iwaizumi glowers, pulling his pants up as he stands. He's almost done though and there isn't really much for Oikawa to do. But its the principle that matters.
"I am helping!" Oikawa insists, rolling back onto his back, posing seductively, "The image of me in bed should fuel you to finish as fast as possible."
"You're right." Iwaizumi says, and Oikawa looks over at him quizzically, not expecting that response. "I'm done."
"You are?" Oikawa sits up, excited, held up by his bent arms. The position makes his chest stick out suggestively. It's only slightly on purpose. Still he's a bit wary. It's never this easy.
"No, I have one last job I need to finish." The elder corrects, coming over. He takes the pillow again, smooshing it over Oikawa's face, watching as he flails and struggles, gurgling into the pillow. He keeps holding it down firmly.
After a few seconds of pure joy, Iwaizumi releases him, lifting the pillow to view an irate, ruffled setter, breathing heavily. His lips are wet and his cheeks bright red, eyes teary. His chest is heaving, eyes blinking up at him rapidly. Iwaizumi can't help but laugh and he's tempted to stroke his boyfriend's face in apology. But he decides to wait on that last bit.
"I could have died." Oikawa insists, frowning deeply. His breathing is evening again, and he's successfully blinked back the tears.
"Satan can't die." Iwaizumi shrugs, turning his head to the side to try to hide his smile.
Oikawa slaps him halfheartedly, rolling away onto his side to sulk, as he usually does. But Iwaizumi decides the last of his stuff can wait to be unpacked, climbs on to the bed and crawls over to his boyfriend, rolling him back over.
"Go away." Oikawa mutters, forcing on a deep frown. He has his head turned away, looking as offended as possible. "You shouldn't be near me because apparently I'm Satan."
"And I'm here to join you in Hell."
Oikawa tries to keep a straight face, he tries as best he can, but it evaporates into a boisterous laugh as he clutches at his sides, "That was the dumbest cheesiest line I've heard you say yet, Iwa chan!" He cries, wiping a fresh tear from his eye. "And you are full of cheesy one liners!"
Iwaizumi slaps him on the back, a bit red and embarrassed, before pulling him in for another kiss to shut him up. Oikawa easily melts into it, digging a hand into his ace's short coarse hair, slick with the gel he used in the morning. The feeling makes him smile into the kiss, pulling him closer easily. It felt familiar. It felt like home.
It's always so simple, how easily they mesh and meld. Exchanging few words but knowing exactly what the other wants, just by shared looks. Except for their first time-which granted, was a terrible time for both of them, and that was a story for another time anyway. Right now was all that mattered. Right now in Iwaizumi's dorm room, without a care in the world.
It is after, when they're tangled in bland but homey sheets, Oikawa nuzzling into Iwaizumis neck, half asleep, but oh so warm, and Iwaizumi running fingers along Oikawa's long legs, that Iwaizumi turns to him. He cups his face, delicately, as if he'll fall apart if he's not to careful. Oikawa frowns, a slight downturn of his lips, not an overdramatic show, but a sincere worry plaguing his expression. His eyes looking at him intently. What's wrong?
Iwaizumi nibbles his bottom lip, glancing to the side, and lettings his thumb caress the underneath of Oikawa's ear, "America...is far." He says it a bit harshly, and looks as though he regrets it immensely when the words tumble from his mouth. But they are out there for the world to see. He digs his hand into Oikawa's hair, afraid he'll leave right then and there.
Oikawa softens, smiling sadly and turns to lie on his side, staring up at the ceiling and taking Iwaizumi's hand out of his hair to hold it. "It won't be so bad." He assures, and Iwaizumi can tell he says it not only for him but for himself.
He turns again, suddenly, and their faces are touching, noses bumping and Oikawa looks at him intensely. Iwaizumi is speechless. Oikawa isn't, "Let's take a nap. I'm tired. You were too rough with me." He ends with a playful whine and Iwaizumi snorts, but obeys wordlessly, grabbing the covers and pulling it over the both of them, inching a bit closer.
Oikawa stays up, despite his efforts. But it's fine, because Iwaizumi is a cuddler in his sleep, no matter how much he tries to deny it. Wrapped tightly in his strong arms, Iwaizumi's face nuzzled into his neck, Oikawa feels at home. He wonders about America, how foreign and exciting and new. He would be playing with a complete new team, meet new rivals, make new friendships.
Iwaizumi mumbles in his sleep, his lips tickling Oikawa's neck and suddenly the setter feels like crying.
But he won't.
At least not here. Not now.
It's weird to say goodbye when he knows he still has over an hour left before his plane leaves. It's weird and unreal and he tries to laugh it all off. It's weird and he focuses on the weirdness so he doesn't cry.
His mom hugs him again, the fifth time, pinching his cheeks and telling him how proud she is of him. He smiles and laughs, hugging back, and pretending not to notice the tears falling out of her eyes. Her baby is leaving. It's easy to understand her crying.
He doesn't know why Kindaichi is crying, nor does he really acknowledge it. His team is here to send him off. He is thankful for it. He knows they will do fine, they will keep Seijoh a powerhouse. He has left them in good hands, he knows, glancing at Shigeru who remains stern. Oikawa smiles at them, triumphantly. He'll miss them dearly.
Iwaizumi is not standing with their team. At least, not for the moment. He remains a bit to the side, away from everyone, as if cast off, when in reality he is the only thing on Oikawa's mind. He seems to be patiently waiting for his moment, for Oikawa's mother to finish her cooing and crying so he can step in. It's very respectful. It's very Iwaizumi.
Finally, his father pulls Oikawa's mother away, and Iwaizumi makes his move, coming closer to say his own goodbye.
"Don't cause too much trouble." He begins and Oikawa already feels a whine building in the back of his throat, "Don't overtrain. If you're starting to overtrain imagine the pain of my fist in your face." He continues to lecture, giving a warning look.
"Iwa-chan..." Oikawa lets loose the whine, pouting at his his boyfriend, best friend, his only real friend. Because in the sea of Oikawa's popularity there was only ever one rock to hold on to.
Iwaizumi softens, knocking Oikawa's shoulder with his fist playfully, "Be safe ok? And text me when you get there."
"Iwa-chan are you my mom?" Oikawa tilts his head jokingly.
"You want a black eye to explain to the flight attendant?" Comes the lighthearted threat.
Oikawa laughs, "It might give me pity points to upgrade me to first class."
Iwaizumi snorts and then quite suddenly pulls him into a rough hug. His fingers dig painfully into Oikawa's back, but the setter relishes the feeling. He wonder's if they'll leave indents, proof that Iwaizumi was there. When Iwaizumi finishes, he pulls away and nods. It gives the whole deal a sense of finality. And Oikawa knows it's because if they drag this on any longer Iwaizumi will cry and no one wants to see that. He can already see the itchiness behind the spiky haired teen's eyes.
No one should be crying, except for Oikawa's mother. And Kindaichi, apparently, who, after another quick glance is confirmed to still be crying.
"Thank you everyone for sending me off!" Oikawa speaks up, smiling his charming smile and waving broadly. He adds a bow for a good measure. After, he hefts up his bag and goes off toward security, glancing back one last time at his friends and family. The team is already leaving. His mother is covering her face and turned toward his father. Iwaizumi watches him, giving him an encouraging smile.
Once he is through security, and sitting at his gate, the sense of finality hits him. This is it. He's leaving everything he's ever known for a whole other world. He suddenly feels so small, small like he does when losing to Shiratorizawa, small like he was when he first met Iwaizumi, small like he thought he would never be again.
He pulls out his phone. His fingers tremble. His stomach sinks. Regret pools in. He types out:
I don't want to go
It takes a moment but he can see Iwaizumi already typing up his reply in the little dots on his screen.
You're going to shine
Oikawa doesn't know how Iwaizumi does it, how he makes him smile with four words texted out. But he feels a lot lighter, even if he's tearing up. But it's alright. It's all going to be fine. He's stronger than this and he knows it, and Iwaizumi knows it, and that sense of solidarity gives him the strength.
He boards the plane with a new sense of confidence, a sureness in his step as he glides down the aisle. And there is only one second of apprehension, of off center balance when he wonders if he saw a familiar face on the plane. A ghost. But he puts it out of his mind and takes his seat and starts to get excited about the adventures to come.
Because no matter what, he'll always have a home to return to.
He reads the text again.
You're going to shine
He makes a promise to do just that.
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