Oikawa lets out a piercing shriek as he tips over into the creek, hands flying back to try to catch himself. He ends up landing on his butt, the water lapping high up at his waist. His shorts are soaked, and he starts tearing up, pouting angrily at the boy who pushed him.

Iwaizumi is laughing, clutching at his stomach and leaning forward. His large brimmed straw hat has fallen to the ground, and his bucket has been safely placed aside. He's tearing up too, but for vastly different reasons.

"Iwa-chan is so mean!" Oikawa sputters, standing up with difficulty. His shorts cling to him awkwardly, saturated a darker blue from the water. It's enough that it drips down his bare knees and calves. He wipes at his snotty nose with the back of his hand, blinking back the tears of betrayal and turns away from his best friend. Instead, he climbs up the bank of the other side of the creek.

Oikawa is done with Iwaizumi. Done with him forever he decides. So he doesn't turn around, but crosses his arms angrily as he stands there, cold and upset. He hears Iwaizumi quiet down his laughter and take in a sigh, "To-chan, come on. Don't be like that. You were the one being a butt."

"I was not." Oikawa defends, spinning around to face him from the other side. Offended. He was the victim here!

"Were too." Iwaizumi rebuts, sitting down calmly to take off his shoes and socks. He slips the latter into his shoes neatly to make sure they don't get dirty. He doesn't want his mom to yell at him. "You said bugs were stupid."

"They are." Oikawa affirms, sitting down and copying Iwaizumi from his side of the creek, mostly because his socks are wet and gross and his feet feel slimy and he wants them off. He just kind of kicks them off however, he doesn't really want to touch them now. They're dirty and icky. "It's a fact."

"Then go home." Iwaizumi spits out and descends into the creek without another word. He slides down the bank with practiced ease, landing inside the creek, where the water is shallow and comes up to his mid-calf. He has his bucket in hand, and net in the other, ready.

Oikawa frowns, digging his heels into the wet mud at his feet. He draws his knees up to his chest, hugging himself tightly and watching as Iwaizumi starts wading through the water, eyes intently watching its translucent surface. Completely ignoring him. He hates it.

"...I thought we were going hunting for tadpoles, not bugs." Oikawa murmurs, frowning at his knees. Not only had he been betrayed, but lied to as well.

Iwaizumi doesn't look at him, "I am."

Oikawa whines, "We are." He insists with a little huff, glaring at the other little boy. Was he already forgotten?

"No, we're not." Iwaizumi says matter of factly, looking up to stare at him finally, "You're sitting in the mud."

Oikawa whines harder, picking himself up and sliding down the bank back into the creek. "I wanna help." He pleads, fidgeting, all gangly limbs and open teary eyes.

Iwaizumi looks over at him, and he seems to soften. Because Iwaizumi can never win with Oikawa. Oikawa always ends up getting his way. But only because Iwaizumi would rather have fun with Oikawa than to be alone. And so his eyes do shine a little as he states, "Ok. Grab one of the nets in the bucket and go."

Oikawa grins at the permission, running over and shoving a hand into the bucket only to screech as something slimy slides between his fingers. He pulls back in horror, a slug crawling up his arm, and he shudders gagging at the horrendous sight. He's about to cry (again), breathing heavily and frozen in horror.

Oikawa jumps when a hand touches his arm but he relaxes as best he can when he sees that it's only Iwaizumi. His hold is soft, careful, and his eyebrows are furrowed as he studies the problem. But then the slug moves closer up his arm and Oikawa shrieks at the feeling and wants to flail his arm. But Iwaizumi keeps him still with his grip.

With his other hand, Iwaizumi delicately picks off the slug. It clings to Oikawa's arm, his skin stretching up as the slug gives a good fight to remain attached. The sight makes Oikawa queasy, but eventually the creature lets go. Iwaizumi flicks it into the distance, "Stop screaming."

Oikawa tackles him into a hug, arms wrapping around him as tight as can be, "Iwa-chan is so cool!" He cries out, squeezing him in relief. "So brave! A hero disguised as a brute!"

Iwaizumi flushes a little, but hugs him back just the same, patting him on the back. "It's just a slug." He mutters, a bit red at the attention.

"I've made a decision!" Oikawa ignores, pulling back, and placing his hands on his best friend's shoulders.

Iwaizumi tilts his head with a frown. He's used to Oikawa's ideas and he's not much of a fan of them. Although, he usually ends up going along with them regardless. Still, he knows this can't be anything good.

"You will be my first knight in my kingdom!" Oikawa affirms, grinning brightly. He gives a little official nod.

Iwaizumi is unimpressed, "Why are you the King?" He questions, with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm prettier." Oikawa states, obviously, smiling widely with a certain spark in his eyes. Iwaizumi can't really argue with that but it doesn't mean he agrees with it at all. It's not like it's hard to be prettier than himself, he thinks. And Oikawa has always been pretty. Prettier than anyone else in the world.

Not that he would tell him that. Oikawa's ego doesn't need any help.

Iwaizumi snorts, "King of Garbage."

Oikawa pouts, "But you'd still be my knight right?" He repeats, exagerating his pout in a way he knows Iwaizumi can't resist. He squeezes the other's shoulders with his hands encouragingly.

Iwaizumi can't help the slight smile that finally overtakes his visage, "You'd die if I wasn't." He reminds, with slightest tease of his lips.

Oikawa laughs, smacking Iwaizumi playfully before taking his bug net from his lax hand and slipping back into the creek. Iwaizumi lets him, picking out his second net from the bucket before rushing to his side.

They end up forgetting about their quest for tadpoles and instead play sword fights with their respective net weapons, stabbing and poking and laughing. Iwaizumi easily wins and Oikawa claims he's cheating to which Iwaizumi responds by piercing him right in the heart.

Oikawa stumbles back dramatically, dying on the bank in a flourish of arms and agonizing cries. He lies there still, really selling it before remembering his last words. "You...betrayed...your King..." and then making a loud gagging noise before finally succumbing to death. He'd give himself a gold star for his performance.

Iwaizumi snickers at the theatrics, watching the display in amusement, "I did it for the kingdom."

Oikawa sits up with a start, "That's so mean, Iwa-chan!" He starts to stand up, wiggling a little, "I would be a great King!" He defends with an indignant huff.

Iwaizumi shrugs, "We'll see." He pretends to sheathe his sword, slipping his bug net into one of the loops of his shorts.

Oikawa whines, pouting and turning away, "Fine. I'll go find a better knight." He snaps, scrambling up the bank and marching up the hill to reach the wooded area that marks the edge of Iwaizumi's backyard.

"To-chan!" He can hear Iwaizumi call from behind him, but Oikawa is sulking and refuses to answer, trudging deeper into the woods. Plus, he likes it when Iwaizumi is nice to him, when he comforts him, when he tries to make him feel better and so he can't help but draw those situations out.

"To-chan!"

He also likes hearing his nickname. Oikawa smiles a little but forces his face back into a deep frown and decides to duck behind a bush. He peers out and waits as Iwaizumi walks over a few seconds later. He looks around with a deep frown, his thick little eyebrows furrowing exagerating the ridges around his nose. It's cute, Oikawa thinks. He's going to get wrinkles before high school, he also thinks.

"To-chan!" Iwaizumi shouts again, looking around on his tip toes. Oikawa decides thats enough of worrying Iwaizumi to an early death. But at the same time, he's not completely done.

"To-chan died because you were mean." Oikawa calls from his hiding spot, trying to sound like a ghost or maybe an alien. Although he's not sure what either would actually sound like. He does his best to sound sad and creepy and as far away as possible.

Iwaizumi rolls his eyes, turning toward the source of the voice immediately, "Stop that, you're not actually dead." The boy reminds, taking a step towards the bush he realizes Oikawa is hiding behind.

"And if I was?" Oikawa continues, crossing his arms even though Iwaizumi can't really see him through the foliage.

"I'd avenge my King." Iwaizumi states firmly, unsheathing his ne and swinging it like a great sword. It sounds really silly, but he says it firmly and with a straight face, looking intently at the bush.

Oikawa reddens, his heart beats erratically, and a smile blossoms on his muddy little face, "Really?" He asks, quietly, in awe.

"No." Iwaizumi responds instantly and there's a whine building in Oikawa's throat, but Iwaizumi pushes past the bush and offers him his hand, "I'd avenge my best friend."

Oikawa blinks, taking the hand while his mind still reels over the words. He steps out of the bush, feels red, and Iwaizumi is a bit red too. Because this silly game of make believe got a little too weird even for them. Oikawa pulls back his hand, a little sweaty but plasters on a confident smile, "That doesn't count if I'm your only friend, Iwa-chan."

Iwaizumi slaps his shoulder. Hard.

They descend into giggles once more and recommence their mock fighting in the forest. As the sky darkens however, they hear Iwaizumi's mother calling their names. And so they rush past over the little creek on the sturdy trunk of a fallen tree, felled by a recent storm, picking up their shoes along the way. They never stop laughing as they go, until they reach the home and are scolded for how dirty they've become.

They wash up slightly before dinner and Oikawa asks if he can stay over, and then calls his mother for permission which he easily gets. No one is surprised by this turn of events. In fact, Iwaizumi's mother has already pulled out a fresh pillow and spare pajamas for her son's best friend.

After their meal the pair take an actual-and much needed-bath, snickering as they splash each other in the tub. Oikawa claims he can hold his breath longer and Iwaizumi tells him he's a liar. But for once, Oikawa wins, and Iwaizumi hates to admit it, crossing his arms with a huff. Oikawa is all grins and teases and sighs about how much better he clearly is. Iwaizumi knows this will inflate his ego more than he cant take so he decides to cut the celebrations short.

Iwaizumi prompts a race to his bedroom. Before Oikawa can agree he is already darting out of the tub, almost forgetting his towel in the process. Oikawa squawks, shouting out how much of a cheater he is as he scrambles to follow. They end up in the room, seconds apart. Oikawa is whining incessantly while Iwaizumi rolls his eyes and barks at him to put his clothes on.

Iwaizumi's mom checks in on them then, hearing all the shouting and stamping around. She finds them in their pajamas, hair still soaking wet, playing with their little video games. They peak up at her when she enters, as if they weren't hollering to kingdom come minutes earlier.

"Your father has work tomorrow. Don't be so loud." She scolds, looking at her son. Her expression reads loud and clear, I expect better from you.

"Yes, Mom." Iwaizumi responds, looking up briefly from his game.

"Dry your hair." She continues, sternly, "You'll catch a cold."

"Yes, Mom." Iwaizumi sighs, but in his head he think he needs to finish this battle before he can do anything.

She clicks her tongue when he makes no move to follow her order, taking the towel from his shoulders and ruffling it through her son's hair. He frowns and reddens looking away from his screen. Oikawa snickers into his hand at the scene. Iwaizumi's mother takes his own towel and ruffles up his hair next and it's all Oikawa can do not to squawk indignantly because he's not that rude. He just smiles politely and endures it. Iwaizumi wants to laugh but he doesn't.

"Ok, Mom." He manages, hoping she gets the idea to leave them be.

She raises a brow, "Yes, yes I know. You have important business to handle clearly." She sighs out teasingly. Iwaizumi huffs, his blush still dusting his cheeks. She bends down then, placing a little kiss on his forehead, "Good night, Hajime."

"Goodnight, Mom." Iwaizumi replies, rubbing the spot absently with his fingers.

"Goodnight Tooru. Don't stay up too late." His mother calls from the door.

"Goodnight Iwaizumi-san!" Oikawa waves, and finally the woman leaves the room. Iwaizumi breathes a sigh of relief

Oikawa starts playing with his hair, trying to smooth it back into place, "Does it look ok?" He asks Iwaizumi quietly and Iwaizumi knows better than to tease Oikawa about his hair. He takes too much pride in it.

"You look fine." He states before looking back at his gameboy. "Ok, what Pokemon do you have?" Oikawa shows off his team and the pair compare their selections. "Your team sucks." Iwaizumi decides bluntly.

Oikawa is every bit offended, "Well, your team is ugly." He quickly counters.

"It doesn't matter what they look like as long as their strong." Iwaizumi argues back, pursing his lips and looking back at his team. They weren't ugly at all. They were cool looking. Oikawa just had terrible taste.

They fall back into a little silence, the sound of their gameboys filling in the air. And it's fine like this, sitting side by side in the dimly lit room after a warm bath. It's relaxing. Iwaizumi yawns a little.

"How come only you got a goodnight kiss?" Oikawa breaks the silence, thinking aloud while battling a random trainer.

"Huh? Cause she's my mom. Not yours." Iwaizumi offers easily, as he spams the run button on a wild Pokemon. He yawns again, squinting at his screen.

"My mom kisses you goodnight when you stay over." Oikawa points out, after he finishes his battle.

Iwaizumi shrugs at that, "Maybe I'm better than you. My team definitely is." He adds with a little playful smirk.

"Your team is just gross bugs." Oikawa snaps.

"It's not just bugs. There's a pidgey there." Iwaizumi defends quickly, "If you keep making fun of them I'll catch a Beedrill and name it after you."

"No! Those are the grossest. They don't deserve my name." Oikawa shouts, glaring at him. Iwaizumi snickers at that but lets it drop.

Still, something bothers him, "Why do you want my mom to kiss you?"

"I don't!" Oikawa huffs, focusing more intently on his game, "I was just making an observation. Just like coach tells us to. Observe everything. Learn. You know?"

"My mom isn't going to play volleyball with us." Iwaizumi responds blandly.

"That's not the point, Iwa-chan!" Oikawa sighs out, exasperated.

"This is stupid." Iwaizumi rolls his eyes.

"You're stupid." Oikawa mutters.

"You're stupider."

Oikawa huffs again, saving his game and turning his gameboy off, "You're so mean, Iwa-chan."

"I'm mean?" Iwaizumi looks over indignantly, "You called me stupid first."

"I was just stating facts. You were shouting out lies." Oikawa explains easily, reminding of the gravity of the situation. For shame, Iwa-chan.

Iwaizumi swats him on the head and Oikawa lets out a loud whine, cradling his wound, peaking his teary eyes up at his best friend. But Iwaizumi isn't there. Oikawa immediately drops the pitiful act to look around and find his friend has already crawled into his bed.

Oikawa follows after a moment-after he saves Iwaizumi's game for him and turns his gameboy off. "Iwa-chaaaaan." He calls.

Iwaizumi ignores him, turned on his side. Once he feels Oikawa's weight on the bed he switches the light off beside him, and the room is plunged into darkness.

Oikawa waits a minute, adjusting to the lack of light. When he can see the faint outline of the furniture in Iwaizumi's room he turns on his side to look over at his friend who still hasn't responded to him. He nudges his shoulder, nibbling his lip for a second, "Are you actually mad at me?"

Iwaizumi takes his pillow and swats the other in the face, "No."

Oikawa whines, shoving the pillow off his face. "So sensitive." He sighs.

Iwaizumi snorts at that.

"What?" Oikawa asks, perplexed.

"I'm sensitive? You cried yesterday while watching your alien show." Iwaizumi reminds him with a grin, hidden in the darkness.

"It ended inconclusive! And i didn't cry."

"It always ends inconclusive."

"That's why its so upsetting."

"Aliens aren't real."

"You TAKE THAT BACK, IWA-CHAN."

Iwaizumi giggles faintly from where he's turned on his side. Oikawa shakes his shoulder, sitting up for more leverage. "TAKE IT BACK, IWA-CHAN. TAKE IT BACK RIGHT NOW."

"I can't take back the truth." Iwaizumi counters but his voice wavers under the weight of his laughter. And yet Oikawa remains deathly serious.

"IWA-CHAN I'M GOING TO PUNCH YOU." Oikawa threatens, but his voice cracks into a higher pitch in the middle.

"You can't even get a slug off your arm." His friend reminds him playfully.

"IWA-CHAN!" And Oikawa sounds legitimately upset, so Iwaizumi quiets down his laughter.

He finally rolls over onto his back, "What?" He finds Oikawa lying back down and looking at the ceiling with a frown.

"...Do you really think they're not real?" He mutters seriously, turning his gaze to fidget with the bedspread.

Iwaizumi turns completely to his side to face his best friend, "I don't know."

Oikawa purses his lips, letting a breath out through his nose. "They have to be out there, Iwa-chan. Space is huge. I just know they're out there somewhere."

"You're ten you don't know anything."

"Neither do you!"

Iwaizumi pauses a moment, "Yeah, ok."

Oikawa smirks at his tiny victory. "When we're older I'll prove you wrong."

"Who says I'll still tolerate you?" Iwaizumi counters dryly, letting out his third yawn of the night.

"Silly, Iwa-chan." Oikawa laughs, "We're best friends. It's too late now."

Iwaizumi groans, but he smiles in the darkness at the sentiment. He feels Oikawa turn to his side, facing him as well.

"Goodnight Iwa-chan." Oikawa murmurs, and Iwaizumi can see his eyes are closed, and his face is very close. He wonders if he's already asleep but his brown eyes blink open again, "Thanks for saving me today." He adds, quietly.

Iwaizumi snorts, and on a sudden whim presses a little kiss to Oikawa's hair, right above his forehead, "Goodnight To-chan. No more complaining."

Oikawa laughs at that, nudging the other with his arm before repeating his goodnight. And soon the pair are fast asleep and everything is ok. Everything is fine just the way it is.

Just the way it's supposed to be.

Sorry for the long wait! Here take some pure fluffy children. We'll get back into the emotional turmoil next chapter.

See you then!

Reviews make me smile :)