It's a weird time for both Oikawa and Iwaizumi. They're on the cusp of something new while still trudging through the old. They've finished their last game ever of their middle school careers. They've lost again to Ushijima. But the tears have dried, and there's only excitement for the next chance to crush him.

They have a few more weeks of class, a few more weeks with their team, with their juniors, before they leave for high school.

It's exciting.

It's terrifying.

Iwaizumi finds some solace in the fact that Oikawa and him will still be going to the same school. It's all that really matters. It's what sets him at ease. And things won't be so different, they'll still play volleyball, they'll still have homework, they'll still walk home together everyday.

They're best friends, and that won't change.

And so it's one lazy Friday afternoon, free of practice and homework that finds them lounging in Oikawa's room.

Iwaizumi is lying on his stomach on the floor, flipping through a sports magazine. He's paying close attention, focusing on the shoes advertised. His sneakers are getting a bit ratty, and he feels a hole about to emerge on the left one. It would be nice to start on his new team at his new school with a new pair of shoes.

Oikawa is sitting quietly near him. He's got his back against the bed to keep him upright, knees drawn up to rest the thick book in his hands. It's some new sci-fi thriller he picked up from the bookstore yesterday. Iwaizumi glances over at him and marvels at the fact he's already well past the half way point. He's always surprised at how fast of a reader Oikawa is. At how smart he is. At how talented he is. At how pretty he is.

Iwaizumi looks back at his magazine, dropping the train of thought. But he's no longer all that comfortable in his position. He rolls over onto his back, but it's no good either. He frowns and gets up, crawling over to Oikawa's side, "Lap." He orders.

As if on command, Oikawa's legs unfold, sticking straight out, without sparing a glance from his nove. He keeps reading, turning another page. Iwaizumi lays back down, using Oikawa's lap as his pillow. He opens up his magazine again.

Iwaizumi doesn't know how long they remain like that in silence, but at some point, Oikawa speaks up, "Iwa-chan."

Iwaizumi lets out a grunt to acknowledge the comment, but doesn't take his eyes off the description he's reading.

"We're going to be high schoolers."

Iwaizumi flicks his gaze up at Oikawa, noticing he's holding his book closed, his finger saving his place. "Yeah." He murmurs back, massaging the glossy pages with his thumb.

Oikawa dog ears his book and then places it above him on his bed, "We're so old." He whines, stretching is arms up.

Iwaizumi snorts, "We're not."

Oikawa's lips twist up into a teasing smile, "You're so old." He corrects, licking his lips.

Iwaizumi swats Oikawa's thigh, making the brunet squeal, "I'm only a month older than you." He reminds.

Oikawa giggles lightly, "So old." He sighs dramatically.

Iwaizumi rolls his eyes and is about to go back to his magazine when Oikawa speaks up again, "What do you think it'll be like in high school?"

Iwaizumi blinks and considers it a moment, "Exactly the same." He decides with a shrug before adding, "But I'll be taller."

Oikawa laughs, "You're still mad I'm an inch taller than you now?"

Iwaizumi reddens slightly, turning to lie on his side so he's looking towards Oikawa's feet, "You're only half an inch taller than me. And it's a fluke, you trashcan." He growls.

"How does it feel to be shorter than a trashcan?" Oikawa hums.

"I will punch you." Iwaizumi threatens, turning his head to shoot a glare. Oikawa is still grinning though. Iwaizumi decides to ignore him, flipping back to his magazine.

Oikawa can't stay quiet for long and Iwaizumi can tell that the next topic he wants to broach is a difficult one. The legs underneath his head quiver every once in a while. And after a moment, Oikawa is playing with his hair, running his long fingers through the short strands. It must be something big pressing him if he's this fidgety.

"What?" Iwaizumi asks, putting the magazine down and looking back over at him.

"What?" Oikawa repeats, playing dumb.

Iwaizumi swats away the hand playing in his hair, earning himself a huff. "Tell me."

Oikawa sighs, letting his hands fall limp at his sides in defeat, "I don't know."

Iwaizumi raises an eyebrow and Oikawa pouts his lips, "Ok fine." He murmurs, "I got some more confession letters."

"So?" Iwaizumi asks, "You get those every day." He reminds, and it doesn't bother him. It doesn't.

"But now they keep stating how we'll be in high school together." Oikawa continues, picking at his rug, "It feels more...real or something."

Iwaizumi looks up at him, squinting his eyes, "You liked one of them didn't you?"

Oikawa reddens, "I did not!"

Iwaizumi grins a little, "Does Tooru have a crush?"

Oikawa blooms bright red and shoves Iwaizumi off his lap, "That's NOT it!"

Iwaizumi laughs, sitting up to face his best friend, "So what's the problem?"

Oikawa won't look at him, "Well, in high school...it'll be different?" He murmurs, and Iwaizumi blinks because he's not really following. "Like...I guess once we're in high school I'll accept a confession..."

Iwaizumi doesn't know why his stomach churns at the thought. "Ok?" He swallows.

Oikawa draws his knees up to his chest, playing with the fabric of his pants, "But...what if...what if she wants to kiss or something?" He finally hisses out, peaking his eyes over his knees to look at his best friend..

Iwaizumi forces out a chuckle even though the thought makes him feel sick for some reason, "I wish the girls could see their cool senpai like he is now."

Oikawa sends him a glare, "Shut up!"

Iwaizumi smiles, "Don't worry about it. It'll be fine." He kind of also wants to add you don't have to kiss anyone. But he decides not to. At least for the moment.

"I don't want to mess up!" Oikawa continues and there's a bit more animation in his eyes and it feels as if he's finally reached the crescendo of his point, "So I think I should practice!"

Iwaizumi furrows his brows, "Ok?"

And then Oikawa finally looks at him, "So will you help me practice?"

Iwaizumi blinks, "Wait, what?"

Oikawa moves a bit closer, "Iwa-chan we're best friends."

"Unfortunately." Iwaizumi mutters, pulling away a bit.

"And we practice volleyball all the time." Oikawa continues, edging closer and closer. Iwaizumi stretches his neck away.

"Well, yeah..." He agrees slowly.

"So, we should practice kissing together too." Oikawa finishes, looking into his eyes incredibly seriously.

Iwaizumi turns bright red, "Huh!?"

Oikawa leans even closer, "It's not weird!" He insists, as if he's trying to convince himself more than Iwaizumi.

Iwaizumi's heart is suddenly beating so fast and he decides it's due to fear, "What are you talking about, dumbass!? I'm not kissing you!"

"Please, Iwa-chan!" Oikawa practically pleads. "I don't want to make a fool of myself!"

"You make a fool of yourself every day!" Iwaizumi counters, getting a whine out of Oikawa.

"Iwa-chan!"

"No! I don't want to kiss your ugly face."

"We both know my face is not ugly."

"Whatever, I still don't want to kiss your pretty face."

Oikawa huffs and pulls back. And Iwaizumi prays that he's done with this nonsense. Because his heart is hammering and his face is red and his palms are sweaty. And he's never really thought about kissing Oikawa before and now he can't stop thinking about it and that's not ok. That can't be ok.

"Aren't you even a little curious?" Oikawa murmurs, frowning.

"Well, yeah, but..." Iwaizumi mutters, scratching the back of his neck and looking away.

"Think of how cool we would be if we knew what we were doing even as first years in high school!" Oikawa continues, waving his arms for added effect.

Iwaizumi doesn't say anything, he just wipes his hands on his shorts. He can feel Oikawa watching him and he wishes he wasn't. He kind of wants to go home right now. But he also doesn't.

Because he kind of wants to kiss Oikawa even though he doesn't care about any future reputation he may have.

"Kiss someone else." Iwaizumi finally hisses out willing the color out of his cheeks

"I can't kiss anyone except you." Oikawa reasons, and Iwaizumi feels his heart jump. "You're my best friend."

Iwaizumi refuses to look at him.

"It'll be a secret! No one will know! Everyone will just think we're cool." Oikawa continues, leaning over again.

Iwaizumi bites at his lip and he hates how weak he is with Oikawa. How Oikawa can get him to do anything. How he can manipulate him into all his schemes. How Iwaizumi will always follow him no matter what.

Oikawa looks at him pleadingly, "Hajime."

Iwaizumi grits his teeth and looks away, "Ug, fine." He snaps, crossing his arms and hoping his face isn't as red as it feels.

Oikawa grins brightly at his victory and then...does nothing.

Iwaizumi waits a moment before looking back at him, finding Oikawa fidgeting with his hair and looking a bit sheepish, "Well?"

"Well!" Oikawa repeats, and he's tugging on one of his own strands of hair, a nervous habit of his. "Ok. Let's, uh, try."

"Oh my God you're hopeless. This was your idea." Iwaizumi huffs, scooching a bit closer so he's seated directly in front of the brunet.

Oikawa nibbles his lip, "Well, I've never done this before!" He snaps defensively, frowning a bit. "I don't know how to start..."

Iwaizumi frowns as well, drawing his eyebrows together, "Ok." He thinks a moment, "Let's just do it at the same time, I guess."

Oikawa brightens a little, "Ok." He agrees, "On three?"

"Sure."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

They both lean forward quickly, smashing their noses together, bumping foreheads and slightly brushing lips. They pull back, each with their own pained noises. Oikawa rubs his forehead, Iwaizumi massages his nose. They're both bright red.

"That was awful." Oikawa whines, pouting.

"It's cause we didn't do it right, idiot!" Iwaizumi glowers. "You can't do anything right."

"You're the brute here, it was your fault." Oikawa defends, looking to the side.

Iwaizumi glares at him, "Do you want my help or not?"

Oikawa stays quiet, but keeps his pout on his face.

Iwaizumi sighs and settles back down in front of him, "Alright ok, only one of us moves this time." He decides.

"Ok." Oikawa agrees, pulling at a strand from his bangs that falls a bit too far down his face. He needs a hair cut, Iwaizumi thinks.

"So, I'll stay here and you uh...come forward and do it." Iwaizumi explains, trying not to sound as terrified as he is.

"Me?" Oikawa croaks, wide eyed. .

"Well, you're the one who wants to practice." Iwaizumi reasons, "What? You want me to do it?"

"I can do it!" Oikawa replies a little too quickly.

Iwaizumi rolls his eyes, but settles back down, perched on his folded knees. He can't help the way he grips the ends of his shorts tightly in his fists. He's a bit nervous. A lot nervous. He waits.

Oikawa hesitates but then he seems resolved, and leans over. Iwaizumi fights the instinctive urge to lean back, remaining still. He stares, eyes wide, at Oikawa's incoming face, at his large brown eyes, at his clear skin, at his puckered lips.

He squeezes his eyes shut.

He feels Oikawa's lips against his and the first thing he thinks is that they're so soft, and the next thing he thinks is that his own lips are really chapped and probably rough and gross and he feels a bit awful. Because this is kind of nice but it must feel terrible for Oikawa to be kissing him.

Oikawa pulls away, completely red. And Iwaizumi sees he's looking at him for feedback, the same way he looks at him after a toss. How can I make this better for you?

Iwaizumi swallows, "It was n-nice."

Oikawa's eyes visibly brighten.

Iwaizumi wonders if Oikawa can hear his heartbeat because it's thumping terribly loudly in his ears.

Iwaizumi realizes they've just been staring at each other without saying anything for a few seconds now so he looks away.

"Your turn."

Iwaizumi looks up with a start, "Huh?"

"Well, it wouldn't be fair otherwise." Oikawa explains with a wave before using the same hand to scratch at his head, "And plus, you don't get good by doing it once. We have to practice!" He continues looking anywhere but Iwaizumi's eyes.

Iwaizumi chews on the inside of his cheek, "...Ok."

Oikawa looks back over and settles himself, and he looks like he's bracing for impact. Iwaizumi would have laughed if he wasn't all nerves.

He leans over, tilts his head a little, and presses his lips against Oikawa. They're wet and soft and he's not sure what to do. His hands come up to grip onto Oikawa's upper arms. Tightly.

And then he pulls back.

"This is weird." He mumbles, self consciously. Still gripping onto him.

"In the movies they open their mouths." Oikawa breathes, and his face is still so close that it tickles his face and makes Iwaizumi wrinkle his nose slightly.

"That's gross."

Oikawa frowns, "Bugs are gross but I still hold them when you ask me to."

Iwaizumi stares at him, "What are you talking about? The last time you held a bug you were ten and you screamed the whole time!" He snaps, offended.

Oikawa pouts, "Iwa-chaaaaan." He whines.

Iwaizumi grits his teeth, "You're the worst." He decides and Oikawa smiles a little because he knows that means he's won. "How does that even work." Iwaizumi continues, letting go in order to cross his arms, "Do we just kiss and then open our mouths? And then what? This is so stupid."

"We won't know until we try." Oikawa reminds, scratching at his arm idly.

Iwaizumi grimaces, "You owe me for life." He decides.

Oikawa nods, accepting the terms, "Just once. And then we can stop ok?"

Iwaizumi huffs, but turns to face Oikawa. He's gripping his shorts again. Oikawa mirrors him, and without prompting leans in. Iwaizumi feels really sweaty, and his grip on his shorts slips with how wet his palms are.

Oikawa's lips are as soft as he remembers, and his teeth clench at the contact. But then he can feel Oikawa's mouth opening against him and he knows he needs to open his mouth too but it's weird. It's so weird. Oikawa makes a noise, and Iwaizumi doesn't so much as hear it but feel it against his own lips and so he opens up.

And it's weird.

And he doesn't know what to do.

And he's uncomfortable.

And he wants to go home.

And then Oikawa's tongue glides across his lips and he pulls back in shock, body shuddering at the feeling.

Oikawa blinks, and both of them are red.

"Iwa-chan?"

"I'm going home." He mutters, shoving his shirt down and practically running out of the room, out of the house and across the street.

They don't see each other for the rest of the weekend. They don't exchange a word. Iwaizumi spends his days locked in his bedroom claiming a stomach ache. He replays the memory, feeling weird, and gross, and sweaty and weird. And he doesn't like it. But he doesn't hate it either. Which makes it worse.

But by Sunday he's decided that he should just forget the whole thing. Because he misses Oikawa, and it's not like it was his fault. He was just curious. And he can't blame him for that. He's not going to let something so stupid come between their forever long friendship.

That Monday Oikawa looks at him nervously when they find each other in the locker room before practice. They lock gazes and Iwaizumi can see the question clear in those brown eyes.

Are you actually mad at me?

Iwaizumi snorts, and sends him a half smile. Oikawa's shoulders relax immediately and he can't help the grin that blossoms on his face.

Yeah, Iwaizumi thinks, nothing so stupid could ever ruin their friendship.

"Let me practice my tosses ok?" Oikawa calls, and Iwaizumi nods, following after him. There's a spring in Oikawa's step, an extra bounce, and Iwaizumi realizes he was probably sulking the whole weekend. He claps him on the shoulder as they walk out.

They don't bring up the kissing practice again. They won't mention it for years, in fact. Things slip back to normal fairly easily and it's like nothing had ever happened. An that friday they find themselves back in Oikawa's room.

"Hey, Iwa-chan?" Oikawa calls, looking up from his stack of DVD's. He's on the quest for a good movie or documentary to put on to pass the time. Iwaizumi is sitting on his floor, back against his bed, waiting.

"Yeah?" He responds, not bothering to look back at him.

"What do you think it'll be like in high school?" Oikawa wonders.

"We already talked about this. The same." Iwaizumi sighs, flicking some dust from his knee.

"Well, what about after high school?" Oikawa presses.

"We'll go to college." Iwaizumi shrugs, shifting in his seat.

"And after that?"

"We'll get jobs, I guess."

"And then what?"

"And then I don't know. It's like forever from now stop worrying about it." Iwaizumi snaps, getting annoyed. How the hell was he supposed to know these things?

Oikawa seems to have selected his film for the day and crawls back over. He's frowning, "Iwa-chan, what do you wanna be when you grow up?"

Iwaizumi shrugs again, leaning his head back to rest against the bed, "I don't know. I guess I want to get married and be a dad." Oikawa snorts, and Iwaizumi turns to glare at him, "What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing!" Oikawa quickly defends, raising his hands up, "It's just...Kids are awful."

"No they're not." Iwaizumi defends.

"Yes they are! Look at Tobio-chan!" Oikawa reasons, looking disgusted.

"Oh my god, Kageyama is not that bad."

"Imagine raising three Tobio-chans." Oikawa murmurs with a sickening shudder, "Ug. No but kids are gross. They smell and they're dirty and they're stupid. I hate them."

"You cried when you held your baby nephew." Iwaizumi points out.

"THAT'S DIFFERENT!" Oikawa snaps, pursing his lips and trying to hide his blush. Iwaizumi raises an eyebrow and can't help the slight smile on his face.

"Well, I think it'd be nice. To have a kid." He shrugs again, feeling a bit self conscious. He can feel Oikawa's gaze on him and he starts fidgeting with the rug. It's not that weird is it?

"Iwa-chan would make a good dad." Oikawa decides after a moment and Iwaizumi looks back at him eyebrows drawn up in surprise. It's rare to get a complement from his best friend. "Oh but you would dress your kids terribly." Oikawa adds, holding a hand to his face at the horrific realization, "They'll be bullied mercilessly."

"Hey!" Iwaizumi snaps, slapping him playfully. Oikawa lets out an exaggerated pained noise but the smile doesn't leave his face.

"So, what would you name your kid?" Oikawa asks, glancing back over.

Iwaizumi blinks, "...I don't know. I've never really thought about it. We're fourteen!"

"Mmm. It's always good to think five steps ahead, Iwa-chan. Don't you ever listen to coach?"

Iwaizumi rolls his eyes, "I'm not even married yet."

"Don't worry Iwa-chan. Some lady is bound to like your ugly face eventua-OW IWA-CHAN THAT ACTUALLY HURT!" He whines, rubbing his arm, "And I was about to offer to be your best man." He adds with a huff.

"You're not allowed ten feet from my wedding." Iwaizumi snaps, crossing his arms.

"So mean." Oikawa sighs, leaning back a little and finally pressing play on the television. Iwaizumi sees he's selected the movie Signs, which they've seen before but Oikawa still adores it. He guesses the conversation has been dropped.

That is, until a few minutes later when the opening credits wrap up and Oikawa murmurs, "Kaede's a pretty name."

Iwaizumi looks over at him confused but Oikawa won't meet his gaze, focused on the screen. Still he explains softly, "You know, for a little girl."

Iwaizumi doesn't respond.

see i dont only write angst

see you next chapter!

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