"Do you want to come over today?"
"Sorry, Iwa-chan, I can't today!"
"What about tomorrow?"
"I'm swamped with work."
"What about next week?"
"That's when the deadline is!"
"The week after?"
"Maybe, I'll let you know!"
"Dad, can I have your phone." Kaede asks, looking up at her father as he pays the cashier.
"Just a second, Kaede." He answers, collecting their groceries. He only needed to a grab few little things, luckily. He takes Kaede's hand with his free one and they depart from the store.
"Can I have your phone now?" Kaede continues, and Iwaizumi can hear a whine building in her tone.
"Why do you want my phone?" He asks, looking at her with a raised brow.
"I wanna play one of my games." Kaede answers easily, looking up at him earnestly.
"Not right now." Iwaizumi says sternly, "You can play when we get home."
She pouts, and Iwaizumi can feel resistance in her walk as they travel down the sidewalk. He had parked their car a block or so away, needing to do a number of little errands. Kaede had been good the whole time, but he can feel her patience wearing thin. He was getting tired himself, if he was being honest.
He spots a little coffee shop and pauses.
He looks down at his daughter, a smile curling on his lips, "Kaede, do you want a snack?"
She immediately drops her pouting and perks up, "Yes!" She agrees, hopping a bit in place at the mention of a treat.
Iwaizumi grins at her, "Alright, in we go."
He gets himself a coffee. Kaede presses her face against the glass display, deep in thought as she selects her desert of choice. She picks out a chocolate pastry after careful deliberation, nodding her head with a determined finality. Iwaizumi smiles at her before turning to the cashier to pay. He hesitates a moment, something catching his eyes from the display and decides to add a milkbread to his list of purchases.
Oikawa hadn't been over in a few days. Not since their little spat that one night. Not since Iwaizumi had asked him to kiss him. It wasn't as if Iwaizumi wasn't hearing from him anymore, Oikawa texted him constantly. He just kept coming up with excuses for not being able to come over.
Iwaizumi had gotten used to his presence, the newfound absence was wearing him down. Soon Kaede would go home with Koto and then he'd really be alone.
"Dad?"
Iwaizumi blinks. He'd led them out of the cafe, beginning to weave distractly through the patio of tables outside. He looks down at his daughter at her prompting. He squints when he sees she's already making a mess of her face with her treat, chocolate splashed at the corners of her lips, and a cute little dot of it on her nose. But he doesn't comment when he notices the worry in her eyes.
"Why's that guy staring at you?" She continues in a hushed voice, pointing outward while at the same time pressing closer to him. Her grip on his hand tightens a fraction, blunt nails digging into his calloused palm.
Iwaizumi follows her gaze to find a tall man, with short black hair and a stern face. The man is indeed staring at them, eyebrows pointed harshly downward. It takes him a moment, to realize he knows this man. More than knows him. It feels as though the winds been knocked out of him when he realizes, and he lets out a sudden gasp.
"Ushijima?" He can't help but call out, leaning a little forward in disbelief. Ushiima? Here?
The man stands up from his seat at one of the outdoor cafe tables, giving a nod. His gruff voice, deeper than in high school reach out to him, "So you are indeed Iwaizumi Hajime, correct?"
Iwaizumi swallows, and his grip on his daughter's hand tightens instinctively, "Yes." She seems to huddle closer to his leg, feeding off his energy of distrust.
"I am glad I have found you. Do you have time to talk a moment?" Ushijima asks, sitting back down and pointing at the seat across form him.
Iwaizumi is not sure what to think at this point, but he finds himself taking the offered seat. Kaede looks at him questioningly, uncharacteristically quiet. Iwaizumi smiles at her, helping her onto the seat beside him. She's mostly limp in his grip but refuses to let go of his hand.
"We'll go soon." Iwaizumi promises, pulling his hand free with a careful smile, "Here, you can play your game." He adds, offering her his phone. She takes it carefully, but doesn't seem as keen on it as before. Her eyes keep darting between her father and the stranger.
"Well?" Iwaizumi prompts, turning his gaze to his former rival-current rival? He's not sure where he stands with Ushijima. He's not sure of much anymore.
Ushijima looks over, resting his hands on the table's surface, laptop closed and set to the side, "Have you spoken to Oikawa?" He begins, slowly.
"Not recently." Iwaizumi responds.
Ushijima frowns, "I feel as though I am partially responsible for this."
"I know...about the stuff in America." Iwaizumi states carefully, eyes looking down at the table top, gritting his teeth behind closed lips.
Ushijima nods, "You know we were intimate at times?" He clarifies.
Iwaizumi grimaces, fingers curling up into his palms from where they rest on the table, "I know."
"We were never in a relationship." Ushijima continues, "We simply had sex."
"I know." Iwaizumi huffs, "Let's not talk about this in detail right now?" Iwaizumi demands, glancing over at his little girl. She is poking at his phone screen, shrinking down into her seat as if she doesn't want to be seen, eyebrows upturned in worry.
There's a lengthy pause as the man before him gathers his thoughts. "I am worried about Oikawa." Ushijima begins again, picking his words carefully.
"What are you worried about?" Iwaizumi asks with a guarded tone, eyes squinting at him as they're torn away from his daughter.
"He has not answered a text from me in months." Ushijima explains, "And we left on bad terms."
Iwaizumi frowns, because he knows better than anyone how awful it feels to be ignored. And the last person he wants to feel sympathy towards is Ushijima Wakatoshi. And yet there it is. He swallows, "He probably wants to distance himself from you." He hesitates before adding, "We've been, uh, trying to reconnect."
Ushijima tilts his head slightly, eyebrows furrowing, "I don't see why we can not still be friends despite that."
Iwaizumi can think of a few good reasons but he holds his tongue, mostly because his daughter is right there. He begins again, rummaging for the best phrasing he can muster, "I think, he sees you as a reminder of his...weaknesses, as a person." He tries. He's not sure why he's been placed in this position, to defend Oikawa's shitty actions. But it's a role he's used to, like slipping on an old jacket.
"Because our initial intimate relation was a mistake?" Ushijima finishes, trying to follow the thought process.
Iwaizumi nods, scratching at his arm awkwardly. This isn't how he expected the conversation to go. He's not sure what he was expecting. Something more volatile?
"I see." Ushijima thinks a moment, "Who is she, by the way?" He finally acknowledges the third member of the party, glancing at the little girl and lifting a hand to point for added clarity.
Iwaizumi blinks, looking over at Kaede who seems to retract from the pointed finger at her, "That's my daughter, Kaede." After a second he adds, "Say hi, Kaede." But Kaede shakes her head and hides behind the cellphone, tapping away at it. Iwaizumi isn't in the mood to press her and returns his gaze to his old rival, "She gets shy sometimes."
Ushijima doesn't seem very interested, and normally Iwaizumi would take offense to that, but Ushijima starts speaking again, "Oh yes, you're married."
"Were married." Iwaizumi corrects.
"Ah. I apologize." Ushijima replies, though his face shows no actual remorse.
Iwaizumi waves him off.
"Well this makes things easier." Ushijima nods, and he seems to relax in his seat. As if a weight has been lifted from his shoulder. One could argue he seems content, despite the blank expression on his face. Iwaizumi doesn't follow. He's suddenly lost.
"How?" He questions. Demands. Because nothing about this has been easy.
Ushijima looks at him quizzically, 'Well, there is no need to feel guilty about the situation any longer."
"Why?" Iwaizumi continues, eyebrows furrowing.
"I assume you love your daughter." Ushijima points out.
"More than anything." Iwaizumi insists, feeling a burbling in his chest at the thought.
"Well, isn't it safe to presume, if Oikawa and I hadn't been intimate with each other while in America, she would never have existed?"
Iwaizumi opens his mouth. Nothing comes out. He closes it. He looks over at Kaede, with sudden wide eyes. She's sitting with her knees up, cradling the phone in her eyes. She has her black hair up in two little pigtails, and her bangs are clipped to the side with a sparkly blue hairband. She glances up at her dad, eyes wide and worried.
She's everything to him.
"I must catch a train to Miyagi." Ushijima interrupts, "If you hear from Oikawa, would you ask him to respond to my messages?"
Iwaizumi nods numbly, tearing his eyes away from his daughter with difficulty.
"I wish you both the best." Ushijima nods his head, putting his laptop away and slipping out of sight as easy as he came.
Iwaizumi sits there, lost in thought. Numb.
"Dad." Kaede murmurs, tugging at his arm. He looks over at her, and she hands him his phone while looking away. It's buzzing, but he's not fast enough to catch the call. Everything seems to have slowed down. He has three missed calls, all from Oikawa. He blinks, sitting up, catching up to the pace of the world around him. He slides open his phone to find the texting app open.
Please pick up!
Iwaizumi furrows his brows and scrolls up to the start of the conversation. Apparently Kaede had decided to start texting him.
Me: skary man
Oikawa: Iwa-chan?
Me: Kaede
Oikawa: Kaede? Why do you have Iwa-chan's phone?
Me: theres skary man hre
Oikawa: Where? Is Dad with you? Where are you?
Me: dads her
Oikawa: Who's the scary man? Can you give Dad the phone? Are you ok?
Me: dads talkng tu hm
Oikawa: Why is the man scary? Do you know where you are?
Me: his fase. dad is sad
Oikawa: Kaede, can you pick up the phone? I'm calling you.
Oikawa: Kaede? Are you ok?
Oikawa: Please pick up!
The phone starts buzzing in Iwaizumi's trembling hand again and he immediately accepts the call, pressing it to his ear.
"Kaede! Where are you!? Are you ok? Where's Dad?" Oikawa's voice shouts into his ear.
"Oikawa, everything's fine." Iwaizumi quickly says. He can hear cars in the background of the call. Where is Oikawa? He sounds winded.
There's a pause on the other line, heavy breaths, "What's going on?" Oikawa asks, and his voice seems to tremble. Iwaizumi bites his lip, "Where are you? Are you sure you're ok?"
"I'm at a cafe. I...Where are you?"
"I'm outside my apartment building." Oikawa responds, catching his strained breath, "...I'm...I'm sorry I've been ignoring you."
"Oikawa." Iwaizumi breathes.
"Can I come over? Right now? I'll meet you at your house."
"Oikawa." He says again, softer.
"I...Let me meet you at your house."
Iwaizumi licks his lips and lets out a sigh, "Ok."
Iwaizumi hangs up after a goodbye, pockets his phone and looks over at his daughter, "Kaede." She's teary eyed and refusing to look at him so he repeats himself, "Kaede."
"I'm sorry." She whispers.
He picks her up, pulling her close, "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were feeling so scared."
"He looked mean." Kaede murmurs, "And he was glaring at you and-and you looked so sad." She whimpers, wiping at her eyes.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Iwaizumi hushes, kiss her cheek, "Ok?" She nods quietly. He smiles at her, "You know I love you?"
She nods again, biting her lip.
"More than anything?"
She smiles a little and nods.
He grins, "And you love me a little right?"
"A little." She agrees, with a growing grin.
He laughs, kissing her cheek again for good measure, "That's all I need." He sets her down, taking her hand in his and grabbing their groceries with the other.
As they continue their walk to the car, Iwaizumi asks, "You texted Kawa-san because you were scared?"
Kaede nods.
"Why not Mom?"
Kaede purses her lips, "I was scared cause you were sad." She explains looking up, "And Kawa-san always makes you happy."
When Iwaizumi parks the car he doesn't expect the sudden hug. Arms encircle him tightly, and Oikawa's face buries into his neck. Iwaizumi can feel him trembling, "Iwa-chan." He hisses, "You had me so worried."
Iwaizumi softens, wrapping his own arms around him to squeeze him back, "I'm sorry." Oikawa releases him, taking a respectful step back. Iwaizumi misses the warmth, "She got scared while I was talking to someone and had my phone."
He walks around the car to get Kaede out of her seat. Oikawa watches him, fingers pressed tightly into his palms. When Kaede is plucked out of her seat and placed onto the ground, Oikawa moves toward her. He crouches down, "Kae-chan, you had me terrified!" He whines, wrapping her in his own hug.
Kaede looks away, "Sorry..." She weakly hugs back
"But I'm glad you texted me." Oikawa continues, pulling away and squeezing her arm reassuringly, "You can always text Kawa-san."
Kaede reddens a little, staring at the floor, "Ok."
Oikawa smiles at her.
Iwaizumi wants to kiss him.
He starts walking to his door.
When they enter into the home, Kaede scampers off to her room, claiming, "I need to tell Kiki what happened."
"Kiki is her giraffe toy." Iwaizumi explains, heading into his kitchen to put away his groceries. Oikawa follows him, leaning against one of the countertops. He watches Iwaizumi carefully, fingers twitching as he fidgets.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Oikawa asks after a silent pause.
"Oikawa." Iwaizumi begins, but stops. Because he's not sure where to start.
"I was really worried." Oikawa interjects, fidgeting with a strand ofhair. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, for ignoring you these past few weeks, I just-"
"I was talking to Ushijima." Iwaizumi interrupts, with his back turned. Why not start where everything had ended.
Oikawa straightens up like a bolt, eyes wide, "He's here?" His hands squeeze into fists, "Why the hell is he here?" He pauses a moment, eyes widening, quickly starting to defend, "I swear I haven't texted him! At all!"
"You should." Iwaizumi comments, closing his fridge, "You should text him."
Oikawa stares at him, paling, "What? Why?"
"He's worried about you." Iwaizumi continues, turning around to face him. His expression grows serious, "Don't do to him what you did to me."
Oikawa bites his lips, looking down at the ground. His hands are still clenched tight and he's trembling, "I hate him."
"No, you don't." Iwaizumi sighs. Oikawa won't look at him. Iwaizumi takes in another breath, "And that's ok. You know? It's ok. I'm friends with Koto still."
"This is different." Oikawa insists eyes trained to the floor.
Iwaizumi lets out another sigh, but he takes a step forward. He places a hand on Oikawa's cheek guiding him so that'll he'll look him in the eye.
Oikawa looks strained, hesitant, unsure.
Iwaizumi hates it.
"Hey." Iwaizumi says, "I love you."
Oikawa bites his lip, "Don't do this." He pleads.
"It's ok, Oikawa. It's ok."
"It's not."
Iwaizumi smiles at him, "I forgive you."
Oikawa doesn't believe him, "You don't."
Iwaizumi grins at him, growing a bit more confident, "I do."
"How?" Oikawa insists, eyebrows upturned and tears collecting at the corners of his eyes.
"If you hadn't broken my heart ten years ago I never would have found the love of my life."
Oikawa is staring at him, "Hamasaki?"
"Kaede."
"Kaede?"
Iwaizumi tugs him down and Oikawa falters. Their noses press together, "Do you get it yet?" Iwaizumi whispers against the brunet's lips, "I'm glad you were a self-centered ass back then. Thankful, even."
"Iwa-chan..." Oikawa breathes, and even the ghost of air trembles against Iwaizumi's face.
"Because if you hadn't broken my heart, how else would I have had her?" Iwaizumi smiles softly, gaze lowering to stare at Oikawa's surprised parted lips. He licks his own, "So, can I kiss you?"
"Iwa-chan..."
"Let me kiss you again, Tooru. "
There's a sharp intake of breath and suddenly Oikawa presses their lips together in a desperate motion. Iwaizumi isn't one to back down, sliding his hands to cup the back of the taller man's head. His fingers tangle in the soft brown hair, soft as ever, pushing him deeper, holding him closer.
Oikawa's hand rises up to cling to the back of Iwaizumi's shirt, fingers digging into his back and arms squeezing at his sides. Iwaizumi tilts his head to the side for a better angle, kissing him deeper. Oikawa practically whimpers into the kiss, the vibrations reverberating throughout Iwaizumi's core, but it isn't until Iwaizumi feels wet drops on his cheeks that he opens his eyes and pulls away.
Oikawa lets out a half sob, letting go of Iwaizumi to wipe at his spilling eyes.
"Hey." Iwaizumi breathes, smoothing Oikawa's hair out of his face.
"I'm so sorry." Oikawa whispers, unable to stem the flow of tears.
"I forgive you." Iwaizumi repeats, firmer than ever.
"I was such an idiot." Oikawa insists, his voice crackling and raw.
"Kids are stupid." Iwaizumi agrees with a half smile.
Oikawa chuckles, but he chokes on the noise, "I love you so much, Hajime. I never stopped. Never."
Iwaizumi hums.
"And," Oikawa begins, swallowing down, "I love Kae-chan, too."
Iwaizumi can't help the wide grin, "I know you do."
Oikawa laughs again, stronger this time, and wraps his arms around Iwaizumi once more. Iwaizumi holds him, and they stay like that a long while, maybe even for forever.
"NICE SERVE!" Oikawa screams, hands cupping around his mouth as cheers erupt around him.
"I can't see! Dad! I can't see!" Kaede whines beside him, and Iwaizumi is quick to pick her up. "What happens now?"
"He gets to serve again, because his last one hit the other side of the court." Iwaizumi explains, eyes glued to the scene.
Oikawa's fingers dig into the banister as Takeru spins the ball in his hand taking a deep breath. He closes his eyes, readies himself, and starts his jump serve. Oikawa's heart swells at the sight, even if the other team is able to receive it.
"They hit it back, Dad!" Kaede points out, and Iwaizumi nods, ready for the next play to unveil itself.
Oikawa's sister cheers louder than anyone else, as Takeru is able to slam down a powerful spike, winning the set for his team. It's late in the evening, by then, and Iwaizumi excuses himself to put Kaede to bed, despite her insistence on staying.
Aoba Johsai goes on to win the entire match, qualifying them for prefectural finals the next day. The car ride back is filled with celebration and praising. Takeru is beat red, hands squeezing his knees as Oikawa ruffles his hair excitedly.
His sister drops him off at their parent's home, where he is staying for the tournament weekend. Takeru pokes his head out the window then, shouting out a thank you. Oikawa laughs lightly, waving and calling back, "I'll be thanking you when you defeat Shiratorizawa tomorrow!"
After the car disappears around the bend he pulls his cell phone out, texting Iwaizumi to ask where he is.
In my old backyard. Come over.
Oikawa jogs across the street, wandering around the familiar home and finding Iwaizumi seated by the creek, feet dangling over the side. He turns his head back at the sound of Oikawa's approach, patting the seat beside him.
"Kaede asleep?" Oikawa asks first.
"That's how I left her. How was the game?"
"He won!" Oikawa beams with pride.
"Next one's Shittytorizawa?" Iwaizumi grins.
Oikawa laughs, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and kissing his cheek, "He better win. Or I'll disown him."
Iwaizumi laughs next, "Should we invite Ushijima to watch that one?"
"He'll be there." Oikawa states firmly, "And we'll make him cry."
"Great."
Oikawa hums, nuzzling his face into the crook of Iwaizumi's neck. Iwaizumi lets him, gazing out at the creek before them. There's no tree bridge to cross it anymore, but the gap is much smaller. He could easily make it now, "You know, I always thought it was bigger than this."
"Hmm?"
"The creek. Maybe the tree bridge made it seem bigger than it was."
"We were smaller then. Well, I was. You haven't really grown much since."
Iwaizumi punches his gut, hard, enough for Oikawa's breath to leave him. He falls back, curling a bit to his side on the grass, "That hurt, Iwa-chan."
"Shut it." Iwaizumi growls, but lies down beside him. Oikawa pouts at him, rolling over so he's on his back and able to stare up at the night sky.
He smiles, softly, honestly, "The stars in Miyagi are the brightest, aren't they?" He breathes out, eyes shining.
Iwaizumi keeps his gaze on Oikawa.
"Yeah, they are."
ITS OVER
this is actually the 1 year anniversary of when i posted the first chapter of this fic. Seemed appropriate for this kind of fic. The beginning is the end.
Thank you all so so SO much for sticking with me for so long and supporting this fic! It's truly been a labor of love.
I hope to see you all in my next iwaoi mutltific! Whatever that may be.
reviews make me smile