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Chapter Text

Tachibana Makoto

On his bus, there's this guy who always gives up his seat to the elderly/pregnant/disabled within five minutes of the ride.

Because Iwaizumi is also the type of good citizen to give up his seat, they end up standing next to each other pretty often. In fact, the two of them get into this weird, almost competitive seat-giving-up-ritual, where they both leap up as soon as a pregnant woman steps onto the bus.

Iwaizumi's losing 15 to 17 on the day that he finally learns the name of his standing companion/opponent.

An old couple boards the bus. Iwaizumi and his opponent immediately rise to their feet. (Iwaizumi stands up a little quicker, but he'll allow that it's a tie.)

Except only the grandpa accepts the offered seat.

The grandma waggles a finger at them. "I may have a few decades on you two, but these legs of mine work just fine! Sit down, young man."

Iwaizumi gestures at his opponent. "Go ahead."

He shakes his head. "Oh, I couldn't possibly! You should sit; you've got a longer ride ahead of you."

"It's your seat," Iwaizumi points out.

"I insist! I enjoy standing!"

Iwaizumi narrows his eyes. His opponent smiles refreshingly. They are at an impasse when the grandma interrupts.

"For goodness' sake," she says. "You! The tall one - what's your name?"

(Iwaizumi would just like to remind people that his height is above the average for a Japanese male, so the "tall one" could technically refer to him. It is not his fault that the people surrounding him all seem to be statistical outliers. Shut up, Oikawa.)

"Er, Tachibana Makoto, ma'am," says the 'tall one.'

"Take the seat, Makoto!" she directs in a voice that brooks no dissent.

Tachibana sits.

Iwaizumi only has a few seconds to feel smug before she turns her wrath onto him. "And you! Spiky hair - what do they call you?"

"Iwaizumi Hajime," he says with a sense of foreboding that is immediately fulfilled.

"Hajime, you can sit on Makoto's lap. There's more than enough room," she commands.

Iwaizumi tries, "I really don't think - "

"SIT."

Iwaizumi sits on Tachibana's lap.

He's pretty sure the grandpa and the rest of the passengers are laughing at them.

Out of their shared trauma-bonding experience, Iwaizumi and Tachibana agree to grab a meal together.

Iwaizumi learns that Tachibana is in his third year of an accelerated sports education program, hails from a sea-side town in eastern Tottori, and really likes chocolate cake. In return, Iwaizumi tells Tachibana that he has just moved to Tokyo to study mathematics, is adjusting to not having volleyball practice every day, and prefers agedashi tofu. 

The "not having volleyball practice every day" part becomes important later on when Iwaizumi realizes that he actually has time to do things now. For example, date people.

Several of those meals later, Iwaizumi is on the phone with Oikawa when he notices the time. "Shittykawa, I gotta go. I'm getting dinner with Makoto tonight."

"Mako-chan, huh? Someone finally took pity on you." Oikawa coos, "Are you going on a romantic dinner date?"

Surprised, Iwaizumi says, "Huh. Yeah, I guess I am."

There's a "thunk!" like Oikawa dropped his cellphone, but that can't be right.

He's back after a moment, and his voice sounds strange. "Well, I suppose you've been long overdue for a romantic encounter. When do I get to meet the lovely Mako-chan?"

It isn't like Oikawa expects Iwaizumi to stay single forever.

Except, maybe on some level, he does.

In high school, girls only had eyes for Oikawa. For the few who dared to look past his glitter to the dependable boy behind him, Oikawa always did have a charming smile and Iwaizumi was oblivious - those girls gave up too eventually.

Things are different now, not least for the fact that Iwaizumi and Oikawa attend different universities in Tokyo. Oikawa was recruited as the setter for Chuo University, the winner of the All Japan Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship two years running. Meanwhile, Iwaizumi had surprised everyone except his family and Oikawa when he went to study math at Tsukuba. They live a car ride's distance away from each other - Oikawa at the mandatory Chuo athlete dorms and Iwaizumi in an apartment with some of their old volleyball rivals - but their schedules don't match up very well.  

Without Oikawa in the way, people are finally noticing Iwaizumi romantically.

Oikawa doesn't know how to feel, so he nags and cajoles ("I pinky-promise I won't steal Mako-chan away from you, if that's what you're worried about!" "Shut up, Shittykawa. Makoto's not as shallow as you!") until Iwaizumi concedes to arranging a meetup.

Upon meeting "Mako-chan" in person, Oikawa adjusts his previous statement: without him in the way, men are noticing Iwaizumi romantically.

And Oikawa knows exactly how he feels about that: outraged and indignant.

"Iwa-chan, I am outraged! And indignant! If you liked men, I should have been your first choice." Oikawa gestures to himself. "Look at this face! Look at this body!"

"FYI, I like him for his personality. But if I picked my boyfriends based on their bodies, Makoto would still win. He swims the backstroke."

Oikawa feels even more outraged and indignant than before!

But after the copious social network stalking of Tachibana Makoto's old photos, Oikawa is forced to admit that the man is indeed built like a brick shithouse. Curse the ideal swimmer body!

Thinking about bodies then leads him to think about sex. Specifically, Tachibana and Iwaizumi having sex. And that leads to Oikawa jump-serving the ball so hard during practice that it almost dents the wall.

Luckily, Iwaizumi says, "What the fuck. Stop asking about my nonexistent sex life," so that turns out to be a non-issue.

Belying his outrageous body, Tachibana is actually the sweet and shy type. Not saccharine-sweet like Oikawa, Iwaizumi informs him, but genuinely kind and gentle.

So that's one silver lining - Iwaizumi and Tachibana probably won't be having sex anytime soon. Maybe they'll take it so slow that they break up before anything happens!

Oikawa is cheered at the very thought.

The first time Iwaizumi sees Tachibana completely naked in bed, he blurts out, "Oh my god."

In that moment he learns that A., Tachibana has a full-body flush, and B., Tachibana has been blessed by the gods in a certain...department.

"Hajime!" Tachibana tries to cover himself with his hands. Due to the aforementioned blessing, he doesn't completely manage to do so.

Iwaizumi backpedals. "Sorry, that was insensitive. You're fine. Uh, more than fine."

Tachibana probably gets a standing ovation every time he enters a bathhouse.

Tachibana still looks a little hesitant, so Iwaizumi reassures him. "Makoto, it's alright. You're just more...'impressive' than I expected. We'll take it slow." 

Tachibana gradually moves his hands away. By now, the flush has receded to just his face.

Iwaizumi is still feeling intimidated, but if he's being honest with himself, he is also feeling a little excited. His heart is racing like he's in a match. Which, okay. It's good that Iwaizumi has learned that about himself. 

"Maybe not that slow," he says slyly.

The next morning, Iwaizumi yawns, stretches, and - winces. The wooden chairs at the cafe aren't doing his waist any favors.

Oikawa pauses in his recounting of his "Ushijima Wakatoshi is the bane of my existence, even more so since we're actually on the same team now" story.

"Long night," Iwaizumi offers.

He is going to be sore as hell for the next few days.

...totally worth it.

Oikawa knows that look. Oikawa has worn that look, multiple times. But this time, the "I just got laid" expression is on Iwaizumi's face. 

Guard your virtue better, Tachibana Makoto! Oikawa thinks viciously. 

However, judging by how a certain someone keeps shifting in the wooden chair, it was Iwaizumi's "virtue" that was taken last night.

Oikawa recalls the gay sex research that he had done (purely out of academic interest, of course). He hadn't found either of the men in the videos stimulating.

Then, he imagines Iwaizumi and Makoto doing those things in the video.

Oikawa has to put his mug down before he blacks out in rage and arousal.

"Oops! I forgot - I have something to take care of. Same time next week, Iwa-chan?" he says, drawing out his wallet and winking/beckoning at the waitress to get faster service.

"Are you kidding me? We've only been here for ten minutes. I woke up early for you! Hey - Oikawa? Oikawa!"

Oikawa strides back to his dorm, where he proceeds to "take care of it" - i.e. furiously jerk off.

Without his consent, his mind conjures Iwaizumi and himself in place of the existing couple. 

What the fuuuuck, Oikawa wails internally as he comes.

Afterwards, he flops onto the bed and stares at the glow-in-the-dark stars on his ceiling until his heart stops racing.

It's possible Oikawa is a little gayer for his best friend than he had previously assumed. 

Chapter Text

 Miyuki Kazuya

Chapter Text

They take the train out to Hayama-Isshiki beach the weekend before the start of the new academic year. Tokyo's spring thaw has yet to finish, so the beaches are almost empty when Iwaizumi and Oikawa arrive.

It was Oikawa's idea to come, but it is Iwaizumi who immediately removes his shoes, shrugs his shirt off, and heads for the shore.

Because his being a competitive bastard is not exclusive to volleyball, Oikawa is quick to follow.

"FUCK, that's freezing!" he shouts when the wave hits.

"If you can't handle the cold, get out of the water," Iwaizumi calls unsympathetically from further out in the ocean. Aside from some slight shivering, he shows no sign that the frigid water bothers him.

Teeth chattering, Oikawa insists, "I'm fine! S-s-so fine. Bask in the aura of my f-f-fineness." He splashes Iwaizumi petulantly.

Oikawa has about two seconds upon seeing Iwaizumi's reaction to deeply regret his actions. Unfortunately, the water weighs his body down enough that he can't escape in time, even with the portent of Iwaizumi's angry forehead vein.

Iwaizumi dunks him, which seems like an incredibly disproportionate response to a little water in his face.

Oikawa does not shriek like a preteen girl upon coming up. He doesn't, okay?

After the second attempt at revenge also fails (plan: trying to dump a handful of wet sand down Iwaizumi's trunks, result: Iwaizumi kicking him into a sand dune), Iwaizumi takes pity on him and lights a small bonfire.

They spend the remaining daylight huddled together underneath a blanket, warming their hands by the fire. They talk about nothing and everything - how old friends and opponents are doing, what their plans for the future are, which university is better (clearly, Chuo).

It's nice.

It also makes him realize how much things have changed.

It's been difficult to adjust from seeing Iwaizumi every day to seeing him every other week - if they're lucky. In high school, Oikawa never had to "catch up" with Iwaizumi because they spent almost every minute of every day together. Now, there exists an Iwaizumi who he doesn't know like the back of his hand anymore.

The thought - that one day Oikawa won't be the person who understands Iwaizumi the best - makes him ache inside.

It has been a few weeks since Iwaizumi's breakup with Miyuki. Iwaizumi hasn't talked about it since and Oikawa followed his cue, but neither of them have forgotten a thing.

The sun is setting by the time Iwaizumi brings up the subject of romantic relationships.

"You haven't dated anyone for a while," Iwaizumi states more than asks.

Oikawa answers him anyway. "Nope! Though if you add up the one night stands I've had since we entered college, you might get one medium-length relationship."

Iwaizumi shoots him a glare. "Have you ever been serious about anybody?"

Long answer to that question: it's not something he likes to advertise, but Oikawa is almost always the person being dumped rather than the person doing the dumping. He has no problems attracting romantic partners; getting them to stay is the sticking point.

Without fail, his breakups are prefaced with one of three statements:

1. "What's more important to you - me or volleyball/Iwaizumi?"

To which the answer is obviously: volleyball/Iwaizumi. Oikawa isn't a tactless idiot, so he doesn't actually say that. Somehow, the girls sense the truth in whatever excuses he provides anyway.

2. "You're not who I expected."

Well, duh. The Oikawa Tooru he presents to the public is caring, charming, and princely. Few people get to see the real Oikawa Tooru - jealous, mean-spirited, and insecure. Few people would want to. Iwaizumi is, of course, the major exception. They have been friends for so long that he can call bullshit on Oikawa's fake smile from fifty yards away. 

3. "You don't love me."

In retrospect, Oikawa hasn't "loved" any of his girlfriends. He liked them just fine - their pretty faces, their curvy bodies, their curling words. But now that he has the soul-deep throb he feels in his chest when Iwaizumi looks at him as a comparison? No. No, he didn't love any of them.

Short answer to the question: yes. Oikawa is serious about Iwaizumi, so serious that it genuinely frightens him. Him! Oikawa Tooru, who put wildcard Kentaro Kyotani into a semifinals match without a hint of hesitation. Who rejected champion school Shiratorizawa with a one-fingered salute in favor of mid-tier Aoba Johsai.

He knows, intellectually, there is no reward without risk, but he can't apply to Iwaizumi.

The rational part of his mind, which sounds suspiciously like Matsukawa, insists that Iwaizumi and Oikawa would remain friends even if they didn't work out as a romantic couple. He should make a move, because, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Unfortunately, the irrational part of his mind is the one with the megaphone, screaming, "No way! Don't ruin what you have right now with Iwa-chan!"

Because what if the 0.0001% chance that their friendship never recovers comes true?

Normally, Oikawa can read Iwaizumi like a book, but he can't predict the ending of this story. Plans and plots wither as soon as they sprout in his mind.

He would be blind and deaf not to notice that Iwaizumi cares deeply about him, but maybe platonic affection is all there is. Iwaizumi is definitely interested in men, which is one hurdle crossed, but he hasn't shown any signs of being romantically interested in Oikawa in all the time that they've known each other.

Better to keep things the same for now, to wait and see if the stars align. Oikawa isn't known for being cautious or patient, but he's willing to go against his nature for Iwaizumi's sake.

Oikawa cannot handle a world in which Iwaizumi looks at him like a stranger.

You, he doesn't say, I'm serious about you. "Not yet."

"That's fair." Iwaizumi stands up and stretches. "Well, who knows? It's the start of a new school year. Maybe things will be different for the both of us."

On the ride back, he whines until a reluctant Iwaizumi lets him take a nap on his lap. It helps that after a winking grandma gets off at the next stop they have the train car to themselves.

Oikawa needs something to tide himself over with, and it's not like Oikawa wasn't touchy-feely even before he had the epiphany that he was in L-O-V-E with his best friend.

The play of light from the setting sun softens the harsh angles of Iwaizumi's face, casting him in a warm glow. The sight makes something in his chest hurt, so Oikawa turns away and pretends to fall asleep.

He holds himself still when Iwaizumi starts stroking a hand through his hair.

Those calloused hands touch him so gently that Oikawa wants to cry. Eyes closed tightly, he thinks, How could I possibly risk this? Risk you?

Oikawa holds out for a while, but the soft pressure on his scalp and rocking motion of the train work like a sedative so that he eventually falls asleep for real.

Only in his dreams is it safe for him to finally confess aloud: "You, Iwa-chan. It's always been you." 

The trip to the beach is Oikawa's idea, but Iwaizumi knows it is for his sake.

Oikawa just so happened to stay in Tokyo for the remainder of spring break, instead of returning home or going on a trip with his new college friends?

Please. Iwaizumi wasn't born yesterday.

In his own way, the cocky setter is trying to cheer him up after his breakup with Miyuki.

Iwaizumi cringes a little when he recalls the incident. Shedding tears after losing his last high school volleyball match - understandable. Getting weepy after he dumped Miyuki - not so understandable.

Not to mention the impassioned speech that Oikawa made about Iwaizumi deserving happiness and protection and all the good things in the world, and ugh, he can feel the tips of his ears go red just thinking about it.

Oikawa is the type to hide behind jibes and winks. Naturally, Iwaizumi can see right through his deflections.

But this? Oikawa dropping his walls completely and speaking to him sincerely about his feelings?

It throws Iwaizumi off balance like nothing else. Their dynamic is shifting, and Iwaizumi doesn't know how to feel about that.

Because he's never been one to borrow trouble, he puts the thorny thought aside to deal with at a later point.  

Oikawa being Oikawa goes about boosting his spirits by picking the beach of all places as their destination. In winter. The temperatures are low enough that Oikawa has to wear a scarf and winter coat and Iwaizumi a light sweater. Iwaizumi does appreciate the effort, so when their train arrives to a completely deserted beach, he keeps his complaints to a minimum with a brief, unimpressed side glance.

Oikawa boasts, "We have the whole beach to ourselves, Iwa-chan! Of course, when I'm fabulously wealthy and famous, that will be a commonplace occurrence."

Considering that Chuo University is considering Oikawa for their Olympics tryout in his third year, this statement is not as unfounded a claim as it may sound. Still infuriatingly arrogant though.

"So, I figure we can just walk on the beach instead of going into the water. I know there's a site for bonfires somewhere around here - "

Iwaizumi gives the ocean a considering glance. He did wear swimming trunks just in case, and the tight feeling in his throat requires some kind of release.

Might as well while they're here, he decides. Iwaizumi whips off his shirt and chucks his shoes onto the sand. Without further ado, he races down to the shore and hits the water. It's chilly, but not unbearable.

Oikawa, on the other hand, lets out a piercing screech when he makes contact with the ocean.

Iwaizumi hides a smirk. Nobody said Oikawa had to follow him.

After a while, he notices that Oikawa's lips are turning blue and calls it a day for polar bear swims. Oikawa lacks any semblance of survival skills, so Iwaizumi is not only the one who had the foresight to bring a towel but also the one who knows how to light the fire.

For the next few hours, they just...talk, which something they haven't done in a while.

Now that Iwaizumi and Oikawa attend different schools, they no longer share the same experiences. Even with their weekly meetings, there's a lot that goes unsaid. Maybe this is what growing up feels like. Or are they growing apart?

It doesn't escape him that Oikawa carefully avoids the topic of romantic relationships the entire time. He fails to spout a single comment about the "foxy TA" in his psychology class or the cheerleader who "totally has a thing for athletes."

Oikawa is being unusually considerate, and it pisses Iwaizumi off. He doesn't want Oikawa to feel there are topics that need to be avoided. He doesn't want Oikawa to treat him like he's made of glass.

"You haven't dated anyone for a while," Iwaizumi says.

Oikawa was never single for long in high school. There was always a pretty girl, a chosen one who waited for him outside after practice. The relationships usually lasted less than a month, with a week's grace period afterwards when Oikawa and Iwaizumi walked back home together. Then, the next girl would arrive.

Since university and its hook-up culture happened, the cycle has become even shorter. Do Oikawa's brief flings even count as relationships anymore?

Iwaizumi is unsure whether things were better or worse before.

"Nope," Oikawa replies, "though if you add up the one night stands I've had since we entered college, you might get one medium-length relationship!"

With the patience of a saint, Iwaizumi refrains from punching him. He grits out, "Have you ever been serious about anybody?"

Oikawa doesn't respond for a few moments. Probably categorizing and ranking the long list of women in his past, Iwaizumi thinks with resignation.

He shoves away the stray tendrils of heartache with ease. Unlike a certain setter, Iwaizumi doesn't make a habit of lying to himself. He very well knows that he's been in love with Oikawa since he was old enough to know what love is.

The twinge in his chest is his baseline, a chronic pain to which he's long grown accustomed. It doesn't make what he felt - feels - for Miyuki any less. If Iwaizumi were a poet, he might liken what he feels for Oikawa to a bone-deep bruise compared to the recently opened cuts that are his feelings for Miyuki.

He has already resigned himself to the futility of his feelings for Oikawa, who is decidedly uninterested in men and therefore Iwaizumi. Considering the digs he makes about Iwaizumi's appearance, Oikawa wouldn't be attracted to him even if he were attracted to men.

It is pointless to agonize over things that are out of his reach, so Iwaizumi doesn't.

"Not yet," Oikawa finally answers.

Not ever, Iwaizumi corrects inwardly for himself.

"That's fair," he says. Because one day Oikawa will meet a woman he can be serious about. And at least Iwaizumi will be by his side as his best friend.

Oikawa turns his head a little to look at him. The sunset brings out the glints of auburn in his hair, and Iwaizumi has to resist the urge to touch the soft strands.

It's time to go back home.

He stands, offering Oikawa a hand up.

"Well, who knows? It's the start of a new school year. Maybe things will be different." Maybe I'll finally find a way to stop being in love with you. "For the both of us."

Chapter Text

Kise Ryouta

The University of Tsukuba requires every undergraduate student to fulfill an English language requirement. Since no one from the Registrar's Office felt like it was important to inform Iwaizumi of this fact until now, he scrambles to find an open language class for the new semester.

Which is why he's sitting here as a second-year for his first day of English 201 (thankfully, he managed to place out of the introductory section), waiting for the professor and half the class to arrive.

It's ten minutes past the stated start time when a yellow-haired guy runs into the auditorium. "Lucky!" the guy says cheerfully, "the professor hasn't shown up!"

To the envy of most of the males in the room, he's followed by the missing half of the class - all cooing girls. 

Iwaizumi can hear the mutters around the room:

"That's Kise Ryouta, the new small forward of the basketball team!"

"I heard he used to be part of the Generation of Miracles."

"He models for Zunon Boy. My ex-girlfriend used to cut out his magazine photos."

"How did he even get into this class?"

Somebody has the courage to voice a comment loud enough for the entire auditorium to hear. "Shallow pretty boys don't belong in advanced classes. Who'd you have to bat your lashes to get into this class?"

Kise's fanclub immediately launches a defense of Kise, along the lines of "How dare you insult the beautiful Kise-sama," etcetera, etcetera.

The smile pasted on 'Kise-sama's' face is as brittle as glass.

Unwillingly, Iwaizumi feels a bolt of sympathy.

He is reminded of Oikawa, who has faced his fair share of critics. During the few times in high school when Iwaizumi wasn't around to fend off Oikawa-haters, Oikawa would tear them apart himself with a gleeful smile. Gleeful, yet far from sincere.

But that's not why he's doing this, Iwaizumi assures himself. He's only doing this because the professor is bound to show up any minute now, and these underclassmen are being entirely too loud.

Yes, that's the only reason Iwaizumi tosses out a stern, "Seems kind of shallow to judge somebody by their face and reputation, don't you think? How about you let the guy prove whether he deserves to be here before jumping down his throat?"

The boy who made the jibe flushes an ugly red.  He starts to spit out, "Why the hell are you taking his side-" when their professor finally arrives. 

And that's the end of that, Iwaizumi assumes, until he's approached while packing up his stuff for his next class. 

"Hey! Er, you! Iwaizumi Hajime, was it?"

He looks up to find a smiling Kise Ryouta. 

"Yup," Iwaizumi says. 

"You look a lot like my old captain! Would you happen to know a Kasamatsu Yukio?"

"Nope," Iwaizumi says, and leaves. 

Only the next class, Kise corners him again. This time, Iwaizumi notices that Kise tells his fans to go on first, resisting their pouts and protests, before he bounds up to Iwaizumi like an energetic golden retriever.

"Hi! Sorry, I don't think I introduced myself properly last time. I'm Kise Ryouta!"

Iwaizumi inches away. "Okay? I already told you that I don't know your captain."

"I didn't mean to start off with that! It's just that your resemblance is really strong. Though, his eyebrows are thicker than yours..." Kise trails off before shaking himself. "Anyway! I wanted to thank you for what you did last class. I'll treat you to something, whatever you want!"

"There's no need. I didn't do it for you."

Iwaizumi does not need a second Oikawa Tooru in his life. 

But of course, it isn't over. Kise starts coming early (or on time, really, since the professor is always late), so that he has five minutes before class and five minutes after class to badger Iwaizumi. After two weeks of this, he still isn't showing any signs of tiring. 

The professor ends class with a, "Don't forget, we have our first quiz next week. I would suggest that you each find a study partner with whom to practice your idioms!"

Predictably, Kise is immediately mobbed by willing potential study partners. The girls seem determined, so the pretty boy probably isn't going to be able to put off the hordes today. Which means Iwaizumi can escape without being accosted.

Which is precisely why he...doesn't?

"Kise," Iwaizumi calls out gruffly, "do you want to study together?"

To the great disappointment of his fans, a beaming Kise accepts.

The grumbling girls trickle out of the auditorium, some of them shooting daggers out of their eyes at Iwaizumi before they exit. Sucks for them - Iwaizumi is profoundly experienced at ignoring dejected fangirls.

Kise says excitedly, "One of the girls showed me a great study room; we should work there tomorrow!"

"Which building is it in?" Iwaizumi asks. He typically does his studying at his apartment, so he's not too familiar with study spots on campus despite being a second year.

Kise taps a finger on his chin. "Um, the big gray one?"

"That describes 90% of the buildings on campus," Iwaizumi says dryly. "What's the address?"

"Um...." Kise fidgets.

Iwaizumi is starting to regret his offer. "Seriously?"

"I know how to get there from the basketball courts," Kise says defensively. Then, he brightens. "I got it! Meet me after practice, and I can take us there."

So much regret.

"Fine."

On Thursday, he gets to the Central Gymnasium ten minutes early. By the sounds of thudding and squeaking gym shoes, it seems that boy's basketball team practice hasn't ended yet.

Iwaizumi leans against the balcony, surveying the courts below. He sees Kise, opens his mouth to call out, and - doesn't.

The bubbly blond looks serious for once. Despite knowing nothing about basketball, Iwaizumi can still tell that Kise is really, really good. Before he knows it, he's been absorbed watching the team play for fifteen minutes.

Eventually, Kise notices him. To the frustration of his teammates, he immediately lets the ball roll away in order to wave. "Iwaizumicchi, you came! I'm so glad! I'll be right with you in a minute."

'Iwaizumicchi' scrunches his nose. "What did you just call me?!"

By the time they arrive at the study spot, Iwaizumi still hasn't convinced Kise to stop referring to him by that stupid nickname. 

"I-wa-zu-mi," he enunciates. 

"I-wa-zu-micchi," Kise repeats. 

Iwaizumi figures this is a lost cause. "Let's just start studying. Tough love."

"What you're giving me right now!" Kise replies without missing a beat.

"Tch. Answer seriously!"

They've reviewed a dozen idioms when Iwaizumi gets to "Close but no cigar."

Kise squints in concentration. "It means...like, almost. But not quite."

Iwaizumi doesn't tell him if he got the correct answer because he spots Miyuki Kazuya walking into the lounge. By the look of shock on his face, Miyuki has spotted him as well.

Iwaizumi figures he has about ten seconds until his cowardly ex-boyfriend recovers and runs away. He barely remembers to toss a "give me a second" to Kise, and then he books it to Miyuki. 

A hunted-looking Miyuki greets him. "Haji - Iwaizumi. I didn't know you liked to study here."

"You can call me Hajime if I can call you Kazuya," Iwaizumi says. "And I don't. I usually study at the apartment, but I've got a study date today with that guy over there."

"Date?"

Iwaizumi shakes his head. "It's not like that."

There's an awkward pause before both of them try to speak at once.

"I can-"

"Do you-"

Iwaizumi says, "Go ahead."

"I can find another spot," Miyuki offers. "You were here first."

"I think the lounge is big enough for the two of us," Iwaizumi says wryly. He pauses. "Or is it three?"

Miyuki is visibly at a loss for words. "No, Eijun isn't with me today. I didn't-"

Iwaizumi takes pity on him. "Come over to the apartment next weekend. Bring Sawamura. Bokuto wants to play President, and we need five players."

"Hajime..."

He waves his hand impatiently. "Nope, you are not allowed to be all awkward and apologetic at me. Unless you want a reminder of which one of us dumped your sorry ass."

Miyuki folds, as Iwaizumi thought he might. "Alright, I'll ask him."

Then because Miyuki never gives in gracefully, he adds, "I think I will find another study spot. Clearly the standards here have dropped if they're letting pineapple heads like you in."

Now, there's the wicked smirk that he's missed.

Iwaizumi huffs. "For the last time, my hair is not that spiky!"

The smirk softens into a small but sincere smile. "Later, Hajime."

"See you, Kazuya."

Iwaizumi can feel half-smile of his own on his face as he slides back into his seat. At Kise's curious expression, he explains, "That's Miyuki Kazuya, from the varsity baseball team. We, uh, broke up a few weeks ago."

"Are you getting back together?"

He lets out a brief laugh. "No. Definitely not. Kazuya has a new boyfriend."

"How long were you two together?"

"Half a year or so."

What is with all these questions? Is Iwaizumi's love life that interesting to people?

Kise frowns. "Seems like he's moving on awfully quick."

Kise is concerned about his feelings. That's nice of him, if unnecessary.

"Sawamura is an old classmate of his. He's not a bad kid. The two of them have been circling around each other since high school, but Kazuya never would have done anything without a push."

"And you gave him that push."

"Well, yeah."

"You really are a good person, Iwaizumicchi."

Iwaizumi scowls to hide his embarrassment. "Enough of that. Let's get back to the list."

Obligingly, Kise reads, "Second wind."

"Restored strength, allowing someone to continue on."

"Bingo! You got it."

He can't help but feel that Kise's gaze is oddly appraising.

"It's outrageous!" Oikawa shrieks, shoving a fashion magazine into Ushijima's face.

Ushijima is nearly cross-eyed, but he makes a valiant attempt nonetheless. "'Six Dreamy Makeup Looks For Spring'...?"

"Not that - the man on the cover!" Oikawa moves the magazine away to a more reasonable distance.

Ushijima reads, "'Kise Ryouta: Japan's Hottest Basketball Player and Model Enrolls at Tsukuba.'"

Oikawa throws the magazine on the bench in disgust. "Kise Ryouta of all people! Iwa-chan is replacing me with a younger, prettier, and taller version!"  

"This is about your romantic attachment to Iwaizumi Hajime?" Ushijima inquires. 

Oikawa jolts. "R-romantic attachment? Where did you get that - that crazy idea from?"

"It seemed quite obvious to me that he was the reason you refused to leave Aoba Johsai."

When Oikawa remains speechless, Ushijima elaborates, "I assumed you would be logical enough to choose Shiratorizawa regardless of your feelings for Iwaizumi, but Shirabu has since informed me that love often interferes with rational calculations."

Oikawa mutters, "...I can't believe the 'simple farmer' could tell I liked Iwa-chan before I did."

Ushijima presumes the aside was meant to be unheard and ignores it. "Has Iwaizumi informed you that he is now romantically linked to Kise Ryouta?"

"No, but not for lack of trying on Kise's part. They went on a study date." He shakes his fist in outrage. "Date!"

"The phrase 'study date' is not inherently romantic. Furthermore, it takes two people to be in a romantic relationship, and it seems there isn't such an interest of Iwaizumi's part. I would conclude that they are not in fact dating."

"Not yet they aren't," Oikawa says ominously. 

Kise turns out to be more than decent at English. Apparently, he gets practice chatting up foreign models during photo shoots. Iwaizumi is probably better with the mechanics and the grammar, but considering that he hasn't studied the language for a year, the two of them are basically at the same level.

Their studying pays off, and they both do well on the first quiz. 

Add the fact that Kise is basically ostracized by one half of the class and worshiped by the other half, stir in Iwaizumi's immunity to capricious pretty boys and his utter indifference to what people think about him, top it with Kise's bizarre attachment to him, and the result is that Kise and Iwaizumi become permanent English conversational partners.

Iwaizumi hesitates to develop their relationship beyond that of classmates. Befriending Kise comes with obvious baggage - baggage garnished with sequins and neon lights - and he already has one high-maintenance pretty boy in his life.

Halfway into the semester, and they have yet to meet anywhere outside of campus despite Kise's cajoling.

That changes the weekend before their midterm.

Iwaizumi opens his notebook. It takes him a second to process the sight.

He texts Kise. i think we switched books by accident.

The reply comes quickly. oh no! but you can use my notes - i don't mind using yours. (∩_∩)

Easy enough for him to say. Iwaizumi writes his notes in neat, black-inked columns. Kise scrawls across the page in seven different colors, some of them including glitter.

And are those puffy cat stickers? Oh, hell no.

can i come get my book? are you on campus right now?

It takes longer to get a response this time. i'm on a shoot right now, and they won't let me leave the building until we finish. it's not that far from the school, i can text you the address if you don't mind coming here?  (>.<')

Iwaizumi drums his fingers on the table. He glances at the clock, then at the eye-searing notes. yeah, let's do that.

ok! i'll put your name on the admitted list. you can come see how cool i look at work! (/^▽^)/

Twenty minutes later, Iwaizumi is standing in front of an intimidating-looking security guard with dozens of girls milling around behind him.

"Name?" 

He flashes his student ID. "Iwaizumi Hajime." 

The man checks his clipboard. "I've got a 'Iwaizumicchi' here. That you?"

His eye twitches. "Sure."

The guard jerks his head towards the door. "Go on in then."

The girls sigh in disappointment, and Iwaizumi quickly makes his way into the building.

Then, it's like a flashback to their first out-of-class meeting: Kise looks as serious in front of the camera as he was on the court. The blond is startlingly handsome on his bad days, and today seems to be a very good day. 

Kise sports a frankly ridiculous leopard-print jacket that he somehow manages to make stylish. If Iwaizumi had a spare thousand bucks lying around, was the type to care about fashion, and liked wearing frivolous outerwear, he might be sold. He supposes Kise is a professional, despite his flippant air and ridiculous note-taking habits.

The lights on Kise are bright enough that he won't be noticing a visitor any time soon. Iwaizumi doesn't want to interrupt the shoot, so he finds a relatively unoccupied wall to lean on. The bustle of activity is more interesting to observe than Iwaizumi would have thought. As he watches, he realizes that modeling isn't just posing and smiling at the camera; it requires as much concentration and control over the body as a sport.

For the first time, it hits Iwaizumi just how impressive Kise is for being able to juggle modeling, basketball, and school. 

"Guys are pretty cool when they're serious, aren't they?"

"Yeah," Iwaizumi agrees absently, then looks up in shock.

A woman wearing a professional-looking pantsuit and heels that could impale a man extends her hand. "Fujimaru Kanae, Kise Ryouta's manager."

Iwaizumi shakes it.

She inquires briskly, "Are you a basketball player?"

"No, I'm..."

"Ah, 'Iwaizumicchi,' is it?"

"Iwaizumi Hajime, but yeah. How'd you guess?"

"Lately, Kise has been talking a lot about an 'Iwaizumicchi' in his English class. And he doesn't have any non-basketball player friends, so it was the logical conclusion."

"He's a pretty popular guy, though?" Iwaizumi ventures.

"I said 'friends,' not 'followers.' You do know that Kise only adds '-icchi' to the names of people that he respects?"

"I-"

"Throw the boy a bone, will you? He's been complaining for weeks that you won't let him take you anywhere. Any more stress and it'll start affecting his skin. His face is the moneymaker, so that would be unfortunate for me as his manager."

"That's-"

Fujimaru peers closely at his face. "Hm, your face isn't too shabby either."

"...thanks, I think?"

"We've been looking for somebody more rugged for one of Kise's upcoming photoshoots. His partner backed out at the last minute. Your university has a long weekend coming up, right?" she says shrewdly.

Iwaizumi has a bad premonition of what will happen if he confirms that information. Luckily, they dim the lights at precisely that moment. Kise's squeal of "Iwaizumicchi!" has never sounded more like music to his ears, and Iwaizumi hurries over, relieved he has an excuse to avoid any more of Fujimaru "Spanish Inquisition" Kanae. 

But judging by the narrow glance she's giving him over her glasses, he isn't getting away that easily.

By now, Ushijima has resigned himself to serving as Oikawa's sounding board. As the two of them are often the last to leave the gym, Oikawa detains him after practice on a weekly basis.

Listening to Oikawa complain about his love life is not a role inscribed in the team duties, but he supposes it might be a stretch for tenet 15A: "Take care of your teammates' mental and physical health."

Ushijima peers at his watch. It should be about time right now.

And three, two, one -

"Just look at this!" Ushijima hears before having his vision once again obscured by a magazine. Upon examination, he discovers that it is another Kise Ryouta article. 

"Where do you keep finding these?" Surely no model is popular enough to constantly have interview spots in circulating media.

"I joined his fanclub so I get updates whenever he does anything new," Oikawa replies impatiently. "Not the point. Look!"

Ushijima obediently reads in a monotone, "'Q: How has your social life been since you started at the University of Tsukuba?'"

Oikawa gestures at him to go on.

"'A: It's been great getting to know the members on the basketball team. Did you know we're on a winning streak? We're facing Aominecchi in a couple weeks, so we'll see if our team can keep things up. And of course there's Iwa-'" Ushijima clears his throat. "'And of course there's Iwaizumicchi. He's my senpai in English class, and he's super great! He's really stubborn though. I've been trying to convince him for ages to do something other than study with me.'"

Kise Ryouta goes on to extol the virtues of Iwaizumi for another paragraph, the interviewer attempting to cut him off at several points in vain.

Ushijima finishes reading and then ventures, "They seem to be close friends, yes?"

"'Iwaizumicchi,'" quotes a seething Oikawa. "How dare that usurper give my Iwa-chan a nickname. I'm the only one who can annoy him like that!"

"Ah. Like the way you still call me 'Ushikawa' despite having known me for four years?"

Oikawa ignores him. "And just what is he trying to 'convince' Iwa-chan to do, hmmm? Something nefarious, no doubt!"

"Why guess? You can just ask Iwaizumi himself," Ushijima says reasonably.

Oikawa slumps down in his seat. "Ugh...I can't. Iwa-chan put a ban on hanging out until after he takes his midterms. And then I have midterms."

"Ask him afterwards then."

"That's not a completely terrible plan," Oikawa begrudges, which is more credit than he's ever given to Ushijima before. He perks up a little. "I mean, what could change in the span of two weeks?"

Iwaizumi is right. He doesn't get away that easily; he doesn't get away at all.

Kise - the traitor - tells Fujimaru his phone number with the excuse that, "It'll be fun, Iwaizumicchi!"

It is not fun.

Fujimaru gives him a grace period of four days before hounding him like the dogs of hell. He'll give her this: she is one determined manager.

First, she ups the offered payment for modeling until Iwaizumi has involuntary fantasies about how many months of rent he could pay by taking a few pictures.

Then, she somehow finds his address and sends him, in order: 1. the contract, 2. the limited release magazine that requested the photoshoot, apparently new to the historical fantasy genre and hoping to generate some buzz, and 3. the itinerary which includes an overnight stay at the hot springs and a visit to one of the most high-end restaurants in Kanto. Their specialty? Agedashi tofu. How the hell did she find out his favorite food?

Finally, she convinces Kise that this is a fantastic idea and sets him on Iwaizumi as well. He can tell by the increasingly eloquent arguments coming out of that mouth that Fujimaru is coaching him on what to say. Plus, there are those puppy dog eyes, day in and day out - not to mention the sad emoticons.

So many sad emoticons. (;﹏;) (.﹒︠₋﹒︡.) (๑◕︵◕๑) (⌯˃̶᷄ ﹏ ˂̶᷄⌯)ﾟ

Then, she repeats the routine all over again.

Iwaizumi lasts about ten days before surrendering.

"You won't regret taking this opportunity," Fujimaru assures him as she tears the signed contract from his reluctant grasp.

"Too late," Iwaizumi mutters. "I already do."

And that is how he ends up on a two days, one night trip to the forest highlands of Kanto with fashion model Kise Ryouta. 

Iwaizumi pinches a corner of the suede skirt, sorry, loincloth with two fingers. "Seriously?"

Momiji Tonomine, the stylist, shrugs. "You can wear the calf leggings underneath, if you really want."

Leggings - those are just like tight pants, right?

"I'll take the leggings."

It turns out the leggings are tight, stretchy pants with cutouts along the sides of his hips. Somehow, the overall effect is even more obscene than if he went bare-legged. At least his front and back are (barely) covered by the skirt's fabric as long as he doesn't, you know, move.

"Where's the top?" he asks.

Momiji responds, "What top?"

If a mere helper model has to wear all this crap, then what kind of crazy outfit is Kise sporting?

Not that crazy it turns out. Kise is wearing a simple white toga, and he even gets shoes, albeit strappy gladiator ones. An envious Iwaizumi consoles himself with the fact that the belt cinching the waist of the toga is truly gaudy.

And that's before the makeup artists get a hold of them.

Kise has golden shimmer brushed onto any bare skin, and Iwaizumi has...dirt.

"It suits you," says a deadpan Momiji as she paints the red tribal markings onto his cheeks.

"Who am I supposed to be again?" he asks skeptically.

"You are a tribal warrior, taken from your home in the forest to be immortalized by the covetous sun god," Fujimaru recites.

"Won't be too hard to get in the mindset of a captive," Iwaizumi grouses. "Rub it in a little more that I'm the pauper and he's the prince in this scenario, why don't you?"

Momiji slaps some mud onto his shoulder. "There you go. Done. Up and at 'em." Iwaizumi rises from the makeup chair.

"Don't worry, you look great!" Kise says encouragingly from one seat over. "Not everybody can pull off dirt. Very high fashion."

"Try testing your range of motion," Momiji suggests. "I'm not sure the leggings are broken in yet."

Iwaizumi grabs his left knee and pulls it to his chest, then switches his grip to his left ankle and pulls backwards and upwards so that his heel brushes against his ass. Looks like he's still got some flexibility from volleyball. Now... Iwaizumi spreads his feet in a wider stance, places his hands on his thighs for support, and bends at the waist.

For some reason, he can hear choking sounds coming from behind him.

When Iwaizumi flips back over, he's treated to the sight of a speculative Momiji and a red-faced Kise studiously avoiding his gaze.

Compared to the hassle that was getting ready, the actual shoot isn't too bad.

The acclaimed photographer keeps saying things like, "Kise, I want to see the deity within you. Feel your godliness emanating outwards. Iwaizumi, look at him distrustfully, as if you are a startled buck. Virile - yet vulnerable."

Iwaizumi isn't sure about this "emanating" stuff, but Kise looks pretty convincing as a sun god. He does have the raw material for it.

As for channeling vulnerable virility, Iwaizumi cocks his head and widens his eyes, and that seems to satisfy the photographer just fine because he announces, "That's a wrap!" an hour later.

Fujimaru hands them water bottles as their outfits are disassembled by a whirlwind of assistants. "Good work as always, Kise. And Iwaizumi - you did well for a beginner. Your 'startled buck' impression was eerily convincing."

"Thanks. It's going on my resume, right underneath 'SQL' and 'conversational English.'" he replies. Momiji shows her appreciation for his commentary by stabbing him lightly with a safety pin. "Ow!"

Iwaizumi receives the message loud and clear, and shuts up for the rest of the undressing. He isn't usually this mouthy around strangers, but something about being manhandled into posing half-naked for photos just brings out the worst in him. 

"Iwaizumicchi, it's time for dinner!" Kise whisper-shouts.

Dinner. That means...agedashi tofu.

Well. Maybe this situation isn't too terrible.

The five-star onsen ryokan that they check into after dinner helps too, along with the fact that Iwaizumi and Kise get an entire room and private bath to themselves.

Iwaizumi lets out a low groan as he sinks into the hot water. Kise enters a moment later with a sigh of his own. 

"You still have some glitter on your chest," Iwaizumi points out lazily. "On the left. There. No, not there. There."

Kise misses the offending glitter for the third time.

Iwaizumi sighs exasperatedly. "Just let me do it." He reaches over and scrapes off the stubborn little gold flake. Done.

For someone who appears so stylishly slender, Kise is surprisingly muscled underneath his clothing. You don't get pectorals like that by taking it easy. In fact, are they...getting firmer?

It occurs to him as Kise's nipples harden underneath his fingertips that this may not have been his best idea.

He lifts his eyes upwards - and swallows hard.

Iwaizumi has never felt like he was the agedashi tofu on the menu before, but the hunger in those hazel eyes communicate a desire to devour. He removes his hand from Kise's chest.

"Oops?" Iwaizumi tries.

Five minutes later, Kise slams him into the sliding door, kissing him so skillfully that Iwaizumi actually sees stars.

Kabe-don. Wall slam, a small part of him remarks deliriously. So that's what those girls in my homeroom were giggling about.

They tip over onto the futon, and his head clears a little. The heat from the hot springs must have scrambled his brain. Iwaizumi presses his forearm against Kise's chest to keep him from moving closer. "Have you even done this before?"

"Of course," Kise says and tries to slip a hand underneath his yukata.

Iwaizumi bats the hand away. "With a guy, I mean."

"I catch on quickly," Kise purrs. "You should teach me, senpai."

Kise's eyes darken until they shine molten gold, and this time Iwaizumi lets him approach.

Kise mouths at his neck while inching a hand up his thigh, and Iwaizumi's legs automatically fall open. "Do you have-?"

Kise must be a magician because he pulls lubricant and condoms from out of nowhere.

Iwaizumi lets out a huff of laughter. "Prepared, are we?"

Hovering above him, Kise grins. "More like hopeful."

Iwaizumi wraps a leg around the blond's trim waist. "Don't waste any time then. We've got an early shoot tomorrow."

He pays dearly for that remark. When Kise rises to the challenge, he goes the whole nine yards.

Iwaizumi pants. "K-Kise, slow down." 

"Oh?" Kise says innocently. He doesn't slow down - if anything, he increases his range of motion. "I thought we were on a schedule."

"Ki-se!" Iwaizumi protests, voice breaking on a particularly rough thrust. He digs his nails into the tender skin of Kise's back.

Relenting, Kise grants the request - but on his own terms. He slows to a halt at the deepest point, not making it any easier for Iwaizumi to catch his breath, and then grinds his hips.

"Fuck!" Iwaizumi howls.

"I'm just following your directions, Iwaizumicchi. After all, I'm new at this." Kise hums, punctuating "new" with a corkscrew grind-thrust that punches the breath right out of Iwaizumi's chest.

"You should be careful," he whispers conspiratorially. "If you're too loud, our dear Kanae-chan might come over to see what the problem is."

Vengefully, Iwaizumi bites the juncture of his shoulder to muffle a scream, which Kise accepts with nothing more than a grunt.

The devil has yellow eyes, Iwaizumi remembers.

It seems he bleeds red as well.

The stylists are extremely unimpressed with Iwaizumi and Kise the next morning.

"Do you know how much foundation I'm going to need to cover this?!" demands Momiji.

"This" being the scratches on Kise's back and the gigantic love bite on his neck, as well as the handprint bruises on Iwaizumi's hip bones.

Kise sheepishly puts his hands together in apology. "Sorry, Momiji-chan!" he chirps. "We got carried away." There's no sign of the demonic being from last night; if possible, he is shining even more angelically today.

Nevertheless, Iwaizumi won't make the mistake of underestimating Kise again. He hasn't felt this worn out since the back-to-back matches during his last volleyball tournament, and he nearly yelped when he sat down for breakfast.

The photographer strokes his chin. "Actually...this could work. Not the hickey, that looks like Kise has been mauled by an angry eel. But the scrapes on his back, I like those. And the bruises on Iwaizumi's hips are definitely something we could make work..."

He snaps a finger. "I've got it! We're changing the original concept. The second part of the project was supposed to depict the warrior's elevation. But what if we reverse that? Have the sun god fall, let them mutually capture each other. Darker, more passionate - I'm a genius!"

Kise switches into a sheer linen racerback and harem pants. Ha, score one for not being the one who wear ridiculous bottoms.

Iwaizumi remains deprived of a shirt, but this time he gets jeans - without any cut outs, even! The downside is the leather jeans are tight enough that it takes two assistants to pour Iwaizumi into them. The way Kise licks his lips when he sees him is pretty gratifying though.

Thankfully, there are no more sparkles or dirt. The makeup artists transform the light scratches on Kise's shoulder bones into bleeding clawmarks and darken the hand print bruises on Iwaizumi's hips until they look like unearthly shadows.

Fantastic, Iwaizumi thinks with a sigh, I've always wanted to have the aftermath of rough sex artistically rendered for public consumption. Of course he doesn't say anything aloud; he's learned from yesterday's safety pin incident, thanks to Momiji.

It is a good thing that Iwaizumi and Kise got up close and personal last night because today's shoot involves a lot more skin-to-skin contact.

The photographer claps his hands. "Alright, boys. Chest-to-chest! Iwaizumi - you're shorter, so hook your neck over Kise's shoulder. Turn your head slightly. Kise - put your hand in Iwaizumi's back pocket possessively. Yes, that's it exactly!"

Their hips are currently pressed up against each other in a very non-platonic manner. Iwaizumi says out of the side of his mouth, "You better not get hard. Those billowy pants of yours won't hide a thing."

"I'd be more worried about yourself," Kise whispers back. "It'll hurt getting hard in such tight jeans."

He scoffs. "After last night, I won't even be able to think about sex for at least a week."

Kise says lowly in his ear, "See you in a week then."

Ahem. This is going to be more difficult than he thought.

At this point, Ushijima is accustomed to the feel of laminated paper on his face. He pulls back his head a little, gives Oikawa a reproachful look, and then gamely examines the spread.

The magazine article describes the myth of a sun god and warrior:

One day, the sun god surveyed the forest from high above and saw the warrior hunting for his village. The sun god was so impressed by the warrior's strength and vigor that he went down to meet him. Up close, the warrior appeared even more impressive, so the sun god offered him the chance to join his temple. The warrior would become a minor deity and live the rest of his days at the side of the sun god.  

The photograph to the right depicts a wary, crouching Iwaizumi and a gleaming gold Kise. Ushijima isn't who anyone would call an art connoisseur, but even he can tell that it is a well-composed shot. The look on Iwaizumi's face is one of a hunter who has just discovered he is now the hunted; meanwhile, Kise appears inhumanely graceful and fearsome. 

He flips the page to read the second part of the story. 

However, the warrior refused. He had no desire for worshipers and finery; the spear in his hand and the soil underneath his feet were all that he needed. But the sun god was powerful and unused to rejection. He captured the warrior and forcefully granted him godhood. Immortal beings, the sun god and warrior were forever bound to each other. Yet the warrior never forgave the sun god for ripping him away from his life on earth. They say you can still hear the clash of spear and staff in the valley today. 

Ushijima examines the accompanying photographs of Iwaizumi and Kise.

The first panel has Iwaizumi standing with his back to the camera and Kise gazing over his shoulder. No longer is the sun god's expression inscrutable; rather, he looks like a man enraptured. The blond has a hand snaked around Iwaizumi's left hip to match the shadowy imprint that decorates his right hipbone.

The second panel switches perspective, so that Kise is the one with his back to the camera. Four long scratches on each side mar his shoulder bones like bloody wings. Neck stretched and jaw clenched, Iwaizumi rears back in order to bare his teeth blond.

Despite the original roles of god and abductee, it is a scene depicting mutual captivation. 

Ushijima blinks. "This is quite...homoerotic."

"This," Oikawa hisses, "this is what Kise was trying to convince Iwa-chan to do." He starts pacing back and forth. "Those marks on their bodies are too realistic to be faked. Iwa-chan said they weren't dating, but maybe it's more of a physical relationship. That's how the thing with Miyuki began..."

Ushijima interrupts. "I have been pondering this for a while, but if you are going to expend this much energy worrying whether Iwaizumi is in a relationship with someone, why not try your own luck with him?"

"Luck? I don't need luck - I need certainty! I'm not going to risk screwing up the best thing in my life on the off chance that Iwa-chan might be interested in me romantically."

Ushijima has a feeling that Oikawa has revealed more than he intended, so he quickly follows up with a question to distract him. "And if he is?"

"Then...then..." His shoulders slump. "I can forget about passing the Olympic tryouts because I would have used all the good luck in my lifetime. I'm not a nice guy; my karma isn't that great."

"By acting, you may bring to the surface feelings which were not visible before," Ushijima points out.

"Can't fail if I don't try," Oikawa counters.

The setter is one of the most stubborn people Ushijima has ever met, so those defeatist words can't possibly reflect his true feelings. Oikawa's attitude is unbecoming of someone whom Ushijima has granted recognition.

Ushijima puts on his "lecturing captain" face which he has only had to use once before during practice. (He has it on good authority that he appears ten to twenty times more intimidating than usual when doing so - and to quote one of his cruder teammates: "Regular you already scares the bejeezus out of the first-years.")

"If you continue to wallow in your inaction and complain in the shadows, then you are not the man I thought you were. And if you confess and your relationship is ruined, then Iwaizumi Hajime is not the man I thought he was."

"Iwa-chan is-!" Oikawa cries, before catching himself and eying Ushijima warily. "Damn. You've gotten trickier since high school, Ushikawa."

Because Ushijima has learned a thing or two and Oikawa sounds resigned now, he says, "I had to, in order to keep up with the trickiest setter I know. If there is one thing that my loss to Karasuno taught me, it is the importance of constantly evolving. Dwelling on the past only hinders you from moving on to the future."

Oikawa still looks sour about the manipulation - and the reminder about his own loss to Karasuno during senior year.

"Everything changes," Ushijima intones. "You of all people should know better than to fight that."

"I know, I know," Oikawa says dismissively. "The only constant is change - blah, blah, blah. I think I've had enough cliches for the day, Yoda."

But it looks like some of Ushijima's words did get through after all because Oikawa pauses when he gets to the door.

Without turning around, the setter mutters under his breath, "Thanks...Ushijima."

Chapter Text

Iwaizumi figures the magazine shoot with Kise will be like a night in Las Vegas - wild while it lasts, quickly forgotten and never spoken of after it's over. There are only 5,000 copies of their edition, and what are the chances that someone he knows would pick up a historical fantasy magazine?

Pretty goddamn high, it turns out.

Iwaizumi learns that "limited release" means nothing when the Internet exists. In between classes, he is approached by one of Kise's more levelheaded admirers.

"Have you seen this?" his classmate asks.

She shows him a blog. Specifically, a post on the blog which has scanned and uploaded the magazine photographs of them. Specifically, a post with 30,000 notes as of that afternoon.

Various comments include:

Things you didn't know you needed: homoerotic historical fantasy shoots

i recognize kise ryouta from the zunon magazines, but who is his modeling partner?

THOSE ARMS THOUGH

do you think they're fucking in real life??? 

Iwaizumi stops reading in a hurry.

"I didn't know you modeled," his curious classmate comments. 

"Hah, yeah..." he says weakly, and swears to never again be seduced by the promise of free rent.

For now, it's too late. The magazine editors, photographer, and Kise's manager are thrilled at the unexpected degree of success of the campaign. Iwaizumi is not.

If the glares from Kise's fangirls were heated before, they're positively scorching afterwards. Even worse, some of those glares have turned speculative, dare he say - dreamy. He's 95% sure that the girl in his linear algebra class daydreams in HD during their lectures about Kise and him having sex.

They're not.

It strikes Iwaizumi as distinctly unfair that he is going through all this crap because people think he and Kise are together when it's not even true. Kise doesn't seem to be averse to the idea; Iwaizumi has spotted the increasingly blatant attempts at bedroom eyes that range from ridiculous to actually dangerous for his self-control.

Iwaizumi is ambivalent about the whole thing. He doesn't know what he wants from Kise yet, and he refuses to start something he can't finish.

So far he's managed to avoid meeting Kise outside of class, but it's been a struggle. The blond is ten times more persistent once he's been given an inch, and Iwaizumi has historically had difficulty saying no to people who pout and look good doing it.

Eventually, Iwaizumi agrees to a study date.

"It's getting dark outside," Iwaizumi says once they complete the last question. "I should be leaving if I want to catch the last bus home."

He has about a millisecond to take in the glint in Kise's eyes, during which he realizes that he is definitely missing that last bus.

They relocate to Kise's bedroom, where Iwaizumi finally "gets some" the way half of the internet speculates he has. It's embarrassing how little control he has over his libido around this guy.

He collapses onto Kise's chest an hour later. "We should probably talk about this," Iwaizumi says to Kise's left pec.

"What's there to talk about?"

Iwaizumi pinches a nipple as punishment, evincing a startled yelp. "This. Us." He hesitates before confessing, "I don't know what we're doing."

Kise finally sits up. "Iwaizumicchi, you don't have to overthink things. Answer this: do you like me?"

"In what way?"

"Do you like spending time with me?" Kise clarifies.

"I guess."

"Great! Next question: do you find me attractive?"

"I'm a human being with eyes, so yes."

"Awesome. Final question: do you like having sex with me?"

Iwaizumi thinks that his shameless lack of self-control speaks for itself. 

Kise pretends to throw confetti. "Congratulations! You are in a sort-of-relationship with one Kise Ryouta!"

"It's the 'sort of' part that bothers me!"

Kise props his chin on a hand. "What we are depends on you. It's obvious that we're physically compatible, and we get along outside of the bedroom too. Do you want to be dating?"

Iwaizumi remains silent, and Kise eventually takes pity on him. "There's no need to rush, Iwaizumicchi. I like you, and you like me. Let's take it one day at a time, okay?" he says gently. 

Wordlessly, Iwaizumi nods.

"Stay the night?" Kise asks, and doesn't even use the pout this time.

He stays. 

Ushijima's not sure whether he should be pleased about his recent promotion from confidante to co-conspirator. On the one hand, his teamwork with Oikawa has never been stronger. On the other hand: everything else. 

"Iwaizumi insists that they're not dating. But they're having sex, I can tell. And they're also spending time not having sex - that's important too," Oikawa says. 

"Yes, obviously," Ushijima lies.

Oikawa, who seems to be able to see through other people's bullshit but never his own, explains patiently, "As in, the relationship might not be only physical. There could be, ugh, feelings involved which would be terrible for our prospects."

"Ah, I understand," Ushijima says, more honestly this time. Though he's a little wary about the use of the word "our." Since when did wooing Iwaizumi become a collaborative effort?

"We need to see what I'm up against," Oikawa decides. "Maybe Kise is photogenic but not that good-looking in person? A man can hope. Anyway, Iwa-chan told me they're going to the arcade next weekend. The tickets are buy one, get one free. You have to come with me."

"Of course," Ushijima says. "Wait. What?"

This "be a good teammate and friend" thing requires much more intensive involvement than Ushijima previously estimated.  But this is for a good cause, he tells himself as they spot Iwaizumi and Kise at a street corner. For true love and happiness and for Oikawa to maybe bitch a little less about his feelings to Ushijima if he finally manages to snag Iwaizumi. 

"Crap, the bastard's even hotter in person," Oikawa says out of the corner of his mouth, before brightening. "Iwa-chaaaan!"

Ushijima gives Kise a clinical once-over. His face is quite symmetrical, and he has impressive musculature, as expected of a national-level basketball player. Moreover, his atmosphere somehow creates an optical illusion of flowers. Ushijima rubs his eyes, but the flowers only sparkle brighter in the background. 

"What's up, Ushijima," Iwaizumi greets him politely. Unlike Oikawa, he stopped holding volleyball-related grudges once they graduated from high school. 

"Iwaizumi," Ushijima acknowledges before launching into his prepared script, "What a coincidence that you happen to be visiting this establishment with your companion on the same day as Oikawa and I."

Iwaizumi squints at him suspiciously. "You never really struck me as an arcade type."

Oikawa butts in. "Hahaha, what? Don't be so paranoid, Iwa-chan. Your forehead creases will stick."

Kise chooses that moment to make his speaking debut by kissing Iwaizumi's forehead. "Personally, I like the angry vein on your forehead. It gives you character!"

From his spot behind Oikawa, Ushijima can see him tighten his grip to the point of nearly tearing the tickets.

Iwaizumi bats Kise away, grumbling, "If I keel over when I'm 30 from high blood pressure, know that it's because of you assholes. Oikawa, Ushijima - this is Kise. Kise, this is Oikawa and Ushijima."

Kise salutes them cheerfully. "Nice to meet you! I would say that I've heard good things, but Iwaizumicchi doesn't like to talk about himself."

Oikawa beams back. "Oh, tell me about it. Iwa-chan has barely said a word about you."

Ushijima looks between the two of them and resists the urge to sigh. This is going to be a long day. 

Step one of Oikawa's master plan to make Iwaizumi fall in love with him is to show him how much better he is than Kise.

Step one is slightly derailed when he actually sees how attractive Kise is up close. Also when the blond pays for everyone, offering the excuse of, "Well, I'm the only one here with a job, aren't I? Don't worry about it!"

So the guy is richer, hotter, and kinder than Oikawa. Never mind that, there are other important things in life. He can show off his prowess at video games instead! 

Oikawa purposely chooses the alien shooter game that he's played multiple times before. "This one looks interesting," he says innocently. "Kise, want to do player versus player?"

"Sure!" Kise says brightly.

Because Oikawa needs the excuse to be especially villainous for this game, he volunteers for the role of the alien invaders. That, and he just likes aliens. Meanwhile, Kise happily accepts the role of the hapless Earthling.

We'll see how long you can smile when I'm destroying your planet, Oikawa thinks darkly.

But five minutes later Kise is still smiling. And why wouldn't he be? He's winning.

How is he winning? 

Oikawa says through gritted teeth, "You sure you haven't played this before?"

"I'm sure!" Kise sing-songs as he destroys a third of the alien fleet in one shot. 

"Because there'd be no shame in admitting that you've practiced the game to get better at it," Oikawa says, aiming a laser beam at the captain's defense ship. 

"I'm a quick learner," Kise confesses as he deflects the laser beam onto the queen hive. 

The explosions as the chain reaction takes out the remainder of Oikawa's fleet vaguely resemble the flower illusions that surround Kise whenever he smiles. 

LOSER. You have failed to conquer Earth, flashes across Oikawa's screen. 

On Kise's screen is: Congratulations! Alien invasion repelled. The Earth thanks you. 

The loss sets the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Oikawa challenges Kise to, in order, a rematch (a second loss), a 4-player rhythm drum game (Iwaizumi won), DDR (if he had any shame left, it was gone after the first dance), and hoops (okay, dumb idea, but he was getting desperate).

As they line up at the prize desk, Oikawa glares at his small stub of tickets. Kise's arms overflow with long strands of tickets in comparison. Incidentally, Iwaizumi and Ushijima have a middling amount of tickets. By not constantly challenging and losing to Kise, they managed a more reasonable ratio of wins to losses.

Oikawa's hatred deepens when Kise chooses a Godzilla plush the size of an elementary school student and bestows it grandly upon on Iwaizumi. 

"Since you really liked the Shin Gojira film we watched in the fall!" he chirps. 

"You remembered that?" Iwaizumi asks, clutching the monster plush to his chest like some sort of wooed maiden. 

"You're important to me; of course I remember everything you tell me!" Kise replies, gazing deeply into his eyes. 

Oikawa cannot allow this lovey-dovey moment to continue. Slapping down his tickets on the counter, he demands of the clerk, "What can I afford with this?" 

Blushing, she tears her eyes away from the "romantic" (more like vomit-inducing, Oikawa thinks uncharitably) scene. "With ten tickets? Um, the bottom two prizes."

Oikawa has to crouch down to spot the prizes on the last row.

Option 1: a paper fan with the face of an anime girl from Love Hime plastered on it. Her eyes are large, sparkly, and vaguely demented.

Option 2: a pencil eraser shaped like a knight's helmet. Not very impressive, but still probably better than the nightmare-inducing fan. 

"I'll take the eraser."

Iwaizumi's arms are occupied by the unnecessarily large stuffed animal, so Oikawa places the prize into Godzilla's maw. "For all the mistakes you'll undoubtedly make on your schoolwork," he says meanly.  

Iwaizumi spares him a glare before returning to stare into Kise's eyes. "Thanks."

Oikawa sulkily moves backwards, and Ushijima shuffles forward to the counter. "What can I purchase with sixty tickets?"

"Anything on the second or third row," the clerk informs him. 

Ushijima stares intently at the display shelf, then carefully points at a packet of tomato seeds and a stress ball. The stress ball he gifts to Iwaizumi who finally deigns to remember the existence of people other than Kise.

Iwaizumi shoots Ushijima a confused look. "Not that I don't, uh, appreciate your the sentiment, but why are you giving me this?"

Ushijima furrows his brow. "Oikawa and Kise both presented you with prizes. I thought that I should also do the same. Is that not what we're doing today?"

"...sure. Thanks, Ushijima," Iwaizumi says.

The clerk can't hold her curiosity in any longer. "I don't mean to be rude, but are you two dating?"

Iwaizumi startles. Eyes darting to the blond beside him, he hastily says, "Me and Kise? No."

"Oh! I'm so sorry. Then, you and..." Her eyes drift to Ushijima.

Ushijima must have grown a sense of self-preservation since high school because without even turning around to see Oikawa's murderous gaze, he quickly denies, "No, no. Not us."

The clerk peers at Oikawa a little doubtfully. "I see, then you two must be-" 

Before Oikawa can even open his mouth, Iwaizumi snorts derisively. "Oikawa? Ha! Not even in a million years."

And that about sums up his first attempt at winning Iwaizumi's heart.

Ushijima pats him pityingly on the shoulder.

Oikawa is trudging slowly to the arcade exit when he hears a, "Hey, hold up!"

Iwaizumi jogs up to him. "Here." He drops a small UFO keychain into Oikawa's palm. "Couldn't let you leave without a souvenir, right?" 

The sting of Iwaizumi heading back with Kise in his company-sponsored car fades. Oikawa clenches the keychain in his fist with a sense of renewed determination.

He is going to woo the heck out of Iwaizumi Hajime, Kise Ryouta or no Kise Ryouta. 

Chapter Text

Oikawa calls in his reinforcements. Or rather, texts them.

Oikawa

welcome to the first meeting of the "woo iwaizumi so that he dumps kise and dates me" initiative!

Hanamaki

henceforth to be referred to as W.I.S.T.H.D.K.A.D.M.

Matsukawa

we're never going to remember that

Ushijima

May I suggest a name change to "Date Iwaizumi" in place of W.I.S.T.H.D.K.A.D.M.?

Oikawa

call it whatever - can we please focus on solving my love problems now???

Unknown Number

um, hi. not sure if you meant to send me these texts as well?

Oikawa

wait, who are you?

Matsukawa

oh i added him. it's sugawara koushi from karasuno. he's in my history class.

Ushijima

Hello Sugawara.

Hanamaki

sup, sugs!!

Sugawara

hi! (don't call me sugs)

Oikawa

you told refreshing-kun? are we telling everyone now?!

Because that would be just what he needs. For the word to get out to Iwaizumi that his best friend has a big fat crush on him via former volleyball opponents.

Hanamaki

it's fine, isn't it? you need all the help you can get.

Matsukawa

besides sugawara is like the most stable person we know.

Sugawara

thanks, i think.

Oikawa

fine, welcome to team DI then. back to the important part - how do i get iwaizumi to date me?

Matsukawa

does he even know you like men?

Oikawa

...no

Hanamaki

that should have been your first step instead, don't you think?

Oikawa can practically hear the implied you idiot.

Hanamaki

you idiot.

And there it is.

Sugawara

that does seem...relevant

Meanwhile, Matsukawa twists the knife deeper.

Matsukawa

plus, you called him ugly like all throughout high school, so even if he does find out you're OK with guys, he probably won't think you're OK with him.

Oikawa

i was joking!

Matsukawa

ALL THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL.

Ushijima

That would have been useful information to know before this, Oikawa.

Sugawara

ouch. maybe you should apologize?

Hanamaki

keke, you've got a long journey ahead of you. isn't it neat how karma works?

Matsukawa

let us know how your next fuck-up goes!

Ushijima

And remind your fans that the court is off-limits to spectators during practice. Their high-pitched squeals interfere with our hearing.

Yeah, he probably deserves these kinds of friends.

College basketball semifinal matches are coming up, and apparently it is a Really Big Deal because Iwaizumi can't go ten feet without hearing fans chattering about the upcoming game.

"It'll be the first time two members of the Generation of Miracles are facing off since the high school tournament!"

"And it's against Aomine Daiki, the ace of the Generation of Miracles! Tough luck."

"But we have Kise! The 'Perfect Copy' player!"

"You know how the Generation of Miracles used to be..."

So sue him, Iwaizumi gets curious. Who wouldn't if they heard all this talk about someone they were kind-of-but-not-really-sort-of dating? However, he's not the type of person to find out things about a person through rumors. Instead, he goes directly to the source.

"Generation of Miracles. Pretty flashy name," Iwaizumi says nonchalantly.

Kise gives Iwaizumi a look like he's not fooling anyone but answers anyway, "It is, but it's well-earned. We really were something when we were together. Nobody was even close - we dominated the middle school basketball league."

That sounds boring, and Iwaizumi says so.

Kise gives a startled laugh. "You're right, it was actually pretty terrible!"

He's quiet for a moment. "Iwaizumicchi, have you ever been so outmatched that you just stopped trying? Felt defeated before the game even began?"

"Nope."

"That's - good."

Kise has that brittle smile on again, so Iwaizumi explains, "Even when we were facing the champion team for the third time in high school, I still felt that we could win. I knew that that if you compared Shiratorizawa and Aoba Jousai member to member, you would find us lacking in almost every aspect. It didn't matter."

"Why?"

Iwaizumi breaks out into a grin. "A team's strength is a product and not a sum of its members' strengths, and the game isn't over until the ball touches the ground."

Kise stares at him so intently that Iwaizumi wonders if he miss-stepped. "What?" he says defensively, "You think that's too simple-minded of me?"

"No, not simple-minded. Just straightforward." Kise frowns. "I wish you had played basketball. Maybe things would turned out differently."

Iwaizumi wrinkles his nose. "But...I'm a volleyball player."

That line wins him back a smile. "That's right. I take it back. It's for the best that we didn't meet earlier. I wasn't a very nice person back then. None of us were, except Kurokocchi. We just didn't - care. You would have hated the me before."

"And how about now?"

Kise takes a deep breath. "I'm working on it."

"Hey, that's good enough for me."

A twist of the lips. "You know what? I hope I am."

"Huh?" Iwaizumi says, confused. But Kise refuses to explain what he meant, no matter how many times Iwaizumi prompts him.

Oikawa's revised plan to date Iwaizumi is a three-pronged attack: The first prong involves letting Iwaizumi know that Oikawa is not as heterosexual as previously assumed; the second, making it clear that Oikawa thinks Iwaizumi in particular is attractive; and the third, admitting to Iwaizumi that Oikawa likes him.

Part 1, which Oikawa has privately nicknamed 'Bi the way,' goes surprisingly smoothly.

Iwaizumi asks him how long he's known.

Oikawa admits it's been a recent discovery.

Iwaizumi says, "You sure?"

Oikawa is.

And that's about it.

The easy coming out lures Oikawa into a false sense of confidence. Part 2, 'Sorry for calling you ugly all of those years,' is considerably bumpier.

Possibly because the way Oikawa goes about it is by brandishing evidence of Iwaizumi and Kise's photoshoot in his face.

"Oh my god, how did you get that," Iwaizumi chokes, making a desperate grab for the magazine.

Luckily, Oikawa has managed to maintain the two inches in height he has on Iwaizumi till now and holds the magazine just out of reach.

Thanks to the semi-public location, he even survives the risky play. Iwaizumi can't kill him in front of all these witnesses and CCTV cameras. Outstanding strategic thinking on Oikawa's part if he does say so himself.

Iwaizumi repeats, "Shittykawa, why do you have that magazine?"

"You know me, always interested in historical fantasy literature," Oikawa says airily.

"Bullshit! You're a sci-fi geek all the way through."

Oikawa narrows his eyes. "Nevermind where I got it. Care to tell me what it is?"

"I...was doing someone a favor."

"Are you thinking of becoming a model, Iwa-chan?" Oikawa chirps.

Iwaizumi squints at him suspiciously. "Is this where you tell me that would be impossible given how ugly I am?"

Oikawa is taken aback - has he really been insulted Iwaizumi's looks that many times? Matsukawa and Hanamaki were right; he is an asshole.

He hastens to assure Iwaizumi, "You're not ugly!"

"I'm so glad that I meet your minimum aesthetic standards," Iwaizumi says sarcastically.

"What I mean is that you're not on my level of beauty, but the average person would consider you attractive."

Iwaizumi is perturbed, and no wonder: they never talk about this stuff.

"I might have been exaggerating when I said that you'd never get a date. Because, you know, obviously you've been very successful with that so far in college. You've got to be doing something right to make it with a guy like Kise Ryouta."

And now Iwaizumi just looks pissed off. "Yeah, I should be so lucky that Kise's willing to put up with me. Are we seriously doing this? You're being more of an asshole than usual today."

Oikawa is totally screwing this up. "No! You're attractive, you are!"

"But not compared to the supermodel, right? Thanks a lot." Iwaizumi pushes out his chair. "You know what? I don't have to sit here and listen to this."

"Yes, compared to the supermodel!" Oikawa practically shouts, before lowering his voice to admit, "Compared to anyone! You're really cute, okay?"

Promisingly, Iwaizumi hasn't left yet. Arms crossed, he says, "That's different from what you usually say."

"I never meant any of that. You know how many girls in high school would have been all over you if I wasn't around? It was practically a rite of passage for the first-year team members to have a crush on you."

"Okay, now I know you're lying."

Oikawa lists, "Kindaichi? Mad dog? Tobio-chan?"

"Kageyama did not-!"

"Anyway," Oikawa cuts him off, "I think you're really cute."

Iwaizumi slowly sits back down. "Oh." After a moment, he says, "Really? After seeing those photos, you're calling me cute?"

Oikawa glances down and takes in the raw sexuality oozing from the pages of the magazine. Then he looks up at Iwaizumi, whose ears have been flushed pink since Oikawa called him cute.

"Yup," Oikawa says happily, "Iwa-chan is the cutest."

Now, all that's left is phase 3, in which he confesses his love and asks Iwaizumi out.

 ...oh, jeez.

"We won! I can't believe we won!" Kise shouts.

He's ecstatic. He's also been shouting the same thing for hours since the end of the game into Iwaizumi's ear. It's probably the celebratory drinks' fault.

"Yeah, yeah, calm down for a second and tell me where your keys are."

Kise frowns. "Iwaizumicchi. You're supposed to congratulate me."

"I have. Multiple times."

The frown morphs into a pout. "Oh. I don't remember that."

"You are going to have the hangover from hell tomorrow," Iwaizumi tells him as he wrangles the keychain from Kise's backpocket.

Kise wriggles against him. "Oh! Oh! Are we having celebration sex?"

"I appreciate your ambition. But you're so drunk right now you probably can't even get it up." He manages to get the door open and starts dragging Kise towards the bedroom.

Kise goes quiet. "Are you leaving then?"

"What? No, somebody's gotta stay with you tonight and make sure you don't roll onto your back and suffocate on your own vomit."

Kise wrinkles his nose. "Ugh. That's not sexy at all. But you're staying." He says the statement more like a hopeful question.

"Yup," Iwaizumi affirms, as he tugs Kise's shirt over his head like he's a child and finagles him into sleeping clothes.

"...why?"

Iwaizumi looks up at Kise from where he's tugging off his socks. "What do you mean 'why'? Because I'm not an asshole. Because we're friends."

The words spill out of Kise's mouth. "You're really nice. And smart, and cute, and...I think I could fall in love with you one day."

Iwaizumi averts his eyes uncomfortably. "Kise. You're drunk."

"Yeah, drunk. Not stupid. I know we said we'd take this one day at a time, but I...I want to get serious with you. You could move in with me. Meet my friends from middle school and high school. We could date."

"That Aomine guy from today was a piece of work. Not sure if I want to meet the rest of your friends if they're all like that."

"Aominecchi was just grumpy because his boyfriend's studying abroad in California. And you didn't answer my question."

"Ask me again tomorrow. When you're sober. If you even remember this conversation."

"I'll remember."

Iwaizumi sighs. "Go to sleep, Kise."

Kise remembers. And he asks again the next morning.

Iwaizumi has to think about this.

Lately, Oikawa has been acting strangely. There was the bizarre arcade double date, then that time when Oikawa said Iwaizumi was "cute," and instead of watching their usual line up of Gojira movies interspersed with alien invasion movies, Oikawa insists that they watch romantic comedies instead. He says it's "research" for his film class.

After watching three consecutive films, Iwaizumi is starting to detect a distinct pattern in the viewing material for the night. The first film is about a thirteen-year-old girl who wakes up two decades in the future and falls in love with the adult version of her best friend whom she abandoned when they were kids. In the second film, the platonic protagonists make a pact to marry each other before they turn 35. The third film is about old friends navigating new territory when they are forced to cohabit.

Iwaizumi may be dense sometimes, but he's not a complete idiot. (Though, admittedly the revelation that Kageyama, Kindaichi, and Kyoutani all had crushes on him was completely unexpected. And the ambiguous relationship with Kise had snowballed so quickly without him realizing...)

He turns off the television before Oikawa can put on a fourth friends-to-lovers movie. "Is there something you want to tell me, Oikawa?"

"What do you mean, Iwa-chan?"

Iwaizumi stares him down. Oikawa wavers but maintains his shielded smile. Iwaizumi looks away first.

"Fine, Trashykawa. Be that way."

He turns the TV back on. The next movie follows two childhood friends as they gradually realize their feelings for each other. Oikawa is not very subtle.

Iwaizumi can guess what all these signs are pointing to, but the conclusion he would draw from them is ridiculous. Impossible.

So Iwaizumi doesn't know why the next thing he says is: "Kise asked me out yesterday. He said he wanted to take the next step, make things official."

Oikawa is motionless in a way that means he is purposely holding still. "I see. And did you say yes?"

"I said I needed to think about it. I like him, but it's an important decision. If I say yes, I'm going all in."

Oikawa babbles when he's nervous. "That's...great. Really. His sports drink commercial won an award last week. Did he tell you about it? He's a part-time model as of now, but when he graduates and starts working full-time, his career is going to take off. You think his apartment is nice now, wait a few years and see what type of place he can afford for the two of you. Supermodels make bank!"

"Oikawa."

"And they're supermodels, duh. That's like desirable career number 1 in significant others. You've got it in the bag. He's rich, attractive, and talented. You would be crazy to not lock that down now. You should..."

"Oikawa."

"Say no," Oikawa says abruptly.

"You just said it would be crazy for me not to say yes," Iwaizumi points out gently.

"I know, but don't say yes to him. Say yes to me. I'm not as sparkly or as rich or as good at arcade games or even as nice as Kise, but say yes to me anyway. I like you, Iwa-chan."

It's Iwaizumi's turn to freeze. Everything in the conversation was leading to this point, but somehow he is still completely stunned by this turn of events.

"We've been friends for so long, it might be a hard adjustment to make to think of me in that way. And you're my best friend; I didn't want to do anything to risk that. But I think we could be really great as something more. Iwa-chan? Please say something. Don't leave me hanging like this."

"I..."

Chapter Text

"I can't date you."

Iwaizumi watches his face fall. He feels like a terrible person, but it has to be done.

"Why?"

Iwaizumi tells him the same thing he said to someone else a few days ago. "There's this guy I'm hung up over. Have been, for ages."

("Idiot. I don't even remember a time when I wasn't in love with you."

The look on Oikawa's face is like sunrise.)

Kise nods. "Oikawa."

And okay, Iwaizumi must have been more obvious than he thought, since Kise's only met Oikawa once.

Iwaizumi rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, he confessed to me."

"That's great!" Kise tries to show a smile of congratulations. It's painful to watch.

Iwaizumi sighs. "Kise, don't feel like you have to smile. Not in front of me."

Kise laughs bitterly. "Darn it, you really are such a cool guy."

"I'm sorry."

"Tell me I never had a chance."

Iwaizumi lies firmly. "You didn't."

Kise wipes his eyes. "Okay. Okay, that helps."

"I care about you, Kise. I know you might need some time, but I hope we can continue being friends."

Kise smiles through his tears. "Iwaizumicchi, you aren't getting rid of me that easily."

And that's the end of that chapter, and the beginning of something else entirely.

Ushijima has a month of quiet in which Oikawa wanders around with a look of stunned bliss on his face. Then, the noise returns with a vengeance.

"And then Iwa-chan said-"

"Iwa-chan has been going to this new cafe-"

"Even though Iwa-chan isn't on the volleyball team anymore, he's still got an ass you can bounce a quarter off of-"

Ushijima breaks. "Oikawa, while I am happy that your hard work has paid off and you have ended up with the love of your life, we are not close enough for you to me regale me with tales of your sex life."

"S-s-sex life?!" Oikawa shrieks with red cheeks.

Ushijima realizes the truth with dawning horror. This Oikawa, who prattles endlessly about how wonderful his Iwa-chan is, and how sexy he is, and how he's the luckiest man alive to be with him. This is Oikawa pre-consummation.

Ushijima isn't ashamed to admit that he immediately throws Oikawa under the bus.

He sends a message to the group chat "Date Iwaizumi."

Ushijima

It is admirable that Oikawa is "taking it slow" with Iwaizumi despite the considerable amount of carnal experience on both sides.

Matsukawa

wait. WAIT.

Hanamaki

are you saying...?

Sugawara

that's so sweet!

Oikawa

ushikawa! how dare you???

Hanamaki changed the group name from "Date Iwaizumi" to "Deflower Iwaizumi"

Matsukawa

nice, that way we can keep the same abbreviated initials. project DI is a go once more!

Ushijima

Convenient, if not the most accurate name. I believe Iwaizumi has been divested of his "flower" for several years now. Repeatedly. With different men.

Sugawara

...eep

Matsukawa

...

Hanamaki

i don't know why we thought you didn't have a sense of humor, ushijima is SAVAGE

 Oikawa

excuse you!! there hasn't been a time for it, okay? we're both super busy. sorry that we have such fulfilling lives, unlike the rest of you lazy bastards!

Ushijima

1. We are in the off-season and our coach has specifically instructed us to "take a break."

Ushijima

2. Iwaizumi doesn't have exams for another month and a half.

Ushijima

3. You've certainly had ample time to meet with Iwaizumi twice a week for the past month. Just this week you watched Lilo and Stitch and had a pick-up game of volleyball with his roommates.

Matsukawa

ushijima pulling the receipts

Hanamaki

it's not like you two have to go on a requisite amount of dates before banging. you've literally known each other for 22 years

Sugawara

maybe that's the issue!

Matsukawa

share your "sane man in the room" wisdom with us, oh great one

Sugawara

well, here's my take on things: even if you two did manage to learn to see each other in a different light, it's still hard to change a dynamic that has been stable for so long.

Sugawara

oikawa was incredibly brave to confess his feelings despite his fear that it might damage one of the most important relationships in his life.

Sugawara

oikawa, there's no timeline for relationships; you should reach each milestone at your own pace.

Sugawara

however, i think if you happen to be holding back because you're still worried about damaging that relationship, you should talk to iwaizumi and try to break through that barrier together!

Matsukawa

damn

Hanamaki

sugawara dropping truth bombs

Oikawa

sugawara, i'm really glad that my traitor friends added you to this highly personal group chat

Oikawa

and screw the rest of you!

"Is it weird that Oikawa and I haven't had sex yet?" Iwaizumi asks. 

Sawamura looks extremely out of his element. Bokuto contemplatively strokes an invisible beard.

"Um," says the fourth person at the table. He's Bokuto's hapless dinner guest this week.

Iwaizumi clarifies. "Oikawa is the guy I've been dating for the past month. But we've known each other for years, and neither of us are new to this sort of thing."

Sawamura says, "Well, Yui and I knew each other for a couple of years before getting together, and we didn't..."

Bokuto disagrees. "Yeah, but you two are the traditional, shy type of couple. That's not really like Iwaizumi or Oikawa. Or like me and Akaashi. One day, he got jealous of me and Kuroo - no homo, just bromo! - and jumped me after practice. It was awesome!"

"Oikawa and I said we're dating, but we're doing the same things together we've done before. Except now with some making out, I guess," Iwaizumi says.

"Doesn't that just mean you guys were basically dating before?" Sawamura points out.

"Sure, but on a physical level, I feel like whenever things are about to get heavier, he pulls back. Maybe he's not actually attracted to me," Iwaizumi says gloomily. 

Bokuto scoffs. "No way, dude. I've seen the way he checks out your butt whenever you bend over to get the remote."

"And his heart eyes whenever you scrunch up your nose. Or yawn. Or basically do anything," adds Sawamura.

"Then why...?" Iwaizumi trails off in frustration.

"You should talk to him," says Bokuto's guest.

"What do you mean?"

The guest fidgets at having everyone's attention focused on him.

"I'm not the most expressive person, and I'm not good at reading people either," he explains. "I think sometimes you can't know what someone is feeling unless you ask. If you're together, shouldn't you go through this together?"

"Huh," Iwaizumi says, "what was your name again?"

"Kurahara Kakeru."

"Thanks, Kurahara. I, uh, I gotta go."

"Go get your man!" Bokuto shouts as Iwaizumi grabs his coat.

Oikawa opens his front door only to see Iwaizumi, fist poised to knock. "Iwa-chan? I was just about to go to your place."

Iwaizumi lifts a six-pack. "I brought beer."

"My place it is." Oikawa beckons Iwaizumi into his room. "What brings you to the Chuo dorms?"

"I thought we could have sex. Or talk about it, at least."

"Oh," Oikawa squeaks.

"Why, were you planning to come over to my place for something else?"

Oikawa picks up his jaw from the floor. "Er. No, that - that about covers it."

"Glad we're on the same page." Iwaizumi places the beer down on the kitchen counter. "So. What's the deal? Us. Sex. We've both had it before. But we haven't had it with each other."

"Launching right into it, huh? Haven't you heard of foreplay, Iwa-chan?" Oikawa says, trying to find his footing.

Iwaizumi effortlessly bats away Oikawa's attempt at evasion. "Yeah, it's the stage we've been at for the past month. Do you want to have sex with me? It's okay if you don't."

"I've had three wet dreams about you this week alone! I should be asking you that question."

"You're hot, and I've liked you since puberty. Yeah, I would say I want to have sex with you."

It takes a moment for Oikawa and Iwaizumi to realize what they just blurted out.

"Hm. That was a lot easier than I thought it would be," Oikawa muses.

"Good talk. Bedroom?"

"I'll race you!"

Sex with Oikawa involves a lot more talking than Iwaizumi expected. Such as:

Oikawa tracing the thin scar on Iwaizumi's forearm. "This is from the time you jumped from the tree in my backyard! That was so awesome! Except for the broken bones part."

Iwaizumi threading his fingers through Oikawa's hair and messing it up. "Ugh, you use way too much hair gel." "Do not!"

And Oikawa gazing heatedly at Iwaizumi's undressed body. "I'm so jealous of everyone who's seen you like this."

Iwaizumi snorts. "Were you expecting an untouched virgin? Sorry to break it to you, but neither of us can wear white at the wedding."

Oikawa actually blushes at that. Iwaizumi props himself up on his elbows and gives him a questioning look.

Oikawa defends himself. "You said wedding! It took me off guard."

"I was joking."

Now, Oikawa is pouting. "Ugh! We may have only been dating for a month, but I'm serious about you!"

Iwaizumi softens. "Yeah, uh. Same."

Oikawa looks unsatisfied. "You can't just copy what I said. That's lame."

"So demanding. What have I gotten myself into?"

"Iwa-chan!" Oikawa whines.

Iwaizumi nudges him lightly with his knee. "Idiot, you know you're the one for me. Now, get over here." And an eager Oikawa does.

Is Oikawa the best Iwaizumi's ever had?

Oikawa isn't as sweet as Makoto, or as clever as Miyuki, or as objectively attractive as Kise.

But it's Oikawa. Oikawa, panting into Iwaizumi's neck as he enters him carefully. Oikawa, whose hands are smoothing up and down Iwaizumi's thighs nervously. Oikawa, with his eyes wet and lips trembling. 

"Why - ah! Why do you look like - ngh - you're about to cry?"

"I'm really happy."

"Crybaby," Iwaizumi says fondly and then breaks off into a moan as Oikawa presses all the way in.

It's Oikawa. The same Oikawa who's been by his side all these years through thick and thin. Who knows him better than anybody else in the world. It's inevitable.

It's the best damn sex he's ever had, and the wait has been more than worth it.

As they lie next to each other on the bed, with their skin cooling and heart race slowing, Iwaizumi says, "Even if this doesn't work out between us, you'll still have me in your life."

Oikawa looks at him seriously. "Of course. We'll always be best friends first. But I'm really hoping we can stay as lovers."

"I hope so too."

Oikawa continues, "The only acceptable scenario where I'm your ex-boyfriend is the one where I become your husband instead."

Iwaizumi takes a moment to process the statement and then bursts into laughter. "Oh my god, that's appallingly cheesy."

Oikawa rolls over to cage Iwaizumi within his arms and glares. "Stop laughing! It was supposed to be romantic!"

Still smiling, Iwaizumi looks up at him. "I love you."

Flustered, Oikawa says, "Damn it, Iwa-chan! I was going to say it first!" and leans down for a kiss.

(Five years later at their wedding reception, Iwaizumi introduces Oikawa to the guests as his "ex-boyfriend."

It's still appallingly cheesy.

But maybe it's a little romantic too.)

The End