Chapter Text
Chapter 1
What if we ruin it all,
And love like fools?
- Fools (Lauren Aquilina)
Oikawa was often called a flower boy. His fan club president last year had even christened him the ‘Flower Prince.’
But it was just supposed to be about his breathtaking beauty. He wasn’t supposed to be literally sprouting flowers in his chest.
He stared at the damp, blue petals on his pillow. When he had first spotted them a few days ago, he had dealt with it the way he dealt with every terrifying thing – if he ignored them, they’d go away.
But they were still here - now stained red and bleeding into his pillow.
Fuck.
Everyone knew Oikawa loved nothing more than himself. So, when they heard of this new disease spreading around, Makki and Matsunn had joked about how Oikawa was practically immune to it.
“Captain you’re so lucky. Who knew being a self-absorbed asshole would one day come in handy?” Makki had exclaimed.
Oikawa had scowled at him and loftily replied “I’m the best so I obviously love myself best.”
That earned him a nice kick from Iwaizumi.
“MEAN IWA-CHAN!!!” he’d cried, pouting and rubbing his thigh.
“Stop spouting nonsense Shittykawa” Iwaizumi had growled.
Iwaizumi Hajime aka Iwa-Chan aka Mr. Grumpy was his childhood best friend. They had known each other since they were babies, courtesy of their moms who were also, best friends.
The flowers growing in his chest belonged to Mr. Grumpy.
Probably.
Definitely.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” he muttered under his breath, gathering the little petals. This cannot be happening. Not right now. Oikawa fought back tears as the fan rotated towards him, blowing a gust of wind and scattering the petals all over his room. The inter highs were just around the corner. They need to beat Shiratorizawa. He needs to prove to that stuck up asshole Ushijima that his team is perfect. This- it’s his last chance. He can’t be sick. Not now.
“TOORU! IWAIZUMI IS HERE!” his mother shouts from downstairs. He quickly dumped the petals in the dustbin and threw his bloodstained pillow under his bed. He could hear Iwaizumi stomping up the stairs grumbling like an old man. He slammed the door to the bathroom just as Iwaizumi threw open his bedroom door.
“Oi Shittykawa!” he barked banging the bathroom door, “If we're late again because of you, I'm going to kill you.
Oikawa's’ heart ricocheted in his chest. How could he face him? They had known each other their whole lives. One look at him and Hajime would know something was dreadfully wrong.
Thankfully, Iwaizumi was as dense as a water-soaked sponge and so he had failed to recognize that Oikawa was in love with him since middle school. Maybe even before then. But Tooru had realized it when he had hurt his knee and Iwa-chan hadn’t left him for even a second at the hospital. They had held each other and cried desperately, both of them terrified that they would never play volleyball again. Because, they both knew even at that tender age, that they wouldn't be able to enjoy the game without each other.
After washing his face, Oikawa stared at himself in the mirror not recognizing who had become in the last few days. His eyes were sunken in and his dark circles were terrible. His skin was pale and his lips chapped. To say he looked bad would be an understatement. He looked disgusting. He sunk to the floor, holding his head in his palms.
Oikawa hadn’t realized when his love had become physical enough to blossom as flowers from his heart. He didn't realize when he had become so heartsick.
‘How did I not feel them till now?’ he thought clipping the soft stems at the back of his throat with a cuticle scissor. The little flowers were beautiful. ‘I wonder what they are called’ he wondered. He saved a stem to show his sister who was a botanist. Quickly brushed his hair and applied some concealer to hide his dark circles. Taking a deep breath and ignoring the sharp pain that sparked through his chest - he stepped out of the bathroom.
“Good morning Iwa-Chan. You shouldn’t be growling so early in the morning. It’s bad for my health” he joked draping himself across the shorter boys' shoulders, blowing into his ear.
“Get off Stupidkawa!” Iwaizumi grunted pushing him off. Sure, Oikawa had no concept of personal space. But this helped him deal with his pining. He couldn't imagine not touching his Iwaizumi. He couldn't imagine space between them. There was no air in space.
“Iwa-Chan is such a meanie,” he pouted pulling off his pajama shirt and putting on his uniform.
He turned around and caught Iwaizumi staring at his back, eyebrows knit into a frown.
“Aww Iwa Chan, you don’t have to be jealous of my amazing body. Appreciate me with a smile.” he laughed wiggling his ass at him.
Hajime’s ears turned red. “Shut UP FLATTY KAWA!” he growled and then kicked his ass for good measure.
“Ow Iwa-chan how dare you. I have a great ass!” He gasped and then winced his chest clenching in pain.
Iwaizumi narrowed his eyes at him, his eyes suspicious.
“Are you okay Tooru?” he asked, softly reaching to brush his cheek. Tooru shivered at the contact. Iwaizumi very rarely initiated any kind of skinship. Tooru allowed himself to melt under his touch for a few minutes.
“Iwa-chan I know I'm beautiful but I'm not a doll.” He replied, giggling nervously, pulling away.
The flowers seemed to blossom in tune with his racing heartbeat.
“Tooru.” He warned his forehead a forest of frowns. Oikawa wanted to smoothen those wrinkles with a kiss. Thankfully he held himself back.
“I'm fine Iwa-chan. Just tired.”
“Have you been staying up watching Shiratorizawa’s matches again?” he chided scowling.
He might have been.
“Iwa-chan how can you accuse me of sacrificing my beauty sleep!” He asked in a mock affronted tone, clutching his chest. He had been having trouble sleeping due to the pain, so he might have used volleyball as an escape route. Not that you would catch him admit it.
“Oikawa, I’ve known you since fetus. So don't play dumb with me. You look like a mess and you've lost weight. Are you sick?” He asked his eyebrows knitted together in worry, his mouth pressed into a thin line.
Oikawa wanted to kiss all the worry of his face. He thought about kissing Iwaizumi way too much.
“Iwa-chan, you've been staring at me that intently? Do you have a crush on me?” He asked eyes glinting with mischief and something like hope.
“Stupidkawa! I'm staying over tonight and making sure you get some sleep!” He barked thwacking Oikawa head with his alien plushy. Iwaizumi’s ears were red and a blush was creeping up his neck.
“Iwa-chan wants to sleep with me? I don't know if we are there yet Iwa-hubby!” He flirted flashing him a perverted grin.
“SHUT THE FUCK UP UGLYKAWA!” he yelled, his entire face burning red. “Come down quick or I’m leaving without you!” he snarled, stomping out of his room. Oikawa collapsed into peals of laughter.
God that hurts, Oikawa thought still giggling to himself. He coughed out a few more bloody petals.
I'm fine he thought obstinately shoving them into the dustbin and grabbing a handkerchief in case he coughed some more.
“Wait for me Iwa-chan” he sang, grabbing his volleyball shoes and skipped downstairs to his grumpy best friend.