Chapter Text
Tooru had been in love with his best friend since forever. Even before he knew what being in love meant and what pain followed with it, it all began when his best friend moved in next door. Tooru was five years old. The only things that mattered to him were volleyball and aliens. After hearing the news of the new neighbors, Oikawa wanted a friend more than anything. He was the only boy in the neighborhood at his age. Finally, he would have a friend. His mother came up with an idea to bake Welcome to the neighborhood cookies, Tooru happily participated. Little Oikawa was feeling fidgety. His mother said he had to make a great first impression so that maybe he would finally have someone to play alongside. Of course, he was nervous. A brief moment after they rang the doorbell, the door opened, displaying a young woman barely taller than his mother. The woman happily accepted the cookies and invited them inside. Hajime! Come inside. We have guests. After a minute or two, a boy came dashing inside.
"Ma, who are these people?" curiosity unmistakable in his voice. He was a tad shorter than Oikawa and had mud all over his face and wears. “This is Mrs. Oikawa and her son Tooru. They live next door. The two of you go out and play?” The boy just did as his mother asked. Tooru followed right after. Only then was he brave enough to speak up. "Hello! My name is Tooru Oikawa. Want to be friends?" Tooru managed to get out while reaching out his hand for a shake. The boy just stared at him with a scowl. I know your name already, dumbass. Still being five years old, it was hard for Oikawa to describe this feeling. It had felt unpleasant. “My name is Hajime Iwaizumi. Do you like to play with bugs?”
Oikawa certainly did not enjoy playing with bugs, mud, and sticks. He hated all activities that got him extremely dirty. Tooru and Hajime were polar opposites. Oikawa liked to practice volleyball for hours, analyze games, or stay inside watching countless space and alien documentaries. Iwaizumi wanted to be outside playing in the mud or watch Godzilla movies. His obsession with that was just as bad as his friend's space obsession. Hajime was no star wars or star trek fan. But over the summer before school, they became inseparable. They learned to play with each other. On rainy days the boys would stay indoors watching movies. On sunny days they would play whatever Hajime wanted, mostly bug hunting or the boys would play some volleyball. Iwaizumi had gotten hooked on volleyball after Tooru had persuaded him into watching a game with him.
One of his favorite moments from their childhood was back when Iwaizumi rescued him from a ladybug. Yeah, he remembered that very well. "Iwachan!Help! A bug is attacking me!" Tooru screamed at the top of his lungs and begged Iwaizumi to remove the bug though he only stood there and laughed. "Shittykawa, it's a ladybug! It grants wishes, and it is not a menace" "Promise?" demanded Tooru. "Promise," Hajime said with a sly grin and helped his friend remove the harmless bug. That closeness made his heartbeat in a rapid paste. It felt as if his heart would bounce out of his chest if Tooru didn't get away from his friend. Oikawa quickly shoved his friend away. "Hmph! I wasn't that scared after all!" This comment made Iwaizumi burst out laughing, redness creeping up Oikawa's neck "How rude, Iwachan!"
The second time this happened was on his birthday. Iwaizumi had gotten him this custom keychain ring of an alien abducting a volleyball. That was and still is Oikawa's most precious thing in the entire world. Growing up, they had a lot of sleepovers, then as time passed and the years flew by, it changed. Yes, they might still binge-watch their favorite movies. They didn't sit close, holding each other if it were a horror movie or share the same bed. Not going to lie, but that saddened Oikawa. It was for the better anyway. Soon they would enter high school. Iwaizumi probably thought it would be weird. Joining the volleyball team had been very important to Tooru, so Hajime followed him. After their loss against Wakatoshi in middle school, he declared him as his eternal rival. In high school, they met Hanamakki and Mattsun. They had been friends since forever. These four clicked and grew into an iconic four-clover. They noticed the way Oikawa looked at Hajime whenever the latter wasn't paying attention. Of course, they confronted him about it, which led Oikawa in a blushing mess, denying it and busied himself with practicing serves. And so, Makki and Mattsun made it their mission to tease him about it whenever they could. Halfway through the second year, Oikawa did admit that he liked- no loved Iwaizumi. They noticed that after Hajime had gotten together with a girl from their year, Tooru didn't place his sleeping mat beside his best friend, barely walking home together. Across the room, the two would often find Oikawa stare at Iwaizumi before falling asleep.
End of third year. Oikawa leaned back into the cushions ``We are soon going to graduate. I am going to miss you guys a lot, even if the three of you are annoying blockheads.” he forced on a smile. Tooru knew what was coming. “What do you imply? We will still be able to hang out even if we get occupied?” Makki tried. Tooru cleared his throat before speaking. “ No, we- ” “What the hell do you mean?” Iwaizumi, making Oikawa flinch. “I would have told you if you did not so rudely interrupted me Iwa- chan! Anyway, I-...” Tooru took a deep breath before he continued. “ I got an offer to play for Argentinian League as a setter for Club Athletico San Juan. I accepted. '' After that, it was dead silent for a minute before Mattsun asked carefully. " Bro, I am impressed. Argentina on the other side of the globe, right? Do you even know Spanish?" Issei started to ask a lot of questions, so did Hana. Hajime stayed quiet until they went home.
"Iwa-chan~ You have not said a word since I told you about the offer." Iwaizumi suddenly stopped making Oikawa run into him. " Why are you leaving? And how long have you known about this?" Iwaizumi said, voice low. " I have known since after we lost against Karasuno. It is a big opportunity for me. Also, it is beneficial" "Well! It is not beneficial for me! My best friend is leaving me! How do you want me to react?!" Hajime yelled, spinning to face Oikawa. Oh boy, Tooru was mad and hurt. "What do I want? I want my best friend to be proud of me! Not you getting angry with me! You have been too busy with your girlfriend anyway. And it is not your life either!" he said before marching down the streets, tears running down his face.
They did not speak until the night before he left.Sitting in his room was awkward. They had not spoken for three weeks, Mrs Iwaizumi had invited him over for dinner. He did not have it in him to run the offer down. After that, he followed Iwaizumi up to his bedroom. After a few minutes of silence, Iwaizumi suggested one last movie marathon. After the film scroll text appeared, Hajime started. "Listen, I want to apologize for what I said. You know I am proud. Right? Can I come to see you off at the airport? I am not good with feelings so I don't know what to say..." All Tooru did was stare at his lips. It was now or never. He leaned forward, pressing his lips against Hajime. God, they were soft. Though, he got shoved off the bed immediately. " What the hell are you thinking? You can't just kiss me! Are you out of your goddamn mind, Oikawa?! I have a girlfriend, you know! We are friends, not love interests." Tooru just sat there, eyes widened, trying to process what he was saying. But the last thing Iwa said caught him off guard.
" Get out of here. I hope I never get to see you again." He had screwed up everything . I never want to see you again, I never want to see you again, I never want to see you again. Those were his thoughts as his body moved on its own. Tooru had to get out of there. As soon as he was out, he ran, even though he lived next door. The next day he just felt empty as he bid goodbye to his friends, former teammates, and family. Hajime did not show up that day. Being in love really hurt.