Work Text:
Day 5 ~
Jealousy
▪︎ Fashion/Model AU!
Sixteen for most teenage boys meant acne, the beginnings of facial hair, and crooked teeth.
For Yamaguchi Tadashi, it meant the exact opposite.
In fact, his acne cleared when he hit sixteen, leaving him fresh and freckle-faced.
To say he'd grown handsome was an understatement.
He still managed to maintain his boyish charm, and he only grew more handsome as he approached his third year.
Becoming captain of the volleyball team didn’t hurt either.
The four third years often sat together during lunch (and sometimes, Yachi would join them) to talk about plans for practice or upcoming practice games. Today was one such (almost peaceful) day.
“I’ll take it up with Ukai, but I’m thinking about splitting the team and doing a practice match today,” Yamaguchi said, pouring over his notebook. “Might be tough with the number of middle blockers we have.”
"I'll just sit out-"
"No, you always sit out, Tsukki. And I know you do it to make yourself look intimidating to the first years. And I've been meaning to tell you to stop it."
"He looks intimidating no matter what he does," Kageyama said with a smirk. "I don't know what you see in him, Yamaguchi."
"I could say the same thing to Hinata, o Great King," the blonde retorted, completely unfazed by the ravenette's comment.
"Why do you insist on calling me that still?"
"Because Oikawa left two years ago so the mantle goes to you."
"Speaking of Oikawa and Seijoh," Yamaguchi interrupted, sending a pointed look towards his boyfriend. "Did you ever talk to Kindaichi about that practice match, Kageyama?"
"He said he'd talk to his coach but he'd be more than willing to set one up."
"Cool...And I know Ukai’s talking with Coach Nekomata about our annual Garbage Dump fight…"
"Hi, Yamaguchi-san…"
The third year turned with a shy smile. He waved before the two girls giggled and ran off.
Tsukishima frowned. "Who are they?"
"Just some girls in my class," he replied, not noticing the look on his boyfriend’s face as he continued to look through his captain's notebook. "You know, it's kind of weird not being in the same class as you."
"When did you become so popular?" Kageyama (who was looking straight at Tsukishima) asked.
Yamaguchi simply shrugged.
"Teach me your ways, Yams," Hinata whined, stretching out on the table. "I wanna be popular too!"
"I didn't do anything. I don't know if it was because I became captain or if it was something else."
"I'll just become captain then!"
"Of what, idiot?" Kageyama asked, bonking him on the head. "We agreed that Yamaguchi would be captain and I don't want you having power over the whole team. It's a disaster waiting to happen."
"But you'd still be my vice captain!"
"The two of you are already captains of the idiot squad. What more do you want?"
"And you're the captain of the sucky club, Suckishima! Yams, your boyfriend's being mean!"
"You three are gonna be the death of me…" Yamaguchi shook his head with a smile. "It's time to go back to class…and please be on time for practice, you two."
"Did you hear? People are saying that Yamaguchi Tadashi is dating someone."
"It has to be that Yachi from Class 4, right? I mean they're in the same class and she's the volleyball manager and he's the captain. They spend so much time together."
“I heard that it was a guy.”
“Someone on the volleyball team maybe?”
“I don’t know, but whoever it is is really lucky.”
“I just put my letter in his locker! I wonder what he’s gonna say?”
“The fact that you even put one in there is gutsy. I heard he gets at least one a day.”
“Probably from the same girl who’s desperately trying to get his attention. I won’t be that bad.”
These were the bits of conversations that Tsukishima was able to pick up as he waited for Yamaguchi and Yachi to walk out of class. He pretended to be disinterested, even going so far as to putting his headphones on, as he listened in on the conversations.
When did his boyfriend become so popular?
Sure, he was sweet and had one of the best personalities that Tsukishima thought a human could possess, but he was also pretty quiet and reserved. Was it really the glow up in the middle of his second year? Because—in Tsukishima’s unbiased opinion—Yamaguchi had grown even more handsome than he already was after that glow up. Becoming a member of the starting also allowed him to gain some extra muscles so he wasn't quite so stickish anymore.
...
So maybe it was because Yamaguchi had become like…the most perfect human being to exist, but that still didn’t mean that people could hit on his boyfriend.
“Tsukki?”
The blonde looked up, pulling his headphones down. He must have really been in his head if he didn’t hear anyone approaching him.
“You ready to go?”
“Yeah, sure.”
The three of them walked, Yamaguchi and Yachi maintaining a comfortable conversation with Tsukishima nodding every few words or so.
He frowned. He could see why people would think that Yamaguchi and Yachi were dating. They honestly would make a cute couple if he wasn’t dating Yamaguchi.
He tried his best not to pout. He knew he wasn’t a bad boyfriend. He could say that he was actually an amazing boyfriend with 100% confidence. It just annoyed him that nobody else could see otherwise.
“Oh, Yamaguchi-san! There you are!”
The green-haired boy turned. “Yuki-san! What’s up?” He then turned back to the group. “Hey, Yachi? Can you go and tell Coach that Tsukki and I’ll be a few minutes late? Kageyama can start warmups.”
“Yeah, sure!”
He waited until their manager walked off before he turned back to the girls’ captain. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you and the guys would be interested in a joint practice. We have so many new girls on the team and you guys have done so good in nationals that I think it’d be good for our team. Plus, we don’t get to interact much even though we’re both volleyball teams.”
Yamaguchi hummed in thought. “I’ll take it up with Ukai. We can cover all the positions with upperclassmen if you’re okay with the wing spiker and libero being second years. Other than that, I think it’s a great idea!”
“Awesome! You’re the best, Yamaguchi-san!” She hugged the middle blocker. Yamaguchi stiffened, going beet red before he returned the gesture.
“Tsukki and I have to get to practice, but I’ll let you know what Ukai says.”
“Great. See you around.”
He waved before the two of them set back out to the gym.
“You really have gotten popular lately.”
“Why’d you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re mad.”
“I’m not mad.”
Yamaguchi gasped, unable to hide his amused smirk. “You’re jealous!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” He gave his boyfriend his full attention.
“You’re jealous of all the attention I’ve been getting, aren’t you?”
“Not the attention.”
Yamaguchi frowned. “Then what is it?”
“I just want people to stop flirting with you.”
“What?”
“People have been vying for your attention for almost a year because of how hot you are or how cute you are-”
“You don’t think I’m hot or cute?”
He pinched the captain’s cheek with a smirk. “Shut up.”
He laughed, grabbing Tsukishima’s retreating hand. “Sorry…but you know that’s absolutely ridiculous, right?”
“I’m just expressing my opinion. You’ve always told me to do that more.”
“And I’m very glad you are,” Yamaguchi kissed his cheek. “But I didn’t pin you for the jealous type.”
“Because I’m not jealous. I’m annoyed.”
“Sounds like jealousy to me.”
“I will leave you alone in this hallway.” To prove a point, he started taking longer strides.
“No, Tsukki, don’t leave!”
“Another one? What’s that make this?”
“Six…and it’s only Wednesday. Did I miss a memo or something?” Yamaguchi opened the letter, placing his shoes on the floor. He frowned. “Sucks that it’s so sweet too.” He then smiled. “She has nice handwriting.”
“You know you have to reject her though, right? Just like all the rest of them.”
“The rest of them have those little yes or no boxes so it makes everything easier. This one doesn’t.”
Tsukishima glanced over his shoulder. “Well, the girl is right here with her friend so you need to figure something out.” He then paused. Yamaguchi missed his boyfriend’s smirk since his back was still turned. “I can help.”
The boy turned with a sigh. “Really, Tsukki…I appreciate the offer but I don’t-” He was cut off when Tsukishima grabbed his chin, lifting it so the two could kiss. It was short, but it left Yamaguchi’s mind completely blank.
“Sorry, ladies, but he’s taken.”
Yamaguchi then turned to the girl who’d planted the letter. “I’m sorry. The letter was very sweet though.” He frowned as he watched the two girls walk off. He then turned back to his boyfriend, crossing his arms. He really was done with everyone at this point. “Tsukki…”
“You weren’t gonna do it yourself and you know it.”
“I would’ve if you’d given me more time.” He then kissed Tsukshima’s cheek as the blonde wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Jealousy isn’t very becoming of you, my dear Kei.”
Tsukishima smirked. “And no one is becoming for you unless it’s me, my dear Tadashi.”