Work Text:
The atmosphere was absolutely electric.
Both teams were giving their absolute all and Iwaizumi knew that whoever lost this game was still going to go home unbelievably proud.
He couldn't help but switch his gaze between his own team and glancing over at Oikawa who seemed to be having the absolute time of his life.
He couldn't wait to tell him how proud of him he was.
Iwaizumi tried to make himself focus himself in on the Japan team but he couldn't help but look at Tooru - he always stole Iwaizumi's gaze, always had done since they were kids. Oikawa was truly amazing at lighting up a room, Iwaizumi thought so anyway. He was capable of stealing all of the attention from the room, was capable of making people want to be around him - he radiated confidence and safety even if he didn't always feel like that.
Iwaizumi was so in love.
"I'm going to the Olympics." Oikawa stated as the two of them laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Both of them were in those moments before drifting off so Iwaizumi just grunted in reply, ready for sleep to take him for a few hours. "I mean it Iwa-chan, I'm going to make it to the Olympics, maybe not with Japan which is what I'd always planned but with Argentina."
"I have no doubt about that," Iwaizumi replied, aware that he wouldn't be able to just fall asleep without engaging in this conversational thread Oikawa had started.
"And then, when I've been there, I'm coming home to you and Japan."
Iwaizumi took a few seconds to let his tired brain digest what Oikawa had said before he felt the small flutter of hope in the pit of his stomach. It's not that he hated that Oikawa lived in Argentina - of course he didn't. Oikawa was happy and that's what mattered most to him but he also can't lie and say that he enjoys the distance because he hates it. Especially during the on season when both of them are too busy to make a trip to see the other, meaning that they can go up to four or five months without seeing each other in person - having to make do with their screens when they facetime in their spare moments.
But now - now Oikawa was saying that he wanted to come home - come back to Japan.
"You mean that?"
"Of course Hajime, I want to play in the Olympics and I love living here, it's beautiful but I miss you everyday. I miss the familiar weather, the hectic nature of Tokyo, our friends, my family. I miss it all and I'm ready to come home soon - just two more years and then I'll come home," Oikawa explained, he was now resting his head on his hand, holding his body up with his elbow so he can face Iwaizumi.
"I want you to come home too," he whispered into the room, kind of hoping Oikawa wouldn't hear him. "Well, I want you to be in the place that will make you happy. If that's here in Argentina that's fine too but I'd like it if you were at home with me. I know - I know it sounds selfish, it probably is selfish but I miss you so much Tooru."
"It's not selfish Iwa-chan, I wasn't sure if you'd want me home but I'm glad you do."
"Why wouldn't I want you at home with me?" Iwaizumi asked, looking over to where his boyfriend was now looking at the sheets between them.
Iwaizumi reached over and put his fingers under Oikawa's chin gently, rubbing one thumb across his cheekbone gently. "Why wouldn't I want you home with me?" He repeated.
"I don't know, I know I'm a lot and maybe you're happier with me here and you there," Oikawa mumbled and Iwaizumi wanted to shake the man.
How could he possibly think that Iwaizumi preferred it when the two of them were thousands and thousands of miles apart from one another, a twelve hour time zone away. Is that really what Oikawa thought? That he liked living away from him?
"Tooru," Iwaizumi said slowly, sitting up so he could rest his hands on Oikawa's cheeks. "I love you so much, so much that sometimes it physically hurts me when I can't hug you, when I walk through the door and don't hear you shout me. Why on Earth would I prefer us living apart? I want you home with me everyday more than anything I just thought you wanted to stay here and if you do, that's okay too, you know?"
"I love you Hajime, I love you so much." Oikawa lifted his head and pressed a soft kiss on Iwaizumi's lips. "Sorry. I guess I'm just anxious about things again."
"That's okay. You can talk to me Tooru, you are the light of my life, okay?"
"Okay."
"Now, if you're going to the Olympics, you're going to need to get some sleep." Oikawa smiled softly and rested his head back down on his pillow, facing Iwaizumi. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Iwaizumi smiled to himself, he was so excited for Oikawa to finally come back. They'd been separated since they left high school and now, they were finally going to be back together.
He was sure the tension in the air could be felt from over the other side of the village.
Everyone was giving their absolute best, Hinata and Kageyama were being amazing - as usual. Atsumu and Kiyoomi were the amazing pair up they normally were when Atsumu had been on the court. Ushijima had of course been showing off some of the best spikes in the world. Bokuto had been pulling out all of the stops throughout the entire game and Suna and Aran, although had been subbed back off, had pulled off some amazing work whilst they were on the court.
Iwaizumi could feel the tension around the players that were sat around the bench, although Atsumu was standing on said bench cheering the players on. It kind of felt like the whole court was silent, just watching each point being scored as well as feeling like there was so much noise that Iwaizumi couldn't focus on a single thing apart from the roar of the crowd and the sound of volleyballs hitting the hardwood floors.
The final set was passing by quicker than Iwaizumi could keep up with them all. Everyone looked like they were on edge and he couldn't blame them, he felt so many different kinds of anxiety swirling around his stomach; that Japan was going to lose, that Japan was going to win, that he wouldn't be able to see Oikawa win.
Oikawa deserved to win.
He'd watched Oikawa become one of the absolute best setters and still not get to Nationals, he'd watched how deflated he was when he moved to Brazil because he didn't think he'd make it in Japan, he'd watched him become more confident in his own skills when playing with professional teams in Argentina. And now, he was at the Olympics, just like Oikawa had promised him those years ago.
"I'm going to the Olympics and I'm going to get gold Hajime."
The smack of the volleyball against the floor was what made the entire court go silent for a few seconds.
Until.
Until suddenly, half of the crowd were jumping up and down, shouting the names of players.
The Argentina players.
Iwaizumi looked at the players on his side of the net, he wanted to hug each and everyone of them and take the dejected looks from them. They'd fought such an incredible game and now they were here, they'd lost.
He glanced over to see the players from Argentina jumping on each other and hugging, caught the bright grin of one Tooru Oikawa and he smiled back at him, giving him a thumbs up.
"Well done, I'm so proud of you." He mouthed to him before following Hibarida onto the court to talk to all of the players.
He patted all of their shoulders as he walked towards the net at the same time Oikawa did. He knew that Oikawa wanted to congratulate all of the players, especially those the two of them were friends with but Iwaizumi couldn't help it, he needed to tell Oikawa how proud of him he was, he wanted to hold him again even though he knew that he wouldn't be able to until the next day, he needed Oikawa to know how amazing he was.
His brain focused in on the ring that was in his jacket pocket, ready for later.
Tonight was the night.
The other reason he was feeling an unmoving sense of anxiety.
"Tooru, you did it." Iwaizumi whispered, very aware the two of them only had a couple of seconds. "I'm so proud of you."
"Please, I can't cry here," Oikawa laughed, reaching down and entwining their fingers for a second. "I love you Hajime."
"I love you too, Tooru. Now go and celebrate, it's what you deserve baby."
"I'll see you tonight?"
"Obviously."
Iwaizumi stood on the side, taking in the scenes.
He watched Hinata excitedly shout at Oikawa about the win, watched as Oikawa and Kageyama congratulated each other on a good game, something that Iwaizumi wasn't sure he would ever see.
Being in Brazil with Hinata had truly done something amazing for all four of them.
All of them looked happy, even though they hadn't won, they still looked happy and proud - as they should.
The medal ceremony was over pretty quickly, Iwaizumi had spent most of it talking quietly to Kuroo and Kenma whilst his team were being medalled but he couldn't lie, he zoned out of the conversation as Argentina got their own medals, watched Oikawa as he lent down so that a medal could be placed around his neck and then watched as he kissed the medal and looked up at Iwaizumi.
Iwaizumi definitely shed a couple of tears not that he'd ever tell anybody that because nobody needed to know.
"Right, the restaurant is booked at 8pm so please, don't be late," Hibarida said, looking pointedly at Bokuto who was now standing with Akaashi, one of their twins balanced in his arm. "And stay off the court, no practising until we get home. All of you need to rest for tonight and tomorrow so if I hear any of you have been on the court, I'll bench you for the next international match out of spite." He explained, looking towards Hinata and Kageyama who were still absolutely drawn to the court. "And finally, I am so proud of each and everyone of you. Be proud of yourselves, you all did incredible and I'll see you all tonight!"
All of the team split off slowly from each other, some hanging back to have conversations.
Hinata and Kageyama followed Kenma and Kuroo deep in conversation, Koutarou and Keiji walked off towards the dorm rooms and Suna, Aran, Atsumu and Kiyoomi stood around talking to Osamu and Kita who had of course, come out to support their fiancés for the match.
"See you all later on," Iwaizumi said to them before turning away and heading for the dorm himself.
He was itching to text Oikawa, to tell him to come up to his room but he knew that he would be celebrating and he would see him at dinner, where he was going to pop the question. Part of him had wanted to do it after the match but he didn't want to take anything away from Oikawa's win and Osamu had already done it after the semi-final for Suna which people were still talking about, Iwaizumi had almost shed a tear when he was watching it happen, thinking that it would soon be him and Oikawa.
His room was quiet when he got back which he was happy about because the day had been so loud.
And he was leaving the court feeling so proud of both his team and his boyfriend. It was really kind of a win-win for Iwaizumi either way.
"I want to marry you one day Hajime, after I've won gold."
"Of course Tooru, we can get married."
That conversation from a year ago was going round and round in his head as he walked to the restaurant.
He could hear familiar shouts before he even walked into the place. He could see Hibarida telling everyone to lower their voices a bit and smiled to himself, he loved his team for sure, they definitely kept him busy and on his toes but he also loved watching all of them play and loved watching them grow up especially those who were younger than him and he'd known since high school like Hinata and Kageyama, he loved watching those two grow up more and more everyday.
"Iwaizumi!" Bokuto called from where he was sat. Keiji was sat next to him and both of them had one of their twins on their lap, it warmed Iwaizumi's heart to see them with their children, he knew how stressful the process had been for them and they were truly amazing parents.
"I think you're sitting over here," Suna said, seeing the lost expression on Iwaizumi's face as he looked around the table. He was sat with Osamu on one side and an empty chair on the other. Aran and Kita were sat next to Osamu and then Kiyoomi and Atsumu were sat next to them with Komori next to them, shouting at each other. Kuroo and Kenma were sat with Yaku discussing the match, Ushijima was sitting with Tendou who had made it from Paris to see the final, and Hinata and Kageyama were sat in conversation with each other, Hinata's head was resting on Kageyama's shoulder, looking exhausted and Iwaizumi almost told them to just go to sleep.
There was just one person missing.
"Great King!" Iwaizumi had just sat down when he heard Hinata shout towards the door where Oikawa was walking in. He smiled brightly at them before rushing towards the table. He stopped to give massive hugs to Hinata and Kageyama and greeted everyone else before sitting down next to Iwaizumi and suddenly, Iwaizumi kind of wanted to just steal Oikawa away and hide in one of their rooms.
"Hey babe," Iwaizumi whispered, kissing Oikawa softly. "How are you?"
"Better than ever especially now I'm here with you. I loved celebrating with the team but it definitely felt like something was missing and that was definitely you." Iwaizumi was pretty sure his heart melted there and then as he leaned forward to kiss Oikawa again. "I did it, Iwa."
"You did it Tooru, you won."
"Okay, I would like to say something," Iwaizumi said as all of them were finishing their meals.
The whole table went silent and Iwaizumi suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of nerves as he looked down at Oikawa.
"Today has been a lot," he started somewhat shakily. "This afternoon's match was absolutely amazing. I'm proud to each and everyone of you. You all gave your all and we can only get stronger as we carry on." Iwaizumi said, turning his attention to Oikawa. "And as much as I hate this," he joked, "some of tonight belongs to you, Tooru Oikawa. I remember a conversation we had a couple years ago when you told me that you were going to the Olympics and that you were going to move back home after you win gold and well, you've done it and you're coming home in two weeks time and I'm excited for that." Iwaizumi could feel himself getting choked up when he thought about how proud he actually was of Oikawa but he tried to hold it in as much as he could. "But I hope you know that seeing you out there today, made me feel so fucking proud of you. You are amazing, I've always known that but I know you have struggled knowing that and I hope you can see now how truly amazing you are. You're here and you've won."
"I mean I had already won, I have you," Oikawa whispered, reaching up to rest his hand on Iwaizumi's arm.
"And this is getting really cheesy now so I'm sorry about that. And I must extend my apologies over to Osamu but in my defence, I've been planning to do this on final day for over two years now you just got there first," Iwaizumi watched as each of the people around the table seemed to understand what was about to happen and he was suddenly excited. "Tooru you are amazing, you are the brightest sunshine up in the sky, you are a bright light in a dark hallway. You can be an absolute brat sometimes but I wouldn't wish for anybody else to have by my side. I love you Tooru Oikawa and I guess this is the question," he put his glass down on the table and knelt down on one knee, "The question is, Tooru, will you marry me?"
Iwaizumi barely got the words out before he tears starting leaking down his cheeks.
Oikawa was crying too and Iwaizumi smiled softly.
"Yes."
The whole table erupted in cheers as Iwaizumi grabbed Oikawa's face and kissed him deeply.
"Hajime!" Oikawa cried, standing up from his seat and helping Iwaizumi to his feet after he'd slipped the ring onto his finger. "Is this real life?"
"This is real life," Iwaizumi assured him, brushing away tears from his cheek. "I promise you this is real life."
"I love you so much Iwaizumi Hajime."
The rest of the night passed in a bit of a blur, the two of them thanked everyone for all of the congratulations. Iwaizumi watched as Oikawa kept flicking his gaze down to where the silver band was on his finger and Iwaizumi reached over and entwined their fingers as the fifth time, squeezing Oikawa's hand every so often, it helped ground him from the crazy evening. They'd watched Hinata cry to Kageyama about how suited they were for each other and how he'd known since high school they'd eventually get engaged.
They all shared alcohol and stories and their favourite moments of the Olympics until around one in the morning.
The night was cool when they all finally left the restaurant and walked back towards the dorms where they all split off for the night.
Oikawa and Iwaizumi walked up to Iwaizumi's room in silence - they'd figured out the first day that his dorm was slightly bigger - and sat down on the bed, exhausted down to their bones.
It had been an overwhelming day for everyone and Iwaizumi was ready to fall asleep for the next three years.
"Hey, Iwa-chan?" Iwaizumi looked over to where Oikawa was now stood by the window, looking at him. "There's something that I wanted to talk to you about, I know I'm sorry it's late but it has to be now otherwise I'll be homeless for the next few hours," he explained, smiling to himself.
"What's up Tooru?"
"Well, I've been telling you that I need to go home after the Olympics for the next two weeks before I can come home but, well I've been lying about that. I knew that once I saw you again, I wouldn't want to leave you again so before I left, I arranged with my room mates back in Argentina and I needed Hinata and Kageyama in on the secret too but I-I don't have to go back to Argentina I can stay here. Everything should be at your apartment by the time we get back, obviously if you want, I can go back for the two weeks I guess but-"
"Tooru," Iwaizumi cut him off before he could talk himself into an anxious spiral. "You don't have to go?" Iwaizumi could have started crying there and then - in his defence, it had been a long day. "You're telling me that I don't have to say goodbye again?"
"Yes?"
"Thank God!" Iwaizumi shouted, getting up to throw his arms around Oikawa's neck.
"I can't believe we're engaged," Oikawa mumbled as the two of them laid in bed around 2am. "I can't believe that we're finally engaged. I was going to wait until I was home, you know I actually have a ring in one of my bags that I shipped over."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. But as always, you got there first." Oikawa said, resting his head in the crooked of Iwaizumi's neck. "I don't mind though, thank you Hajime."
"What are you thanking me for? Moron."
"I don't know, because you are the most supportive boyfriend. When I told you I was moving, you didn't want to give up like I was scared you would, you stuck with me and have stuck with me for the last nine years of me being away and now we're here and I've won gold Hajime, I did that and we're engaged and I'm coming home," Iwaizumi ran his fingers through Oikawa's hair softly when he felt small tears on his neck. "Sorry I don't even know why I'm crying I'm just so happy, Iwa-chan."
"I know, it's okay. You're probably tired and overwhelmed." Iwaizumi replied, kissing the top of his head softly. "But, you're coming home now and I can be with you through everything. Through finding a team for the next couple years or finding something else if you want to do something else to getting married to you to every single thing that you go through from now on, I'll get to physically stand by your side at all times and I can't wait for that."
"I can't wait either."
"I love you Tooru."
"I love you too, Hajime."
"Now, come on, sleep."
"Yeah, time to sleep."