Chapter Text
Matsukawa held his friends in high regard. He really did, he loved them. But in all honesty, they were idiots even at their bests.
Makki was without a doubt the most impulsive of the four of them. He would goad on Oikawa with Iwaizumi and in the next breath be comforting the pretty setter whole heartedly. He had a delighted smile with any antics they pulled, as a pair or with the group. And since Matsu was more than happy to follow along with anything the pink-haired man did, that probably made him a bigger idiot but what’s a guy to do.
Now Oikawa and Iwaizumi were a special kind of idiot. Oikawa was scary perceptive despite the bubbly almost airheaded personality he held with the general public. Matsu had seen him too many times with a cool perception as he watched, faux-doe eyes fixed on their subject, all to be concluded with some bone chilling analysis. But that was also his biggest fault, having trouble getting out of his own head.
That’s, usually, where Iwaizumi stepped in. The gruff man was able to see the broad picture and work solutions in a straightforward and blunt manner. Though temperamental at times, he could be gentle hearted and knew when to pull back. And he knew nothing as good as he did Oikawa, never fooled by the plastered smile or quick to draw him out of his own mind.
However, you could never know a person 100%. Matsu held to that because people were always changing and shifting. And Matsu pointed that out when he had snapped at Iwaizumi, now seemed like ages ago in their high school locker room, for not confronting Oikawa and his feelings. Iwaizumi had held strong that the setter didn’t feel the same and he would have known if he did.
Evidently for all his perception, Oikawa over thought too much and ended up doing nothing about his own feelings for his best friend. Despite knowing Oikawa inside and out and having a steady handle on him Iwaizumi was dense as a brick.
Which brought Matsu to his current predicament of Oikawa no-so-subtly pouting on the other end of his couch, in his apartment. It was a usual Friday night hang out except that Iwaizumi had cancelled on them because he had a date. With his girlfriend.
They had thought to postpone their weekly hang out night. It wasn’t the first time this had happened, but Iwaizumi insisted they still hold it.
“I’m worried he’s overworking himself,” Iwaizumi had explained to Matsu over the phone. “and if he’s not at least with you guys on Friday night he’s going to be at the gym or library all night. He’s had a tough week with his team losing and the low quiz grade in physics. I don’t think dinner should be too late, so I’ll still try to swing by after.”
Matsu had made a soft hmm and agreed to make sure Oikawa still came over. Makki didn’t even need to be in contact with Iwaizumi, he had already texted Matsu that he still wanted at least the three of them to hang out. It made the taller boy smile, knowing the other held a soft spot for Oikawa.
So Makki brought a mess of sweet snacks: candies, ice scream, milk bread, and coffee drinks. He also let Oikawa pick what they would be watching; never mind they were in Matsu’s apartment. They ended up watching some sci-fi horror that had him cringing at the spill of guts.
Matsu was on one side on the couch, legs crossed under the soft fleece blanket. Makki was on the ground, legs stretched out under the coffee table and back against the couch, munching on some chips. On the other side of the couch Oikawa was leaning on the arm rest with his long legs curled up. The blanket only covered him partially since most of it was balled up to his chest tucked against his knees. He kept restlessly glancing at his phone.
Oikawa had also been like this last time Iwaizumi had been a no show. He would glance at his phone, scroll through social media to see if he had posted, which he rarely did, or would ask them if they had heard anything from him. Oikawa would then curl in on himself, becoming quieter through the night as he perched at the edge of the gap.
There was always that gap. On the floor, the dining table, or the couch, maybe consciously or subconsciously Oikawa always left one. As though in having a designated space it would summon their spiky haired friend. Matsu found it a little sad and a little cute. But recently it was leaning more and more on the sad side. It felt like it was getting bigger and bigger.
“You know I’m sure she knows we usually try to hang out on Friday’s.” Oikawa said quietly as his phone light danced over his features “I’ve talked about it in front of her before.”
Matsu gave him a side glance while Makki shrugged. “Probably but also probably not her priority.”
Oikawa pout and quietly mumbled. “Still rude.”
Makki gave Matsu a small helpless glance, as though surprised that hadn’t helped. Matsu mentally sighed at the light pink-haired man before turning his attention back to Oikawa.
“Hey it’s a little chilly, no?”
Oikawa shuffled his feet. “A little.”
“Come over here, so we can share the blankets.”
Oikawa blinked as he looked away from his phone. Before he could say anything Makki was jumping up. “Yeah, stop being a blanket hog. And let me sit on the couch.”
“You’re the one that sat on the floor in the firs-ack!” The overly soft haired boy floundered a bit as Makki bodily shove him towards the middle so Makki was now at the end. Matsu grabbed the blanket, unwinding it from the stress ball it had become in Oikawa’s lap, so he could spread it out over the three of them and then layered over his own blanket. Makki slouched down against Oikawa’s shoulder while Matsu laid out his arm along the top of the couch.
Oikawa looked perplexed. He worked his jaw, opening then closing his mouth but having no sound come out. Eventually he stopped trying and relaxed into the warmth of his two friends.
Seeing him go lax, eyes drooping with sleep and letting his limb soften into their cocoon of blankets, Matsu and Makki counted it as a win.
The next month when a similar thing happened, they were better prepared. They didn’t allow for Oikawa to pull into himself and made sure he was always within arm’s length.
Makki even threw himself against Oikawa’s shoulder so that he was flattened in between Matsu and Makki.
“If you want to cuddle with Matsu I can move!” he frowned petulantly.
“Nah he has cooties.” Makki sighed lazily. “I need you as a human filter.
Oikawa’ face shifted into one of exaggerated disgust. “Eww Makki no! I can’t afford to have cooties, my skin care routine is expensive as it is!”
Makki only laughed as he squirmed then grinned wider at Matsu’s look of hurt and disdain. “You’re both assholes, get out of my living room.”
Oikawa leaned his head back so he looked at him upside down, wavy hair tickling his chest. “Nope.” He said with a not so sweet smiled and sparkly eyes.
Makki nodded along, chin propped on Oikawa’s chest. “You would miss us.”
“The only thing I miss is the feeling in my legs!”
The next time though, that Iwaizumi missed their Friday movie night, was not as easy going. Apparently, the girlfriend had been around Iwaizumi so much that she was interrupting phone and video calls between them. Oikawa was getting more and more unnerved by the discourteous behavior. But even more frustrating was that Iwaizumi didn’t seem to understand why Oikawa was getting upset. His cluelessness had Oikawa frowning disdainfully or trying to smile it off. The latter upset Iwaizumi the most, angry that Oikawa would still try to hide his emotions from him.
So, when Oikawa showed up with a bag of pastries and sweet treats, somehow both conflicting and complimenting his downcast face, Matsu turned on the water kettle and Makki brought out the fluffiest blankets Matsu had in his apartment.
Once they settled into the couch Matsu didn’t bother with any preambles.
“Nope,” the taller boy muttered as he leaned across the space on the couch and wrapped one long arm around his old captain’s waist and the other under his arm and tugged. “No pouting by yourself over there.”
“Matsu wha- I’m fine!” Oikawa cried out, trying to squirm away. “I don’t pout.”
Makki snorted ever so elegantly, walking back from the kitchen and setting down some warm mugs on the coffee table. “Survey says you are a liar! You’re not fine. You obviously haven’t even been upkeeping on your nightly skin routine.” He had his hands on his hips as he slurped his tea noisily. Matsu was sure he was tapping his foot as well, like an angry mother.
Oikawa looked like the fish he shared a name with, floundering and gaping. Then he screeched indignantly, “I know Makki, you don’t have to remind me. I have to see my face in the mirror, I know what I look like!”
It only sent Makki laughing harder as Matsu patted the provoked man’s shoulder. “There, there, he’s just jealous because he doesn’t have the dedication you do.”
The pink haired boy shrugged unbothered, hair shining a more vibrant hue against the light of the TV as he plopped himself on the couch. “That’s true. I wouldn’t even know what to buy.”
Oikawa’s face became calmer, eyes intensely roaming over his friend’s face. “Well, you don’t seem to have an issue of oily skin. More dry like.”
“How dry?” he asked seriously, eyes narrowing. “Like a desert dry or Kunimi’s personality dry?”
Chocolate brown eyes narrowed into thought. “Definitely more like Matsu’s one liners dry.”
“Eh, that bad!”
They erupted into giggles as the man centered in their attention dropped his head back against the couch. “I am literally just here, trying to live my best life.” He lazily flicked his hand up. “Hosting. How do I end up in the middle of your jokes?”
“Well Mr. Host, maybe because you never start the movie on time!” Makki yelled as he slid deeper into the couch.
“I was waiting for you!”
As they went on with their banter Oikawa laughed in between them. He had ended up leaning against Matsu, legs curled with his shins pressed against Makki’s thighs.
Finally, Matsu began loading the movie from the internet and Makki asked Oikawa more about the skin routine. It was settled with Oikawa planning an afternoon for them to go find some basics cream for him and even promising to remind him throughout the week.
The movie started and the three lulled into the calm atmosphere of the film, following the story of a photographer’s midlife crisis. Into the next movie, a more comedic film, Oikawa had begun dozing off, long legs across Makki’s lap and head resting on Matsu’s shoulder. Once Oikawa was for sure asleep Matsu began playing with Makki’s hair, twirling the silky strands. “So, are you really going to try to up keep with the skin routine?”
“Why not?” Makki dropped his head against the back of the couch so Matsu’s fingers softly ran through the strands, massaging into the scalp. “I might actually like it and it’ll give him something else to focus on. Also, more of a reason to chat throughout the week.” He smiled as he looked down at his sleeping friend.
Matsu felt his chest swell at seeing the affection on his face. Makki looked so beautiful when he was this sleepy and soft, always so caring.
He fell asleep to that image but when he awoke it was to Makki looking worried as he gently shook him.
“Hhm, what’s wrong?” Matsu rubbed a hand over his face and glanced at the tv that was on a blank screen with the time and date at the corner. It was well past two in the morning.
Makki bit his lip nervously then glanced to the side. “I think he’s on the phone with Iwaizumi. Doesn’t sound good.”
It was then that Matsu realized he didn’t have his long-limbed friend sleeping in between them. He briefly wondered how Oikawa had moved unnoticed by them since he was in between them, Matsu wasn’t usually that heavy of a sleeper. Then he heard the low muttering echoing off from the hallway. The voice held a tremor and clipped phrases.
“How long?”
“I don’t know, I woke you up as soon as I did and heard he was on the phone.” Makki began pushing the blankets off his lap. “I don’t thi-“ he paused then cocked his head. Matsu froze, realizing there was a silence. Then a soft sniffle.
Makki immediately got up and went over to the dark hall. Matsu stretched his arms as he followed, making sure to shake off the rest of his sleep.
“Oikawa?” Makki softly called, peeking through the entrance of the hall.
“Oh, hey Makki.” Came a soft but strained cheery tone. Matsu could already picture the false cheery expression he would have plastered across his face. Years of knowing it had helped be able to distinguish better what was a protective mask and what was genuine. “I was just going to the restroom.”
“Was that Iwaizumi on the phone?”
“Mhm. He,” a thin sigh. “He’s fine, he’s at home, with-uh, he couldn’t – he couldn’t come.”
There was a soft rustle of clothes. “It’s okay, you’re going to be okay.”
As Matsu turned the corner, he saw Makki wrapping as much of Oikawa as he could in his arms. Oikawa was standing with his head ducked down, shoulders softly shaking as he held the phone tightly in his hand.
He looked up with big eyes shining as tears spilled down.
Matsu walked over and gently pulled him into his arms as well so the tears would quietly fall onto his nightshirt. He knew Oikawa hated being seen as weak, hated how easily his tears showed what he felt. Makki continued to softly murmur reassurances in between the hiccupping cries. “He’s sorry, I’m sure. You’re okay, it’s okay to feel what you do. It’s okay to be upset.”
After sometime Oikawa was settled down enough to be coaxed back to the couch.
“I’m sorry.” He huffed as he rubbed his face. “I’m being dumb.”
“No, you’re not.” Matsu said gently.
Makki added. “You can be frustrated.”
Oikawa stared down to the floor, feet shuffling. “It’s just that he told me he’d come after going out with her. He told me he would . . . but he didn’t. Again!” he brought one hand up to grab his arm as though holding himself. “But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; I shouldn’t blame him, she’s his girlfriend after all. Girlfriend trumps friends, I guess.” He gave soft hiccup. “I mean I’m not even half as pretty as her, it’s understandable-”
“No, no, don’t go down that train of thought.” Makki frowned and squeezed his shoulder, over his hand. “And that’s bullshit. You’re the prettiest out of all of us, everyone knows that.”
Oikawa gave a thin smile.
“And it’s more than understandable if you’re frustrated at him going back on plans.” Matsu soothed. “Have you tried talking to him about it upfront?”
A shrug. “Lately we just seem to end up fighting. I feel like I’m making a big deal out of nothing though.”
“No, I mean I’m frustrated too!” Makki put in leaning forward. “I want to see my dumb porcupine friend.”
Oikawa snorted and let out a breezy giggle.
“It’s true, I miss how he tears apart storylines and ruins perfectly good movies.”
Oikawa shook his head with a light smile. “He is more of the realist.”
“Or how he get’s all ‘You finished the popcorn again, Shittykawa’” Makki growled while frowning exaggeratedly and pushing his hair up between his fingers to give them more of a spiked look.
Oikawa chuckled again, bringing a hand up to cup his mouth. Matsu rolled his eyes then softly patted Oikawa’s hair.
Makki rubbed Oikawa’s shoulder as he pulled the blankets up from the ground. “C’mon, let’s go back to sleep. We really knocked out so we’ll head home later in the morning.”
There movie/hang out nights usually ended by twelve or one. But on the occasions they would fall asleep or felt too relaxed to leave they would sleep over, usually sprawled across Matsu’s living room.
Oikawa nodded as he helped Makki pull up the rest of the blankets. He glanced at his taller friend. “You should just go sleep in your bed; we’ll be fine here.” Makki leaned around his shoulder and nodded.
Matsu shrugged as he stood. “Okay, holler if you need anything. Hopefully Makki left me some blankets in my own bed.” He added with a playfully shove to said man’s shoulder, fingers lingering.
“You snooze, you lose.” Makki grinned back, throwing a wink.
“It’s my apartment!” he protested.
Makki rolled his eyes playfully as he leaned back against the arm rest and laid a pillow against his chest so Oikawa could lay more comfortably. Once they had situated all the blankets and were settle into the couch, he softly ruffled the brown hair. “Nigh night Prettykawa.”
“Night. Thank you Makki.”
“Anytime.”
The following Friday was postponed due to Makki having to head home for the weekend and Oikawa having a group project due on Saturday. Matsu took it as a silent blessing since he was working on a ridiculously long lab so didn’t really think too hard on the absence till said Friday night.
As Matsu cooked for himself, he suddenly wondered why he hadn’t thought to at least invite Iwaizumi over for dinner. He frowned at himself, a little upset he hadn’t thought of it. But to be fair, Iwaizumi had been more distant. He was often preoccupied with school and his new partner. Still, they were friends so Matsu felt he should have thought of it. He took out his phone and quickly sent a text to his friend, seeing if he would be interested in coming over for dinner if he hadn’t already eaten.
Matsu was sure it would be too last minute though and mentally sighed at his own absentmindedness. A few moments later his phone lit up with a call alert.
Iwaizumi.
He cocked his head, wondering why he called instead of texted, before swiping across the screen. “Hello?”
“Hey Matsun.”
“Hello.” His mouth tilted into a small smile. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, well no, but uh.” He seemed to be searching for words. “I’m sorry.”
“Hhmm, what for?” he tapped the speaker button so he could have his hands free to add some spices to the vegetables he was steaming.
“I can’t come over tonight.” He sighed heavily. “Since we cancelled I made plans and we’re supposed to go to a movie, or were supposed to an hour ago.” Matsu could practically see him stressfully running his hand through his short black hair. “And if I had known, I would have. Not. I mean if I knew-“
“Iwaizumi calm down.” Matsu interrupted firmly, glancing at his phone unimpressed. After he heard a soft huff he continued. “I’m not going to be upset, I literally just told you. If anything, I should have let you know earlier and you should be upset with me.”
“Not really, I don’t think I could get angry with you.” Iwaizumi sighed again. “I’m sorry. About everything. I know I haven’t really been present with you guys. I’ve been kind of a jerk and have blown you guys off and I shouldn’t have. I should be there more.”
“Well I never said that,” he mused. “But I guess someone did?”
There was a pause before in a much lower, Matsukawa would even dare to say softer, tone he asked, “How’s he doing?”
The tall man took a moment to think of how before he would most certainly would have forced Iwaizumi to be specific on who he meant, teasing him. But by the level of strain Iwaizumi held in his voice Matsu figured his friend was under enough stress. “Alright, a little worried. Apparently, someone in the group project is like him and took most of the workload from the group. He feels they’re having creative differences and wants more to do in it.”
“Ha, I’m sure.” Iwaizumi chuckled fondly. “Control freak.”
After a beat Matsu added. “And he misses you. He won’t say it outright, but he misses his best friend.”
There was silence.
“So I suggest you tell all this to him, not me.”
“He’s not-“ he seemed to suck in a breath then let it out. Again, he could perfectly see him lightly tugging at his hair. “responding. He hasn’t picked up my calls and won’t respond to my text messages.”
“Then don’t wait for a response.” Matsu shrugged though Iwaizumi couldn’t see it. “Just text it all out and send it to him. He’ll see it eventually.”
“I, yeah, you’re right.”
“I often am.” He grinned. “And stop sighing, you’re going to add age to yourself.”
“Ha! Sure whatever. Thanks Matsu.”
“Anytime.” He glanced at the time on his phone. “So, movies?”
“I don’t even know at this point.” Iwaizumi growled. There was more shuffling from his side of the line. “I already called to change the ticket times once. At this point I should just get a refund and order in food.”
“Where is she? Was it a movie you really wanted to see?”
“I dunno, she said she was on her way but stopped by to see a friend.” There was the sound of shifting, hesitation. “No specific movie, it’s just that like date nights and going out is a big thing for her. I don’t mind but it’s sometimes a hassle planning around it.”
“The things we go through to be a good partner.” Matsu hummed then winced. Shit shit.
“Yeah sure.”
Matsu frowned. Not because Iwaizumi hadn’t noticed his slip up but because of the dull tone. “Well that wasn’t very convincing. Everything okay relationship-wise?”
“Huh, yeah. We’re fine, everything’s perfect.” A pause. “She’s perfect. She’s playfully, always smiling but not over bubbly. She likes being with me. And other people. She’s mostly straightforward and understanding. I mean she’s not unagreeable, she just knows what she wants.”
“Sounds like you’re ticking off boxes.” Matsu turned off the fire of the stove and leaned his forearms on the counter, staring at the phone intently. “Are you sure?”
“Of course! I mean you’ve met her, she’s great.”
“Only twice. Briefly.” In truth Matsu could barely remember the raven-haired girl.
“Oh, she’s just shy. She gets nervous around you guys.” Suddenly there was a rustle of movement. “But sometimes it feels like I’m trying to catch up to her and be a good boyfriend. I’m not Shittykawa, I haven’t done this before.”
Matsukawa was always at a wonder at how such a violent nickname held such sweet notes. He dismissed it for now, worried about what Iwaizumi had said. “It’s not a competition and there’s usually no standards to this.”
“It just seems like she’s guiding me along sometimes. Like she’s telling me what a boyfriend does and I’m just-“
“Doing your best?”
“Yeah.”
“Every relationship is different but you definitely shouldn’t try to compare yourself or catch up.” Matsu frowned. “Or be compared to others.”
“Hm.”
Matsu rubbed the back of his neck unsure what would be too much. “Does she talk about her exes a lot?”
“Well, yeah. She’s open about her past and just mentions stuff.” His voice dipped. “That’s normal. It’s healthy.”
“To an extent.” Matsu frowned, feeling weary. “You know, you could talk to her about this, or tell her when something is unfair. Communicating this is pretty important.”
“…”
“Iwaizumi?”
“Yeah. I know.” He said plainly, far too practiced. “I’m actually going to go. I’m have to call the movie place and then call in some food. But I’ll see you next week for sure.”
“Uh, okay.” Matsu frowned at the abrupt uneasy tone then blinked in surprise at the soft click.