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The Reason
Matsukawa is, simply put, tired of the bullshit his friends put him through daily. Seriously, he would like just one day where he doesn't have to listen to pining or oblivious flirting or anxiety induced insult sessions.
If it were just one of them, maybe it would be alright. But it's two of them (and Iwaizumi is no help whatsoever).
"Makki is really on his game today," Oikawa says, scrunching up his nose in what looks like distaste, but Matsukawa knows to be interest.
Hanamaki, the boy in question, is across the court, talking to Iwaizumi about some attack pattern or another. Honestly, Matsukawa isn't positive, but Hanamaki gestures a spike every few moments and Iwaizumi nods occasionally. So attack pattern talk seems plausible.
"I dunno. He flubbed a lot of his serves earlier," Matsukawa grunts in reply, rolling his eyes. He isn't subtle about it, but Oikawa doesn't seem to notice.
He does frown, though, tearing his eyes away from Hanamaki to look at Matsukawa. "He did?" he asks, his eyes widening slightly.
How Oikawa had missed all of the messed up serves, along with their coach's frustrated lecture about paying attention , Matsukawa isn't sure. It's not like Oikawa had been staring at the boy the whole time.
Oh wait.
"Yeah," Matsukawa says blandly, reaching for his water bottle to keep himself from saying more. He was nervous because you were right beside him. The words are itching to come out, but he holds them in, no matter how painful his silence is. He had stupidly promised Hanamaki that he wouldn’t spill his secret.
He had promised Oikawa the exact same thing.
It’s infuriating. He can do nothing but watch as two of his closest friends dance around each other, so obviously in love, yet so oblivious to the other’s requited feelings. And. He. Can’t. Do. A. Single. Thing. About. It.
Absently, he tilts his head up. Oikawa has gone back to studying Hanamaki, so Matsukawa lets himself relax. Just for a brief moment. The court’s ceiling is high, but something is caught up in the rafters. Though Matsukawa can barely see it, his thick eyebrows still furrow as he recognizes the red ribbon.
It was from the first day of school. Matsukawa, along with Hanamaki, Oikawa, and Iwaizumi, had released a single balloon, wanting to see how long it would be before one of the coaches noticed its presence.
Except, none of the coaches (or even the students) had noticed it, and instead of falling to the ground after all of the helium had dissipated, the balloon got stuck. Blinking slowly, Matsukawa brings his gaze down.
At least they had left their mark on the school.
The Plan
The idea hits him later that night while he is thinking about the deflated balloon in the rafters.
Once it takes hold, he can’t let it go.
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:16 AM] yo
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:16 AM] you up
Matsukawa glances at the clock, grimacing when he realizes it’s past two in the morning. Iwaizumi is forgiving and all, but he likes his sleep. And really, who can blame him? Sleep is glorious. Matsukawa is annoyed that this is cutting into his own sleep time.
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:17 AM] What the fuck, Matsukawa?
At the use of his full given name, Matsukawa flinches slightly. It’s easier to handle via text, but still. He can hear the echo of Iwaizuimi’s disappointment ringing in his ears just the same.
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:18 AM] sorry… is it too early to put up christmas decor
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:18 AM] Really?
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:18 AM] ye
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:18 AM] Fine.
Matsukawa’s thumbs hover over his keyboard. Iwaizumi’s last message had come quickly, but three little dots say he is typing out another one, so he waits. Patiently.
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:20 AM] Technically, it isn’t too early. It’s officially December, and there is snow on the ground. However, I prefer to wait until it’s a little closer to Christmas. I wouldn’t judge you for putting up yours now, though.
It’s barely a flicker, but Matsukawa can’t help his smile.
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:21 AM] awh
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:21 AM] thanks
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:21 AM] for not judging me
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:22 AM] I am judging you for texting me this late. Go to sleep.
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:22 AM] wait dont go yet
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:23 AM] can you help me with something this weekend
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:24 AM] Does it have to do with Christmas decorations?
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:24 AM] maybe…
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:25 AM] Ugh. Fine.
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:25 AM] yeeee
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:25 AM] Go to sleep.
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:26 AM] right
[Matsukawa Issei - 2:26 AM] sorry mom
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 2:27 AM] Go. To. Sleep.
Matsukawa grins at the last message, then sets his phone to the side. He has a feeling that he’ll get a better night’s sleep now that he finally has a plan. One that doesn’t violate his promises to either Hanamaki or Oikawa.
It’s perfect.
The Preperation
Matsukawa stuffs his hands into his jacket. He supposes that maybe he should have worn a proper coat, now that the temperature has dropped and all, but he’s always been bad at dressing for weather.
He’s tempted to find somewhere to wait inside, too, but doesn’t want to pull his phone out and have his hands exposed to the cold in order to tell Iwaizumi. So he stays put, trying to tuck into himself and his jacket in order to stay warm.
“You are such a dumbass,” Iwaizumi’s voice comes from Matsukawa’s side just as a scarf is draped across the back of the taller boy’s neck. When Matsukawa simply gives a bored look, Iwaizumi takes a moment to properly wrap the accessory around him. “It’s a good thing you weren’t waiting for Shitty-kawa. With how late he always is, you would have completely frozen.”
Matsukawa huffs, though gratefully sinks his nose into the scarf. “Like Anna?”
“What?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Matsukawa amends quickly, starting to walk towards the mall. To Iwaizumi’s credit, he doesn’t worry about it and just falls into step beside Matsukawa. “This is actually about Oikawa.”
“Really?” Iwaizumi raises an eyebrow. The pair are close enough to where Iwaizumi’s shoulder bumps against Matsukawa’s bicep every few steps. “I thought we were shopping for Christmas decorations.”
“Eh, we are. Sort of.”
When Matsukawa doesn’t give Iwaizumi any more to work off of, Iwaizumi frowns. “Are you going to tell me what you’re scheming?”
Matsukawa smirks. “You’ll figure it out, I’m sure.”
Iwaizumi grumbles something under his breath, but continues following Matsukawa anyway, and the taller boy can’t help but grin softly. Really, for how little help Iwaizumi is with the other two in their friend group, the ace makes up for it by being a great friend to Matsukawa.
Of course, Matsukawa could lead his friend to a florist to get what he wants… he thinks… but then he’d have to deal with allergens. So plastic plants it will be. Which he hopes they will find at the mall. Really, nothing about this is up Matsukawa’s alley, but that’s why he brought Iwaizumi.
For moral support, at least, because this can’t be up Iwaizumi’s alley either.
“Can you at least tell me what we are looking for?” Iwaizumi finally asks after their walk in the cold is officially over. They go through the mall doors, each letting out blissful sighs of relief at the instant warmth.
Matsukawa shakes his head, letting the scarf around his throat loosen. A part of him wonders if he should give it back now that he is no longer in danger of dying, but another part of him (the slightly more selfish side) wants to keep it for as long as possible.
It smells good… like the cookies Iwaizumi brings as a treat before practice nearly every Saturday. He always claims that his mom makes them, but Matsukawa has a suspicion that Iwaizumi is the one who actually does it, and that he just doesn’t want to be seen as too soft.
“Do you know where you’re going, then?” Iwaizumi asks, a more than healthy dose of doubt creeping into his voice.
Matsukawa wants to be offended by that, but he knows he looks lost as his head swivels from right to left, eyeing the storefronts around them. “Not really. You said you aren’t doing anything today, right? I’m not sure how long this will take.”
Iwaizumi sighs, grumbling out a quiet, “What am I going to do with you?”
“Love me,” Matsukawa replies in an almost Oikawa-level sing-songy voice. It’s been his reply to that question for years, though the only people who ever ask it are his mom and Iwaizumi.
Who, by the way, gives a little laugh. Just like he always does. Matsukawa glances at him to see that his face is a little flushed, and he instantly feels bad for having taken his scarf and used it their entire walk outside. When they leave, Matsukawa will make sure to return it before they leave the warmth of the mall.
They are stepping into a store when Matsukawa’s phone goes off. Absently, he checks it, though keeps most of his attention on his surroundings. He immediately regrets even pulling his phone out of his pocket.
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:43 PM] I need HEEEEEELP!
With a sigh, Matsukawa ducks his head to reply to his friend.
[Matsukawa Issei - 12:43 PM] i am helping you
He quickly stashes his phone in his pocket, resolutely ignoring when it vibrates again. Then a second time. A few minutes of blissful silence passes before it goes off a third time.
Then a fourth.
“Makki or Shitty-kawa?” Iwaizumi asks, a slight smile pulling at his lips. For some reason, Matsukawa has to actively try not to stare.
It’s just because Iwaizumi doesn’t smile very often. That’s it. Matsukawa is feeling nothing more than a little shock at seeing something other than an annoyed glare on the other’s features.
Yeah.
“Makki,” Matsukawa replies, tearing his eyes away and focusing on the shop around him. He doesn’t see what they came for, so he looks back down at his phone.
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:43 PM] What is THAT supposed to mean??
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:44 PM] You know what? Doesn’t matter. I need your HELP Matsun. Pleease?
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:47 PM] Don’t you fuckin ignore me. I’ll tell Iwa that you didn’t stretch properly after staying late to practice on Thursday
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:48 PM] Cause I will
“Really, Matsukawa?” Iwaizumi says. He sounds tired. Matsukawa glances down to see him staring at the phone in Matsukawa’s hands, shaking his head ever so slightly.
Matsukawa frowns. He’s disappointed Iwaizumi enough to make him call Matsukawa by his full family name. No nickname in sight. It’s enough to weigh on his chest. “It was really late. I wanted to get home before my mom got worried.”
A soft sigh escapes Iwaizumi, and he shakes his head again. “You really need to start taking better care of yourself,” he says, then gestures to Matsukawa’s phone as another round of texts from Hanamaki comes in.
Lecture over, Matsukawa supposes.
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:51 PM] Seriously Mattsun
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:51 PM] Matty, my boi
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:52 PM] Eyebrows-san
Matsukawa tries to shake off Iwaizumi’s disappointment enough to answer his (annoying in this moment) friend. He manages a single word.
[Matsukawa Issei - 12:53 PM] what
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:53 PM] What do I get Kawa for Christmas?
Matsukawa groans, dropping his head slightly. He can feel Iwaizumi beside him, reading what Hanamaki had written, but he doesn’t care. He just grumbles a few choice words under his breath.
[Matsukawa Issei - 12:54 PM] literally anything
[Matsukawa Issei - 12:54 PM] can we talk about this later?
[Hanamaki Takahiro - 12:55 PM] Dude… is everything okay?
Matsukawa chances the quickest glance at Iwaizumi before typing out his response.
[Matsukawa Issei - 12:55 PM] ye
[Matsukawa Issei - 12:56 PM] just in the middle of something
[Matsukawa Issei - 12:56 PM] ill help you with the oikawa thing later
Before he gets another text, Matsukawa shoves his phone into his pocket and starts walking away, inadvertently making Iwaizumi chase after him. He slows down when he feels Iwaizumi grab his arm.
He even looks down, only to be met by a slightly alarmed look of concern.
“I’m actually with Makki here,” Iwaizumi says, letting go of Matsukawa’s arm. They both end up settling into a more comfortable pace. “Are you alright? You seem… upset.”
Matsukawa shifts slightly, keeping his gaze ahead. He’s still looking for what they came for, but he’s also a little distracted. It doesn’t help that Iwaizumi is now pressing him. How is he supposed to explain that he’s upset over disappointing him? That paired with Hanamaki bothering him about Oikawa just had set him on edge.
Well, at least Iwaizumi might understand the Hanamaki/Oikawa thing. “It just grates on my nerves when Makki pines over Oi. He’s so oblivious to other people’s feelings. I just have to be in the right mindset to deal with it.”
There. Is that a good enough answer to placate Iwaizumi? Will he understand how that feels?
Evidently not. Iwaizumi’s frown deepens, but he doesn’t say anything. An almost heavy silence descends on them, and Matsukawa is left wondering if maybe he should have said something else. Claimed to really have to go to the bathroom, or that he’s okay, just eager to find the decorations for Oikawa.
As that last thought crosses his mind, he sees them. His chest lightens minutely, and he picks up his pace, leading Iwaizumi into the store. Within moments they are standing before a display that has a few different types of decorations.
What Matsukawa reaches for is the mistletoe. “Aha! Found it!”
“We are getting this for Oikawa?” Iwaizumi says. When Matsukawa glances at him, he is surprised to see that he is still frowning.
If anything, the expression is deeper than before.
“I mean, yeah,” Matsukawa says, suddenly a little self conscious. Is his plan really not a good one? “How else am I going to force him to make a move? It’s not like I can tell him.”
Matsukawa doesn’t know how it’s possible, but Iwaizumi’s frown gets more, well, frowny. “Matsukawa…”
Shit. There’s the full family name again. Worry pits itself Matsukawa’s stomach, and he drops his hand from the display of mistletoe. Maybe this really isn’t a good idea because he’s now disappointed Iwaizumi twice today. Normally he can go at least a week between disappointments, and they are always related to him taking care of himself.
Iwaizumi has never looked down on any of his schemes before. This new development doesn’t feel good.
“I didn’t know you liked Oikawa. I can… ah… talk to Makki if you want. To calm him down,” Iwaizumi says, the words coming from him so surprising that Matsukawa is stunned into silence. “Though, I’m not sure how he’ll take it. He’s been. And Oikawa. Shit… I’m sorry.”
It takes Matsukawa a moment, but he finally manages an almost shaky, “I don’t like Oikawa.”
Iwaizumi flinches . “Hey, you don’t have to hide it from me. It’s okay. I-I won’t talk to Makki, if you’d rather.”
“No, like. I really don’t like Oikawa. Not like that, at least,” Matsukawa says, a little steadier this time. The shock is fading, and in its place is an almost volatile amusement. After a moment, he actually snorts. “He’s attractive and all, but very much so not my type. I’m getting the mistletoe to force him to kiss Makki .”
“Oh,” Iwaizumi says. It’s clearly his turn to be stunned. “Oh! Thank god. I was… Okay. Yeah.”
His face is back to being flushed. Not as much as it had been from the cold, but it’s still there . It’s intriguing to Matsukawa, but it makes sense. If he had thought Matsukawa was interested in Oikawa, who is very much so in love with Hanamaki (who clearly loves him in return), then he would have been attempting to process a lot of emotions.
Matsukawa can’t help but laugh, and Iwaizumi joins in. Sort of. The sound is a little stilted, but the atmosphere between them has finally brightened.
“I’m planning on hanging these up all over the gym. At least in the doorways and the locker room,” Matsukawa says as he grabs a few of the plastic little decorations pretending to be plants. He hands a couple to Iwaizumi too, who accepts them without complaint. “I’m sure the team would happily deal with a few jokes or cheek kisses if it means those two finally stop dancing around each other.”
Iwaizumi nods. He even cracks a smile, which Matsukawa has to tear his eyes away from again. Relief flows through him at the realization that Iwaizumi doesn’t hate his idea.
Still dealing with a couple of residual chuckles, and discussing the potential locations for their merry little traps, the pair go up to the counter. When they get there, they end up facing a woman who reminds Matsukawa of Iwaizumi’s mother.
She starts to ring them up, giving Matsukawa a look that’s a little too knowing. “What are you two giggling about?” she asks, her tone light. Conversational.
“Just planning a prank on our friends,” Matsukawa replies, shooting his signature lazy grin her way. “Harmless fun, I promise.”
She hums softly, telling them their total and accepting what Matsukawa hands her. Once she has given him his change, she smiles gently at the two of them. “Alright, then. You two have fun with your mistletoe.”
Of course, she says it with a wink. Both Iwaizumi and Matsukawa choose not to respond. Though, Matsukawa feels warm. Too warm. Absently, he tugs at the scarf around his neck, loosening it even more.
He doesn’t look over at Iwaizumi to see if he had seen the woman’s wink. If he realized what she had insinuated.
They are halfway to the entrance of the mall when Iwaizumi finally breaks the silence. “So… if Oikawa isn’t your type…”
He trails off, but Matsukawa understands his unasked question. “I don’t know. I guess I’m drawn to more nurturing personalities,” he replies, swinging the bag of mistletoe as they walk.
Iwaizumi nods and doesn’t press any more.
Matsukawa doesn’t mind. He knows who he likes (hell, maybe even loves), but he isn’t quite ready to deal with it yet. He doesn’t know how to tell him, and he definitely doesn’t know how to deal with the consequences if the feelings aren’t returned.
Soon, though. He’ll build up the courage soon. Until then, though, he plans on telling no one.
As they come up to the doors of the mall, Matsukawa brings his hand up to the scarf around his neck, preparing to pull it down. “Here—”
“Keep it,” Iwaizumi interrupts. “I don’t want you getting too cold on the walk home. Besides, the color looks better on you anyway.”
As soon as the words are out of his mouth, Iwaizumi gives Matsukawa a little smile, then is out the doors. Matsukawa watches, a little dumbfounded, as Iwaizumi huddles into his coat and walks away.
Almost reverently, he wraps the scarf tighter around his neck, burying his nose in it, before he too goes out to face the cold.
The Intermission pt. 1
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 9:28 PM] Let’s meet an hour before practice starts.
[Matsukawa Issei - 9:46 PM] ye
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 9:48 PM] Try to get some sleep tonight.
[Matsukawa Issei - 9:48 PM] yes mom
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 9:49 PM] Seriously?
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 9:49 PM] What am I going to do with you?
[Matsukawa Issei - 9:50 PM] love me
The response has always come from him without thought, though the moment he sends it, he wonders if he really should be sending Iwaizumi, of all people, the words love me . He tries not to worry about it, even though Iwaizumi takes a while to respond.
[Iwaizumi Hajime - 10:03 PM] Sorry. Dad needed my help with something. But yeah, that’s a given. Sleep well.
[Matsukawa Issei - 10:03 PM] you too
The Set-up
Matsukawa is wearing gloves this time. He still is wearing a jacket that is probably too light for the weather, but it’s zipped all the way up to his throat, and he actually has gloves to protect his hands as he holds his bag of mistletoe.
He stifles a yawn as he waits. He would go inside, but Iwaizumi has the key to the gym, so he can’t. It’s a good thing Iwaizumi is always on time. It’s a freezing morning.
“You really are such a dumbass,” Iwaizumi says, brushing past Matsukawa and unlocking the door behind him. “Do you even own a proper coat?”
Matsukawa can’t help his grin. “Yeah, but it’s cumbersome.” There’s a bit that he wants to say, but doesn’t. Besides, I like having you dote on me.
It’s too early to multitask, so the two of them are quiet as they work. At times, Matsukawa can just barely hear Iwaizumi humming vague melodies, but other than that, there really isn’t much noise.
Fairly soon, the decorations are all placed. With a little grin to himself, Matsukawa steps onto the court and begins his stretching, hoping that the next hour or so is going to be incredibly entertaining.
A few moments later, Iwaizumi joins him, starting his own stretches. They are both facing the main door, where a sprig of mistletoe hangs. “Who do you think will notice it first?” Iwaizumi asks after a moment, his excitement barely masked.
While he rarely comes up with schemes on his own (and will occasionally scold Hanamaki for too intense ones) Iwaizumi seems to enjoy a certain level of mischief. He never admits to it, but Matsukawa thinks he’s even more precious for it.
“Don’t know. If it’s anything like the balloon, maybe no one will,” Matsukawa says with a hum, listening as someone approaches the door.
Yuda is the first through, and he doesn’t look twice. Neither does Shido. However, Kyoutani does , and he freezes in place. His eyes are hard as he stares at the green decoration, standing just below it.
“What’s wrong?” pipes up the gentle voice of Yahaba. Realizing where Kyoutani is looking, Yahaba also looks up. He freezes too, but only for a split second.
Then he does something that genuinely surprises Matsukawa. He leans close and presses a kiss to Kyoutani’s cheek. Well, closer to his mouth than his cheek, but he doesn’t quite touch his lips.
Blushing slightly, Yahaba ducks past Kyoutani, leaving the spiker completely frozen, red all the way down to the collar of his shirt.
“I did not see that coming,” Iwaizumi says quietly, and Matsukawa’s sudden urge to laugh is overwhelming. Somehow (he isn’t sure how), he holds it in.
Unsurprisingly, no one else notices the mistletoe hanging above that particular doorway. Oikawa flounces through without pause, immediately joining Matsukawa and Iwaizumi on the ground. Barely a minute passes before Hanamaki comes in as well, settling beside Matsukawa.
“Morning,” Hanamaki says brightly.
Oikawa grins. “Morning!”
Matsukawa, between the two and sitting across from Iwaizumi, sighs.
The Intermission pt. 2
It isn’t until the very end of practice that someone else notices one of the many bits of mistletoe spread throughout the gym.
“Oh,” Kunimi’s voice rings out. He and Watari are in the doorway to the storage room, one on either side of a ball cart and in the process of putting it away. “Is that mistletoe?”
A few people glance over to the two of them, one of which being Matsukawa.
Watari almost looks excited, though he quickly schools his expression into something calmer. “We can ignore it,” he offers.
Kindaichi, who is standing somewhere off to Matsukawa’s left, boos. “That’s no fun,” the first year calls. “Take advantage of the situation, Kunimi!”
Once again, Matsukawa is surprised by what happens next. With a flush visible all the way to the back of his neck, Kunimi leans across the ball cart to Watari. The kiss is quick, barely even a peck, but it’s on the lips.
Kindaichi cheers. Watari grins. Kunimi flushes a little deeper. And Matsukawa wonders just how many of his teammates are pining for each other.
The Results
The next sprig of mistletoe to be discovered is the one right above Hanamaki’s locker, and it’s not even Hanamaki (or Oikawa, much to Matsukawa’s disappointment) who notices it.
It’s Sawauchi, who has the locker right next to Hanamaki’s. “Best keep to tradition, eh?” Sawauchi says, though he looks a little more uncomfortable than anyone who had been under the mistletoe thus far.
Hanamaki chuckles, but doesn’t bother to tilt his head when he leans in. The kiss lands on the bridge of Sawauchi’s nose, wrangling a round of laughter from the occupants of the locker room.
“Awh, what about me?” Matsukawa says. He has the locker to Hanamaki’s left and is just as close to being under the mistletoe as Sawauchi. “Don’t I get a kiss?”
With a grin, Hanamaki turns over his shoulder and leans forward. Once again, he doesn’t bother to tilt his head at all, so his kiss lands squarely on Matsukawa’s chin.
“Who’s next?” Kunimi says from across the room. He looks bored, but there is the slightest sparkle in his eye.
Hanamaki grins. “I’d say it’s your turn, but it looks like you’ve found your match already,” he says. Matsukawa doesn’t miss the way Hanamaki’s eyes flicker to Oikawa when he says the word match . “I don’t want to get between you two.”
Another round of laughter bubbles from the room, and before it has the chance to die down, Iwaizumi takes a step up. “My turn, then,” he says, shooting Oikawa a challenging look.
This time, Hanamaki does tilt his head. But it isn’t down to meet Iwaizumi’s lips. Instead, he titles his chin up, pressing his lips as high up on Iwaizumi’s face as he can. “There. Short enough for forehead kisses,” he says with a smirk.
Iwaizumi’s face turns red, but Matsukawa knows it’s not from anything other than… well… probably anger. “Bastard,” he grumbles, stepping away from Hanamaki, who just laughs.
After a quick look, Matsukawa is reassured that Iwaizumi isn’t too upset. There is a slight glint in his eye. One that tells Matsukawa that he is simply hiding his smile.
The atmosphere in the locker room is bright as Kindaichi volunteers next. Hanamaki kisses his cheek, then pats his cheek a moment later. He does his best ‘old woman’ imitation as he says, “My, my. Look how you’ve grown! What a good boy.”
Kindaichi laughs at that, taking Hanamaki’s hand in his own. “Thank you, Grandmakki.”
Matsukawa watches the interaction with a smile on his face, but he freezes when he feels Oikawa step up beside him.
“Is this your doing?” Oikawa asks, his voice dangerously smooth. He’s quiet enough that in the ruckus of the locker room, Matsukawa is sure he is the only one who can hear him.
After taking a slow, calming breath, Matsukawa shakes his head. “Nope. Definitely not. I had nothing to do with any of it.”
Oikawa smiles, and Matsukawa has to suppress a shiver. His eyes are dark. “Just know that I’ll return the favor.”
Matsukawa swallows dryly. Is Oikawa really mad about this? He hadn’t given away his secret, so he had technically done nothing wrong. He opens his mouth to answer, maybe to say what he is thinking, but before the words can come out, Oikawa is on the move.
He strides over to Hanamaki, not bothering to say anything as he cups his jaw with both hands and pulls him into a kiss. A proper kiss. Lips on lips, no doubt as to what it might mean sort of kiss.
And not just that, but it’s not short. Oikawa has Hanamaki pressed up against his locker, deepening their kiss before he finally pulls away. When he does, though, Hanamaki has a stupid little grin on his face.
Silence blankets the locker room as Oikawa stares at a grinning Hanamaki. The setter’s hands are still gripping his jaw, and his eyes are sharp. There’s a shocked sort of stillness.
“Finally,” Kunimi says, his expression deadpan, and the silence shatters. The entire team erupts in a cheer to rival those of their supporters in the stands at their matches.
The Aftermath
It’s been a week and Matsukawa has tried to forget Oikawa’s threat. But he can’t . He lays awake at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering how Oikawa plans to exact his revenge. If he plans to at all.
Because, really, he has never seen Oikawa happier. As Matsukawa expected, a kiss was all the pair needed to get them to stop being so damn oblivious. Now they are official, holding hands on the walk from class to the gym, and sharing little kisses underneath every sprig of mistletoe they pass beneath.
Things worked out exactly as Matsukawa hoped, so why is he still so nervous? For nearly the whole week, every time he makes eye contact with Oikawa, he feels a shiver down his spine.
Slowly, though, Matsukawa starts to relax. It doesn’t happen instantly, and hasn’t disappeared completely, but by the end of the week, Matsukawa has started to believe that maybe there will be no retribution.
He lets his guard down after practice, one of the last few before it’s time for winter break. He is laying on his back, too exhausted to run through his stretches. Objectively, he knows Iwaizumi is beside him, stretching his back by twisting his hips, but he is too worn out to look at him, much less talk to him.
His eyes are closed when a shadow falls across his face. That should have been his first warning sign, but he doesn’t become alarmed until he hears Hanamaki snickering off to his right.
“Well, well. What have we here?” Oikawa says from above Matsukawa, who finally opens his eyes. The setter is looking down at him with a malicious grin. Matsukawa absently processes that he feels Oikawa’s foot against his shoulder, pressing him into the ground. “Mattsun and Iwa-chan. Under the mistletoe.”
Matsukawa’s eyes snap to Oikawa’s left hand. Dangling between his fingers is a sprig of mistletoe. So small. So unassuming. His eyes widen and his breath catches.
He feels Iwaizumi shift beside him. He expects something to come out of the ace’s mouth. Stop messing around, Shitty-kawa . Or Just ignore him, Mattsun . But he stays silent. Is that better than an audible rejection?
Is it worse?
Between the physical exhaustion from practice and the emotional rollercoaster Oikawa is forcing him through, Matsukawa closes his eyes. He isn’t ready to be rejected yet. At least with this, Iwaizumi doesn’t know. Oikawa hasn’t said anything about him having feelings for Iwaizumi.
So, they can laugh this off.
Except Iwaizumi shifts again. With his eyes closed, Matsukawa can feel every movement around him, including those of Iwaizumis. So he notices as Iwaizumi inches closer. So, so much closer.
Does really he want to just laugh this off, or would he rather have an excuse to kiss the person he might possibly love?
His mind races as Iwaizumi leans above him, and he shuts his eyes even tighter. Heat radiates off of them both, a product of the workout their coach had put them through, and Matsukawa feels like he is burned by Iwaizumis skin as he hesitantly touches his cheek.
“What am I going to do with you?” Iwaizumi asks, and finally, Matsukawa opens his eyes.
Iwaizumi is leaning over him, his expression a wild mix of concern and… excitement? The tips of his ears are pink, flushed like the rest of his face, and part of Matsukawa is sure it’s from practice, but a stronger part wants to believe it’s because of their situation.
Matsukawa knows how he wants to respond. Iwaizumi is so close, and his fingers on Matsukawa’s cheek are so gentle. So, somehow, Matsukawa manages a stuttering breath, and along it, he murmures, “Love me?"
Relief flashes through Iwaizumi’s eyes, so briefly Matsukawa wonders if he imagined it, but then their lips are touching. Gentle, yet insistent. Curious. Careful. It’s honestly a little awkward. Matsukawa is exhausted, sweaty, and still pinned to the ground by Oikawa’s foot.
But after a few seconds, Iwaizumi smiles against his lips and whispers, “I already do,” and Matsukawa can’t help but think that this moment is anything less than perfect.