Work Text:
✮⋆˙✮⋆˙✮⋆˙
In Tsukishima's defense, it all kind of just happened. Sort of.
Recalling their third year, applying for universities had been relatively smooth even amidst everything else that happened in school and volleyball. The worst that could happen was that he won't get accepted to the program he sought for due to its competitive and niche nature. Even that was totally fine and it just meant he had to work hard to be granted a shift.
But as luck would have it, Tsukishima not only gets accepted into the said program but also in multiple schools he applied for. Two of which were in Miyagi, one in Yamagata, and the other in Tokyo.
The obvious choice of course was to stay in Miyagi. It wouldn't be much of a hassle to commute to and from home if he chose to, he could join the university volleyball team and maybe get scouted into Sendai Frogs, and then he'd still be close to Yamaguchi.
Along the way, after some gentle nudges from his mom and after his older brother Akiteru conveniently announces he was moving apartments and needed a replacement, Tsukishima ended up accepting the college offer in Tokyo instead. He figured it was worth the shot and that he could always come back to Miyagi if things don't go well (not that he was going to waste the opportunity just like that).
So here he was knee-deep into his second year as a university student in Tokyo. Their volleyball team had just lost the semi-finals which meant Tsukishima was back to being a full-time slave to their countless reporting, groupworks, and the upcoming midterms.
Right now though he's emerged from his room after a quick research session for a paper and had just finished talking about something that happened in one of their classes.
“That's hilarious.” Tsukishima's roommate clicks his tongue, not looking up from his phone as he made the comment.
Irritated, Tsukishima taps on their dining table in an attempt to get his roommate's attention, a frown quickly gracing his face. “What's wrong with you now?”
“Nothing.” He waves a hand passively.
Tsukishima resists the urge to roll his eyes. “Uh-huh. Sure, Suna.”
Oh, did he mention it? Tsukishima ended up bagging Suna, the Suna Rintarou of Inarizaki, as his roommate. How the guy ended all the way here from Hyogo though, Tsukishima has no clear idea. It just so happens that a day after posting his looking-for-a-roommate advert online, the said Suna Rintarou messages him for its availability and asks if Tsukishima was willing to put up being roommates with him, a 'former competition in the court' in Suna's words.
He finally looks up from his phone, a scowl on display. “I'm tired and I really need to be working on a freaking report, yeah?”
If there's anything that has escalated in the nearly two years of them being roommates, it's that they were both comfortable being themselves with each other like this. All derisive and sarcastic.
“Sure you are.”
“Leave me alone,” Suna grumbles. “Don't you have a class or something?”
Tsukishima, in fact, did not have any class today which makes this even better. He turns back to the pot of tea he was brewing and makes a comment. “You're being extra bitchy today is what I'm hearing from here.”
He hears Suna shuffle from his seat and when Tsukishima settles down across from him, he offers the man a cup. Suna mutters a thank you before finally abandoning his phone then he sighs. “So you really wanna hear it, Glasses?”
“Try me,“ Tsukishima urges.
So that is how he ended up finding out about what is rather a gossip-worthy lovelife of Suna.
And while Tsukishima listened intently with a mix of disdain and mild amusement, he can't help but think the story was nearly too pathetic to be true. It was almost predictable, something anyone can easily fall into, but then this was Suna Rintarou they were talking about. As Suna recounted the details, there Tsukishima found a sliver of vulnerability right underneath his aloof exterior. Who knew Suna could also fall victim to relationships like this? It was almost disappointing, but then again, Tsukishima can't say he was all that surprised.
Tsukishima settled his eyes where he held the mug with his hand, resisting the urge to tell his roommate exactly how pathetic he found his situation was at that moment.
“There. It's funny, isn't it?” Suna takes a small sip of his tea right, eyes boring into Tsukishima as if waiting for the big blow. “Ya happy now?”
“Oh, I'm laughing alright,” Tsukishima deadpans.
“Ugh. Go on then, I’m sure you have so much to say.” Suna waves a hand passively.
Tsukishima hums in consideration. “I'm really curious... for the longest time that you knew of this asshole's cheating, why haven't you done anything about it?”
“Right. I don't think I can bring myself to do it. Not right now, that is. I swear we've been doing well, you know. I just think I can't have all those times go to waste.” Suna shrugs, his usual indifference cracking ever so slightly at the words.
“Hah. You a masochist or what?” Tsukishima lets out a scoff.
Suna makes a face. “Hey, I like him enough. I want to give us a chance to fix it.”
“A chance—listen, when you say you want to fix things, at least in my understanding of being in a relationship, it means the two of you are involved in having broken something.” Tsukishima jabs his fingers on the table just to emphasize his frustration before leaning back on his chair as he crosses his arms. “But the thing is, he's the one who broke something. So how come it's your job now to fix it?”
“Fuck. I don't know, alright? Makes me wonder why I even bother at all, really.” Suna groans just as he runs a hand through his hair. “I know I'm just lying to myself. There. I said it.”
“Man, this is an absolute low. Especially for you.”
“Oh, fuck off. Like you know any better.”
“I'm not denying anything.” Tsukishima puts his hand up in surrender.
“I don't know what I wanna do right now, man.”
“Want me to spell it out for you? Break. Up. With. Him.”
“I don't think I can stand saying anything in front of him without at least crying. My pride is barely hanging by a thread here.”
“Please,” Tsukishima cackles. “If you cry in front him, then fuck it.”
“Those are big words coming from you, Tsukki-kun.” Suna smirks before looking him in the eye. “Tell me I can do it.”
“You will do it. Stop digging your own grave. It's just one ex to add to the list, there'll be plenty more. I'm sure you'd be ecstatic to find that out, Suna.”
“Ouch. And if I don't? If I somehow chicken out?”
“Then forgive me if I ever do something nasty to you myself.”
Suna beams inordinately. “Sounds promising.”
“Will you or will you not finally end it with that jerk?” Tsukishima sighs before finishing his cup of tea.
“I just need more time, I think,” Suna replies. There was no way else to get through his stubbornness.
“Right. I've meddled enough.” Tsukishima makes his way to stand up, taking his cup to the sink before putting the chair back properly and looks back at Suna who was watching him. “Now if you excuse me as I have an actual paper to write.”
“Fine, fine. Leave me to rot here for all you care.” Suna dramatically pouts.
“Enjoy, Suna.”
“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for lending an ear, Glasses.”
“And thanks for supplying me with my daily entertainment,” Tsukishima calls out from behind and just before he disappears back to his room Suna flips him off paired with a lazy smirk.
✮⋆˙✮⋆˙✮⋆˙
Exactly three days after their last conversation, Tsukishima finds himself making his way up to their apartment with maximum effort having exhausted the last of his energy after a full schedule.
He opens the door, muttering a quiet ‘I’m home’ as he enters, a small habit instilled in him ever since he was a child. Tsukishima then carefully unties his shoes before putting it to the shoe rack right by the door. The place was quiet, save for the low hum of their refrigerator and the distant sound of the heater.
To his surprise, Tsukishima notices Suna slouched on their couch, scrolling thoughtlessly through his phone and the television open but on mute just as he walked further in.
“Hey,” Tsukishima greets as he drops his bag on the floor. “Suna, you good?”
“Fine,” Suna responds, his voice flat and without making any effort to look at Tsukishima.
Tsukishima narrows his eyes, sensing that something was off. “Do I even ask?”
“Don’t. Spare yourself.” Suna waves him off.
Tsukishima rolls his eyes, but there was a hint of concern in his expression and walks closer to where Suna sat, just hovering right there. “Right then. Spit it out.”
Suna sighs, finally breaking eye contact with his phone to acknowledge Tsukishima with the most dead expression he's ever seen from the man. “He broke up with me.”
“Really? How?” Tsukishima asks carefully. He cannot deny the fact that a part of him cheered, somewhat glad that Suna was finally freed from that kind of misery, but also he was very much curious as to how it all went down.
“That stupid prick,” Suna starts, his tone growing more infuriated with each word. “Can you believe it? He got into a monologue like he fucking rehearsed it. And you know what I’m most mad about? I didn’t even get to have a say. He had the audacity to leave right after dumping all that crap on me. I just sat there, like some stupid frozen idiot. And of course, I had to hear that classic ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ bullshit. Now I’m just really angry.”
Tsukishima shakes his head in disbelief. “We can beat him up. Let’s beat him up.”
Suna chuckles and shoots Tsukishima an amused look. “No, you won’t.”
“I won’t.” Tsukishima smirks. “But it doesn’t hurt to imagine.”
“Trust me,” Suna mutters, “I’ve killed him in my head a hundred times.”
“Then I expect that by tomorrow, we’ve figured out every possible scenario in which we can get away with murder,” Tsukishima quips, trying to lighten the mood.
Suna leans back against the couch as if the tension he'd been withholding finally dissipated. “Wanna get beer before that?”
“Alcohol makes you gag,” Tsukishima points out.
“You’re right,” Suna concedes, “but I’m so mad I don’t think I can sleep this off.”
Tsukishima thinks for a moment, then suggests, “Wanna watch a crappy movie then?”
Suna looks over at him and gives a small, tired smile. “Yeah, sounds good.” He then pats the space next to him and Tsukishima plops down comfortably.
They spend the next few hours watching a ridiculously awful horror movie that neither of them could take seriously. Suna’s frustration seemed to dissipate slightly with each sarcastic comment Tsukishima made about the terrible acting and even worse special effects. By the time the credits rolled, Suna looked far more relaxed, and the mood in the room had eased considerably.
As the film ends, Suna gets up first, stretching and yawning. “Thanks, Tsukki-kun,” Suna mumbles, his voice soft. “I needed that.”
“Anytime,” Tsukishima replies, giving him a small nod.
“I'm gonna sleep first. Long day tomorrow,” Suna informs him.
“Sure. Good night, Suna.”
“Night.” Suna gives him a wave before heading to his room.
Tsukishima watches him go, something unspoken lingering in the air. After some time, he also retreated to his own room and closed the door behind him. As he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Tsukishima found himself thinking about Suna more than he ever has before.
Sure, he always thought of Suna as an intimidating force, the almost unflappable guy, someone who didn’t let much get to him. But seeing him like this tonight—vulnerable, hurt, and angry—made Tsukishima realize there was more to the man than he had initially thought. There was a depth to him, a kind of raw honesty in the way he handled his emotions, even if it wasn’t all that pretty. He almost sees himself in the way Suna works, seeing as they like to cover up every other emotion underneath a caustic nature. Just enough not to let it all show.
And then there was the other thing, the nagging thought in the back of Tsukishima’s mind that made him feel… something. Suna had always been sharp-looking, sure, but now, seeing him in this light, Tsukishima couldn’t help but notice the way Suna’s eyes darkened with emotion, the way his voice wavered when he talked about the breakup. There was a certain push to him that Tsukishima hadn’t really paid attention to before.
He frowned, trying to shake off the thought.
This was ridiculous.
Suna was his roommate, a friend—his sarcastic, love-pathetic, yet strangely charming friend who had just been dumped by an idiot who didn’t deserve him.
Tsukishima rolled over, pulling the covers up to his chin. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, Suna deserved someone who could see his worth. Someone who wouldn’t leave him sitting there like a “frozen idiot,” someone who might actually appreciate him for who he was, wickedness and all.
And that thought lingered in his mind long after he had closed his eyes.
✮⋆˙✮⋆˙✮⋆˙
It’s funny because it seems Tsukishima and Suna often find themselves having free time these days. And as a result, both of them spent the morning lounging on their couch with the TV on, playing some replay of a drama neither of them was particularly invested in, and they passively scroll through their phones just coexisting peacefully.
“Tsukki-kun, I’m bored,” Suna announces as he heaves a deep sigh, breaking the comfortable silence.
“That’s not news,” Tsukishima replies dryly, not even bothering to look up from his phone.
“Not helpful.”
“Then do something, I don’t know,” Tsukishima suggests with a shrug.
Suna grins mischievously. “Wanna fuck?”
“Geez,” Tsukishima winces audibly, his face scrunching up just a little. “We both know I’m gay, but no thank you.”
“Worth a try,” Suna chuckles. “Wanna watch porn instead?”
“You’re a pig, Suna.” Tsukishima shoots him a glare.
“Okay, but seriously,” Suna continues, this time with a hint of genuine boredom in his voice. “What’s there to do today? Gimme an idea here.”
“I don’t know. Don’t involve me with your shit. Not today.”
Suna sighs dramatically, letting his head fall back against the couch as he nudges Tsukishima. “How’re you gonna survive without your main source of gossip? You know you feed off of my drama.”
“Only because I love to see you suffer is all,” Tsukishima quips with a provoking smile.
“Ouch.”
Tsukishima puts his phone down and makes some deliberate arm stretches. “I’m actually heading to the cafe to study. Wanna come with?”
“Is the studying part a requirement?” Suna asks, perking up slightly.
“No. The not-annoying-me one is.” Tsukishima grins.
“I'm good at that,” Suna says proudly, which he is by the way, before springing from the couch and towards his room. “I'll go get my bag.”
Suna is so good at not annoying Tsukishima during important times, he's actually considered him to be a reasonable study buddy when he was desperate enough. Despite his lazy and often provocative demeanor, when it came to studying or any serious task, Suna knew how to respect boundaries. It’s one of the reasons Tsukishima actually considered him a good companion overall, too—both of them preferred silence and didn’t find it necessary to fill the space with unnecessary words. Unless of course absolute boredom hits just like a while ago.
The day goes by smoothly like that for the two.
At the cafe, they sat across from each other, Suna occasionally glancing at Tsukishima’s laptop as he peered away from his phone and tablet while Tsukishima quietly typed away, focused on his work. The only sounds between them were the clicking of keys, tapping of screens, and the clinking of coffee cups.
It was the kind of peaceful, undemanding company that Tsukishima appreciated.
When they finally returned home later that evening, the sky was a deep shade of blue, and the apartment was filled with the quiet hum of city life outside. Suna tossed his bag on the floor and immediately collapsed onto the couch, seemingly content.
“Thanks for dragging me out today, Tsukki-kun,” Suna mumbles, his eyes half-closed. “It wasn’t so bad.”
“Anytime,” Tsukishima replies, though his tone was more neutral. He didn’t want to admit that he’d actually enjoyed their day together as much as Suna had.
Suna stretches out on the couch, making himself comfortable. “I might just knock out here.”
“Suit yourself,” Tsukishima mutters before waving him off as he heads down to his room.
Once Tsukishima was by himself, he put his things down and leaned against the door, mentally going over the events of the day.
Although he had previously spent time with Suna outside of their regular routine, something about today felt different. There was something about the way Suna had smiled at him over the table at the cafe, the way he’d quietly accompanied him without complaint, and the way they’d just… fit together.
Tsukishima frowned slightly, trying to shake off the strange feeling that was creeping up on him. But it was no use. As much as he tried to dismiss it, he couldn’t ignore the realization that had started to form in the back of his mind.
Maybe…
Just maybe, he actually liked Suna.
He hadn't really given it much thought previously, or at least, not in a significant manner. Sure, he'd always found Suna objectively attractive and good-looking—who wouldn't?—but this was not like that at all. This went beyond simple physical attraction. Something more like genuine appreciation for who Suna was, quirks and all.
With a groan, Tsukishima combs through his hair and rubs his eyes underneath his glasses.
This was absurd.
He wasn't the type to get all caught up in whatever sorts of feelings (except, he absolutely liked to hold onto grudges), particularly not when it comes to liking someone, and especially someone like Suna. And yet, there he stood in his room, reflecting on the way Suna had made him feel.
He shook his head, attempting to get his mind straight. Whatever this was, he’d figure it out later. Maybe. If he felt like it.
For now, he just needed to get some sleep. Yeah, that sounds good. Sleep is good.
Only it doesn't come to him peacefully.
But as though fate would have it, Tsukishima ends up receiving a call from none other than his most cherished and long-time best friend. He picks up the call instantaneously as soon as he reads the name on screen.
“Yamaguchi, I'm doomed.” Tsukishima doesn't even bother with a hello and immediately goes for his concern.
“Tsukki? Hey, what's wrong? What happened? Is everything alright?” Yamaguchi’s worried voice breaks through.
“Nothing is fine,” Tsukishima sighs.
“Wh–what does that mean?“ Yamaguchi chuckles nervously from the other line.
“I think I like my roommate...?” Tsukishima offers.
“Your roomma—Suna? You like Suna Rintarou?”
“I think so,” he confirms and when Yamaguchi doesn't speak for a few seconds he laughs uncharacteristically. “I'm fucked, aren't I?”
He hears some shuffling from the other line before the deafening squeal of Yamaguchi emerges. “Tsukki! You've finally pulled your head out of your ass. Congratulations!”
“Excuse me?” Tsukishima frowns, almost offended.
“It's a long time coming, don't you think? I've been dreaming of the day you admit that you like Sunarin.”
“Hah? I—What the hell is going on?”
“We all know you like Suna. You're the last one to figure that out.”
“We—Oh my god. I think I'm having a stroke.”
“Tsukki!” Yamaguchi giggles before turning serious again. “Anyways, does this mean you're gonna ask him out?”
“What? Of course not.” Tsukishima scoffs. Now, that was just ridiculous. Why would he do that?
“Eh?! But you just said you like him.”
“I said I think I like him. And I don't know whether it's something I want to pursue or just let die down.”
“Oh, don't be an idiot! Ask him out. He likes you, too.”
“No. We don't know that.”
“I wasn't asking. I'm saying,” Yamaguchi tuts. “He likes you, Tsukki.”
“No. Stop. You don't get to feed my delusions like that.”
“No, not delusions. Trust me. Ask Sunarin out, I'm sure he'll say yes.” Yamaguchi persuades before some other bunch of noises fill the line. “Oof. Sorry Tsukki, I gotta go, Kyoutani-san just got here. Update me about your progress, okay? Okay, miss you. Bye!”
“What the hell, Yamaguchi...” Tsukishima frowns deeply as he stares at his phone and the call that's just been dropped.
Well, that didn't help him at all. No.
✮⋆˙✮⋆˙✮⋆˙
As soon as the realization that Tsukishima, in fact, really and truly liked Suna after all seeped right through his bones and spirit, he didn't know what occurred to him but there came the conscious choice to subtly, and perhaps actively, avoid Suna whenever he was around.
He could only hope that the latter didn't notice this sudden change in behavior. Which of course he did, unfortunately for Tsukishima. No amount of pretending and feigning ignorance was going to alter his actions.
“Tsukki-kun. Hey.” Tsukishima immediately hears Suna out in the living room as he emerges from his room, dressed in comfortable clothes, and ultimately fails to escape their apartment without interacting with his roommate.
“Oh, hey.”
“Are you alright?” Suna studies him with those scrutinizing eyes.
“Yes, I'm fine.” Tsukishima clears his throat. “Actually, I'm heading out. See you.”
“Alright then. Take care.” Suna looks like he had something more to say but then simply gives Tsukishima a nod before returning back to his tablet screen.
He was a big idiot. That much Tsukishima knew of himself.
It doesn’t stop him from spending the rest of the day holed up inside the library until closing time just so he wouldn’t have to face Suna back in their apartment anytime soon though.
Little to his surprise, Suna kept glued to the couch, seeing him in the same place just as when he left that morning.
Tsukishima averts his eyes from his figure and just as he was about to run away to the kitchen, Suna had sat up straight and very much bored his eyes into him, forcing Tsukishima to acknowledge him.
“Tsukishima, did I do something wrong?” Suna asks. Direct. Nothing hinting his tone and voice.
“Um, what?” Tsukishima visibly freezes up, caught off guard by the question.
“If this is about my jokes a while back, then I’d like to apologize. I know I can be a bit awful sometimes,” Suna continues, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck, almost looking sheepish and worried.
Tsukishima frowns, hands involuntarily folding together, something he did when he was nervous. “No. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Suna isn’t convinced. “You’re not avoiding me?”
Tsukishima hesitates for a second, and that was all the answer Suna needed.
“So you’re avoiding me?” Suna presses and Tsukishima watches him rise from where he sat, walking over to where he was. “If you tell me what’s wrong, I promise not to do it again. Come on, you know you can be blunt with me.”
Tsukishima then runs a hand through his hair, clearly struggling with something. “Yeah, no, I—This is not how I thought this would go.”
“Huh?” Suna blinks, completely lost now.
“Listen, Suna,” Tsukishima starts, his voice quieter than usual. “I’m sorry if I came across as avoiding you, which I totally am, now that I think about it. But I’ve just come to a realization some days ago. And I think I might like like you.”
Suna’s eyes widened slightly, but he couldn’t help himself as he tilted his head. “ Might?”
Tsukishima gapes at him. “Is that all you heard from that?”
“You know, if you aren’t sure you like me, you should try taking me out on a date first.” Suna shrugs, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Tsukishima groans, clearly flustered. It's taking everything in him now not to flee from this scene. “This is really not how I imagined this to go.”
“Well?” Suna prompts, leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
“Fine. Would you like to go on a date with me?”
“Thought you wouldn’t ask. And yes, I like you, too,” Suna admits, his smirk softening into a grin, hands finding themselves reaching out for Tsukishima. “Actually, can we skip the date? I really want to kiss you right now.”
Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, his usual sarcasm bubbling back up to the surface. “Do it then, coward.”
And Suna didn’t need to be told twice.
Before Tsukishima could say anything else, Suna’s hands had already found their way to Tsukishima's cheeks, leaning in as he slowly pressed his lips against Tsukishima’s. It takes a few for him to react but Tsukishima eventually lays his hand just on the back of Suna’s waist.
It was a surprisingly soft kiss, tentative at first, but quickly deepened as both of them relaxed into it.
When they finally pulled away, Tsukishima let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
“Damn,” Tsukishima murmurs, looking a bit dazed. “So I really do like you.”
“I like you, too, Glasses. I have for a while,” Suna confesses in confidence, before he begins to playfully poke Tsukishima on the side. “Like a big fat crush on you. But I didn’t wanna scare you with these huge feelings.”
“Huge feelings. How terrific,” Tsukishima said dryly with a roll of eyes, but there was a softness in it too.
“I was really scared, you know. Terrified.”
“Oh, fuck off.”
“Fuck me.” Suna blurts, causing Tsukishima's eyes to get blown wide. “Oof. Too soon?”
Tsukishima groans, covering his face with one hand. “God help me.”
“I’m really weirding you out, aren’t I?” Suna asks sheepishly, but there’s a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“I'm used to it, honestly.”
“My bad.”
“Make it up to me then.”
“More kiss?” Suna offers.
“Whatever you like,” Tsukishima shrugs.
This time, they both lean forward, ready to meet each other in between. Tsukishima's eyes fluttered shut. Their breaths mingled with each other and lips touching. It was slow and deliberate at first until he took the initiative to deepen their kiss. Suna was more than glad to oblige, threading his fingers right into Tsukishima's hair. It didn't matter that his glasses might be slowly tipping off from its place or the fact that they are running out of breath. As Tsukishima pulls away, Suna chases him softly.
“Rin,” Suna whispers. One of his thumbs was now brushing against Tsukishima's lips.
“Hm?”
“You can just call me Rin,” Suna says.
“Kei,” Tsukishima offers.
“Oh, so that's how you read your name,” Suna wonders aloud.
“You could've asked me before, dumbass,” Tsukishima snorts, shaking his head.
“Shut your mouth.”
“Hm, don’t want to.”
“Hate you now.”
“I’m sure you do, Suna Rintarou with a big fat crush on me,” Tsukishima teases, a playful grin on his lips.
“You’re gonna be insufferable, huh?” Suna pokes one of Tsukishima’s cheeks.
“And you’re not gonna get rid of me anytime soon,” Tsukishima says coolly.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Tsukishima Kei whom I have huge feelings for.” Suna smiles in jest, now pinching Tsukishima's cheek lightly.
Tsukishima huffs out a laugh. “Will we just shut up and kiss?”
“Say no more.”
As they kissed, all the sarcasm and playful banter melted away, leaving only the undeniable connection between them. When they finally pulled apart, both of them were smiling, their foreheads resting against each other.
This was the start of something new, something that neither of them had really expected but was glad to have found. And despite all their usual antics, there was no denying the feelings and attraction they had for each other. Maybe that's what makes them fit, quirks and all.