Work Text:
(1)
Yamaguchi follows Tsukishima around, looking for his validation. It’s annoying, but there’s something pretty about the boy, about the brown hair that almost looks green, and about the freckles on his face like stars. Tsukishima first notices when he’s in elementary school, when he defends the boy who sticks to him like glue. The boy shivers after, as if expecting some yelling or reprimand, either for not abandoning his side, or for the few moments he does. The first true conversation they have, Yamaguchi stays after school, and takes out a milk carton. He shyly searches around his lunchbox to hand over the strawberry flavor. Tsukishima believes it’s a sign, his favorite flavor has always been strawberry.
(2)
It becomes more obvious in his first year of middle school, when Yamaguchi buys food at the vending machine and without a question gets Tsukishima a strawberry milk. Yamaguchi is older, they both are, their heights grown and their dreams more shaped. But as Tsukishima sips on his drink, he stares at the boy in front of him, observing the star-like freckles. No wonder the boy has such a name, he hopes he will get to observe any other dot sculpted into Yamaguchi’s skin. This is the first time Tsukishima realizes he might be in love. The soft dotted nose, the warm smile, the sweet taste of strawberry on his own lips. Tsukishima runs his fingers between the boy’s strands before he can stop himself, a dream turned reality, his touch fluttering. Yamaguchi stares back, eyes wide, blush apparent.
(3)
The summer before high school. They’re both anxious, the worries persistent, the thoughts nerve wracking. Yamaguchi’s head on Tsukishima’s shoulder, the soft fabric of his sweater combining with the threads of the gorgeous boy’s hair. Nowadays, Tsukishima and the short, normalized affection of hair playing is a consistent part of their dynamic. The bullying is lessened, sweet taunting words to which Yamaguchi sometimes licks his lips, as if to ingest the words. Tsukishima wishes nothing more than to believe it could be some truth, a hidden sign that Yamaguchi wants something more. He almost believes it when he sips on the sweet taste of the berry liquid that could be a promise of something in the future. A man can hope.
(4)
High school starts rapidly, becoming a tornado of actions and thoughts. Yamaguchi pesters Tsukishima to join the volleyball club. He’d do anything for the darling boy, but maybe not this one thing. It wasn’t a sign of his lack of love or trust for the sweet freckled friend, but his lack of trust and fear of love within volleyball itself.
“One practice, that’s all it takes.”
“Maybe, maybe not, Yamaguchi.”
“Come on, Tsukki, once is always worth a try.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“Nope.”
Yamaguchi takes out a milk carton out of his bag, one of those more expensive ones from the store. Tsukishima signs and nods his head against his will, his sweet tooth landing him into what would be the most interesting, and sometimes exhausting, three years of his life.
(5)
Yamaguchi asks Tsukishima out first, fingers fidgeting. He's biting his lip nervously and Tsukishima can tell he's lost in thought, he doesn't ask really but he knows something is going to happen. Yamaguchi awkwardly hands him a strawberry milk pack.
"Would you wanna go out?"
Tsukishima is shocked, out of his own idiocy he misspeaks.
"What?”
Yamaguchi fumbles with his words, slowly taking steps back, apologizing under his breath.
“Nevermind-please just forget it, please-” and the bell rings. Tsukishima is willing to skip a class, with his grades up and so are Yamaguchi’s. He skims his fingers on Yamaguchi’s and holds his hand, leading them back into the school yard.