Chapter Text
The lights of the old gym flicker for a bit, balls are scattered across the gym, there were sounds of heavy breathing coming from Oikawa but not once did he falter his serves. His concentration on practicing made him forget the tiredness he had.
“Again?” A voice behind him asked—It was Iwaizumi. He wasn’t as determined as Oikawa.
“Come on, Iwa-chan. You know how I am.” He smirkingly said, spinning a ball on his fingers.
“I know damn well you’re tired. Why can’t you just practice again tomorrow? Everyone’s probably home by now.”
Oikawa tossed the ball up anyways, his form is still flawless. In just moments the ball hit the floor on the other side of the net, accompanied by a satisfying echo.
“It’s still not as clean as I want…” Oikawa murmurs, walking to get another ball.
Iwaizumi didn’t argue as he knows he’ll still be ignored. He just stood there, watching his every move. Things that most people wouldn’t even notice.
He knows Oikawa was pushing himself again. He knows he’s out of breath. He knows that his jealousy is killing him from the inside. But he keeps silent. There are some things that are better unspoken.
Oikawa keeps going. Like he’s running out of time. Like he’s far behind others. Like there’s no tomorrow.
Outside, the sun has almost set. Orange rays have flood through the windows.
“Kawa, clean up and let’s go now. The sun’s almost setting.” He picks up some scattered volleyballs.
They clean and lock up the gym in after Iwaizumi convinces Oikawa to go.
“Come on Kawa, hurry up or I won’t treat you.”
He looked back at Oikawa who picked up his bag. For some reason, it was at that moment where something flickered for the first time. It was the way his Tooru looked at him like he was the only person he had.
‘What was that? What am I thinking?’ Iwaizumi shook his head before turning. Oikawa sped up a bit to walk beside him and matched his pace.
They didn’t talk as they walked side by side. It has always been like that for them, the silence has comfort. It was quiet, steady, easy.
Iwaizumi glances at him, he really changed a lot. The more he grows, the more secrets he hid from Iwaizumi.
After walking for what seemed like forever, they made it to the ramen shop.
Oikawa laughed like crazy halfway through dinner because Iwaizumi spilled broth over his jersey. Iwaizumi threw a napkin to him. Oikawa caught it without looking, still laughing.
As they walk home like normal, smiles spread across their faces. It was a clear night, stars scatter across the sky.
Their shadows stretch out from behind them, almost touching like it was reaching out. Almost.
They both decide to stay at Iwaizumi’s house for the night. It was common for them to sleep at eachother’s house.
“Good evening mama Iwa!” Oikawa says the moment he sees Mrs. Iwaizumi.
“Oh it’s nice too see you Tooru! I’ve been wanting to see you more!” She hugs Oikawa like he’s her own son.
Iwaizumi watches the scene unfold infront of him. He had seen it many times before but it was still incredibly sweet to see.
They both go upstairs and get a change of clothes. Oikawa has gone there so many times that he basically has everything there.
“It’s fun, being with you I mean.” Iwaizumi says out of nowhere. He was sitting on the bed while Oikawa was laying on it.
“What do you mean by that? And why are you so… Sappy all of a sudden?”
“I just think I haven’t been saying what I think. I just wanted you to know that, you know?”
“… Thank you.” They both go back to their own silences until Iwaizumi held his hand out.
“Come on, the night is beautiful. Best not waste it.” Oikawa grabs a hold on his hand as Iwaizumi guides him towards the balcony. They climb on the roof and they lay there all smiles.
“I told you it was gonna be a pretty sight.” Iwaizumi starts, looking at Oikawa’s face to see his expression. His eyes reflected the stars.
“It sure is.” Oikawa speaks, but the sky isn’t the only thing Iwaizumi thought was beautiful.
The gym has always been louder during matches. Not because of the amount of people, but because of everything happening in Oikawa’s head.
He adjusts his knee brace, smiled at his teammates, made a joke about the other team, and walked on to the court with the air of someone ready to win.
But only Iwaizumi knew. Only he noticed the half-second breath Oikawa took before the first serve. The way his fingers were slightly trembling as he held the ball.
No one else saw it.
No one would even notice it.
They never did.
The match was brutal. Oikawa was everywhere—setting, calculating, correcting mistakes before they happened.
His body moved like a machine, but Iwaizumi could see it wearing down with every jump, every dive, every forced smile after a near miss.
Still, they won like they always had.
And when the whistle blew and the team erupted into cheers, Oikawa just stood there, breathing heavy, blinking at the scoreboard like it had betrayed him somehow.
“Good game, captain!” Someone had shouted.
Oikawa turns to smile like it had meant nothing. “We’ve had worse.”
Iwaizumi is still quiet. He just grabs both his and Oikawa’s bag before he could and slung it over his shoulder.
Later, when everyone else had left and the gym went silent again, Oikawa sat on the bench, leg stretched out, knee pulsing. It’s swelling was visible even under dim lights.
He winced while touching it but didn’t complain. His face just looks disappointed.
Iwaizumi comes to him, he was holding an ice pack without him even asking.
“How’d you know?”
“Say something.” Oikawa murmured after being ignored from his last question.
“You’re an idiot.”
“That’s nothing new.”
Iwaizumi pressed the ice to his knee, maybe a little harder than necessary. Oikawa hissed. “You gonna make it worse so I rest, or…?” He said sarcastically.
“I’m gonna make it better so you stop pretending you’re fine.” Iwaizumi blurts out.
Oikawa didn’t reply. Just leaned back against the wall and let his eyes close, tension draining out of him in slow waves.
“Thanks,” he said eventually. Quiet. Honest.
Iwaizumi didn’t look up. Just adjusted the pack, made sure it stayed in place.
“Just take better care of yourself next time. I will always be here to catch you no matter how many times you fall.”
They sat there. The heavy and steady rhythm of breaths slow down finally slowing down.