Work Text:
Even as they were entering high school, Tsukishima knew that Yamaguchi couldn’t defend himself from his bullies just yet.
—x
“Alright, I’ll wait for you at the usual spot.”
Yamaguchi grabbed his lunchbox and waved to Tsukishima, exiting the classroom as the other boy fixed his things.
Tsukishima tucked his work sheet in his file case, placed his books in his book bag, pulled out the books for his classes after lunch, the works. It took him around... five minutes. He grabbed his lunchbox and readied himself to go out.
When Tsukishima made his way out, he saw Yamaguchi at the staircase from afar, who was confronted by two girls who looked to be berating him or something. Instead of stepping in, he moved one of his earphones to the side of his head to listen in, leaning on the wall as more students flowed out of the classroom.
—x
“Yamaguchi…! It’s like you want us to come over and help you…” One of the girls said with a mocking, pitiful tone. “Seriously, you’re such a loser.”
“With that face, too?” The other added, grinning and poking her finger in his face. “You’re asking to be bullied at this point.”
Yamaguchi shrank in his position while they continued to cut into him. He was trying not to cause problems nor cry in front of them. He looked down at the floor, lacking the courage to face his bullies in the eye.
“You need to be a little bit more like us,” The first girl ridiculed, frowning. “Sigh.. I pity you sometimes… it’s pathetic.” She pulled out a thin black plastic case with a golden engraving on it. “Take it.”
She forced it into Yamaguchi’ hands, and he looked up at them in both surprise and confusion. Before he could ask what it was, the girl’s friend quipped in to answer for him.
“It’s concealer, idiot.” She snatched it out of his hands and opened it up. “We even bothered to pick out the one that matches your COLOR.” She snapped it shut, the noise startling Yamaguchi before she shoved it back into his hand.
“Well, enjoy…!” The two of them laugh as they strolled down the stairs, leaving Yamaguchi to his own thoughts.
—x
Tsukishima watched as Yamaguchi stood there with his hands clutching the concealer as he held back his tears. He wanted to approach, but Yamaguchi walked off to the bathroom before he could take a step.
Tsukishima knew these girls; they bullied him since middle school, and they somehow followed him to Karasuno. They berated him the first time they locked eyes in the assembly room. They’re just one of Yamaguchi’s many bullies in history.
But he didn’t account that they’d press him into covering up his freckles…
He trailed Yamaguchi, the blonde watching as the other entered the bathroom, placing the concealer in his pocket. Tsukishima waited for a minute before entering.
—x
“Tadashi.”
Yamaguchi jumped in surprise and turned around to face Tsukishima. “I- um.. Tsukki? What’s up?”
“I thought you’d be at the usual spot already.”
“Well um… I had to go pee beforehand…” Yamaguchi swiftly lied, which Tsukishima obviously knew wasn't true, but he let it stretch anyway. The bathroom was empty, and the whole floor was basically cleared out since all of the other students had gone to the cafeterias or eating areas. It was just the two of them, facing each other as Yamaguchi held his insecurities in his pocket.
“….Oh. I had to go too. I’ll meet you there.”
“…okay.”
Tsukishima did have to go to the bathroom anyway, so he went and enter a cubicle go do his business. Before he could close the door behind him, Yamaguchi called out.
“Wait— Tsukki!”
Tsukishima peeked from the door to see Yamaguchi closer to the cubicle, nervously looking down at the floor.
“D-…” Yamaguchi hesitated. The two stood there for a moment before he continued.
“Do you think I look okay?”
They remained there in silence for a minute, the awkwardness stretching and making Yamaguchi even more embarrassed for asking. “I- um... Nevermind. That’s a weird question. I’ll be—“
“Tadashi.”
Tsukishima cut Yamaguchi’s escape off as he exited the cubicle. Yamaguchi instinctively stepped back in surprise, and Tsukishima held both of his hands in his. The world froze for a second, letting them take in each other's presence before Tsukishima bended down to kiss Yamaguchi.
He gave him two pecks on each side of his face with freckles. The kisses were quick and gentle while Yamaguchi stood by him starstruck, his hands held by Tsukishima. When Tsukishima let go, he slowly placed one of his hands on his cheek, confused and flustered.
“I think you look great,” Tsukishima flattered Yamaguchi before walking back into the cubicle.
—x
After a quick bathroom break and a good hand wash, he looked around the bathroom for a bit and smiled to himself. He went out after, greeting Yamaguchi who waited for him outside and traced the freckles on his face with his hand with an unreadable expression.
…
“Oh! Tsukki!! Um.. so do you have your lunchbox?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Even as they were entering high school, Tsukishima knew that Yamaguchi couldn’t defend himself from his bullies just yet.
Still, Tsukishima knew that Yamaguchi would be okay, as long as he was there to catch him if they pushed him off his edge.
He knew that he’d be okay.
He knew he’d be okay when he saw the concealer atop the multitude of tissues and bottles that laid in the trash can.