Chapter Text
Iwaizumi hadn’t a clue what to do. OIkawa and him were talking again and in that sense everything was fine but he knew even now his best friend was still hiding something from him. He didn’t even seem to like that word anymore, the last time he called him Oikawa looked oddly upset. Was he that bad of a friend that Oikawa didn’t even want to be his best friend anymore. His answer came abruptly one day in a way he was sure neither of them expected.
Practice had ended early on Thursday and by some miraculous surprise, Iwaizumi, Hanamaki, and Matsukawa managed to convince Oikawa to hang out with them instead of practicing until dusk like was his tendency. And so here they were sitting on the floor of Oikawa’s bedroom. The same room that had neon green alien faces draped across his bed and an uncanny collage of photos above his desk - most of which were him and Oikawa. Iwaizumi wondered briefly if Oikawa would ever change but he brushed it off, he would always love Oikawa no matter how much he changed. He’d always be his.
“Spin the bottle, let's go” Hanamaki said a bit more loudly than necessary from his spot on the carpet, reaching behind him to grab the empty bottle he’d snuck from the kitchen in between them. He had a mischievous grin on his face and after a moment of eye contact with Matsukawa they both shared matching grins.
“What? No way!” Oikawa yelped, meeting Iwazumi’s gaze for a second before looking back at Hanamaki. He blocked his arms across his chest defensively.
Was I that gross? So much that you can’t even fathom the idea of kissing me, Tooru?
“What’s the matter Oikawa? You chicken?” THis time the encouragement came from Matsukawa.
“What?! No. I just— I just don’t want to. That’s all.” Oikawa looked at Iwaizumi again just for a second but long enough that Iwaizumi noticed. The growing pain in his gut only burned more.
“Fine then we can play truth or dare.” Makki asserted.
Iwaizumi couldn't decipher what Oikawa was overthinking right now - a trend that had become increasingly familiar in recent days. Iwaizumi hated it.
“Fine. Just spin the bottle or whatever.”
Matsukawa went first. The bottle spun a few times round before stopping in front of Oikawa.
Iwaizumi expected Hanamaki to be pissed at this or Matsukawa to be hesitant since he was pretty sure they had had the hots for each other for a while now. But to his surprise Matsukawa reached over to Oikawa.
“Pucker up buttercup.”
Hanamaki snickered at the comment and Oikawa made a face of disgust before closing his eyes and meeting Matsukawa in the middle. It was a quick kiss, barely more than a peck. Even so it made Iwaizumi angry for a reason he couldn’t place. Oikawa was his best friend. That’s why. He just didn’t want some other guy making out with him when he was- Wait. That’s not something someone thinks about their best friend. Would he feel fine if he was the one kissing Oikawa? He imagines it for a second but before he gets anywhere with his daydream Hanamaki’s fingers are in front of his face snapping incessantly.
“Come on. Your turn Iwaizumi.”
“Yea yea. Get your fingers out of my face Maki.”
He reached up and spun the bottle with a flick of his wrist. And just like the first time around the bottle spun and spun and spun before slowing and stopping right in front of Oikawa.
Oikawa’s expression morphed from pouty and annoyed to surprised and- excited? No that didn’t make sense
-
Iwaizumi swallowed a lump in his throat and edged closer to Oikawa. He was kneeling over Oikawa, making him appear a little taller - a nice change of pace.
Iwaizumi took Oikawa’s face in his hand gently and looked at him cautiously. Their eyes met with an unusual softness in both of their gaze. Iwaizumi paused so Oikawa could push him away if he didn’t want this. But he didn’t, his eyes relaxed and fell shut as his lips met his own. He had planned for just a brief kiss to satisfy the game requirements but before he had fully comprehended what he was doing his tongue had slid between their lips and grazed over his friend’s teeth. They pushed against each other for another minute or so, Iwaizumi’s other hand now digging into the fluffy hair of Oikawa’s head. Oikawa’s arms had wrapped loosely around Iwaizumi’s neck. He stopped quickly when he registered the salty taste that had made its way to their mouths. Oikawa was crying. Iwaizumi pulled away quickly.
“I’m sorry! Did you not want to? Tooru, what's wrong?”
Oikawa hiccuped and sunk into himself. He noticed the other two boys sneaking out of the room a lot more suspicious than they thought they were but he didn’t pay it much attention.
“No that’s— that’s not it” Oikawa managed through snotty hiccups and sobs that tore from his throat.
“Alright then what is it?”
Iwaizumi wrapped his arms around him hesitantly but squeezed tighter when he felt Oikawa relax into his embrace.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Oikawa was the one apologizing now although not for any reason Iwaizumi could fathom.
“Oikawa talk to me. Please.”
“I liked it. I liked it too much. I liked it. And— and I like you. And I think I have for so long I don’t even know what to do with myself anymore. And I know you don’t like me that way and we’re supposed to be best friends I shouldn't have—”
“Oikawa! Stop it.”
Iwaizumi pulled away just enough to make eye contact with Oikawa. His face contorted as Oikawa’s teary face, marked with irritated eyes and patchy cheeks came into view.
“At least give me a chance to talk”
In that moment as OIkawa nodded, hiccuping as his sobs fell into a quiet rhythm, Iwaizumi wondered how he had never realized before. He wondered how he had looked at this face so many times, even woke up beside him and felt a fluttery feeling in his stomach and ignored it. The look in Oikawa’s eyes now, mixed with fear and dread, and just a bit of hope was enough to shatter any resolve he had. He felt tears fall from his eyes at a comfortable pace, grateful for the release.
“I love you.”
Oikawa’s fading hiccups were the only thing that penetrated the oncoming silence.
“...”
“...you..? You what?” The gloss over Oikawa’s eyes faded into a shine as the whites of them grew alarmingly quickly. His mouth hung ajar at the revelation. He didn’t know how to take in what he’d just heard. And more than anything he was slowly convincing himself his mind was playing tricks on him as the moments passed.
“I love you, Tooru.”
“Again.”
“I love you. Tooru, I’m in love with you.”
“Again?”
“I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you.”
By now OIkawa’s face was lit with joy and his tears soaked his fresh grin. He reveled in the words, grinning until they both shared similar smiles, laughing away in each other’s arms.
“I love you too.”