[Oikawa flicks to the next page of his book, not really reading the words, he's distracted, he's thinking. And Yamaguchi is right there to talk to as well, settled in front of his TV with a game controller in his hand, too far away in Oikawa's opinion, perched in between where Oikawa is on the couch and what's holding his attention on the screen. Who wouldn't be distracted?
They're taking a Sunday morning off from whatever they would have been doing otherwise, in Oikawa's case studying or badgering Iwaizumi into extra training, the extra practices put on in preparation for the upcoming competition, along with Oikawa's increased workload as a third year, mean that they haven't seen much of each other in the last two weeks. Oikawa has barely been able to keep up with texting. So having the previous evening to themselves in Oikawa's house, eating noodles in front of an alien movie with a poor special effects budget and then sleeping tangled up in Oikawa's bed as he refused to let Yamaguchi get out the spare mattress when his bed is "perfectly big enough for the both of them, we're not that tall" fading into Oikawa tucking his hand into Yamaguchi's pyjamas and crawling out of bed and asking to borrow a different pair that he's still wearing this morning.
Stretching out his foot, he brushes it against the side of Yamaguchi's leg, where it's covered in soft flannel, as he tries to make sense of what's going on in Yamaguchi's game, it's brightly coloured and the music isn't bad at least, but the voices of the characters shouting things is distracting, though, and the girls look cold. They've been talking on and off through the morning but Oikawa's getting bored and would prefer Yamaguchi paid attention to him now.]
You know, I don't think I've ever seen Tsukki-chan smile. I'm not entirely sure it's possible for his face to make the movements, or perhaps he's just that cold and heartless. [He figures that should do the trick.]
[Before falling asleep last night, Yamaguchi had been characteristically fretful and anxious—wondering if the things they'd done in Oikawa's bed would change anything about their relationship, would make him somehow feel dirty or wrong or gross when morning came.
None of that turned out to be the case, though. Yamaguchi woke up this morning feeling better than he had in weeks, alleviated from some of the weight of stress of school and volleyball and even the insecurities of his new relationship. He's been bewildered and anxious lately, about how Oikawa always seems to shy away from physical intimacy. Nothing like kissing down the skin of Yamaguchi's neck or chest is out of bounds, but simple mouth-to-mouth contact and any unexpected touching on Yamaguchi's part makes the older boy freeze up, unless he or both of them are tipsy from his parents' liquor.
But last night more or less put those worries to rest. Whatever his reasoning, Oikawa doesn't mind touching him. Yamaguchi won't deny he's been craving something more than just kissing anyway, even if it makes him go scarlet in the face to admit it. Even just a hand job from his fingers felt good…felt amazing, honestly, or he'd never have let Oikawa go that far. Now morning, Yamaguchi's comfortable where he is lounging around in his boyfriend's pajamas, knowing the older boy's nearby while Yamaguchi plays a game to pass the time. The sudden touch on his leg snaps him out of his concentration and makes him shiver and jump lightly with surprise, turning to face Oikawa where he sits on the couch.]
Oikawa? [The informal address still sits oddly on his tongue, but Yamaguchi's finally getting used to it. His expression dampens, twisting into a familiar frown when the other boy begins to speak. Yamaguchi is jealous (even if he won't admit it) to hear Oikawa so casually calling Tsukishima "Tsukki" without his permission, and even more bothered on his best friend's behalf. Yamaguchi knows Tsukishima hates when people besides him call him that, but Oikawa doesn't listen.]
Tsukki isn't cold and heartless! [It doesn't take more than a word against Tsukishima to put Yamaguchi on the defensive. But then, for Oikawa, that news should be nothing new.]
[It's not news, and he was counting on it. He's got Yamaguchi's full attention now! Which is what he wanted in the first place. He absently rubs his toe along Yamaguchi's leg again, it's an affectionate, if calculated, gesture, and he thinks Yamaguchi likes that sort of thing.]
Right, right, you could never say that. I understand! But that doesn't mean he's not. You can talk to me about these things, you know, I know what he's like, and I won't tell him. [Unless pushed.
Tsukishima grates on him. He's too indifferent, doesn't try, and Oikawa itches to put his talents to better use because he could fix him if he had just the right position over him. And he's had Yamaguchi for years and can't have treated him properly.
Though, he shouldn't talk about that, not when the only reason he texted Yamaguchi and pursued him for a relationship was to show Iwaizumi that he can keep one for more than two weeks. It's closer to two months than one since Yamaguchi agreed to their first date, so he's more than proved him wrong by now. It was so easy, keeping an eye out for things to compliment him with, and then voicing those when the time seemed right, Yamaguchi all but fell into his lap. That he is sweet and cute helped, not to mention male. He feels a bit bad about that part, his first boyfriend used to prove Iwaizumi wrong - Iwaizumi had actually apologised when Oikawa admitted that Yamaguchi is more his type on that factor alone.
But his hypocrisy about how he's treating Yamaguchi doesn't stop Tsukishima's attitude from rubbing against all the sour parts of Oikawa's personality.]
[Unfortunately, that sour spot of Oikawa's is quickly becoming one for Yamaguchi as well—and one of relatively few he has, which he might've (should have) realized before now is precisely why they keep coming back to it.
But, Yamaguchi likes Oikawa. And he likes thinking the best of people he likes.
So he tries, with more frustration and perhaps even desperation each time, to get across why he likes Tsukishima so much to his boyfriend.]
Don't talk about Tsukki like that! [The words come out louder, and angrier than Yamaguchi intended, so he shrinks in on himself a bit immediately to recompose.] That's not how it is, Oikawa. Tsukki's not cold, he's just…
[Guarded, he thinks as he trails off, trying to come up with a better way to phrase it. Tsukishima is so, incredibly guarded and prickly with his smarts. And it's Yamaguchi's job, perhaps being the only person to ever see the most of what's behind those walls, to champion the idea that it's not just barbs and wires with his acid-tongued best friend. He'll defend Tsukishima's good points to the grave even on those occasions that Tsukishima gets embarrassed by it, or likes to pretend he doesn't care at all what people think.
That's what friends are for. They're best friends.]
[Oikawa rolls his eyes before he finishes Yamaguchi's sentence for him.] An asshole who doesn't respect you. [He puts his book aside and slips down off the couch so he's down at Yamaguchi's level, a small smile that he shouldn't really let sit dancing over his lips.] Someone who doesn't see how amazing you are, who wouldn't go out of his way for you.
[Oikawa shows his teeth in a grin and covers one of Yamaguchi's hands with his own.] Who doesn't even smile.
[Yamaguchi drops his eyes to the floor. It's the same motion he feels in his heart right then, plummeting in his chest with a sick and uneasy feeling he can't place but is becoming more and more familiar the more this subject comes up with Oikawa. It's eating Yamaguchi. He was perfectly happy and content not one minute ago, but just those few sentences from Oikawa is enough to make the prickling of anxiety return without any comfort of infatuation to dampen the worry.
Yamaguchi turns his face away, not fully able to rein in his downtrodden expression or the minute slump in his shoulders. He doesn't pull his hand away from where it's joined together with Oikawa's on the floor; but, he also doesn't try to lean into Oikawa with his upper body the way he normally would. Oikawa doesn't seem to like Tsukishima very much…well, yeah, he definitely doesn't. But the way he says these things so cheerily with that smile (is it a real smile?) of his—like that's supposed to make it better, or even romantic, instead of just mean-spirited–]
Oikawa-san… [The honorific slips out without thinking. Yamaguchi doesn't even realize that he's said it at first. He's too preoccupied with old thoughts that threaten to surface again without his wanting: the nagging mantra at the back of his mind, asking Why is Oikawa doing this? even at the expense of feigning ignorance to himself that it's intentional.] I don't want you calling Tsukki an asshole anymore. O-Or anything else. You don't know him at all.
Do you? [slips out before he can think better of it, he knows he's going too far, he knows that even Yamaguchi's niceness has it's limit and he just told Oikawa to stop something and didn't move closer, so he's coming up on it and fast.]
How well can you really know someone who doesn't even show you their feelings? Ah, but I suppose, when you're the only one he talks to, it must feel like he does. [That was too much, and he shuts his mouth, but refuses to look guilty. Sometimes he's not nice, and Yamaguchi should know that.]
Hey! [Finally, finally he's heard enough—maybe just letting that seed of doubt reach the surface was enough, to shatter the illusion that Oikawa was only teasing him about Tsukishima, or didn't understand, didn't really mean those cruel things he said so sweetly like the mocking grand king Yamaguchi had seen in action during every match they ever played with Aoba Johsai. He yanks his hand away from Oikawa and fixes him with a glare that's suddenly, truly pissed off.] I understand you dislike Tsukki for your own reasons, Oikawa…but…
What gives you the right to say those things about him?! When you're the one who's always hiding his true feelings from me…you're being totally hypocritical, Oikawa!!
[A flash of shock passes over Oikawa's face before he's pulling it into a smile - which only goes to prove Yamaguchi's point. He laces his fingers together, no reason to his hands just sit there if Yamaguchi doesn't want to touch him.]
I'm not sure what you mean, Yama-chan.
[He does of course, it's the number one thing that drives people away from him. He wasn't sure whether Yamaguchi bought into how he pretends he is or whether he was okay with what he could see of how Oikawa actually is and who he pretends to be, but this is probably going to answer that.]
[Yamaguchi flinches at the words, stung. That Oikawa's still pretending nothing's the matter about this, or that—that he isn't pretending, or worse; that he is and he's only doing it because he thinks he has to–
(Not because he wants to. Not because he likes it. Or because he's cruel. Yamaguchi's upset, but not that upset; enough to reach the worst conclusion about someone he still likes so, so much. And who likes him back…)]
W-Why?! Why do you act like you're not upset, when you really are? Ever since before we started dating…!
[Words to combat Yamaguchi's first statement die on Oikawa's tongue as he finishes talking.
Of all the things to say. If he wanted Oikawa's defences down, that is the worst way to try and do it.
But, a nagging thought says in the back of his mind, does he really give Yamaguchi that much credit? Does he believe he's capable of coming up with a plan to get to Oikawa's heart?
Oikawa's smile twitches and freezes in place. He's not letting it fall down now. He likes how earnest Yamaguchi is, how he says what he's thinking, except, apparently, he hasn't been all the time.]
You think I've been running away, Yama-chan? [He's awful. His voice sounds sick and hollow to his own ears, particularly that false little nickname.] You should have told me sooner - I can't do much about a problem I don't know about - but I think, perhaps, you think you're scarier than you are. Why would I run away from someone like you, when I chose to date you?
[Yamaguchi's eyes widen. The last traces of anger on his face finally disappear, giving away to bewilderment and the beginnings of genuine fear. Of what, he's not sure yet, but that tone in Oikawa's voice is making Yamaguchi's skin crawl. And the other boy's eyes have a cold, unfamiliar glint when he looks at Yamaguchi; the expression he sees in them is impossibly hard.]
Aghh…wh…what? [Yamaguchi's voice is far thinner in his own ears than he would like, hardly even a croak. But he's never seen his boyfriend like this. Part of Yamaguchi knew, deep down, there was more to Oikawa than all his flattering words and gentle touches, but this is terrifyingly colder up close. More than anything the setter showed to him on the volleyball court.] …Th-That's…not what I…
[Oikawa sighs and shakes his head, smile shrinking but not disappearing, and staying as fake as when it appeared.] Of course, it's not what you meant. But I think you know what you were implying and I think I do as well.
[He breaks his gaze away from Yamaguchi, looks at the idle motion of the characters on the TV.]
You know, nothing I do is real. [He laughs.
This is a bad idea.
He needs to stop.]
I don't own up to anything. Generally, I try not to be myself if I want people to like me. And I really wanted you to like me, how else would I prove Iwaizumi wrong when he said I couldn't have a decent relationship?
[Yamaguchi—blinks. Stares. For a moment, there's only honest confusion on his face, as he gives Oikawa a look of total incomprehension.]
You…wha?? …Um…
…Iwaizumi-san? [That's the part that immediately sticks out when he hears it. Yamaguchi doesn't think he's ever heard Oikawa call Iwaizumi anything except for 'Iwa-chan–']
[He's gone so far past the line he doesn't know where he is any more.
And he almost feels like, well, going back isn't worth it. He can only go further in. He's almost cheerful as he continues.] I do like you, you know. But it was really easy, I couldn't believe it! I was so happy that you actually liked me, it's always better to spend time with people who like you, ah - even though you were buying into my act and everything - it's still nice.
And you have a cute laugh, Yama-chan. [He needs to stop. He shakes his head and his mouth continues without the part of his brain that's talking sense.] Nothing at all like Iwaizumi's.
It's for the best that you're not like him, you know, it's easier that way, I think. [He muses pointedly on the thought. Inside he's not so cold but he just, can't make it show, it would be worse now if he did anyway. He let Yamaguchi know that the way their relationship started was because Iwaizumi refused to date him without a proper relationship under his belt - last night springs up in his mind, Yamaguchi had seemed so happy to be touched - he locks his fingers together more firmly and waits, to let his words sink in.]
[Yamaguchi doesn't know what to feel, listening to this. There's a sensation in his chest like he's been almost gutted somehow—hollow inside, a feeling of something torn out where maybe betrayal or anger should be. Whatever it is seems to be keeping the pain from hearing all this at bay, or maybe it's just that the hurt is so intense he can't even process it anymore like the static that's replacing the tail end of Oikawa's words.
Oikawa wasn't dating him because he wanted Yamaguchi. That's the reality of it. It was all…just short of a lie, all an act, a presentation to impress someone else. To prove a point. Yamaguchi's not going to cry over it, he decides, even though the trembling in his hands and his eyes burning tell him otherwise. I'm not going to cry. It's the only coherent thought he can string together, beneath the crushing weight of the should have knowns and that makes more senses and was probably lucky even to get this chance at alls.]
G…Got it. R-Right. [Damn it, it's not the end of the world; at least Oikawa did say he likes him and Yamaguchi's relieved now to know where he stands and he's not going to goddamn cry–] …I—I'm really…
Oikawa frowns, leans a little closer. He expected yelling, swearing, perhaps a punch. But... Yamaguchi sounds like he's trying to apologise.
Everything he's just said hits him all at once - he's awful, he's the worst and Yamaguchi should be furious, surely, surely - and his voice catches in his throat. He swallows before he forces it out again.] Don't say you're sorry, Yama-chan.
[Can he leave it at that? Can he let himself stop saying these things?] Taking responsibility for things that aren't your fault won't change them. [Of course he can't.
He reaches out to brush his fingers against Yamaguchi's knee, the part of him that's still screaming for him to stop doing this is relieved he didn't lean in for a kiss which goes so show there are a few things he could be doing to make this worse.]
[Yamaguchi stiffens a bit and automatically looks at Oikawa at the touch on his leg. He regrets it instantly when he realizes when it's so much harder to keep his glassy eyes open that way, the only thing keeping back the pathetic tears that are threatening to spill over. ‘Taking responsibility for things that aren't your fault won't change them’ he repeats numbly in his own mind–that's all it takes, in the end, to pierce through the uncertain lack of feeling that's tamped down Yamaguchi's total, despairing disappointment and kept it under wraps for the past minute and a half.]
Ye… [He feels himself nodding mechanically in response to Oikawa's statement, hardly aware of the sounds his own mouth's trying to make.] …Khgn. S-S'alright.
[He takes his hand back, as much as he wants to keep it there, to take some small comfort from Yamaguchi, he's done a terrible thing, he can't allow himself that.]
What's alright, Yamaguchi? [His mouth finally caught up with the message that this isn't a conversation where he should be joking around. This isn't a conversation he should be having at all. It dawns on him that he's going to miss Yamaguchi, once he comes to his senses and gets out of here.]
I definitely…should have seen…y-you didn't really want to date me seriously. Becoming someone else…I mean, you sh-shouldn't have to do that, just because I'm…a coward, and I really wanted you to like me…!
[Crap. He wasn't going to cry. He feels like he wasted his chance, just like missing another serve, being forced to get back off the court. He didn't cry then, but there's no game and nothing else to distract his attention this time from the regret he feels. It's only natural that Oikawa was really looking for something else when he came to him, isn't it? Yamaguchi could have seen it sooner if he'd been willing to recognize the other boy was holding back. And then they wouldn't have wasted so much time, and maybe…]
[What, that's...] I do like you. [He said that, didn't he? He's sure he did.
Please don't cry. He's selfish and awful but Yamaguchi can't cry. He's not allowed to cry.] You're not a coward at all. [Yamaguchi is the bravest person he knows, he's not even crying. He's still sitting there.
He'd never asked anyone out, before Yamaguchi, but he's broken hearts before. Just never quite like this. Usually it's the girls who confessed to him realising for themselves that he's not what they want or what they like, that they'd be better off with someone with a heart. And today is just proving that Oikawa doesn't have a heart, if he could do this to Yamaguchi.] You're really brave, Yamaguchi. [His voice is barely louder than a whisper.]
[Too late on the 'no-crying' rule, whoops. Unable to hold it in anymore, Yamaguchi sobs, and buries his face in his hands in mortification so Oikawa won't see his tears. It doesn't hide the way his frame shudders with every breath, and he hates himself for the pathetic display of weakness. His voice is choked and awful with sadness.]
A-All this time, I…I sh-should've known! It's so obvious, or it should've been. It's only figuring out what makes sense, and yet…
I didn't let myself think…or want to ask, even… [He sobs again, raw gasps tearing from his throat.] Y-You like me, yes. But I'm not…
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tsukkinice) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
heleanor2015-04-02 06:59 am
The one where Oikawa proved Iwaizumi wrong
They're taking a Sunday morning off from whatever they would have been doing otherwise, in Oikawa's case studying or badgering Iwaizumi into extra training, the extra practices put on in preparation for the upcoming competition, along with Oikawa's increased workload as a third year, mean that they haven't seen much of each other in the last two weeks. Oikawa has barely been able to keep up with texting. So having the previous evening to themselves in Oikawa's house, eating noodles in front of an alien movie with a poor special effects budget and then sleeping tangled up in Oikawa's bed as he refused to let Yamaguchi get out the spare mattress when his bed is "perfectly big enough for the both of them, we're not that tall" fading into Oikawa tucking his hand into Yamaguchi's pyjamas and crawling out of bed and asking to borrow a different pair that he's still wearing this morning.
Stretching out his foot, he brushes it against the side of Yamaguchi's leg, where it's covered in soft flannel, as he tries to make sense of what's going on in Yamaguchi's game, it's brightly coloured and the music isn't bad at least, but the voices of the characters shouting things is distracting, though, and the girls look cold. They've been talking on and off through the morning but Oikawa's getting bored and would prefer Yamaguchi paid attention to him now.]
You know, I don't think I've ever seen Tsukki-chan smile. I'm not entirely sure it's possible for his face to make the movements, or perhaps he's just that cold and heartless. [He figures that should do the trick.]
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None of that turned out to be the case, though. Yamaguchi woke up this morning feeling better than he had in weeks, alleviated from some of the weight of stress of school and volleyball and even the insecurities of his new relationship. He's been bewildered and anxious lately, about how Oikawa always seems to shy away from physical intimacy. Nothing like kissing down the skin of Yamaguchi's neck or chest is out of bounds, but simple mouth-to-mouth contact and any unexpected touching on Yamaguchi's part makes the older boy freeze up, unless he or both of them are tipsy from his parents' liquor.
But last night more or less put those worries to rest. Whatever his reasoning, Oikawa doesn't mind touching him. Yamaguchi won't deny he's been craving something more than just kissing anyway, even if it makes him go scarlet in the face to admit it. Even just a hand job from his fingers felt good…felt amazing, honestly, or he'd never have let Oikawa go that far. Now morning, Yamaguchi's comfortable where he is lounging around in his boyfriend's pajamas, knowing the older boy's nearby while Yamaguchi plays a game to pass the time. The sudden touch on his leg snaps him out of his concentration and makes him shiver and jump lightly with surprise, turning to face Oikawa where he sits on the couch.]
Oikawa? [The informal address still sits oddly on his tongue, but Yamaguchi's finally getting used to it. His expression dampens, twisting into a familiar frown when the other boy begins to speak. Yamaguchi is jealous (even if he won't admit it) to hear Oikawa so casually calling Tsukishima "Tsukki" without his permission, and even more bothered on his best friend's behalf. Yamaguchi knows Tsukishima hates when people besides him call him that, but Oikawa doesn't listen.]
Tsukki isn't cold and heartless! [It doesn't take more than a word against Tsukishima to put Yamaguchi on the defensive. But then, for Oikawa, that news should be nothing new.]
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Right, right, you could never say that. I understand! But that doesn't mean he's not. You can talk to me about these things, you know, I know what he's like, and I won't tell him. [Unless pushed.
Tsukishima grates on him. He's too indifferent, doesn't try, and Oikawa itches to put his talents to better use because he could fix him if he had just the right position over him. And he's had Yamaguchi for years and can't have treated him properly.
Though, he shouldn't talk about that, not when the only reason he texted Yamaguchi and pursued him for a relationship was to show Iwaizumi that he can keep one for more than two weeks. It's closer to two months than one since Yamaguchi agreed to their first date, so he's more than proved him wrong by now. It was so easy, keeping an eye out for things to compliment him with, and then voicing those when the time seemed right, Yamaguchi all but fell into his lap. That he is sweet and cute helped, not to mention male. He feels a bit bad about that part, his first boyfriend used to prove Iwaizumi wrong - Iwaizumi had actually apologised when Oikawa admitted that Yamaguchi is more his type on that factor alone.
But his hypocrisy about how he's treating Yamaguchi doesn't stop Tsukishima's attitude from rubbing against all the sour parts of Oikawa's personality.]
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But, Yamaguchi likes Oikawa. And he likes thinking the best of people he likes.
So he tries, with more frustration and perhaps even desperation each time, to get across why he likes Tsukishima so much to his boyfriend.]
Don't talk about Tsukki like that! [The words come out louder, and angrier than Yamaguchi intended, so he shrinks in on himself a bit immediately to recompose.] That's not how it is, Oikawa. Tsukki's not cold, he's just…
[Guarded, he thinks as he trails off, trying to come up with a better way to phrase it. Tsukishima is so, incredibly guarded and prickly with his smarts. And it's Yamaguchi's job, perhaps being the only person to ever see the most of what's behind those walls, to champion the idea that it's not just barbs and wires with his acid-tongued best friend. He'll defend Tsukishima's good points to the grave even on those occasions that Tsukishima gets embarrassed by it, or likes to pretend he doesn't care at all what people think.
That's what friends are for. They're best friends.]
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[Oikawa shows his teeth in a grin and covers one of Yamaguchi's hands with his own.] Who doesn't even smile.
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Yamaguchi turns his face away, not fully able to rein in his downtrodden expression or the minute slump in his shoulders. He doesn't pull his hand away from where it's joined together with Oikawa's on the floor; but, he also doesn't try to lean into Oikawa with his upper body the way he normally would. Oikawa doesn't seem to like Tsukishima very much…well, yeah, he definitely doesn't. But the way he says these things so cheerily with that smile (is it a real smile?) of his—like that's supposed to make it better, or even romantic, instead of just mean-spirited–]
Oikawa-san… [The honorific slips out without thinking. Yamaguchi doesn't even realize that he's said it at first. He's too preoccupied with old thoughts that threaten to surface again without his wanting: the nagging mantra at the back of his mind, asking Why is Oikawa doing this? even at the expense of feigning ignorance to himself that it's intentional.] I don't want you calling Tsukki an asshole anymore. O-Or anything else. You don't know him at all.
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How well can you really know someone who doesn't even show you their feelings? Ah, but I suppose, when you're the only one he talks to, it must feel like he does. [That was too much, and he shuts his mouth, but refuses to look guilty. Sometimes he's not nice, and Yamaguchi should know that.]
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What gives you the right to say those things about him?! When you're the one who's always hiding his true feelings from me…you're being totally hypocritical, Oikawa!!
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I'm not sure what you mean, Yama-chan.
[He does of course, it's the number one thing that drives people away from him. He wasn't sure whether Yamaguchi bought into how he pretends he is or whether he was okay with what he could see of how Oikawa actually is and who he pretends to be, but this is probably going to answer that.]
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(Not because he wants to. Not because he likes it. Or because he's cruel. Yamaguchi's upset, but not that upset; enough to reach the worst conclusion about someone he still likes so, so much. And who likes him back…)]
W-Why?! Why do you act like you're not upset, when you really are? Ever since before we started dating…!
Why are you running away!!
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Of all the things to say. If he wanted Oikawa's defences down, that is the worst way to try and do it.
But, a nagging thought says in the back of his mind, does he really give Yamaguchi that much credit? Does he believe he's capable of coming up with a plan to get to Oikawa's heart?
Oikawa's smile twitches and freezes in place. He's not letting it fall down now. He likes how earnest Yamaguchi is, how he says what he's thinking, except, apparently, he hasn't been all the time.]
You think I've been running away, Yama-chan? [He's awful. His voice sounds sick and hollow to his own ears, particularly that false little nickname.] You should have told me sooner - I can't do much about a problem I don't know about - but I think, perhaps, you think you're scarier than you are. Why would I run away from someone like you, when I chose to date you?
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Aghh…wh…what? [Yamaguchi's voice is far thinner in his own ears than he would like, hardly even a croak. But he's never seen his boyfriend like this. Part of Yamaguchi knew, deep down, there was more to Oikawa than all his flattering words and gentle touches, but this is terrifyingly colder up close. More than anything the setter showed to him on the volleyball court.] …Th-That's…not what I…
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[He breaks his gaze away from Yamaguchi, looks at the idle motion of the characters on the TV.]
You know, nothing I do is real. [He laughs.
This is a bad idea.
He needs to stop.]
I don't own up to anything. Generally, I try not to be myself if I want people to like me. And I really wanted you to like me, how else would I prove Iwaizumi wrong when he said I couldn't have a decent relationship?
[1/4]
You…wha?? …Um…
…Iwaizumi-san? [That's the part that immediately sticks out when he hears it. Yamaguchi doesn't think he's ever heard Oikawa call Iwaizumi anything except for 'Iwa-chan–']
[2/4]
‘–if I want people to like me–’]
[3/4]
[ ‘–how else would I prove to–’ ]
[4/4]
–that…oh. Yeah—he. Yamaguchi–
…he should have
…he.]
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And he almost feels like, well, going back isn't worth it. He can only go further in. He's almost cheerful as he continues.] I do like you, you know. But it was really easy, I couldn't believe it! I was so happy that you actually liked me, it's always better to spend time with people who like you, ah - even though you were buying into my act and everything - it's still nice.
And you have a cute laugh, Yama-chan. [He needs to stop. He shakes his head and his mouth continues without the part of his brain that's talking sense.] Nothing at all like Iwaizumi's.
It's for the best that you're not like him, you know, it's easier that way, I think. [He muses pointedly on the thought. Inside he's not so cold but he just, can't make it show, it would be worse now if he did anyway. He let Yamaguchi know that the way their relationship started was because Iwaizumi refused to date him without a proper relationship under his belt - last night springs up in his mind, Yamaguchi had seemed so happy to be touched - he locks his fingers together more firmly and waits, to let his words sink in.]
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Oikawa wasn't dating him because he wanted Yamaguchi. That's the reality of it. It was all…just short of a lie, all an act, a presentation to impress someone else. To prove a point. Yamaguchi's not going to cry over it, he decides, even though the trembling in his hands and his eyes burning tell him otherwise. I'm not going to cry. It's the only coherent thought he can string together, beneath the crushing weight of the should have knowns and that makes more senses and was probably lucky even to get this chance at alls.]
G…Got it. R-Right. [Damn it, it's not the end of the world; at least Oikawa did say he likes him and Yamaguchi's relieved now to know where he stands and he's not going to goddamn cry–] …I—I'm really…
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Oikawa frowns, leans a little closer. He expected yelling, swearing, perhaps a punch. But... Yamaguchi sounds like he's trying to apologise.
Everything he's just said hits him all at once - he's awful, he's the worst and Yamaguchi should be furious, surely, surely - and his voice catches in his throat. He swallows before he forces it out again.] Don't say you're sorry, Yama-chan.
[Can he leave it at that? Can he let himself stop saying these things?] Taking responsibility for things that aren't your fault won't change them. [Of course he can't.
He reaches out to brush his fingers against Yamaguchi's knee, the part of him that's still screaming for him to stop doing this is relieved he didn't lean in for a kiss which goes so show there are a few things he could be doing to make this worse.]
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Ye… [He feels himself nodding mechanically in response to Oikawa's statement, hardly aware of the sounds his own mouth's trying to make.] …Khgn. S-S'alright.
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What's alright, Yamaguchi? [His mouth finally caught up with the message that this isn't a conversation where he should be joking around. This isn't a conversation he should be having at all. It dawns on him that he's going to miss Yamaguchi, once he comes to his senses and gets out of here.]
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[Crap. He wasn't going to cry. He feels like he wasted his chance, just like missing another serve, being forced to get back off the court. He didn't cry then, but there's no game and nothing else to distract his attention this time from the regret he feels. It's only natural that Oikawa was really looking for something else when he came to him, isn't it? Yamaguchi could have seen it sooner if he'd been willing to recognize the other boy was holding back. And then they wouldn't have wasted so much time, and maybe…]
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Please don't cry. He's selfish and awful but Yamaguchi can't cry. He's not allowed to cry.] You're not a coward at all. [Yamaguchi is the bravest person he knows, he's not even crying. He's still sitting there.
He'd never asked anyone out, before Yamaguchi, but he's broken hearts before. Just never quite like this. Usually it's the girls who confessed to him realising for themselves that he's not what they want or what they like, that they'd be better off with someone with a heart. And today is just proving that Oikawa doesn't have a heart, if he could do this to Yamaguchi.] You're really brave, Yamaguchi. [His voice is barely louder than a whisper.]
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Not at all…
[Too late on the 'no-crying' rule, whoops. Unable to hold it in anymore, Yamaguchi sobs, and buries his face in his hands in mortification so Oikawa won't see his tears. It doesn't hide the way his frame shudders with every breath, and he hates himself for the pathetic display of weakness. His voice is choked and awful with sadness.]
A-All this time, I…I sh-should've known! It's so obvious, or it should've been. It's only figuring out what makes sense, and yet…
I didn't let myself think…or want to ask, even… [He sobs again, raw gasps tearing from his throat.] Y-You like me, yes. But I'm not…
…I'm n-not the one, you really…
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