Chapter Text
Oikawa felt the world slow down around him, focusing intently on the ball that spun violently into his court, flying towards him.
Focus... Breath, in, two, brace...
His fingertips connected, pushing outwards. He sent the ball far towards his teammate. That powerful form, pouncing like a jaguar. Tan skin glistening with sweat, muscles flexed, olive green eyes sharp and focused, burning bright like jewels against his dark hair.
The haze was broken as the ball shattered into Karasuno's court with incredible speed, smashing into the ground.
The whistle blew, signalling their victory. Seijoh cheered, shouting Iwaizumi's name, gathering around the spiker. The crowd went wild, screaming and applauding.
Hajime glanced over at Oikawa, sending the brunette a relieved smile. The brunette made his way over, reaching out to bump fists with the raven.
"You were amazing, Iwa-Chan." Tooru praised. "All of you, you were in top form today. I'm so proud of us."
"Thank you, Captain!" His team said in unison, pulling him into a group hug.
"Aw man..." The brunette giggled shyly. "You don't have to call me that... Come on guys..."
"Great king!"
"Eh?"
Tooru turned around, gaze finally landing on the short figure behind him.
"Oh, shrimpy!" He laughed. "You scared me!"
"Congratulations... But we'll beat you next time!" The redhead said, determined, reaching out his hand.
Tooru took it, shaking it firmly. "I look forward to seeing that. You and Tobio-chan have a lot of potential with that crazy quick attack of yours."
"We'll get even better next time." Kageyama said firmly, walking up behind Hinata. "You can count on that."
"We can handle it." Iwaizumi retorted, placing a hand on Oikawa's shoulder.
"Alright everyone, line up!" The coach called.
"Thank you for the game!"
"Aww man..." Tooru sighed, stretching his tired muscles. His legs and arms were trembling as he grabbed his gym bag, throwing it over his shoulder. "Karasuno just keeps getting tougher and tougher to play against."
"I know, I could barely keep up with Kageyama's serves!" Watari complained, exasperated. "He really is your prodigy or something, Oikawa."
"Oh stop with that already!" The brunette whined. "He's not my student!"
"He looks up to you." Iwaizumi said. "There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
Tooru grit his teeth, brows furrowed. "Yeah but there's nothing I hate more than a genius who can copy my moves just like that!"
"Well, I still think he's nowhere near your level." Matsukawa shrugged. "Honestly. As much as I hate to admit, your technique is amazing."
"Why do you guys 'hate to admit' when I'm good?!"
"Shut up, and let's go. I'm hungry, I want ramen."
"Yeah, I want pork belly on mine."
"I want gyoza on the side."
"Okay, okay! Fine, we'll go! Just gimme a second..." Tooru sighed, putting his hands up defensively.
"What is it?" Iwaizumi asked, walking over as the rest of the team grew absorbed in their own chatter.
The brunette shook his head quickly, leaning down to adjust his knee support. He shifted his leg side to side, putting some pressure on it carefully, testing the pain. He bit his lip, pulling in air through his teeth.
"Ahh, shit!"
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?!"
"My knee..." Tooru whimpered, eyes squeezed shut as he held back tears. "Ahh..."
"Shit, hold on!" The raven stammered, sliding the bag off Oikawa's shoulder and throwing it around his own. "Okay, I'll take this... Do you need to sit down?"
"No... I'll be okay. Don't worry, Iwa." The brunette assured, forcing a smile. "I'm all good, see?"
"Oikawa..."
"Come on, let's go, the team is hungry and I-"
"The team can wait. You're not walking half an hour like this."
"But Iwa, I'm fine, I can just-"
"Hey, you guys!" Hajime called, grabbing the team's attention. "Oikawa's knee is acting up again, so I'm taking him home."
"Oh, then we'll just celebrate tomorrow!" Kunimi shrugged. "It's cool!"
"No, guys, no!" Tooru objected. "Go get ramen, I'll give you my card!"
"Nah, we're not going without you, idiot!" Makki scolded. "We'll go once you feel up to it."
"Exactly." Iwaizumi said, flicking Oikawa's forehead. The brunette whinced, rubbing the throbbing spot.
"Oww...! Okay, okay, fine. Thanks you guys, you really didn't have to..."
"Let us know when you feel better. Get well soon!"
"Yeah, have a safe trip home!"
"Byee!"
"Bye guys!" Tooru waved, leaning on Iwaizumi. "Thanks for everything!"
The raven put his hand on the brunette's waist carefully, calloused fingers rough against the fabric of Tooru's jersey.
"I'll take you home on my motorbike, okay?"
"Y-Yeah, thanks, Iwa..."
"Careful... You okay? Okay good. Here, sit, like this." Iwaizumi guided, helping Tooru lean back against his black Kawasaki. "Put this on."
He pulled a leather jacket out of his gym bag, offering it to Oikawa.
"Hm?" The brunette cocked his head.
"Put this on, you'll get cold. And the wind will hurt if we go fast."
"But, Iwa, you can't just ride in your jersey!"
"I'm okay, I've been doing this for ages." Iwaizumi assured, helping the brunette into the jacket, ignoring his objections. "It's not a very long trip, anyway."
"And what if you catch a cold?" Tooru whined.
"Then you'll just have to take me out for ramen." The raven smirked.
"Ramen, ramen, that's all you guys ever want from me! I'm being used!"
"Shush. Just get on." Iwaizumi scoffed, grabbing the spare helmet from the back storage pod. He got to work strapping the two gym bags to the bike as best as he could, balancing out the weight.
"Uhm... Iwa-chan..."
"Hm?"
The brunette blushed, ashamed, avoiding Iwa's concerned gaze.
"Uhm, sorry, but I don't think I can lift my leg like that. I don't know if I can... Get on. On my own."
"Shit, I'm so stupid! Sorry, Oikawa. And don't YOU apologise! It's not your fault you're hurt."
"But I feel like such a burden right now."
"Hey!" Iwaizumi scolded softly. "Look at me, 'Kawa."
The brunette's eyes met his hesitantly, caramel melting into olive green.
"How many times do I have to tell you? It's okay to need help. Stop overworking yourself and expecting so much from your body."
"Okay, mom..."
"I mean it! Seriously. Now shush and let me help you." The raven argued.
Finally, Tooru gave in, lifting his arms hesitantly. Iwaizumi pulled him into a hug of sorts, letting Oikawa drape his arms around his neck.
"I'm gonna lift you, okay? Tell me if it hurts."
The brunette nodded gingerly, jumping a little as Hajime's hands came to the back of his thighs. With a slight squeeze, he lifted the brunette upwards. He heard Tooru hiss slightly, tensing against him as his knee cramped up.
"Just hold on... Almost there." The raven said, lifting Tooru up onto the back seat of his bike. "There, how's that?"
"It's fine, thanks, Iwa-chan. Sorry for the trouble."
"Oh shut up, don't be sorry." Hajime shook his head, grabbing the spare helmet and handing it to Oikawa. "Here, put this on."
The brunette did as he asked, placing the helmet securely on his head, watching the raven do the same. Iwaizumi got on the bike, settling in his seat.
"Hold on to me, okay?"
"A-Are you sure?"
"Yeah, make sure your legs are comfortable. You can stretch them out towards the front if it's better, beside mine. See? Like that, good. Is that better?"
"Yeah." Tooru nodded, voice muffled by the helmet on his head. He wrapped his arms around Iwaizumi's waist, clinging gingerly to the raven's jersey.
"Okay, you ready?"
"Mhm!"
"Good. Let's get you home!"
The wind whipped against Iwaizumi's bare arms as they rode threw town, chilling him. He shuddered, sweat soaked jersey growing cold with the breeze.
He felt Tooru's arms tighten around him as he took a turn, the brunette leaning closer into him. The raven felt his heart begin to race, feeling the warmth of Tooru's chest against his back.
Physical contact between them wasn't at all unusual. Ever since they were kids, they'd held hands, hugged, shown their affection and frustration in the most straightforward ways. But with this prolonged feeling, Iwaizumi felt his heart begin to skip a beat.
Why does this feel so weird right now? I don't get it, he's always touching me somehow. So why, this time...?
He's clinging onto me so tightly. Maybe that's why. Focus, Hajime. Is he scared? Is he in a lot of pain? I should try to slow down.
He slowed the bike a little, making sure to try and take turns more widely, as to not lean the bike too much. He felt Tooru relax a little against him.
The raven chuckled softly to himself, reaching down to give Oikawa's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Almost there, okay?" He called backwards. The brunette gave a thumbs up in response, hands still trembling ever so slightly, to the raven's amusement.
Eventually, they slowed to a halt in front of the apartment building, the sun reflecting warmly off the balconies on each floor. Plants spilled over the glass, like a jungle, taking over the several story house.
Iwaizumi hopped off the bike, removing his helmet. His dark hair was slightly damp, plastered to his forehead. He wiped his sweat as he reached up to help Tooru off the bike, setting the spare helmet down.
"Well, how was the ride?" He asked, watching Tooru run his hands through his chocolate brown hair, fixing it.
"It was fun! We should do that again sometime!"
"Right? This bad boy here can go for miles. I can take you wherever you wanna go."
Jesus, Hajime, what are you saying?!
"Then, next time, take me to the beach!"
"The beach?" Iwaizumi asked, helping Tooru out of his jacket.
"Yeah, down in Shichigahama."
"Okay, whatever you like, 'Kawa." Iwaizumi smiled. "I'll take you there."
He took Tooru's hands carefully, letting him get off the bike slowly, one foot on the ground first, then the other.
"How do you feel?"
"Not too bad... I think I can manage the lift."
"Alright. I'll walk up with you." Iwaizumi said, grabbing both gym bags.
"Wanna stay for dinner?" Tooru asked. "My mom's making rice and tonkatsu."
"Ah, I don't want to be a bother."
"No, please! It's not a bother at all, let me pay you back for bringing me."
"Well, if you insist." Hajime agreed, letting Tooru lean on him once more as they walked inside, getting into the lift.
The afternoon sun poured in through the windows, lighting up the lobby with a hazy gold. Dust floated candidly in the air, illuminated like embers by the warm glow.
The lift door closed behind them, as Hajime pressed the button to floor 5, lighting up a bright blue as they began to ascend.
"Are those bags really heavy?" Oikawa asked, appearing concerned.
"No, it's nothing. I can manage, really."
"Always playing knight in shining armour, I see." Tooru smiled to himself. "You're always telling me not to overwork myself, but you're always doing all these unecessary things."
"Well I know my own limits, unlike you, Shittykawa!"
"Rude..." Tooru pouted.
The lift door opened, and the two made their way to Oikawa's apartment. The door clicked open, and Tooru stepped inside, removing his shoes.
"Okaasan, I'm home!"
"Hi, honey! Okaerinasai!" His mother called from the kitchen.
Iwaizumi made his way inside, removing his shoes also. The rich smell of fried pork and the perfumed fragrance of rice filled the air. The raven felt his stomach rumble.
"Hi, Mrs. Jang." Iwaizumi smiled.
"Hajime! Lovely to see you!" Oikawa's mother beamed, coming over to give Iwaizumi a big hug. "It's been a while since you've been over! I was just making tonkatsu, stay and eat with us!"
"That sounds lovely, thank you."
"Iwa, I'm gonna go get changed, I'll be right back! Oh, and feel free to use the shower if you like." Tooru said.
"Okay, thanks, will do. And hey, be careful on that knee!" He scolded.
"Tooru, honey, you didn't even tell me how the- Oh, there he goes rushing around again... Even with that pesky knee, there's just no stopping him..."
"You're right about that..." Iwaizumi scoffed. "We won the game, Mrs. Jang, your son was amazing. But he overworked himself, and his knee got sore, so I brought him home on my bike."
"Oh, you're such a sweet boy, Hajime. God bless you." The woman smiled, resting her hand on his shoulder. Mrs. Jang still had an air of youth around her, warm brown hair long and silky, pulled in a loose ponytail. A warm, peach apron was tied neatly around her waist.
Oikawa's mother was from Korea, but met and married a Japanese man, and eventually moved abroad to live with him. Here in Japan, she'd had her son, and stayed with him even after Mr. Oikawa left them both.
A single mother at 19, she'd lost the support and respect of her family. But she had raised Tooru on her own, giving him everything she possibly could in life, and the boy repayed it with his hard work and dedication to his studies and sports. Though sometimes, she wished he would finally relax and take it all less seriously.
"Mrs. Jang, I'm gonna use your shower. Is that alright?" Iwaizumi asked.
"Of course, darling, go right ahead. I'll get Tooru to bring you a change of clothes."
"Thanks." Iwaizumi said, making his way to the shower.
I think Oikawa's using the en suite in his room... I'll just take the main bathroom.
Locking the door behind him, he stripped down, setting his clothes on the floor. He turned on the shower, waiting until it grew warm, then stepped inside.
The water rushed over his fatigued muscles, rinsing away all the tension and pain. He let his hands run through his hair, washing away the sweat and the grit. He sighed contentedly.
Every time he came over, since he was a child, he's always felt more at home here with Oikawa and his mother. Especially since he'd started living in his own apartment. He didn't mind it, but it was too quiet, too modern, to empty for his taste. Here, at least, it was warm and vibrant and inviting. There was always something to look forward to. Whether it was Eunseo's cooking, or the hours spent in Oikawa's room, discussing space and astrology, future dreams, new volleyball techniques.
Here, he felt at home.
He felt his heart thump inside his chest as he thought about the match that day. The look of concentration on Oikawa's face as he gave Iwaizumi the final toss. Hajime never got tired of seeing Oikawa in his top form, giving it his all. But best of all, Iwaizumi adored the feeling of being relied on. That was the purpose of the ace. To consistently score a point when he was needed. If he could give that to his team, that was all that mattered.
He dreaded the day when he would part ways from his team. Being 18, Iwaizumi had almost finished his school year, and would be going off to study sports medicine at university. He had no idea where Tooru would end up after that, but imagining that soon they would have their final game together? It made his chest tighten up like a vice.
If you end up going somewhere far away, joining some other team... I don't know what I'll...
THUMP
THUMP
He felt his heart thump heavily inside his chest. Thinking about this always made him feel this way, but this time, his heart felt particularly heavy. Maybe it was the sense of victory still laying heavy on his shoulders.
I'm not sure when it happened to turn out this way, but...
I think it's you that really feels like home to me, Tooru.