"so, wait, are you two like a thing?" matsukawa asked as he placed his books back in the locker, not like he needed them anyway. never opened them once, they looked brand new, but the teachers might be mad if you forget your book, so it's best to keep it on you, right? "seriously, you've been talking about him non-stop"

"me? us? no? we are not a thing but..." oikawa's voice trailed off somewhere.

"but?" matsukawa turned to oikawa and raised an eyebrow, the other was looking down at the ground, the tips of oikawa's ears had turned red. it was unlike him to act and behave like that, throughout all the years of knowing oikawa better than the palm of his hand - this was the first time he acted like this...

"...but, i feel like we can be a thing?" matsukawa slammed his locker shut out of pure shock. he stared at oikawa's eyes, this was no lie. 

"wait, so, wait. i'm so confused. wait, so" matsukawa tried to gather his thoughts, he kept on glancing at oikawa but the other showed no change. "so you are telling me that you, the oikawa tooru aka the king of this fucking school, want to date?"

"you worded it weirdly, but you get the gist of it" oikawa let out a genuine chuckle, this was a first, but then again it should have been obvious with the way oikawa had been acting these past few weeks. ever since that first study date with iwaizumi, oikawa had been acting like a fool in love.

almost two months had passed since their first study date, the graduation was drawing nearer by the second, yet oikawa couldn't focus on anything, but this constant desire to be next to iwaizumi. oikawa used to think that iwaizumi would be so boring until he got to know him better, but now - it was like a whole new world opened up to him. iwaizumi let him into his personal life, even though it took some effort. they met up at iwaizumi's place every weekend, studied, played some games and just had fun. the other weekend they spent competing who could make a better cake - iwaizumi won hands down, but he still ate oikawa's cake and complimented him on his hard work.

he was someone oikawa had been searching for his whole life, even if he did not know that. every person has masks which they wear around different people, be it family, friends, teachers or strangers - do you even show your true face, your true self to someone? well, you tend not to do that. sometimes that side of you is ugly, other times it happens to be one of the stupidest sides you may have and sometimes it's just boring. oikawa had so many masks that he lost count, he was a walking definition of the word 'pretending'. he knew he was a walking lie, but he didn't want to show others his true self - until he met iwaizumi. he couldn't put a mask in front of him, even if he did iwaizumi would take it off.

yes, this was that feeling - feeling safe, comfortable, cared for, and loved - a feeling that makes you drop all cover and finally be yourself. around iwaizumi, oikawa found himself. he likes skinship so much and iwaizumi lets him cuddle and hug whenever, he is not a flirt or a smooth talker - he's a hopeless romantic. and now he knows that and embraces that as part of himself. he enjoys stuffing his face with sweet foods and well... iwaizumi spoils him. there are so many things he found about himself...

"well, what are you going to do now?" matsukawa asked as he finally managed to collect himself. "are you gonna pursue him?"

"do i even have a choice? anyway, i have to meet him now, so see ya'!" oikawa took a deep breath and waved matsukawa goodbye, the other picked his bag up and immediately opened up his phone, probably chatting with that makki guy he talked about so much. he cracked his knuckles and practically jumped out of the school, this was going to be an exciting evening.

iwaizumi was waiting just around the corner, he looked as serious as he could, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at his phone screen. oikawa happily skipped his way to him but stopped as he realized that iwaizumi was typing out an angry reply. how did he know? he had his fair share of angry replies to write and receive. some of his older girlfriends were still trying to contact him...

"iwa-chan?" oikawa asked quietly. he watched as iwaizumi turned to him, his angry expression softening slowly as he gave oikawa a small smile.

"hey, sorry, did you wait long?", he apologized, his hands still gripping the phone.

"no, but please do finish whatever it is you are writing" oikawa laughed nervously, it be better to not get iwaizumi's nerves right now, however, the other typed a couple more sentences and put his phone away, gesturing oikawa to follow him as they take their usual route home.

"so... you up to do some stupid stuff tonight?" iwaizumi asked trying to bounce around the topic he knew oikawa would bring up. oikawa, of course, always had inappropriate thoughts, so its only natural his first instinct was to think 'i'm stupid stuff, do me', good thing he didn't say that out loud.

"yeah, for sure... hey..." oikawa couldn't fight his curiosity. "who got you so agitated? sorry i'm asking, you just seem really upset"

"oh, that..." iwaizumi sighed.

"you don't have to tell me, i'm just curious i guess, maybe talking it out would help" oikawa let out a nervous chuckle once more. iwaizumi shot him a glance, their eyes meeting for a pure second, but that was enough to make oikawa blush and look away. it's just that he wanted to help iwaizumi if possible, they're friends now and... oikawa wanted to be even closer to him, to share his troubles and burdens - to take care of him and cherish him. it was iwaizumi's fault anyway that oikawa felt so attracted to him, stupid iwa-chan with his handsome face and big arms, his warm hugs and sweet whispers...

he didn't even notice how quickly they reached iwaizumi's place, the other quietly invited him inside - a sign that probably meant that he would share whatever is troubling him as soon as they are in a private space. and... that was correct.

"it's my ex" iwaizumi said the moment he closed his door behind him, iwaizumi's room was as spacious as ever, but right now it felt like everything was shrinking. oikawa found his blood boiling at those simple words, 'ex' is not a good word, especially coming from someone as iwaizumi or as oikawa liked to call him 'mr. universe'. 

"oh no..." oikawa managed to squeeze out. 

"he contacted me asking if i want to meet up, to which i replied that i don't want to see him ever. he then proceeded to say that he was more than good for me and how i should be thankful for even speaking to him. yeah, right. you wanna know what he did to me?" iwaizumi sat down on the bed next to oikawa. the other nodded franctically and placed his hand on iwaizumi's. "he only dated me because of my parents, because we have money because we have status - he never loved me, it was all onesided. i found out because..."

iwaizumi took a sharp inhale, he squeezed oikawa's hand and looked at him. "i found his other instagram account and his dating profile was sent to me by one of my friends. he acted like he was single and anything that i would give him - he would sell or re-gift. we broke up, no, he dumped me when i confronted him..."

"he doesn't deserve someone as amazing as you! i mean, look at yourself! you are handsome and a gentleman, you always take care of others and know just what to say, you give amazing hugs and cuddles, you make me feel so great and happy, you are just so... you are so out of this world, iwa-chan! he doesnt deserve you!" oikawa rambled on, a smile crept on iwaizumi's face.

"and you think you deserve me?" he asked, a question which oikawa did not anticipate, nor did he know how to answer correctly without outing himself, blood rushed to his cheeks, but he couldn't get away.

"uh.."

"i think you do" iwaizumi whispered. oikawa felt himself leaning in, they were being drawn to each other, like to strings of fate finally finding their respective ends...

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So, how is everyone doing?

Because I am doing great!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter 🥺💖

-hatari