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Tsukishima laid on the living room couch in a rare moment when he wasn’t locked away in his room. He scrolled through his social media, reluctantly getting lost in the short videos that appealed to his short attention span left over from volleyball practice. The whole day was exhausting from the moment he woke up and he couldn’t help but fall into the nearest comfy surface the second he could. Everyone seemed to want to get on his nerves which never really made him falter but after school Yamaguchi cancelled on Tsukishima so he could go shopping with Hinata after school. What was so intriguing and special about that shrimp??
As he briefly thought of it, it wasn’t really cancelling since they hadn’t planned anything but everyday without fail they went over to Tsukishimas house to study or just hang around his room. Now that their relationship had even developed further they frequently shared gentle kisses or took naps in each others arms. He felt stupid that he assumed, looking at Yamaguchi like he was joking when he said he wouldn’t be walking home with him.
Once Hinata bounded towards them with a beaming smile and his bike he quickly realized he was for real. Yamaguchi fell into conversation quickly with the other bubbly first year while Tsukishima couldn’t take his eyes off Yamaguchis tan hand messing with his backpack strap as he intently listened to Hinatas ramble.
The actual topic of their conversation had fell on deaf ears, his only recollection of the moment being Yamaguchi’s perfect smile as he talked. He had been snapped out of his trance when he noticed Yamaguchi was looking at him for an answer. Tsukishima left quickly after that, letting his headphones play music as the other teens walked the opposite way. He wasn’t particularly mad at Yamaguchi but at the world’s cruel timeline that somehow lined up every inconvenient event into one day.
Tsukishima zoned out as another video played on his phone, a little piece in the back of his mind wishing he’d be watching the stupid reality tv show Yamaguchi insisted on watching because of how dramatic and out of touch the people were. He said it was ‘interesting’ even if it was just people being immature but rich. Every time he felt like he was losing brain cells but having Yamaguchi flush against his own flesh made it bearable and if he knew all their names and the drama that was no one’s business.
God did everything have to tie back to Yamaguchi? Sure they had been friends for years but being apart shouldn’t be taking a toll on him this much. It was honestly pathetic of him.
Waiting for time to pass was like pulling out teeth, excruciatingly slow and painful. He still had homework to do which he pulled out once his mom got home and encouraged him to get started on it as she cooked. She had pointed out his missing half as soon as she got home to which he shrugged it off and jotted down an answer on his paper. They worked at their own things silently until Akiteru got home and lended a hand to their mother. They held a steady conversation that Tsukishima preferred to listen to instead of partake in.
“Where’s your player number two little bro?” Akiteru teased as he walked pass the couch.
Tsukishima turned around to glare at his brother, being met with his back as he walked into the kitchen. “Don’t call him that.” He stated sternly, his pencil set down and he furrowed his brows.
“What like the names far off from the truth?” His older brother quipped.
Tsukishima rolled his eyes, knowing that being around his mother would limit how he handled his brother although he wasn’t above fighting with him like when they were kids. “Fuck off” he murmured.
“What was that?” Akiteru hummed.
“Not everything I do has to be with Yamaguchi. You two act like we’re conjoined at the hip and it’s annoying” Tsukishima raised him voice, his nerves bubbling up in frustration.
Before his brother could respond, the shrill ring of their doorbell rang throughout the house. The familiar pattern was immediately identifiable and he cursed himself for knowing exactly who it was. His limbs screamed at him to jump up but he held his composure in order to not look desperate.
“Kei go get the door please” His mom asked.
He peeled himself off the couch, pushing his headphones off his ears to around his neck. The familiar weight was oddly grounding as he headed to the door and opened it to find Yamaguchi still in his school clothes with only one bag in his hand. Tsukishima habitually moved to the side so Yamaguchi had room to come in, watching as Yamaguchi happily entered the household. “Hi tsukki,” he happily greeted.
On the outside no one could tell Tsukishima felt his heart melt at the warm welcome. He blamed today’s events for how clingy and excited he felt to see Yamaguchi step foot into his space. He closed the door swiftly behind him. “Hey,” he said plainly.
They stayed in each others space, neither of them taking the initiative to move from the door. Their proximity was nothing new but still as intoxicating as ever.
Tsukishima was close enough to count every beautiful freckle spread over Yamaguchi flushed cheeks and nose that could attributed to the summer heat. He spent what felt like minutes just soaking up Yamaguchi and everything that made him divine. Tsukishima was under AC most of the day but yet a few seconds in front of Yamaguchi left him breathless and sweaty. It was a microscopic change but Yamaguchi’s smile told him he wasn’t hard to read.
Yamaguchi was the first one to break the silence, holding out the fancy bag that Tsukishima now noticed was different from the ordinary plastic bags from the convenience store. His eyes traveled from the green paper bag with hints of tissue paper poking out to Yamaguchi’s adverted gaze.
“I umm… got you a gift from the store?” His voice raised a pitch higher, phrasing it as more of a question. Uncertain if this was corny or not.
If he wasn’t mistaken Yamaguchi was nervous around him. It was normal when they were kids but was rare to see now that they were older. It was weird seeing Yamaguchi avoid his gaze. Unlike others, those green eyes always met his but now they looked everywhere but.
“A few days ago you were eyeing them in the storefront so I decided to go back and get them for you” Yamaguchi admitted.
The small confession went straight to his heart. Tsukishima was used to being the observer and not the one being observed. Yamaguchi had even spent his own time and money just because Tsukishima had shown interest in an item. He hadn’t floated away in he background of Yamaguchis mind.
He reached out for the bag, gently digging through the glittery tissue paper in search of the item. He had a suspicion of what it could be and couldn’t help but be eager to find out. It was like he was a kid again, sitting under the tree and ripping open his presents. His hand quickly found purchase on the hard edges of a small cardboard box. He pulled it out and immediately recognized the lego dinosaur fossil.
Days ago he had infact been staring at the lego set he wished to add to his collection. It was a combination of his two favorite things from his favorite person.
…
“Holy shit I love you” He blurted out.
“WHAT”
Tsukishima looked up at his boyfriend, that looked more like a strawberry than human. His flush spread to his ears and he got impossibly redder. Tsukishima never knew blushing was noticeable in person until he met Yamaguchi. He never wanted to see that look on anyone else.
Yamaguchi quickly slapped his hand over his mouth, regretting the loud reaction he had. This wasn’t the first time he had heard those words from his emotional stunted boyfriend but it was the time that hit him the most. Every other instance was when they were exclusively alone, words always whispered into a silent room between good night pecks or under the bleachers during lunch. The fact those words were spoken anywhere else was enough to throw Yamaguchi off.
Tsukishima watched as Yamaguchi looked around cautiously before meeting his eyes, staring intently while he tried to decipher Tsukishima thoughts and intentions. He could understand the hesitance from his boyfriend, especially since this was more emotion than he liked to show in public, but was growing impatient as he waited for his reaction.
After the initial shock, Yamaguchi was quick to reveal a shy smile that showed his dimples. He moved forward to throw his arms around Tsukishimas waist, pressing his warm body against his boyfriend’s contrasting temperature. He held onto him tightly and pushed his face into his blond boyfriend’s neck with a comfortable smile.
“I love you too tsukki!” Yamaguchi admitted excitingly. Being able to express his love was for Tsukishima felt freeing. He wouldn’t mind doing this for the rest of his life.
The act was sudden but nonetheless appreciated by the taller teen. Without thinking Tsukishima wounded his arms around Yamaguchi in a way that would get them as close as possible while also holding the box. All the troubles of his day washed away, the importance of them diming down as he focused all his attention on Yamaguchis bright presence. Everything automatically became less important to Tsukishima once Yamaguchi was there.
“Thank you yama…” Tsukishima said, his tone seemingly plain but full of adoration. His expression, if not mocking or annoyed, was stone cold to the world. Yamaguchi was the one to stick around and learn every part of Tsukishima, down to his mannerisms and body language. It was like he watched nothing else but Tsukishima.
The hug ended sooner than they both wanted, leaving them with a settling feeling of content and acceptance. Out in the world it was scary and always changing but right here in Tsukishimas hallway, nothing else but this moment mattered.
They unwilling pulled away from each other and stood awfully close, Yamaguchi wishing he had stepped back further so he wouldn’t be so close to Tsukishima. Just seeing him sent shocks to Yamaguchi’s fingers and had his heart racing. “Can I come in for dinner?” Yamaguchi spoke.
Tsukishima rolled his eyes, like that question even had to be asked anymore. It was almost mandatory now to have him at the table. “I’m sure my mom’s already set out a plate for you. Curry and fried rice balls tonight” He replied, gesturing to the kitchen.
“Great! I missed her cooking”
“You had it yesterday”
Yamaguchi rolled his eyes and flipped his wrist in dismissal. “It’s just that good Kei”
Tsukishima admitted defeat, mostly out of tiredness, and grabbed Yamaguchis hand as they walked the short distance to the kitchen. They turned the corner into the kitchen and immediately felt eyes on them, both Akiteru and his mom skittering away to their respected duties. Seconds earlier they had been talking and Tsukishima could guess about what.
Akiteru smiled stupidly wide to himself as he cooked. His little brother seemed genuinely happy and Yamaguchi was a good kid, they had made a good match for each other. He’d tease them later on but now he let them glow in their awkward yet blooming relationship.