The Stars (Yamaguchi x Tsukishima / Yamaguchi x Kageyama) -Haikyu!!-

Prologue - Fake Courage -

"Just tell him how you feel!"

The words rang inside Yamaguchi's head over and over. If only if it was that easy and simple but, still he was determined. He liked Kei Tsukishima, his childhood friend for as long as he can remember. Anyone who has fallen in love with their best friend can relate to what he was feeling. 

The fear of losing someone you have, yet somehow not have. It's pretty weird, like love itself.

For years he tried to keep his feelings in check but once the water overflows the glass, it's bound to spill. With the courage built up inside him. He ran towards Gym C where Tsukki was practicing his blocks. Running before his courage runs out. As soon as he opened the door, a familiar guy greeted him but not the guy that he expected.

"Yamaguchi? Right?" It was Kuroo, the captain of Nekoma.

"Yes?" Yamaguchi stuttered a bit. He looked behind him and saw only Bokuto and Akashi. What could he want with him he wonders? Is he gonna scold him too? He did barely made the serve. Come to think of it, he never saw Kuroo serve before. Maybe he wants his advice on serving?

If either were those where his intentions,  Yamaguchi would have been more than happy to help however that wasn't the case. "Is Tsukki single? He's not dating anyone right?"

Yamaguchi paused for a moment. He wanted to say that they were dating. He wanted to say Tsukki was his but he doesn't think anyone would believe that. Pretty sure anyone with eyes can see that Yamaguchi is just following Tsukki around. But still, why does he want to know that? He thought to himself.

"No" He quietly said. "Not that I am aware of."

Kuroo's eye beamed, almost like it sparkled. "What does he like? As a present I mean." He said smiling placing his hands on Yamaguchi's shoulder. "I'm planning to ask him out but I need some assurance he'll say yes."

A heavy feeling manifested in his chest. Suddenly it all made sense to him. Tsukishima was practicing with Kuroo a lot these past days and Kuroo is the only thing the tall blonde has been talking about recently.

Do they like each other? He thoughts to himself. Doubts and insecurities suddenly plague his mind again. A familiar feeling for him.

Kuroo is handsome. Unlike him who has freckles on his face and body.
Kuroo is taller and better at volleyball than him too while Tadashi can even barely receive a ball.
Kuroo is very sociable. Unlike Yamaguchi who's really just awkward around new people most of the time.

He can clearly see why Tsukishima likes him.

He's everything he's not.

Yamaguchi told Kuroo that his best friend likes dinosaurs, so a dino plushie would do perfectly. He also suggested that it should also have trivia about the said dinosaur too. "Really!? That's so cute." Kuroo said.

As Yamaguchi ramble on Kuroo attentively listens. It looks like he really is interested in Tsukki. Duh, why would they even approach me? He thought to himself.

He is used to girls and other guys approach him to talk about Tsukki. He can't remember how many times he became a mailman of rejected love letters. Yamaguchi even tried sneaking in one of his own letters only for it to end up in the shredder along with the others.

That was his bad though. He knew that could happen but it just sounded too romantic in his head. He saw it in a romantic comedy movie once. It even took him a week to perfect his lettering. Then again, the said poem includes corny lines like: "I dread the day when I can't say Sorry, Tsukki". 

"Thank you very much, Yamaguchi!" Kuroo pated my shoulders, smiling. "You're a real bro. See ya!" He runs towards Bokuto and the others.

Yamaguchi knew he made a mistake but what choice did he have? Lie about his likes and dislikes to get him to hate Kuroo?

What kind of best friend would do that?

That sounded like a perfect plan to destroy a potential relationship but Yamaguchi is better than that. "Okay,"  Yamaguchi took a deep breath. Suddenly he felt someone touch his back. 

It was Tsukishima. "What are you talking about with him?" He said, his gaze was fixed on Nekoma's captain. 

The freckled boy froze in place. They were alone. Just like he wanted but all of the courage that he mustered up was gone.  "Nothing, Tsukki." He quietly said before heading back to the dorms.

I'm so lame. He thought to himself holding back his tears.

After the training camp, school life began once more. Yamaguchi woke up early to prepare for school like always and as always, Tsukishima was waiting outside his house wearing his headphones. They have been walking together for as long as he can remember. They never really talk much and when they do, the conversation is pretty much one-sided.

"How is your arm?" Tsukishima asked.

Yamaguchi's eyes widened, Tsukishima never started a conversation before until now. Could it be he finally realizes his feelings for his childhood friend too!?

He shook his head before answering. "I'm fine. Thanks for asking!" The freckled boy stuttered. Tsukishima took off his headphones.

"How was your night? You mentioned you went somewhere?"

"Oh that, I had a lot of fun spending time with Kuroo."

Suddenly, he felt a familiar pain in his chest. There was a bright smile on Tsukishima's face as he talked about his date. In all their years, he has never seen this expression before. A beaming smile that he continued to wore as he talked about his date with Kuroo.

They went to the museum. Talked for hours. Played a little volleyball. He even gave him a plushie that he recommended Kuroo to buy. 

Each time Tsukishima lists all of the things they did, he can feel his chest twist tighter and tighter. "Oi, Yamaguchi? Are you listening?"

He didn't realize he stops walking beside him. "It's pretty rude when you don't listen you know," Tsukishima wore his headphones. He sulked, speeding up his pace.

"Sorry, Tsukki." He runs up to him.

Yamaguchi knew he should be happy for his best friend. He's finally smiling. He's finally happy. At first, he thought, he was just jealous or angry at Kuroo. The truth is, he was angry at himself. He was disappointed in himself. Because he couldn't do the one thing he tried to do for as long as he can remember.

Make Tsukki smile.

-TO BE CONTINUED-

Hey guys! I converted this to a Text story! You can check it out here.

That version has a lot of improvements and added dialogue! :D