The team had been training their ass off...
But they were a mess.
Daichi was always tired and could never keep focus.
Hinata and Kageyama were being weird. Really weird. Ever time they accidentally brushed hands Hinata would get all flustered and say sorry and Kageyama would murmur something that no one else could hear that made Hinata slap him gently.
Tanaka seemed to be with Sugawara more but no one knew why. Suga himself was still trying to be happy but every time he talked there was a hint of deep sadness in his voice.
Noya was his usual bouncy self but he was finding it harder to get the team to match his enthusiasm which was really bringing him down. He'd tried his best to forget what had happened.
Asahi was being weighed down by work and was always off at practice, though he was trying his best to balance the two.
Honestly, Tsukki and Yama were the most on their game out of everyone which was extremely surprising.
"Everyone needs to sleep well. We'll be meeting at 5am tomorrow-"
"5am?" Hinata groaned and Yama let out a small cry of pain, leaning against Tsukki who pushed him away.
"All of you need to stop being so sad," Noya said, casually cartwheeling across the room "How do you think we're going to beat Nekoma when most of you are acting like your dog just got hit by a truck," He punched Asahi and the softie winced, putting a large hand to his temple and rubbing it anxiously.
"Right," Suga said "Noya's right. Everyone needs to get their act together. Asahi I know you're worried about your schooling but we can help you, and we need our ace. Kageyama your last few sets have been off and Hinata...you're not doing any better. We need you two back on your game tomorrow, okay?" The short boys eyes filled with a determination but it was quickly destroyed by everyone else's moping "-Noya keep doing what you're doing. Oh-and Tsukishima lay off the nasty comments could you?"
Hey, he'd been pretty good! The worst he'd done today was when he compared Hinata to a pig on helium.
Still, he just rolled his eyes and shot a quick glance at Yama who had decided to lean against him again.
"I'm not a wall."
"I know you're not a wall."
He lowered his voice to a whisper "I'm not your boyfriend."
Yama quickly leant off him and crossed his arms over his chest, immediately making Tsukki feel a little bit colder. He hoped he was okay...maybe the comment came off more harsher than he intended.
Yamaguchis POV
Yama lept away from Tsukki hastily. He could feel himself going red and took a deep breath of annoyance to hide it, crossing his arms over his chest.
Why was he so mean all the time?
Yama tried his best.
He looked up to Tsukki. The least the boy could do for him was show that he appreciated him.
Unless he doesn't
A voice in his head whispered.
Stop
You know it's the truth
He heard Suga say his name but he ignored the vice-captain, nodding without hearing what he had said.
You're not worth him.
Yama's voice got stuck in his throat.
He hates you. Think about it all the time. You're just some random kid that he insulted years ago and now you won't stop following him.
Stop it-
What you thought he would actually like you? Look at you!
Yama reached a hand up to his face. He could feel tears sprouting in his eyes.
Go on. Cry. It won't change anything.
Shut up.
He thinks you annoying.
Shut up.
Ugly.
Shut up.
A 'waste of space.'
Shut up.
And worst of all
No-
You know deep down
No.
He will never love you-
"SHUT UP!" He roared clutching his head with one hand, pulling on his hair to try and make everything go away.
And then he was back in the gym, alone. He could feel warm tears spilling down his cheeks, drenching his freckles with pain.
"Tadashi?" Tsukki ran back over to him, reaching out towards the boy but Yama pulled away.
"Don't touch me!"
The blocker stared at him, shocked.
The green haired boy looked around. Everyone had left the gym.
He wiped his eyes and let out a shaky breath "N-no I'm sorry I didn't mean that."
He looked up at the blond next to him who sighed.
"C'mon" Tsukki wrapped him in his arms and Yama buried his head in the older boys chest.
"I'm sorry Kei," Yama whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry about Tadashi."
...
...
...
"I love you."
...
Fuck.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck
...
...
...
"I love you too," Tsukki whispered, gently kissing the top of Yama's forehead. He entwined the others fingers with his and Yamaguchi smiled softly.
Of course, the boys thought they meant this platonically. Or at least they thought the other meant it in a non-romantic-best-friend type of way.
"Can I stay at your place tonight?" Yama asked, grabbing his stuff and sipping from his drink bottle.
"What about your mum? Won't she be worried?"
"I've got a phone you know tall ass."
"Ooooohhhh. Who's the one throwing insults now Tadashi?"
"You never answered the question," Yama said sourly, pouting at Tsukki.
The golden eyed boy smirked "Of course you can. Come on, we can go get some fries."
"REALLY?"
"Yeah, we'll go to McDonald's."
The smaller of the two cheered, a sweet grin taking over his face as he ran over to the gym doors.
Tsukki eyed the headphones laying in his bag. Ignoring them completely he found his spare pair of earphones. They didn't seem so crappy anymore. He passed one to Yama who took it gratefully and began to walk.
***
Tsukishima was laying on his bed, inspecting a small dinosaur figure. He ran a finger along it's rough, green, back as music pounded in his ears.
"Tsukki?" He heard someone call. He turned his head and threw the dinosaur at the figure in the doorway, tearing his headphones off his ears.
"Put some clothes on!" He yelled, fighting the urge to put a hand over his mouth.
Yama rolled his eyes. Pretty confident move for someone who was standing in only their boxers.
"I'm not gonna put sweaty gym clothes on. Can I borrow something to wear?"
Tsukki's face was burning. He nodded quickly and then turned around so he was facing his bedroom wall.
Yes, he expected Yamaguchi to pick out a simple pair of clothes. He could have chose anything: some pyjama shorts, a comfy pair of track pants, a plain old t-shirt but no.
When he turned back around all he was wearing was a hoodie.
One of his-Tsukishima's hoodies.
It was way too big for him and just reached his knees but the colour complimented his eyes perfectly and he looked so damn cute.
"You look-"
"Like shit?"
"Adorable."
Yama went red and switched off the light hastily.
Tsukki's bed was big enough for the both of them and neither could be bothered to find Yama a mattress so it was decided they would share it.
"Don't be such a simp" Yama muttered, crawling into the bed. Tsukishima laughed at the use of the word, shaking his head.
Although there was enough room for them to both have their own space Yamaguchi didn't hesitate to wrap his whole body around Tsukki.
The older boy put his arms around him as Yama tucked his legs around his torso. Let's be clear- this is not what your average friends do.
Tsukki took his glasses off and placed them down gently, smiling to himself as Yama cuddled him.
"You know a simp is basically a person who gives a shit ton of attention to someone else because-"
"Okay okay, be quiet mister know it all. I take it back," smirked Yama "That sounds like the opposite of you."
"Hey you didn't even let me get to the bad part, what do you mean that's not me!"
"What, do you have a girlfriend to annoyingly shower with affection or something?"
Tsukishima could feel his tiredness over powering him and didn't even realise when he said: "Why would I need a girlfriend when I have you?"
With that he fell asleep.