I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ANYMORE!!

[withease]

[So it's like... getting late. Let's say it's around 9:00 PM on a pleasant weekend and all's quiet and peaceful BUT NOT FOR LONG because suddenly there are footsteps loudly making their way toward Iwaizumi's door.

And then it's being thrown open as Oikawa barges in and drops down on Iwaizumi's bed, his face buried in a pillow like he owns the place as he grunts out some weird, garbled greeting.

He couldn't even be bothered to text that he was coming over, that's how considerate he is.]

Comments

[withease]

[Peeks up from where he has his face smashed against the pillow.]

Iwa-chan, I'm a hopeless romantic! One of those girls could be my future wife, if only I gave up the time to get to know her!

[Look, maybe he just needs to keep trying?? Oikawa is all about trying, okay, this is one of those things.]

[cornerstones]

[That is the stupidest thing he's ever heard and he'll prove it by getting up off his chair, walking over to his bed, and doing his best to mash Oikawa's face into the pillow.]

Like hell you are.

[Okay, but for real though, back to the conversation at hand. There's something niggling at the back of his mind that he doesn't know if he should voice or not. It's maybe one of the stupidest things he'll ever going to say in his life and it's probably not even true, but from the way things have gone so far, Iwaizumi can't help but wonder if it's actually true. Letting go of Oikawa's head, he shoves his friend over so he can plop down on his bed.]

Are you sure you even like girls?

[withease]

[Grunts when his face is mashed back down, but then he's popping back up with a laugh. Oikawa doesn't mind being shoved aside to make room and once Iwaizumi's settled, he scoots closer.]

Of course I like girls. What sort of question is that?

[He's dated enough of them to know. Girls were pretty and soft and had nice voices. It was Oikawa who couldn't give them the time or effort they wanted.]

that was the cheesiest tag i've read today. "pretty and soft"

[cornerstones]

[It's precisely as it sounds, Iwaizumi putting his elbows on his knees and then propping his chin on his fist. He doesn't look at Oikawa while he talks, picking a small crack on his wall to stare at instead, but his voice is serious all the same.]

You've dated a lot of girls but never bothered to make it work. You're not the kind of guy to do anything half-heartedly. [He's witnessed enough of that firsthand, growing up.] If you really liked someone you'd find some way to make it work.

[And, true, maybe he hasn't found the right girl yet, but there have been a lot of girls.]

(; wink wonk

[withease]

[There's no doubt this time, he feels the panic creeping in on all sides and he briefly struggles to keep his breathing even. He can't do this right now, can't even think about where this is leading up to.

Oikawa reaches out a hand and tugs on Iwaizumi's sleeve, expression plainly unhappy.]

Let's talk about something else.

8///

[cornerstones]

[Nailed it.

Except no, Iwaizumi's expecting another retort, another insult flung his way for being stupid enough to even think such a thing, and his chin slips off his hands at the unexpected change of topic. Once his balance is restored, he swings his head around to stare wide-eyed.]

Do you actually like guys?

[Was he actually right about that?]

[withease]

No!

[The denial rushes out before he can stop to think, to hold back and cushion it with something extra to make it sound more believable. Oikawa jerks back, away from Iwaizumi to hastily sit up and put some distance between them.

His breaths turn short and his eyes roam around the room and suddenly it feels too cramped. He likes girls, that's how it is, that's how it's supposed to be. Anything else had been carefully hidden away, shoved to the darkest corners of his mind where he wouldn't have to think about it.

He can't salvage this, not when it's Iwaizumi watching him, but he has to make an attempt.]

It's not like that, [he protests. It's weak, clumsy.] I just haven't met the right girl yet. That's all.

[cornerstones]

[The vehemence of the reply catches him off-guard, enough that he can only stare at Oikawa as the other boy pulls away and curls around himself protectively. It takes him a moment to shake off the surprise, after which he makes sure to pick out his words carefully.]

It's fine if you like guys.

[Still a little weird to him but--honestly they've been friends for so long that this reveal is nothing more than a quick blip in his radar.]

Did I think I wouldn't be friends with you anymore if you did?

[withease]

[Oikawa's mouth feels dry and he can't look up from where he has his gaze trained on the futon underneath him. This wasn't... this wasn't a conversation he had ever wanted to have, let alone with Iwaizumi.]

I don't know.

[Turns away to dig his way under the covers so he's just a lump on Iwaizumi's bed and doesn't have to face the world.]

I really don't want to talk about this, Iwa-chan.

[cornerstones]

[Fine. He won't push anymore. Sometimes he manages to break through if he pushes hard enough, but it's looking like today isn't one of those times. Instead he sighs and crosses his arms over his chest.]

Didn't you go see that movie last week? How was it?

[withease]

[He quietly breathes a sigh of relief when the subject is dropped, but doesn't move to get out from underneath the blanket. It's cozy here and in this way, he doesn't have to reveal his expressions to Iwaizumi. Sometimes it was more of a bother than anything that they could read each other so well.]

It was fine, [says the lump.] It would've been better if Iwa-chan had been there to see it with me.

[Yeah, okay, he'd gone with his girlfriend but that had been... not as fun.]

[cornerstones]

[Life sure is a lot easier when you've got less to hide.

A finger's aimed at where he thinks Oikawa's midsection might be and then he dives in for the kill a sharp poke. Don't stink up his bed, Oikawa.]

What difference does it make who you go with? As long as the movie's good.

[withease]

[Thanks to not being able to see the attack coming, Oikawa gets a finger to the gut and he curls in on himself with a small whine that ends in a huff.

And that huff becomes a loud, offended gasp as Oikawa springs up to a sitting position, the blanket over his head now falling to his shoulders.]

It makes all the difference! Isn't it different when you go to the movies with me? Isn't it more fun with me than your other friends?

[withease]

[—Ah.]

[withease]

Oh, that's right. Iwa-chan wouldn't know because I'm his only friend!

[SHEEPISH LAUGH and all senses are on red alert because he knows pain is coming.]

[cornerstones]

[—Ah.]

[cornerstones]

[RIP Oikawa, you lived a good life.]

[cornerstones]

[Now please accept this gift of pain coming your way as Iwaizumi lunges over in an attempt to pin Oikawa to the closest hard surface and give him the worst noogie of his life.]

Like hell you are, bastard!

[withease]

[TERRIFIED YELLING as Oikawa flails and struggles and just about dies. Iwaizumi are your parents even home because they'd be able to hear this probably.]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

[HIS POOR HAIR.]

[cornerstones]

[They aren't but lbr this isn't anything new to them after ten plus years of friendship. Now say uncle.]

I really don't think you are.

[Noogie....intensifying.....]

[withease]

[Tries to pry Iwaizumi off!! But that does like nothing, why... why... Oikawa is strong too...

Fine, if brawn can't win, he's always got his brain.]

Iwa-chan, stop it! [He makes sure to add an extra helping of distress to his voice.] You're really hurting me!

[cornerstones]

[Like he would really fall for that. But he eases up all the same, giving one last painful scrub across Oikawa's head before he lets go and sits back up like nothing even happened.]

You don't need your head to do serves anyway.

[Just arms and legs.]

[withease]

[Grumbles as he rubs at his head. This wasn't the outcome he wanted, but whatever. Whatever! It's fine...]

Don't treat me like I'm only good for my abilities as a volleyball player. You'll start to sound like Ushiwaka.

[Stupid Ushiwaka-chan with his stupid face and his stupid words.]

[cornerstones]

[Ah, that's true. Oikawa's good for a few other things.. Iwaizumi gives the comment a moment's worth of though before listing off:]

You're good for copying homework off of too. [KIDDING but really, he appreciates it, bro.] And if sounding like Ushiwaka means I can play like him, I'll take it.

[As much as he dislikes Shiratorizawa's captain, he has to admit that the guy gets things done.]

[withease]

[Make way for some indignant squawking and sputtering. It's extremely attractive.

But then he's jumping into action, slapping both hands on Iwaizumi's shoulders to take hold of him in an iron grip. Maybe Oikawa can shake some sense into him...!!!]

Iwa-chan, you didn't just say that! Take it back! Take it back right now!