While Tadashi had bore witness to the seething anger that was capable of burning in Tsukishima Kei’s eyes, he had never once been on it’s receiving end. The moment he felt the violent jerk of the other’s shoulder under his hand he knew that there was something seriously wrong.
Drawing his hand back to his chest as Kei rounded on him, he just felt his eyes widen, staring up at the one person who had been his rock since they were children, the one face he knew as well as his own to suddenly not recognize it at all.
Leave me alone, Yamaguchi. We have nothing to talk about, just go away.
The words were like canon thunder in his ears, fitting as he felt the world around him was shattering to his feet faster than he could hold it together. Never. Never had he ever heard Kei use that tone towards him, the animosity that dripped from his words was nothing like he’d ever heard him speak… To anyone let alone him.
Just standing still as the other stormed off, he didn’t know what to do. He felt like a rug had been yanked out from under his feet and floor was too far away to meet as he fell. Biting down hard enough on his lip to draw blood he considered just letting him go, letting him blow off whatever steam had clearly built up but there was something in his words that burned in his chest, with a sudden realization that he hoped he was wrong about.
I’m sure our Captain is getting worried about you, wouldn’t want that.
There was no way.
There was no way after all these years, after this long pining, dropping hints… There was no way when he had finally allowed himself to move on, to accept that Tsukki would never be more than just his friend that the other would finally turn around and realize….
Taking off after the other he ran as fast as his legs could carry him until once more that turned back came into his view and he screamed, refusing to let him walk away for a third time.
“Tsukishima Kei, we have everything to talk about!” He could feel his nails digging into his palms as he just clutched his fists at his side, angry tears staring to burn in his eyes as he glared at the back of his friend’s shirt.
“… Just. Tell me. What is wrong. What I did” He asked, giving him one more chance before he just blew the lid off this entire thing himself.
“...again...” Kei whispered to himself when he heard the other catch up again, refusing to look at Tadashi again. He had to give the other credit: had he not been so angry, the softer side of him might have appreciated the sudden swell of attention. Tadashi was reaching out to him, trying to bridge this chasm that had formed between them, but Kei wasn’t sure if he wanted to fix this. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to reach out, grasp Tadashi’s hand, accepting the help he offered once again.
If they talked, the pain could encompass him fully. Hearing himself admit out loud what he already knew deep within his being might prove too much for Kei, especially considering the circumstances. Tadashi could refuse his words, like he had unknowingly done to the other for several years. Why would he willingly sign himself up for heartbreak?
On the other hand, Kei could end this now. He could use his venomous words to attack Tadashi and finally cut loose the sort of dead weight outsiders saw Tadashi as. The thought sparked a different kind of anger in him, tugging his lips downwards and he dismissed that plan altogether. For as afraid as he was of caring too much, Kei could admit he was already in too deep. Not having Tadashi around was a recipe for disaster, and Kei never was that fond of cooking.
“It’s...nothing--” Kei said, cringing at how pathetic he sounded. He didn’t need his best friend to tell him that, this time, so he turned towards Tadashi.
And he stared. He realized quickly he still had not made a choice, despite not wanting to break off their friendship, Kei wasn’t wanting to admit to having a problem with Tadashi and his new relationship. He wondered briefly if there was perhaps a different option, and all he could think of was walking away again, putting it off, leaving the confrontation until later. But where could he go, that Tadashi wouldn’t find him? Dropping his gaze from where he locked eyes with Tadashi, Kei looked off to the side, deciding to take a page from Akiteru’s book. And lie.
“You didn’t do anything--”
You left me behind.
“--I just feel sick.”
I’m upset.
“Go back. I’ll see you later.”
I might not be around when you get back.