Cooling down – Iwaizumi x reader
wc 968 – f!reader
hockey player x figure skater au
cw: toxic boyfriend Iwa who eventually gets his shit together
“I don’t like it,” Iwaizumi grumbled, the bench rumbling as he sat down. It felt like the equivalent of a child stomping.
No matter how much you loved your boyfriend, you realised lately that he didn’t have the same respect for figure skating as he did for hockey. While fighting on the ice was a respectable part of his sport, dancing with a male partner was apparently not a respectable part of yours.
You sighed and turned away without another word, demonstrating your own temperament in the way you skated up to Oikawa, your male partner for the rest of the semester, and quickly held up your arms to signal for him that no more words would be exchanged on the matter. Had you been in an anime, Oikawa would have visible sweat on the side of his face from the tension alone.
Iwaizumi stayed quiet for the most part, never once looking away and eventually crossing his arms to make sure you knew he wasn’t happy. Meanwhile, you kept a neutral face as if it didn’t bother you at all, even smiling at Oikawa from time to time in hopes it would calm him down.
Which worked very well until it didn’t.
“Oikawa!” Iwaizumi yelled at a particular lift where Oikawa had to support your bum while you moved around. The male figure skater lost his focus, taking in a sharp breath just as he lost his hold. You did your best to recover, almost catching yourself, but the speed of the move had you tumbling to the ground anyway. After you landed with an ouf, Oikawa quickly rushed to check on you.
Predictably, he was shoved out of the way. You groaned at the ache in your shoulder but spared some energy to glare at your boyfriend.
“Are you okay, baby?” he cooed. He didn’t give you much choice as he helped you up, but you didn’t answer. Back on your feet, you looked around to find Oikawa looking on guiltily. You smiled at him as convincingly as possible before waving him over to you. “What are you doing? Let me help you,” Iwaizumi urged and held your hand. Oikawa followed your lead to support you, advancing towards the entrance. You glanced back at Iwaizumi, shaking your head.
“I need a break. From us.”
You hadn’t talked to Iwaizumi since then. The distance clawed at your heart, but it gave you the mental space to focus on this competition with Oikawa. Of course, he never made advances on you; you were just friends.
“Is he coming to see the performance tonight?” he asked as you were cooling down after the final rehearsal.
You shrugged looking to the side as if he would come storming in. “I hope so.”
Iwaizumi’s hands were tucked deep in his pockets as he entered the arena, looking around for a seat where he could be alone but still have a good view. At the same time, his eyes were scanning the crowds for any sign of you.
Alas, you were nowhere to be found. The only clue he had was the flyer they handed him when he entered, picturing all the contestants. He dared scowl at the picture of you and Oikawa but shook his head to rid of the thought. Maybe he didn’t understand why you chose to compete in this event, but like hell he’d miss it.
While his heart begged him to do something when you got on the ice, he appreciated the performance from a respectful distance just like everyone else did, clapping more than necessary any time the crowd seemed to agree on it.
Thoughts swirled inside his head, and while they were usually shaped like hockey sticks and pucks, they just calling your name now. How amazing were you to skate like that? Why had he not been kissing the ground you walk on? You’re the most gorgeous person he had ever seen, and perhaps he forgot that in the midst of knowing you were already his.
The bouquet resting in his lap wasn’t as big as the one you got for winning second place, but it did contain all your favourites. As he got up from his seat at the end of the event, he was shaking his body to loosen the nerves, careful of the flowers in his right hand. He made his way toward the hallway you had gone down, not giving anyone attention if they weren’t the one he was looking for.
“Y/n.”
You turned, the skirt of your costume swishing with you. Giving your friends a heads up that you would meet them outside, you finally approached him. “Haji.”
Iwaizumi held out the flowers and cleared his throat, feeling out of his element. “Congratulations. You were first place in my eyes, I can’t believe I never took the time to watch you.” He shook his head, thinking back to when he insisted on watching so Oikawa wouldn’t try anything. “Properly watch you, I mean.”
Sighing, you smiled softly and accepted the flowers before pulling him into a hug with your free arm. He embraced you with both of his, snuggling his face into your neck and leaving a brief peck.
“I knew you puckheads were stupid, but if you ever disrespect me like that again…” you warned, but still returned the affection with a kiss on his cheek.
He took a deep breath of relief, rubbing where his hands sat at the low of your back. “You got it, boss. Maybe I could learn a thing or two from these guys.”
“Iwa-chan!” Oikawa greeted from behind him, and you chuckled at how Iwaizumi’s shoulders raised. “I could teach you any time. Dating the hottest girl in town and you can’t even-”
Athletic training student Iwaizumi making Oikawa watch the injury videos he had to watch for class and Oikawa freaking out while Iwaizumi just sits there laughing at him is something I think about often
