Thinking about how Iwaizumi and Oikawa are entering the gym only to find Mattsun and Makki huddled in a corner. Conspiring.
“What are you two up to now?”, Iwaizumi asks and casually kicks Makki’s foot.
His friend taps the end of his pencil against his lips in thought and replies, without looking up, “Making a list.”
Mattsun, ever so helpful, explains, “We’re weighing the pros and cons of him finally asking out y/n.”
Oikawa grinned and squatted down to see the paper. Clearing his throat he began to read: “Pro - thinks I’m funny, Con - also thinks Issei is funny. Pro - soft like a… like a walking body pillow - really?”
Makki nodded dreamily.
Oikawa sighed and continued, “Con - likes the same pudding flavor I do - how is that a con?”
“Because I’d feel obligated to give her my pudding.” Makki said it as if that should have been obvious.
Iwaizumi groaned in annoyance.
“Pro - actual physical manifestation of my dream girl.”
“You’d think that would be top of the list.”, Iwaizumi grumbled and kicked Makki’s foot again, harder this time.
“Con - too good for me. Hey, come on, Makki-chan. I mean, you’re right, but that shouldn’t discourage you.”, Oikawa said genuinely, which earned him a sad glare from the boys on the floor.
“Pro - small hands.”, he paused in confusion, “What?”
Makki leaned back against the wall of the gym and shrugged, “Her hands are much smaller than mine. Puts things into … perspective.”
Oikawa and Iwaizumi frowned, Mattsun nodded sagely.
thinking about working from home when you live with makki and how it’s nearly impossible to get anything done.
he cracks the door open to peek at you, and once he’s sure you’re not on a call he slinks over to you with a pout on his face, draping his tall frame over the back of your office chair to tuck his face into your neck.
you do your best to continue working, pausing only long enough to softly rub your cheek against the top of his head affectionately. this apparently, is not enough for makki
minutes later—though you’re not quite sure how you even ended up like this, he’s fully in your lap. all six foot something of him. he’s surprisingly quiet except for the occasional huff as he squirms around to get comfortable in a chair that’s definitely not meant to two people
you really do try your best—arms settling awkwardly around him to continue dancing across your keyboard while you take deep, even breathes to help you stay focused despite the way the man in your lap has started gently brushing his lips along the column of your throat
he whines your name softly before pulling back so you’re nose to nose, effectively blocking your view of the monitor. you bite your lip in an effort to hold back a fond smile, sighing warmly as you finally give in, wrapping your arms over his shoulders to curl your fingers in his hair and leaning in to place a kiss on his cheek
warm palms cup your cheeks as he tilts your head just so, pressing his lips to your own with a sound of contentment. you smile against him, resigning yourself to the fact that you won’t be getting any more work done today
thinking about spiderman!makki who gets bitten by a radioactive spider. he was between jobs but now, this is his new job he figures. saving the world, and you of course.
it's late at night when you're walking home after your night classes, deciding to stop by the convenience store that is on the way to grab a couple of snacks to fuel you through your late-night studying. meanwhile, makki is doing his diligent duty of keeping the city safe at night. his legs dangle from the rooftop of someone's house, the cool night breeze brushing across his face with his mask in his hand as he peers down to see what's happening.
he watches you walk out of the store with a plastic bag in one hand and your phone in the other. you're walking with your eyes looking over emails from your professors, reminding you about the essay that is due next week (that you haven't started on, hence the energy drinks in the plastic bag).
you continue to take your usual route back to your apartment, crossing the street but you hear a loud honk coming your way, you turn your head to see bright headlights speeding towards you with no signs of stopping. you try to move but then you feel a tug on your back, and all of a sudden your face in smushed against a sturdy chest. your eyes are squeezed shut because you weren't sure what the hell just happened. you slowly open them, only to see a spider graphic with red and blue surrounding it. with the palms of your hands placed on this mystery mans chest, you push off him to crane your neck up and you are met with a masked face looking down at you. black and red web patterned stretched across the face and down his suit covered body.
your eyes widen and your jaw goes slack. no fucking way you just got saved by spiderman. the spiderman you've seen multiple times on the morning news and the online articles you read. that spiderman.
"are you okay?" he asks, you notice his hand is on the small of your back and he hasn't let go since you crashed into this chest. at a loss of words, all you can do is nod your head.
makki takes notes of your face behind his mask. he can tell you’re frazzled, and usually everyone is when they're saved by him so this is normal. but he thinks your cute and he is so glad that he has a mask on because otherwise you would be able to see his bright pink cheeks that are flushed from being so close to a pretty girl like you.
as you slowly remove yourself from his (muscular) arms he feels empty.
"thank you so much for saving me," you start, he's used to this by now. "i- i wish i could pay you back uh-" you continue, you begin to rummage through your finding from the convinience store, and end up at a pack of cream puffs that took place at the bottom of the bag. you grab them out and hand them to him. "i know it's not a lot but... thank you so much"
he smiles from ear to ear under the mask. but you can see it slightly peeking through and your cheeks turn a little red at him smiling at you. he grabs the cream puffs from your hands, fingers brushing against each other.
"no one's ever done this for me before" he says looking at the cream puffs and then back into your eyes that make his stomach do more flips than when he's jumping from building to building. "thank you."
"of course, i mean it's the least i could do" you reply shyly. voice barely above a whisper because you're still so nervous. "i have to go now, but again, thank you."
"you're welcome. make sure that you're staying safe, can't have a pretty girl like you be in danger." of course he would save you though.
as you walk home with a big smile on your face, and head not on your phone, the words "pretty girl" keeping ringing in your head like a catchy tune.
you weren't going to be able to focus on your homework tonight.
The World’s most (un)serious Game of Chicken - Hanamaki x Reader
Hanamaki has never been serious a day in his life. Lots of crack and luff and Seijoh Golden Four.
Warning: Over 6k words. My hand slipped.
Kindergarten - 5 years old
Yasuda, known for her large forehead and rich parents, points her finger at her newest enemy.
“Hanamaki is ugly,” she declares. “No one can touch him or they are ugly too!”
You’re pretty sure she’s just envious of the fact that his mother gave him a Squishmallow to bring along, and it’s a rare one too.
The other kids draw away. Hanamaki’s looking a little confused, but he’s not crying. You’re pretty sure you’d cry.
Yasuda grins. It’s an ugly thing, that grin, and it makes you want to punch her in the face. But then you’d get sent in time-out again.
Besides, your mother told you to “kill them with kindness” this morning, whatever that means.
Before you can rethink your strategy, you take a step forward.
Yasuda’s eyes widen at your challenge.
But it’s too late. You’re throwing yourself at Hanamaki who’s luckily catching you. He smells like bubblegum.
“Now I’m ugly too!” You declare before turning around with fire in your veins, your determined eyes catching Yasuda’s. You can see the fear in them.
“Run!”
-
“Hey,” Hanamaki waits outside, Squishmallow in his hands.
“Hey,” you say, wiping the snot from your nose and into your skirt. You hate that you cry all the time, especially in front of the teacher who just scolded you. It’s not your fault Yasuda tripped when you ran after her.
“Thank you,” he says, voice earnest, “For that. You know.”
You sniff and shrug at the same time. “It’s nothing. I don’t like Yasuda. She’s nasty.”
He grins wide, revealing a missing tooth.
“Me too.” He offers the Squishmallow to you. “Friends?”
“You can’t buy me,” you tell him, the sentence grown-up and unfamiliar in your mouth. You heard it last week on Mom’s TV show. But you take the Squishmallow anyway. “Thanks.”
“Takahiro,” a breathless voice calls out. You both turn to his mother rushing down the street. She stops, catches her breath, and smiles down at you.
“Aww, did you give her your Squishmallow? Is she your friend?”
The two of you share a look. Kindergarten is hell already, you can’t have rumors like that going around.
“Nah!” You declare loudly, “Boys are nasty. This is blackmail.”
And before she can say anything, you rush back inside, determined to hide until they’re both gone.
-
Elementary school - 6 years old
The boy is tall, with dark curls hiding his tired-looking eyes.
“Yes?” You ask, annoyed that he’s blocking the sunlight streaming in.
“This is Hanamaki’s place.”
“So?” You push the lollipop in your mouth to the other side. “What’s it to you?”
“Hanamaki said I could sit with him at lunch.”
You sniff, clearly unimpressed.
And as if he’d heard it, Hanamaki appears in the doorway.
“Matsukawa, you made it.” He grins, clapping a hand on the boy’s shoulder as he slides into his seat. “What’d you get for lunch?” Hanamaki asks you without skipping a beat, already lifting the lid of your Bento Box. “Sausages, nice. Do you want to switch? I’ve got egg rolls.”
“Is this your friend?” Matsukawa asks, obvious interest sneaking into his voice.
Hanamki snorts. “No? She’s my mortal enemy.”
“Yeah,” you agree immediately. “Watch out for the rice. It’s laced with cy-cy-”
“Cyanide,” Matsukawa offers, pulling a chair closer. “I want the rice then. I’m offering tomatoes.”
-
Elementary school - 9 years old
“So, what did Yamagata want?” Hanamaki asks when you join them.
“He asked me out on a date.” You pick a tomato from Matsukawa’s Bento and chew on it as if you don’t care about it at all.
Hanamaki’s eyes are wide and round as he takes you in, his mouth open yet he seems to be speechless. Which is a first.
“You okay?” Matsukawa asks and for a second you’re not sure who he’s taking to, you or Hanamaki.
“That means you’re grown up,” Hanamaki whispers finally. “Like, a grown-up grown-up. Did you say yes?”
“No?” You ask back. “Yamagata is disgusting. He eats his snot.”
“You do that too,” Matsukawa points out.
“I stopped last year,” you point out, chopsticks raised for emphasis. “But if you think Yamagata is such a catch, you can date him if you want, huh?”
“No thank you,” Matsukawa waves his hands, “I’m waiting for Yoshida-chan.”
Yoshida-chan, your very lovely though also very old teacher, lifts her head from where she’d been reading at the desk and smiles in your direction, clearly not clued in on the joke.
You all smile and wave back, snickering quietly when she turns back to her book.
“But if you want to date,” Matsukawa points out, an eggroll perfectly placed between his chopsticks as he points, “You two can just date each other.”
“Yuck!” You both spit out at the same time and Matsukawa rolls his eyes.
-
Elementary school - 12 years old
You’re not the only girl waiting outside the gym.
Both Hanamaki and Matsukawa have started playing Volleyball and you’re seriously considering taking it up next year as well. They make you train with them anyway in their free time and it sucks to either have to wait for them or go home alone. Baseball is only half as fun without them there.
“You think he’s going to say yes?” One of the girls in a group near you asks her friends. She’s pretty and you think she might be from one of the top classes.
“Of Course! Hanamaki would be dumb to say no.”
You turn a little at the mention of his name but it’s too late to do anything about it anyway when the doors open and the boys step out.
“Hanamaki, hi!” Pretty Girl all but dances over to where he’s walking toward you, stopping him in his tracks.
Matsukawa immediately realizes what’s about to go down, you can tell by the face he makes, but he doesn’t walk off, just stands there, stiff as a board, looming over Pretty Girl’s face.
“Uh, could you… walk away?” She asks and you hide your snicker behind your hand.
“Why?”
“Because… I was… uh… going to ask… Hanamaki… something?”
“So?”
“Hanamaki?” She’s determined, you have to admit that, turning back to him, “Could we talk in private for a second?”
To your surprise, both of the boys turn to where you’re waiting, looking at you as if waiting for a clue. It’s annoying as hell.
“What?” You ask, pointedly raising your hand to check your nails as if there’s anything to check but the dirt hiding under them. “I don’t have anywhere else to be.”
-
Matsukawa waits next to you, quiet like a stone.
You want to know what she’s saying. Not that you don’t know what she’s saying, but you want to know what words she’s using. Hanamaki still can’t help but snicker every time someone mentions the L-Word like a little kid.
You don’t have to wait long.
Her face tells you everything you need to know as she slips into the group of her friends.
Hanamaki looks like nothing happened at all and you turn to leave with him, satisfied in a way you can’t properly explain.
“Is she-” A voice raises as you move and the three of you turn back again. It’s not Pretty Girl but one of her equally pretty friends. “Is she your girlfriend?” She nods in your direction.
You pull a face before Hanamaki can react.
“Ew. I’m his cousin.”
-
Matsukawa lives one street down from Hanamaki and you live one street further down, right at the river.
Today, he doesn’t stop at his place like he usually does, kicking a pebble down the street as if to tell you to keep walking.
“What did she say?” You ask eventually when the silence gets too loud.
“She told me I’m pretty.”
You snort.
“What?” He asks, laughter audible in his voice. “I’m pretty.”
“In your dreams,” you tell him and he’s full-on laughing now, both of you howling out a “He’s ugly!” as if Yasuda’s torment happened days ago instead of years.
Eventually, he kicks the pebble over to you to keep going and you follow suit, still snickering.
“I’d never have said yes,” he tells you, halfway caught between a snicker and something else, “Her lips looked like she put glitter glue on.”
“That’s lipgloss,” you explain, “It probably tastes like fruit.”
“I like fruit,” he says earnestly. “Do you have lipgloss like that?”
“No,” you lie and you don’t know why but your heart beats fast like a humminbird.
“Shame,” he sighs and you’re not sure if he means it. “Tell me when that changes.”
-
Junior High - 13 years old
“Your name’s going to be Makki,” Oikawa declares with the air of someone who rarely gets told off. “And your name’s going to be Mattsun.”
You push your lollipop to the side and narrow your eyes at him.
“Why?”
“Because it sounds cooler.”
“Shittykawa,” you offer, “Sounds way cooler.”
Iwaizumi next to him snickers and Oikawa turns to him with a pout.
“Iwa-chan!” He whines.
“Iwa-chan!” You repeat after him, expertly copying his whiny tone. Everyone laughs.
“You’re friends?” Oikawa asks just minutes later, still pondering on what nickname to give you. He points at you, then Mattsun, then Makki.
You roll your eyes.
“Mortal enemies,” you declare. “We’re bound until we kill each other. This is just our latest reanimation.”
“Oh, cool, like in that anime?” Oikawa asks immediately, eyes glowing.
You snort. Hanamaki leans over you, pushing your head into his sweaty armpit. You fight to get him off. Mattsun changes the topic.
-
“Hey,” Iwaizumi asks right as you part after class, “Do you want to become a manager?”
You blink, surprised that he asked you. He’s pretty shy around girls even if you don’t act like one most of the time.
“Didn’t think about that,” you tell him honestly, “I was going to try out for the girl's team first.”
“Oh, sure.” He starts to stutter, turning away. “Good luck.”
Makki looks after him, mouthing an exaggerated “Good luck” your way.
You roll your eyes.
-
“Do you think I should become a manager?” You ask as soon as Mattsun is out of sight.
Makki kicks a pebble over to you and you kick it back.
“I dunno, we didn’t have a manager in Elementary School,” he remembers. “Isn’t that job kinda boring?”
“Sure, but we could be in the same team, kinda.”
He nods slowly. Then, he grins. “You would have to wipe away my sweat.”
“Ugh, no!” You whine. “Gross!”
“Fetch me my water bottle, manager-chan!” He orders in the most conceited voice he can muster. “Hush hush, we have a game to win.”
“You’re impossible,” you tell him, pushing him off when he leans into you with all his weight. “You can get your own water bottles, loser.”
It’s only when his door comes into sight that he sobers up again, turning back to you.
“What do you think of Oikawa and Iwaizumi?” Makki asks, voice suddenly serious. It’s the first time he’s ever asked you something like that. You doubt he would have cared if you didn’t like Mattsun back then. Or would he?
“They’re okay,” you declare. “Oikawa is a little conceited if you ask me, but I guess Iwaizumi keeps him in check. Iwaizumi could be cool if we get him a little out of his shell, maybe? He’s so serious.”
Makki nods slowly.
“And lookwise?”
You furrow your brows. “Don’t ask me something like that, you know I don’t have any taste. We’ll see if the girls like them when it’s time, right? They liked you too and you look horrendous.”
“He’s ugly,” he crows softly and you roll your eyes, try to trip him and fail spectacularly.
-
Junior High - 14 years old
“I don’t want to be the referee again,” you declare pointedly when you join the boys at the riverbank, golden sunlight streaming over the area that has probably seen more Volleyball training sessions than your school gym. But who’s counting?
“Fine,” Oikawa huffs, yet again the one who decides everything. You roll your eyes behind his back. “You can be libero.”
“Oh yes, I’m saving your asses. Again.” You drawl out, smacking Makki’s butt as you pass by. He wiggles it again for good measure and Iwaizumi’s face turns red.
-
Half an hour later a group of boys joins you at the riverbank. You don’t know their faces, but Oikawa greets them eagerly. Not like friends, but friendly acquaintances.
“Who’s girlfriend is that?” One of them asks, pointing at you.
You scowl, but Makki’s faster than you.
“This, my esteemed gentleman, is my bodyguard,” he declares loudly. “It’s her job to keep me from getting killed, which is rather unfortunate.”
“Most of his death threats come from her,” Mattsun adds dryly. “Watch out, she bites.”
-
“Hey,” Makki’s leaning against the doorway of your bedroom, staring out your window at the riverbank below. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” you groan into your pillow, wishing he’d leave. It’s one thing getting your period in a friendly mixed match. It’s another thing if you bleed through your pants so spectacularly one of the boys on the other team has to puke at the sight.
“You can leave,” you tell him when he’s still not moving minutes later.
But when you hear his footsteps, they come closer. Before you can look up and glare at him, he drops, his body almost crushing yours.
You yelp, but he’s too heavy, too much arms and legs and everything else and trying to fight him off turns into a tickle-fight instead. He begs for mercy minutes later, claiming he’ll pee on your bed if you don’t set him free.
“You suck,” you tell him as you stretch out next to him, looking up at the ceiling of your bedroom, all the glow-in-the-dark stars that you claim you will take down soon.
“You suck more,” he answers softly, falling silent for a while. It’s comfortable, being like this, just Makki and you, and no one else to judge it.
“You wanna go back out and kick their asses?” Makki asks eventually and you nod, slipping off your bed before he can push you off.
-
Junior High - 15 years old
“Interesting,” Mattsun watches Oikawa’s fanclub with the most bored look on his face, “Collective loss of good judgment. That’s rare.”
“Ah, there are still some good ones left,” you tell him, “Ishikawa from my Volleyball Club has a crush on you, by the way.”
“Oh?” Mattsun asks, turning. “Which one?”
“First year, pinch server, the one with the pixie cut.”
He ponders that for a moment before he shakes his head. “I don’t like short hair on girls.”
You roll your eyes. “You’re superficial.”
“What do you like?” Mattsun asks, a weird kind of grin on his face. And you know all his grins by now, or so you thought. “In boys, I mean?”
You furrow your brows. “How would I know? There’s no boy I like.”
Mattsun scoffs disbelievingly.
“What?” You ask, hackles rising.
A warm arm slings itself around your hips and a head lands heavy on your shoulder.
“What are you talking about?” Makki asks, smacking his bubblegum into your ear.
“What kind of boys she’s into,” Mattsun points out.
“Oh, I wanna hear that,” Oikawa fights himself free from his groupies and shuffles over, pulling Iwaizumi with him. “Because I have a feeling they have to be tall, good looking and into Volleyball.”
You roll your eyes, unsure if the heartbeat you feel in your chest is your own or Makki’s from how closely he’s pressed against you. It’s annoying, and you hate annoying things.
“Actually,” you tell them as pointedly as you can, “I like them small. Tiny, even. Really ugly too, because that adds character. It’s best if they’re practically disfigured.”
“But they have to be into Volleyball?” Iwaizumi asks, a small smile dancing over his lips.
You shrug, almost managing to push Makki’s head off your shoulders.
“Hobbies are Hobbies. He could be into knitting for all I care.”
“Ah well, that’s good to know,” Makki sings, “Because I saw a guy exactly like that. I could set you guys up.”
“You would do that?” You mock gasp, pressing your hands against your chest. “For your mortal enemy?”
“Anything for you,” he declares, pressing a fake tear from his eyes while the rest of the group turns away, no longer interested.
-
“By the way,” Makki tells you as he follows you down the road, Mattsun’s house growing smaller and smaller behind you, “Itoh-chan asked me out today.”
“Oh?” You look over. “When did that happen?”
“Ah, while you and Mattsun were discussing what kind of boys you like,” he grins cheekily.
“You mean while I was telling him that Ishikawa has a crush on him?”
“She does? What a shame, she’d really be his type if she had longer hair.”
“What do you guys have with hair?” You ask, a little exasperated. You don’t really expect him to pull on yours, but you’re not surprised when he does it either.
Makki stops in front of his house but he’s not going inside and you’re not leaving either.
“Don’t you wanna know what I told her?” He asks and his voice dares you to say yes.
“Not really. I’m gonna find out eventually.”
“I said no,” he shrugs, “Because she was talking about kissing me and I didn’t want to have my first kiss with someone who chews bubblegum like a horse.”
You roll your eyes.
“You’re superficial.”
“Maybe.”
Silence.
“Do you wanna practice?” You ask.
He looks at you, no sign of a joke in his eyes when he speaks.
“With or without lipgloss?” You realize that he knew what you meant when you asked, just like he’s always known what you thought before you said it out loud.
“What do you think?” You ask, moving one leg first and then the other. He falls into step next to you.
“What flavors are you offering?”
“Uh, I have one that’s supposed to be cherry flavored, but it tastes more like bubblegum.”
“I like bubblegum.”
“I know.”
His lips are dry and a little chapped, his hands clammy as they hold yours.
Kissing isn’t all that it’s made out to be, you decide unanimously a few minutes later and head down to the riverbank with a Volleyball instead.
-
High school - 16 years old
“Hey, we’re staying behind after training,” Makki tells you in between Classes, “Oikawa has this idea he wants to try out. Are you coming over to watch?”
“Sure,” you tell him, “Can’t have you walk home alone. You’d end up in Tokyo or something worse in the end.”
“What would I do without you?” He asks, exaggerating his theatrics as he dips back out of the classroom.
“Boyfriend?” The girl next to you asks curiously.
“Mortal enemy,” you declare and she furrows her brows and falls silent.
-
“Hey, we have training today,” you pull a lollipop from your jacket and pop it into your mouth, pulling a second one out when Mattsun stretches out his hand, asking wordlessly for one.
“Are you waiting for me?”
“What time are you going to be out?” Makki asks only half-listening as he copies Mattsun’s notes from the lesson. History is his weakest subject.
You calculate and name it and he nods.
“Yeah, sure, we can stay in the library until then and do our homework, right?” He turns to Mattsun who rolls his eyes.
“You don’t have to wait around if you don’t want to,” you tell him and Mattsun’s eyes roll even harder.
You can’t help but snicker at it, knocking one last time against Makki’s desk when the bell rings, calling you back to your own Class.
“Alright, see you later guys.”
“Girlfriend?” One of the guys to their left asks, leaning over. “She’s pretty.”
“Mortal enemy,” Makki declares proudly, finally looking up from his notes. “I’d be careful. She bites.”
-
“No, no, this goes here,” you pull his hand from the paper before he can put the wrong number in yet again. “We’re not talking about the Edo period yet!”
“How do I know?” Makki grumbles, kicking his feet in the air behind him. “This shit sucks.”
“You wanna do something else?” You ask, not in the least bit minding a break. “Mattsun’s not coming over for another hour.”
“If ever,” Makki mumbles lowly and you look to the side just in time to watch insecurity flash over his face.
“You think he’s going to ditch you for a girlfriend?”
“Isn’t that how it always goes?” He asks, writing the wrong date in the space in front of him. You don’t care to correct him.
“We wouldn’t be like that,” you point out, not quite sure in what way you mean it.
“No,” he agrees easily. “We wouldn’t.”
“Mattsun’s not like that,” you assure him, putting your hand over his. “Shittykawa maybe, but not Mattsun.”
He stills for a second, eyes flickering over to yours. You can tell that he’s thinking about something, but you’re not yet sure what it is.
“Wanna try again?” He asks, voice low and quiet, his eyes flickering to your lips.
Not much history is studied that afternoon.
-
High school - 17 years old
It’s one of those rare days when you’re not coming home with Makki and Mattsun, dragging your tired body from the train station down the road.
You’ve cried more than enough already, yet your tears water again when Makki’s house comes into sight.
If only you hadn’t dropped that ball at that moment, had been a little faster that one time…
You know your mom’s waiting at home, food not quite ready yet, waiting to hear about the game.
But you can’t… you can’t…
The key is where it always is, hidden beneath the little wooden Tanuki at the front door.
The way up the stairs is so familiar you could do it in your sleep.
You slip into his bed and pull the covers over your head, smelling bubblegum and deodorant and a faint hint of sweat. It smells like Makki and you close your eyes, wishing you could shut out the tears just as easily as the light.
“Hey…” a warm hand on your shoulder wakes you. “You okay?”
You shake your head and he nods, slipping into bed with you.
“Do you want to continue Volleyball after High School?” Makki asks, arms slung around you. He’s like a monkey like that and you often wonder how he sleeps during training weeks. Does he sling himself around Mattsun or a pillow, does he dream of you or not?
“Not really, you?”
“Mhm, no. Winning is fun, but all that training would suck ass…”
You agree quietly, just a little noise in the back of your throat.
“So if you’re not going to continue playing anyway, it’s not that big of a deal, right?” He asks, “Just another blip in your life.”
“It’s not just another blip.”
“Remember how you bled so much you made a random guy puke?”
“Makki!” You howl, even louder when he bites into your shoulder.
But the pain soon subsides, turns into laughter that you can’t hold back.
“His face,” you remember, “He looked like he was going to pass out.”
“He’s ugly,” Makki howls and you press his hand, understanding finally why he keeps bringing up that joke.
Sometimes it’s best to laugh at your demons. They might not get smaller that way, but at least you have something to laugh at.
-
High school - 18 years
“Hanamaki-kun, I wanted to ask for your second button, oh…” The bright-eyed first-year stops in her tracks. The button is already missing.
She blushes a scarlet red, stuttering as she excuses herself.
“I don’t believe you,” Mattsun huffs, “You didn’t just wake up today, missing that button.”
“But I did,” Makki claims, “I swear, I’d never lie to you.”
“You always lie to me.”
“Name one time I lied to you.”
“When you told me your natural hair color was purple but it faded out over the summer.”
“Well, that’s on you, Mattsun. I can’t help you if you believe that of all things.”
“What did he believe this time?” You ask, walking over.
“Purple hair,” Makki points at his head. You scoff at Mattsun.
“I was six years old, okay?” He defends himself. “By the way, did you notice that Makki’s button is missing?” He points and you look.
“Nice,” you high-five Makki, “Who did you give it to.”
“I didn’t. Lost it at night. Some nightmare gremlin must have cut it off.”
“For real? Probably your mother who wants to curse you to stay home forever.”
“No, Mummy wouldn’t do such a thing.” He leans into you, trying to make you sway under his weight. It hasn’t worked in years but he keeps trying.
“How many buttons did you get?” Mattsun asks. “I saw Yamagata confessing to you in the hallway earlier.”
You pull a face.
“I don’t care if he’s no longer eating his snot, I’m not accepting a confession from him.”
“Why’s that?” Mattsun’s voice is saccharine sweet now and you narrow your eyes at him. You know what he wants to hear, but you’ve always been one to deny the things others want from you. Makki’s weight on you isn’t helping.
“If I say I don’t like someone, I’m not changing my mind on that.” You declare. Makki’s snickering above you, probably because he’s close to finally making you sway. You bite his bicep but he’s not moving away.
Mattsun rolls his eyes so hard it looks like he’s passing out.
-
College - 20 years
Your legs are flung over Makki’s and you’re so close to beating him when the door opens.
“Suck on that!” You yell as you swerve over the finish line, hitting his shoulder with your fist.
“Gladly,” he jokes, already choosing the next road as you look up.
“Oh, hi!” You wave at the guy standing in the doorway. “Are you looking for Mattsun? He’s in his room.”
“He said there’s a party going on tonight?” The guy asks. You try to place him, but your brain is failing you. He doesn’t look like he went to Seijoh, but Makki’s always been better at remembering faces.
“Yeah, for sure.” Makki declares. “Just a little later. You’re early. You can get yourself something to drink from the kitchen.”
“Cool.” He nods, walking over. He’s back in minutes, leaning over the backrest to watch, sipping whatever concoction he’s poured himself. “You two a thing?”
You don’t look up, too focused on beating Makki. You hate the rainbow road.
“Roommates,” Makki explains, his leg twitching under yours.
“Mortal enemies,” you declare, sticking out your tongue as you drift and push Makki off the road.
“Cool.” Couch-Guy leans in even further. “I’m Terushima by the way.”
-
Terushima finds you in the kitchen hours later. His eyes are glassy as he smiles at you and you wonder how many drinks he’s had.
You wouldn’t call yourself sober either, but you’d been so obsessed with beating Makki that you’re way behind on the others,
“What do you think?” Terushima flutters his eyelashes at you. “You and me? I could show you a good time.”
You swallow down a snort. He looks like he’s barely able to stand.
“Tell you what.” You point at your room down the hall. “Go lie down, I’m gonna be with you in a minute.”
“Awesome.”
You watch him stumble down the hall, how the door closes after him with a click. Seconds later Makki is leaning into you. He smells like bubblegum and the most disgusting brand of Tequila you’ve ever tasted.
“What are you doing?” He asks, snagging one side of the sandwich you’d been preparing.
“I sent the baby to bed.”
He snorts and you can feel his chin graze our shoulder as he peers over into the living room.
You steal a quick glance yourself. Some girl is trying her best in flirting with Mattsun who’s deep in an explanation about something that probably no one’s interested in.
The others are either drinking, singing, or snoring on the Couch and the floor.
Makki’s lips ghost over your bare shoulder.
“You’re sleeping in my room?” He asks, voice quiet as if anyone but you could hear him.
“Where else? My bed is already occupied.”
He pinches your hip, but he doesn’t move away, leaning heavy and warm against your back. You can feel his heartbeat like that, sluggish and slow and so well-known your heart beats in sync.
-
Work - 22 years
You’re sitting on Makki’s lap, or rather, in between his legs, playing on your phone as you wait for your stop.
There’s an older woman across from you who’s giving you the stink eye, but you don’t really care. It’s late, you’re both tired, and she can suck it.
“What do you want for dinner?” Makki asks, his head resting on top of yours.
“Rice.”
“We had rice yesterday.”
“Ramen?”
“Ugh.”
“You don’t have to cook if you don’t want to.”
He falls quiet.
You let him, knowing damn well that he’s going to say it when he’s ready for it.
He pulls you up at your stop, links his hand with yours as you walk out.
It’s so not him, you’re almost worried. At least until he stops right at the corner, pulling a coin out of his pocket.
There’s a gumball machine there, one that sells cheap jewelry next to the cheap sweats.
He puts the coin in, twists and pulls a little ball out, presenting it to you.
“You shouldn’t have,” you tease, pulling the ball apart. It’s a ring, the metal bendable to fit every size. The design is even worse, a gaudy heart, but you don’t care, pull his hand up and slip it on his finger.
“Will you marry me?” You whisper as dramatically as you can and something flickers over his face, gone and away before you can catch it. He laughs, softly, and leans forward to kiss your temple.
“Oh, aren’t you a sweet couple?”
You turn, surprised to see an older lady standing behind you, squinting up at you in the fading daylight.
“Actually,” Makki starts. You can’t help but finish.
“We’re siblings.” You tell her. “Separated at birth. We just found out.”
Her eyes widen.
“What lovely news!” She chokes out, clearly confused.
You nod and bow and move away, pulling Makki with you as you rush down the stairs, suddenly no longer tired.
-
“They cut my hours,” he tells you later.
You’re stretched out on his bed, trying to convince yourself to get up again and do his workout routine with him. But the bed is comfy and you’re tired.
“How much?” You ask.
“Might not be able to pay rent this month.”
“I’ll cover it,” you offer. His mouth pulls into a thin line.
“Seriously,” you pull yourself up until you’re sitting. “I’ll cover it. You pay for my food all the time anyway. I could move in here with you and we open up my room for someone else. It’s no big deal.”
He still looks… unsure. Insecure. Like he’s not sure what to say or what to feel.
“I’m your bodyguard,” you remind him, “Remember? How am I supposed to protect you when you sleep in a different room anyway?”
-
Mattsun looks like he wants to say something. Scratch that. He looks like he wants to say a lot.
“Another roommate?” He asks.
“Yeah.” You nod. “You know, it makes sense, I should have thought about it sooner. As his bodyguard-”
“Mortal enemy.”
“And mortal enemy, thank you, Makki,” you pat his hand like one would do with a child. “It’s my job to protect him. I have neglected that for far too long. I’m moving into his room. Going to keep an eye on him at all times.”
Mattsun sighs.
“You can’t just say it? That you’re a couple?”
Makki gasps. You fake gag.
“We’re like siblings, Mattsun!” Makki claims. “Please keep your incestuous tendencies to yourself.”
“Ship someone else, will you?” You ask and he groans, pinches his nose, and shakes his head.
“Whatever. I’m not… You’re going to be the death of me. You can go and find us a third roommate for all I care… By the way, Makki, are we still on for Friday?”
-
Work - 24 years
“I think Ishikawa still has a crush on him,” you whisper into Makki’s ear. You have no interest whatsoever in the movie playing and neither does he, if the hand rubbing messages into your thigh is any indication.
“She still has that pixie cut,” he reminds you.
“Yeah, but it suits her now.” You point out and he shakes his head from side to side as if he’s thinking about it.
“Could you guys stop talking?” Mattsun growls from where he’s sitting. Ishikawa is sitting close enough that her hair must be tickling his nose. If only he’d put his arm around her.
“Excuse me, but we’re having a serious discussion,” Makki claims, picking a piece of popcorn and throwing it in the air. “Catch.”
It misses your mouth by a mile, landing somewhere behind you on the floor.
“Shit, again.” He picks another piece.
By the time the bowl is empty, Ishikawa and Mattsun are gone. You blink. The floor is covered in popcorn pieces and the movie has been over for quite some time if the flickering ad is telling you anything.
Makki picks up his phone from the table and squints at it.
“Mattsun took Ishikawa out for drinks.”
“Score.” You push him off the Couch. “Now come on, let’s get the vacuum.”
“Why do I have to?” He moans but gets up from the floor. “By the way, your hair looks pretty today.”
“What?” You look up from your own phone, your mind still halfway stuck in that email you just received.
“I said your hair looks shitty. What are you reading?”
“Apparently I got a promotion. Look.” You hand him your phone, pouring over the text together.
“Wow, shit, you’re going to earn so much more money,” he says, pulling you closer with his free hand. “How do you wanna celebrate?”
“I dunno, you decide.” You blink up at him. “I could treat you to that fancy hot pot place you mentioned last time.”
“Nah,” he shakes his head. “That’s stupid. What do you wanna do?”
“Well, it’s my money and I’m your bodyguard and I need to make sure you’re well-fed. So I guess Hot Pot it is.”
“You sure about that?” He follows you down the hallway to the closet where you keep the vacuum cleaner.
“Absolutely. What else would I do with my money? Buy you a diamond ring? Wait, do you want a diamond ring?”
“Please,” he huffs, “I only take Platin, you should know my style.”
-
Work - 26 years
“Oooh, look.” Makki pulls at Mattsun’s sleeve, dragging him to the left. “What do you think?”
Mattsun blinks. In front of him, behind thick glass, is a tray full of rings. Engagement rings.
“What do I think about what?”
“The rings, doofus. You’ve been dating Ishikawa for what, two years now?”
“1 year and eight months, okay. I’m nowhere near sure I’m going to marry her.”
“Still,” Makki pulls him through the door. “It’s good to do research. Thorough research.”
Mattsun rolls his eyes, digging his elbow into his friend's shoulder and navigating him to the left.
“Silver is less expensive.”
“Oi, since when are you a cheapskate?”
“Since gold turned expensive.”
They spend twenty minutes pouring over the options.
Mattsun has to admit, there are some pieces there that he wants to take a picture of, but he doesn’t, because it would be weird.
He watches his friend from the side, the way he takes in each ring.
It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking, if this is a joke or serious.
-
“So, when are you going to ask her?” He asks when they step outside again.
“Who?”
“You know who.”
“What am I asking?”
“If they marry you.”
“Why would I ask that?”
Mattsun groans in exasperation.
“Do you seriously find this funny? After all those years? Do you never just want to tell her that you love her or that she’s pretty or tell some weird dude that hits on her that she’s yours?”
“Oh, is that what you say to Ishikawa?” Makki asks, hands pushed into the pockets of his jacket.
“Yeah,” Mattsun says, “That’s what I tell her. Every day, if possible. Because it’s something she needs to hear. Because it’s true.”
Makki falters. He rubs the tip of his shoe over the asphalt under him, searching for a pebble to kick around.
“I don’t think she’d want to hear it. She’s not like… She’s not like Ishikawa, in that way. If she was, she’d tell me. She would have told me, you know.”
Mattsun sighs.
“Sorry. It’s your thing how you do it. If you’re both happy with it, continue being weird. It’s just hard to understand sometimes. But love you guys, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, you sap, I do.” Makki grins back at him.
His eyes fall to the watch above them and they widen.
“Shit, I’m late for work.”
-
“Hey,” Makki’s back way too early.
“Hey,” he mumbles, slipping into the chair next to you. “When did you get home?”
“An hour ago. Got all the Argentinian stuff for the match next month. Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He closes his eyes and leans back in his chair, away from you, yet his hands reach out. You take his left and press it.
“You sure?” You ask.
He nods.
Silence falls over you. It’s hard to continue typing with only your left hand, but you’re not willing to let go of his.
Eventually, he opens his eyes again.
“I got fired today.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah.”
Another beat of Silence.
“You wanna take a holiday?” You ask, closing your notebook for a moment to look at him. “We could drive to the beach for a weekend.”
“I wanted to buy you a ring.”
“Mhm,” you reach out and rub your thumb over his cheek. “Already bought me one. How many rings do you think I need?”
“How many fingers do you have?”
You wait for him to continue, but he falls silent again.
“Did you want to keep working there?” You ask. He shakes his head. “So if you didn’t want to keep working there, it’s not that big of a deal, right?” You ask, hoping he remembers a similar conversation when the roles were reversed. “Just another blip in your life.”
“It’s not just another blip.” He says and you can see some light returning to his eyes.
“Mhm,” you say, “Remember when Yasuda called you ugly in kindergarten?”
“Yeah,” he chuckles.
“I always thought you were very pretty.” He stills, his eyes flickering over your face.
“Really?”
“Really. Also, I love you.”
He grins. “I knew it. Called it when you tried to pee on me in elementary school.”
“I’m your bodyguard,” you remind him, “Your mortal enemy. Now, do you wanna go to the beach for the weekend or do you wanna stay in bed all day and play Mario Kart?”
Makki takes his sweet time to decide.
“Can we do both?” He asks eventually. “Play Mario Kart at the Beach?”
“So demanding,” you joke, leaning forward to kiss him.
-
There’s a ring packed in your things when you leave the city for the weekend.
It’s not Platin and not silver either, bought at the gumball machine with a few coins.
It will do for now.
“I could be your Navigator,” Makki offers as he looks up routes on his phone. “How much are you paying per hour?”
“Ah, not enough to be able to afford you,” you joke easily. “But I am looking for a housewife.”
“No way,” he gasps, eyes widening. “That’s exactly the job I was looking for. I make a fantastic sandwich.”
request from anon : could i request mattsun, makki, iwaizumi, and oikawa with a first year manager where they see her as a little sister? (platonic ofc <3)
fic notes : platonic!seijoh four x gn!reader, fluff, headcanons, wc: ~0.55k
from elle ! look at me go-- finally getting a req done >_< love a good platonic fluff piece so this was a delight to write, hope you like reading this <3 reblogs are appreciated, they help a ton <3
when the coach first introduces you to the team, these four dorks just go !!! must protect at all costs !!! of course, oikawa gives you a wink and one of his award-winning grins, but it’s not as flirty as it usually is. mostly because iwaizumi immediately throws him a pointed look that screams ‘don’t you even dare’
mattsun eventually finds out that you live a few streets over his own and insists that he walks with you to and from school. make his pockets hurt because he’s always asking if you want anything from the convenience store on the way- it’s always his treat for “being a good manager and taking care of the team”. sometimes, when practice runs a little bit later than usual, he’ll offer to carry you on his back.
makki is always the first to greet you when you enter the gym. he’ll wave at you with a small smile before practically yelling out your name, alerting the team of your presence. he runs over to you before anyone else could and slings an arm around your shoulder, “yn- we’ve been waiting for you for ageeeees- you know we can’t start practice without you.”
oikawa somehow always finds you whenever you’re trying to have some time alone for yourself. whether it’s when you’re reviewing in the library or trying to relax on the bleachers, he’ll just stroll in and starts talking all about his day. absolutely unprompted. you have never asked him to do this, but it’s the only way you stay updated on the gossip around school. oikawa knows everything. he’ll hand you a carton of juice from the vending machine and starts running his mouth, “yn-chan, you would not believe what happened in math class today-”
iwaizumi acts the most like an older brother in the way he’s always teasing you. this man always has a snarky reply ready to go as soon as you finish talking, but you can tell that it’s all lighthearted. you always have a playful back and forth with him and the entire team just loves listening to the two of you bickering. (“ooooh iwa-chan just got roasted! - oikawa tooru, at multiple points durning the day)
it’s no secret that the four of them just adore you. whenever the team has an away game, the third years always form a protective perimeter around you. they know you can take care of yourself but they will absolutely fight anyone who even thinks about looking at you the wrong way. they will drag you by the wrist if they see you talking to anyone outside the team ;(
when they found out that kunimi has a bit of a crush on you, bet that they gave him the lengthiest lecture on how he should be treating you right and that they will not hesitate to hurt him if he hurts you.
the day of their graduation, they give you a little handmade card as a goodbye :
“who am i gonna talk to now:( jk i’ll be calling you everyday.” - tooru
“take care of yourself, let me know if you need anything.” - iwaizumi
“gonna miss you:(( the best manager!! (i know you’re our only manager but still) - makki
“don’t tell oikawa but i think you’re cooler ;) thanks for being the best, yn!” - mattsun
i’d wanna get high with issei and makki. makki would definitely be the one to start anything sexual between you three though. he’d place his hand on your thigh while you’re taking a hit from the bong, making you drop the lighter as mattsun, who’s suddenly closer than before, starts talking about how your a clutz and he’ll do it for you. which leads to him shot gunning you and…😫.
fluff? a lil angsty on some parts + bc we did jealous!character, so we’re now doing jealous!you + i alternated the people you’re getting jealous of since this is gender-neutral + makki calling issei ‘sleazy whore’ !
wanna suggest some different characters? ; tip! ; wanna be tagged?
he shouldn’t blame you too much. it’s not your fault others have impeccable taste like yours.
AONE TAKANOBU,
it’s not that he’s oblivious, he’s actually very in tune to people’s emotions despite his stoic manner and expressions; he just doesn’t see anybody else worth his full attention but you.
so you were there, freshly off the train as you garner a look around to find your boyfriend— not the most difficult Where’s Waldo since anybody who knows him can spot him from miles away — and it’s been a cold september, the rush of autumn moving in swiftly but calmly as people start to wear thicker outerwear. as your eyes scanned carefully, you had messaged him to move to a warmer spot, like a coffee shop or bookstore, as you know he’d wait for you in front of the station so you could easily spot him. damn the cold and all for you.
you found him at the bookstore, peeking through the sections with his inscrutable expression. as your mouth stretched into a smile, voice ready to call him out— you stopped at another person appearing from the scene and your boyfriend turned. they started conversing, aone’s body expression was very clearly polite, but you know a person attracted when you see it.
you finished staring, rubbing at the straps of your bag for comfort as they exited the scene with scarlet cheeks and your boyfriend holding a business card, inhaling tightly and changing your pout to a smile.
“nobu!”
and just when you thought you could let your insecurities run wild, hand in hand with jealousy, as soon as your boyfriend had looked up— everything in him lit up. his eyes sparkled, his mouth pressed in its familiar thin line, quirk slightly at the edges, and his gaze, as familiar to you as anything else, softened. it always makes your heart skip a beat and you couldn’t help dropping the smile into a pout as you poke his sides.
“you never let me get jealous, do you?”
he blinked at you, confused. “huh?”
you looped your arm against his, snuggling into the warmth he was emitting. “—but if anyone is gonna be brave enough, know that i’m going to defend what’s mine, m’kay?” you tugged a little, because no matter how tall you think you are, your boyfriend is taller, and he’s used to the non-vocal patterns you had established in the early days of your relationship, knowing you meant for him to crouch down enough for you to plant a cheeky kiss on the corner of his mouth, eyes twinkling. “’cos your mine, yeah? well now that we’re here, might as well buy hot chocolate, i think they have a two for one deal! ooh, if they sell walnut cakes we can buy the pack one!”
as you continued to ramble on, the man beside you is blushing from the tips of his ears, whilst his arm that you had looped yourself over, tightened ever so slightly.
‘mine’ was his favourite declaration.
SAKUSA KIYOOMI,
ooh, you know you were being irrational.
but omi was missing his usual kisses. you gave them like you had an abundance in stock, and always just for him with your soft smiles and loving gazes. but pulling out of the parking lot after lunch, you’d usually take his hand and give him a couple of kisses, but right now you were frowning, almost half out of the car as you crossed your arms and nestled against the door.
and truth be told, omi’s not the type to make first move or ask ‘where his kisses’ are, but ten minutes more of the silence without your usual hums, fiddling with the bluetooth so you can play your newest hyper fixation, or taking his hand and giving his knuckles kisses— and he couldn’t take it anymore.
“love?”
“hm?” oh, thank god you’re still answering him.
“are you okay?”
“no,” you mumbled, pouting. he shot you a concerned look. “’am just being silly.”
“silly? can i help?”
you sighed, finally turning to your boyfriend and opening your palm. the relief that he let out is palpable as he placed his hand and you curl your fingers around it, putting it in a crushing grip. “i got jealous.”
his eyebrows shot up. “jealous?”
“the waiter was ogling at you, and they weren’t even trying to be subtle about it.” his mouth twitched and you noticed it right away as you frowned at him. “oh, does that make you happy, sir? should’ve asked for their number maybe?”
he brought his hand, still clasped among your own, and pressed butterfly kisses along your knuckles with a breathy little chuckle. “of course not, my love. i just thought i did something horrific when you weren’t giving me your attention as usual.”
your smile bloomed. “aw, did my omi got needy?”
his scowl was immediate. it made you smile harder. “that’s not what i meant.”
“it’s okay, love makes us a little silly.”
“a little silly, huh?” his held on you tightened as he hummed on his own, thinking he didn’t mind a future with this kind of happiness. didn’t mind love when its this silly, not especially when its with you.
HINATA SHOYO,
a day at the beach and you were frowning. hot under the sun, and sticky underneath several layers of sunscreen.
and your man, despite the bright, dark green board shorts and the god awful orange neon visor you told him he shouldn’t wear, and the thick layer of sunscreen he applied on his nose because he burns so quick— despite it all, he was good looking. almost ridiculously.
the scatter of freckles across his back, his happy little smirk, and his eyes, bright and excited at the feeling of sands on his toes, and the scent and sound of the sea not too far away— everything felt perfect.
almost perfect.
his smile dims into a half smirk at you. it’s half teasing and half frustration. “you really don’t wanna hold my hand, sweetheart?”
“nope, no.” you tighten your crossed arms over your chest, keeping pace but a good space away from him. “not when you look like that.”
“this isn’t that bad.”
you glare at him, pout turning into a point. “you look like a whole ass carrot, sho.”
“hey! i think it’s cute!”
“you are cute.” both of you turn at the unnamed voice, and a confident smiling girl in a cute bikini is stopped in the way. her friends, giggling, were at the side, whispering at each other as she stepped forward, her eyes only to sho as she offered up her phone. “can i have your number?”
he blinks, cheeks tinting. your mouth slackens as you narrow your eyes at the girl in question and her squealing friends.
“well, uh—”
you don’t know what came over you, but you didn’t like the way she was looking at your boyfriend, snatching his arm and pressing a cool hand on his chest. “sorry, he’s got a significant other.”
“oh!” she blushes. “sorry! i just thought—”
“—no, no it’s okay, have a great day!” as she rushes off, shoyo starts chuckling despite the stormy glare plastered on your your face. you shove him off. “having fun, huh? you— sho!” he tugs you back to him, sweat and sunscreen, and tilts your chin so you could see the absolute amusement in his face.
he tilts his chin down and kisses you fully on the mouth. he’s a little loud, sucking on your bottom lip as you blink at him when he pulls away, smirking. “jealous y/n will always be my favourite y/n. told you i look hot.”
HANAMAKI TAKIHIRO,
you didn’t think your crush was going to be this dense.
your flirting had never been thicker, touching his arm, laughing loud at his jokes, and even sharing food you’ve made to your neighbour with a sweet smile and a, ‘i made some extras, thought you’d love some?’
like you made some profiteroles knowing they’re his favourite, fresh and hot. how would he not know you like him?
“he’s playing with you,” your friend muses. “or he doesn’t like you and is trying to actively ignore it until the day you come out and say it.”
you burrow your head on your arms, hiccuping at the beer you’ve consumed with them, now empty and littering your coffee table. you weren’t drunk yet, nearing it by your hiccups. “then what am i supposed to do?”
“confess? yeet your shit to his face?”
“i don’t want to—hic! — yeet my shit to his face.” you frown at her. then check the time before scrambling to stand up, vertigo hitting but pushing away in favour of going after your recycled bins.
“what—where are you going?”
“gotta throw the trash!”
“he throws his trash at this time too, huh?” your friend snorts, waving you off. “good luck!”
life would be so easier if you weren’t so easily flustered, hiking up your bin, darting cautiously around to notice any signs of your very good looking neighbour— only to hear a chorus of laughter. your heart stutters in your chest as you see the familiar head of peach hair and a taller, more impressionable person. dark hair, lowered eyelids, and pulled smirk.
and your chest aches as you notice how close and easy they seem to be, random banter up in the air before makki stops a few spaces before the landing, gesturing something you can’t hear as you slink deeper into the shadows of the bins, calling yourself stupid, stupid of course he’s dating someone that good looking, holy fuck, now you look like a stalker hiding by the trash— his lover pulls his hair back to kiss his forehead and your jealousy spikes to burn your eyelids.
unfortunately for you and the alcohol still in your system, the shock has you hiccuping in an area where echoes seem to neuter. both boys turn their heads toward your general direction and you swear, you hope the ground could swallow you up and spit you out dead.
“. . . y/n?” makki asks, squinting until you groan, straighten up, maybe slap yourself in the face a little, and meekly met them under better lightning with the most awkward smile and disposition known to mankind.
“hi, hi, sorry about that. it’s trash day.” you wince. “hi makki and boyfriend!”
they both blink, slow. sharing a look until the dark man lets out a little chuckle, deep and rough, before he smacks a wet kiss to makki’s lips, making you gasp at the very blatant show of affection you had to turn away.
makki pulls away with a scramble and a smack to the other man’s face, glaring daggers as he spat and wiped his mouth. “fuck you, ‘ssei!”
“love you too, baby.” he winks. he turns to your shocked face. “we’re not together but it is adorable how makki’s little crush might think so.”
you blink. makki scowls at him. “fuck off.”
“aight, aight, you kids have fun.” he winks at you again. “don’t do somethin’ i wouldn’t do.”
“we won’t, you sleazy whore.” he rubs his face again as the other man retreated back, turning to you with a little frown. “i thought you know how i felt about you. i certainly knew how you felt about me.” as you gape at him like a fish, he steps closer, smile soft but smirky at the same time. clearly enjoying your flustered little look. “was just waiting for the prettiest profiterole maker to say somethin’ so i could do somethin’ about it.”
No warnings just fluff. Well, the usage of the pet name “babe”
It's true that Makki couldn't hold down a job. He gave various reasons, some blaming his bosses, others simply stating that the job just wasn't a good fit, but all said with such flourish and detail that many were sure they were all outlandish lies. To everyone that knew him they were simply excuses to not work harder than he had to. Of course with this came people’s perception of him being frivolous, noncommittal and irresponsible, but that wasn't the case–at least not as far as you were concerned.
When you met him he was working as a barista at the cafe near your job. He had planned on putting in his notice that day and you–you had decided to grab some tea for the first time on your way to work. You were running late and didn't have time to make some at home, something that was somewhat of a morning ritual for you. The cafe was pretty popular, one your co-workers were always insisting you go try, but coffee was never your thing and when it came to tea selection, many places were lacking.
With popularity came long lines and soon you found yourself wondering if you had been better off just making tea at home instead of listening to the women in front of you gawking at the barista. You paid them no mind, you just wanted your tea. The line moved faster than expected and before you knew it you stood face to face with the handsome barista everyone was swooning over. You had to admit he was very good to look at and unsuspectedly charming. With a smile like his you knew you were going to end up sacrificing your morning ritual for a new one.
Makki didn't put his notice in that day and as predicted you found yourself becoming a regular at the cafe, even on your days off–always making excuses to go there. You knew his schedule at that point, you almost wish you didn't because quite frankly it just made you look creepy. You tried to appear as if you were working, but he had caught you on more than one occasion as your eyes wandered and then settled on him. His cocky smirk should’ve made you roll your eyes on instinct and groan, but instead it had you feeling the flutter of a hundred butterflies’ wings inside your stomach. Why were you like this? You weren’t a teenager anymore.
On Makki's last day he offered you a free drink and his number. With a brush of your fingers and a blush on your face, you took the drink from him. “I’m not much of a barista. From the looks you give when you drink your tea, I always steep it for too long or not long enough. But I promise if you call me I can give you something better than tea.” It was also your last day there.
You started dating soon after, every day with him was a whirlwind; full of laughs and soon enough full of passion. In what felt like no time you met his friends and family. Everyone welcomed you with open arms. You were an unexpected, yet much needed, addition to his life. You were the stability and support he both needed and craved. You learned everything there was about each other and yet things always remained new and fresh. You grew together.
You had offered to move in with him, but he was reluctant at first– insisting that he find another job first because he didn't want you contributing more than you had to. You didn't want to hear it, his rent was far cheaper than yours and there was the added benefit of having him with you everyday. Plus, no more late night booty calls.
During the times when he was in between jobs he did everything he could to make your life easier. He learned to cook, he cleaned and he helped you relax when you got home. He spoiled you rotten and you felt like a selfish asshole every time he started to work again. But despite all that, when he got home–no matter how tired he was he always offered to cook for you.
"Hiro, come on. You know I was planning on doing it."
"It's fine, babe. It relaxes me. It just makes me feel complete, you know."
The Makki you knew was far from the one everyone else did. He might put on that laissez-faire attitude for everyone else, but with you, he was always intent on making you proud and everything he did he did with the utmost care and dedication.
Eventually he found a job that suited him, something that made him feel like he could finally settle down. And that's exactly what he planned on doing as he searched for a better home for you two. Insisting that now that you were both working you needed a home that reflected your security. Everything he did made your heart swell. Hanamaki Takahiro was simply the man of your dreams, the man you never thought you'd have or even deserved.
Despite conflicting schedules you managed to find time to look at apartments, settling on one an equal distance between both your jobs.
Unbeknownst to you, your dutiful boyfriend took a day off to spruce up the place after you moved in. You were at work and all you could think about was soaking in that huge tub in your new apartment. Your phone buzzed in your pocket, angrily pulling you away from your one moment of respite before your damned deadline.
"When are you headed home?"
"Never. I decided I'm going to live at work."
"Dammit, and here I was thinking that we found our dream apartment. It's the cafe next door, huh? I promise my tea brewing skills have improved. But I can still make coffee. I know you like it, I’ve seen you drink mine when you think I’m not looking."
"Ok, you've convinced me. I should be leaving in an hour or so."
"Gotcha. I'll be waiting."
"After all that, I better hope so. Love you, Hiro."
"Love you too, babe"
By the time you arrived home you were too hyper fixated on that bath that the soft lighting of the apartment and music playing went by unnoticed . You kicked off your shoes and groaned as you hung up your jacket.
"Hiro?" You scanned the apartment but your boyfriend was nowhere in sight.
"I'm in the bathroom." Perfect because that's exactly where you wanted to be right now. To say you were stunned would be an understatement when you had walked in to see the soft glow of candles surrounding your large bathtub. The gentle aroma of cherry blossoms tickled your nose as you bent over the tub to see the bath bombs fizzling away, a beautiful mix of reds and pinks spiraling around each other in the warm water. The only thing missing from this scene that he had set was rose petals.
"What's going on, Hiro?"
"Can't I spoil my one true love?" He teased as he stepped closer, his hand on your lower back as he pressed a kiss to your cheek.
"You're so lame."
"But you love it." He was right, you did love it. "Enjoy your bath, I have some things to fix up and I'll join you in a bit." It had been a while since you had bathed with him– your last tub offered you little to no room for such intimate moments. You had found yourselves getting a hotel room for the night when you both wanted to really indulge in each other.
You were nearly asleep in the tub by the time you felt the water displace and his slender body slip behind you.
"Hello," he whispered in your ear as he pulled you flush against his chest.
"Hello," You repeated, resting your head against him as he interlaced his fingers with yours.
"I've got something for you," he whispered before kissing you just behind the ear.
"Hiro, come on. You don't have to keep doing this. I love you, but save your money."
"You're not the boss of me."
"I can be, if you want," you press your ass against his crotch. “I bet I can give you better perks too.”
"Demon," he moaned as he nipped at your ear. "But seriously, I promise this will be the last thing I give you for a while. At least the last big thing."
"Fine."
"Ok, close your eyes."
"If I do, I might just end up falling asleep," you laugh.
"Indulge me."
As soon as you closed your eyes you felt him turning behind you. Whatever it was you reminded yourself to make sure it was the last thing he ever got you for another year.
"Ok, open your eyes." A suffocating silence filled the bathroom making Makki’s chest tighten as panic started to settle into his bones. He kept telling himself it was too much of a big gesture and too soon, that you were probably upset that he pulled a stunt like this while you were naked in a tub with him after a long day at work. He fucked up, he was sure of it.
"Hanamaki Takahiro, are you serious? This is a joke, it has to be." You turn around to look at him and the tears lining his lash line said everything they needed to.
"Really?" You start to blink back your own tears. He only nods as his start to stream down his face. "Will you do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me? And possibly let me put the ring on your finger before my hand gets tired and I drop it in the water?"
"Yes, loser. I'll marry you. But I also kinda like to just see you hold out the ring for a while longer."
"Babe," he whined.
"You really didn't need to buy me a ring, Hiro."
"Yes I did. I want to show you and everyone that I’m committed to you and a future with you. You've given me so much and you've done so much for me when I didn't deserve it. You stood by me when many would've left me behind. I promise you that I'll be the man you deserve."
“Hiro…you already are. You've always been the man that I deserved."
