After the match against Shiratorizawa, Tanaka and Suga tease Tsukishima about the "sexual tension" between him and Tendou.
"The tension wasn't 'sexual.' We were in the middle of a game, everyone was on edge."
The others knew that the tension was different. They could all sense it, even Kageyama and Hinata. It went from Tendou targeting the ball to him targeting Tsukishima, though the blonde hadn't lost focus on the game.
He did make sure to get his taunting in, of course, but Tsukishima paid no mind to anything else. Had he really not felt the tension?
As they left the gym, Karasuno ran into Shiratorizawa sans Ushijima. Tendou kept his eyes on Tsukishima the whole time, without a hint of anger or hatred- which the others had expected.
Nobody really knows how or when, but Tendou ended up with Tsukishima's phone number (most suspected Hinata). Tsukishima was annoyed with the texts from Tendou at first, but he hadn't blocked him or told him to stop texting, either.
The two talked more and more, and eventually they spent time together in person.
It hurt quite a bit when Tsukishima spent his last day possible with Tendou before the redhead left for France, but he knew that it was for the best.
The two talked almost every day after Tendou left, but slowly their conversations dwindled as Tsukishima had more responsibilities as a second year and college became more intense for Tendou.
The two stopped talking several times a day and now it was rare that they texted more than oncd every three days or called at all.
But one night after a particularly bad day in class, and after receiving a low mark on a project, Tendou scrolled through his phone to see who he could vent to.
He knew that Ushijima would be in practice, that Goshiki didn't like talking on the phone, that Semi was probably at work. He knew that his options were limited and just as he was about to give up, He saw Tsukishima's name on his screen.
He clicked their message history, something that hadn't been updated in a couple weeks now. It had now been a year since the two had first started talking, and to see that friendship dwindle so fast was like a jab to the heart.
Tendou sent a quick text to the blonde, asking if he was able to talk at the moment. Luckily for him, Tsukishima had a free period, so they texted for a bit until the younger suggested they just call.
"Mr. Vanilla."
"Guess Monster."
"It's been so long, what the *fuck* Tsukki??"
Tsukki chuckled then.
"It really has, hasn't it Sato-chan?"
The two spoke for a bit, and Tsukki even decided to skip his last class for the day because he missed his obnoxious friend.
They talked about anything and everything. They each ranted about school, about volleyball and chocolate, about the new Shonen Jump.
"Tsukki?"
"Yeah, Sato-chan?"
"You make me want to be a better person, when a year ago I thought I could not."
"Sato-chan, I-"
"I wish I had asked you on a date then, y'know? I wish Japan weren't so fucking far away and I wish I could spend time with you again. Did you know Waka asked me if we were dating?"
Tsukki was silent for a few moments, not sure how to respond. He stood in place, frozen though his cheeks were warm.
"That would've been nice, Sato."
"It would've, wouldn't it?"
