Talk is cheap

It was a Wednesday, the morning sun was slightly warmer than usual for the time of year but it was an ordinary Wednesday. Yamaguchi jogged the final few metres from the corner to the large tree where Tsukishima was waiting.

He slowed down when he was close enough to the blond to give him a smile, instantly noticing how his shoulders were drawn in and his headphones were on. Tsukishima didn't smile back, he didn't need to, his best friend knew he was glad to see him.

On a normal day, Tsukishima would push his headphones down to his neck or at least, stand tall. Tadashi thought to himself 'maybe this isn't an ordinary day after all.'

This wasn't something that people saw from Tsukishima often. He was human, he had his bad days, he hated crowds, new environments, unfamiliar people and anything that is different from exactly what he expects. Even if people did see this side of Tsukishima, it's unlikely that they would be able to pick up on it. Yamaguchi had a back for reading people and after being friends with the other boy for so long, the tiny cues in his behaviour and actions were just as communicative as if he'd used words.

He softened his smile, making sure that his friend still saw it and positioned himself close enough to give comfort but not close enough that their arms would brush.

He stayed quiet knowing that sometimes on bad days, his friend could be overwhelmed by stimulus. Even when they got to school, he made sure to push him away from where the other first years with a gentle touch to his elbow, instead they passed Suga and Daichi where they were sitting on a bench.

The third years gave them warm smiles which Yamaguchi returned.

They sat in silence all day, mostly secluded from the rest of the world as per Kei's unvoiced request. Yamaguchi also didn't leave his side, the two more attached at the hip than usual.

Tsukishima was grateful that he had his best friend. He was grateful that he could ask for things he needed without even having to take the energy to use words. He was always grateful for this but especially on days like this where everything was just a little bit much.

Eventually, at the end of the day, hidden under a tree instead of at practice, Tsukishima let his head fall to Yamaguchi's shoulder. The other boy remained careful, not initiating any more contact than the taller boy was readily giving.

Yamaguchi could infer many things from this tiny bit of contact. Firstly, that his friend felt safe with him, that he was seeking comfort and that there was something he wanted to talk about but he didn't know how to bring it up. Tsukishima didn't like not knowing things, he wasn't a gossip but he did need to know everything that was going on. He needed to find answers to every possible question. He was hiding his face, subtly, most likely subconsciously, which could be because he was embarrassed about not knowing how to start up the conversation but it could also be because he's afraid of something.

Additionally, on days like this, Tsukishima relied on a very different set of rules. Ordinarily, physical contact was something easy between them, not necessarily meaningless, but not quite so purposefully meaningful. This particular touch was Kei's way of reaching for help, the first step, leaving the second step, actually verbally starting the conversation to Tadashi.

It took Tadashi all of two and a half seconds to work this out. "What happened?" He asks, keeping his voice soft enough that the only reason his friend hears it at all is because he's listening out for it.

"I went to the supermarket with my mother last night and I... bumped into someone from school," He sits up straight as he says this. His eyes flickering briefly to the road as if looking for an escape. It was the briefest flicker but it told Yamaguchi that his friend didn't want to be having this conversation. He doesn't say anything, letting his friend speak at his own pace.