Always: A TsukkiYama Story

Chapter One

One morning, Yamaguchi Tadashi is on his way to school, taking the scenic route to Tsukishima Kei's house. He picks Tsukishima up every day so they can walk to school together. Yamaguchi really enjoys Tsukishima's company, as he is Yamaguchi's only real friend, but he gets the feeling that Tsukishima is annoyed with him. Yamaguchi knows he is clingy, but can't help it. He has admired Tsukishima since the day they met, when Tsukishima called Yamaguchi and the people bullying him lame. Even though Tsukishima has always been a little harsh towards Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi still loves him.

Yamaguchi looks at the sparkling, crashing ocean waves as he walks. He smiles, and the morning breeze ruffles his hair. He tries to pat down his cowlick, but it is as stubborn as ever. Yamaguchi keeps walking and soon reaches Tsukishima's house.

"Good morning, Tsukki!" Yamaguchi smiles and waves as Tsukishima exits his house.
"Hey, Yamaguchi," He replies.

Yamaguchi looks at him. "Your hair looks really nice today. N-not that it doesn't look nice every day, I just meant that-"

"My hair is the same as always, Tadashi."

"Oh. Sorry, Tsukki."

Yamaguchi looks at the ground, and they start walking. When they get to school, they head to the volleyball club room to change for morning practice. Tsukishima unbuttons his school shirt and grabs his volleyball jersey. Yamaguchi blushes next to him and thinks don't look, be cool. He steals a glance anyway and immediately regrets it. Tsukishima catches his eye.
"Why are you looking at me?" He asks.

"I-I'm sorry, I just... I was wondering if you've b-been working out more lately...."

Tsukishima snorts. "Yeah, right. Why would I exercise any more than we do at practice?"

"I don't know... Your muscles just look more, um, developed."

"Oh. Uh, thanks, I guess." Tsukishima blushes and goes back to changing. Yamaguchi avoids looking at him and changes quickly. But Yamaguchi isn't aware that Tsukishima is also looking at Yamaguchi's muscles.

When the two finish changing, they head into the gym, where the rest of their teammates are already sweating and working hard. Kageyama Tobio is yelling at Hinata Shoyo, Tanaka Ryuunosuke and Nishinoya Yuu are working on receives, and Azumane Asahi is working on serves. Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koshi are helping Ennoshita Chikara, Narita Kazuhito, and Kinoshita Hisashi with spikes.

"I should probably work on my serves," Yamaguchi says.

"You do that. I guess I should work on blocking," Tsukishima sighs. Yamaguchi goes next to Asahi and grabs a ball. Tsukishima gets distracted watching him practice until Daichi tells him to get moving.

The team spends the next half hour practicing, and then takes a break. Yamaguchi takes a drink of water, and Tsukishima sits down on the bench in front of him, panting.
"Are you okay, Tsukki?" Yamaguchi asks.

"Y-yeah... I'm fine..."

"You should have a drink, my man," Tanaka interjects.

Tsukishima shakes his head. "I left my water bottle at home."

"You can use mine." Yamaguchi hands him the bottle.

"Th-thanks..." He takes a long drink.

"Ooh, that's indirect kissing." Nishinoya teases.

Yamaguchi's face goes red, and Tsukishima stops drinking. He hands the bottle back to Yamaguchi, avoiding his eyes and blushing slightly.

"He's just joking," Tanaka laughs. "I bet you guys haven't ever actually kissed someone, right?"

"I bet you haven't, either. Kiyoko isn't desperate enough for that." Tsukishima smirks.

"Not cool, man!" Nishinoya says. "We'll get our kisses from our precious Kiyoko someday!"

Yamaguchi fidgets with the bottle in his hands. "Y-you're right, Tanaka, I haven't kissed anybody..."

"I could tell, dude. I mean, no offence, but you're not exactly the hottest guy at school." Tanaka shrugs.

Nishinoya adds, "Ryu's right. You've got the cowlick thing going on, and you aren't exactly ripped. Plus, you've got a lot of freckles-"

Tsukishima stands up quickly, towering over Nishinoya and Tanaka. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Those things don't make Yamaguchi unattractive, they make him who he is. And don't mention his freckles ever again, got it?"

"Calm down, Tsukishima. We were just joking with him." Tanaka says.

"I don't care. At least he isn't five feet tall, and at least he actually has hair."

Suga and Daichi exchange worried glances.

"Let's just calm down, everybody," Daichi says.

Tsukishima rolls his eyes, and luckily, the bell rings at that moment.

"Saved by the bell," Suga mutters.

Tsukishima is the first one out of the gym. He grabs his clothes from the club room and heads into the school.

Yamaguchi rushes after him, not bothering to change. "Tsukki, aren't you going to put on your uniform?"

Tsukishima doesn't stop walking. "I'll change in the bathroom. Things would have been awkward with everybody in the club room."

Yamaguchi grabs his arm. Tsukishima turns around to face him, noticing the sweat dripping from Yamaguchi's face and the pale pink in his cheeks. Tsukishima blushes and looks out the hallway window.
"What?" He asks dryly.

"Thank you for sticking up for me. I really appreciate it."

"It was nothing. You know how much I enjoy telling those two off."

"It wasn't nothing, you helped me. Just like the day we met." Yamaguchi smiles and hugs him.

Tsukishima blushes, and rolls his eyes to hide his embarrassment. "I'm gonna be late for class, so..."

"O-oh, yeah. Sorry." Yamaguchi releases him. Tsukishima straightens his clothes.

"See you later, Yamaguchi," He says as he heads off to the bathroom.

"Bye, Tsukki," Yamaguchi says, watching him walk away. He smiles to himself.