Akaashi's 18th (and the events that followed...)

10. Awkward

Daichi and Iwazumi walked a few steps behind Suga and Oikawa in a comfortable silence, until Iwaizumi sighed and broke it. "I didn't know they were friends."

Daichi turned, surprised at the sudden interruption, and caught Iwaizumi eyeing the two men walking in front of them with a narrowed gaze. But - as it usually was with the ex-Sejohs - Daichi couldn't quite figure out what he was thinking.

"They were both extremely intelligent setters in high school." Daichi offered. "They had this weird energy, like they both knew what the other was thinking, and then they tried to outdo that."

Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow. "I was thinking that too. Sugawara was one of Tooru's most interesting opponent; he told me that when you were playing at the finals with Shiratorizawa." Daichi clenched his jaw, sparing a glance towards Iwaizumi to scan his expression. Iwaizumi seemed to pick up on it, as he added, "I'm not the one sour about it. I never was. I was just..."

"Angry?"

"Yeah. I wanted to do my best for Tooru. This life... it's his dream, not mine. I let him down. Badly."

"You didn't. The match could've easily gone the other way. That's just how it went," Daichi offered.

"That's what was so frustrating." Iwaizumi's jaw was set in a grimace. Now would be a good time to change the subject. Luckily, Iwaizumi did so himself. "What's going on with you and Sugawara, anyway?"

"Ah, we just 'got together' tonight I guess." Daichi felt his cheeks heat up. It felt strange for Iwaizumi to be the first person to know about him and Suga. "We've been going to the same college because it's close to both of us, so we've been able to stay together easily. What about you?" He asked politely, if not a little stiffly.

"Studying in California for a joint kinesiology and athletic training degree. Doing my masters afterwards, then maybe... I know I'm not good enough to be a pro volleyball player, although I've never wanted to be one. But I do like the thought of helping others achieve that dream, being a trainer or something. Then I'd still get to be around that buzz, you know, the one that kind of... surrounds volleyball."

"Yeah I do know." Daichi sighed and looked up; the energy of a team, a group formed to support and look out for each other, all aligned and united with a common goal. That was truly irreplaceable. However, he didn't elaborate. "California huh? That's pretty far," He stopped to lean against the railings of the bridge. "What about Oikawa?"

"Training in Argentina for a club team."

"Wow, so you two are quite far away."
Iwaizumi looked away, his expression darkening. Daichi coughed slightly, panicking. "Err, but - well, you both seem to be doing the whole long-distance relationship thing pretty well."

"Relationship? Shittykawa and I aren't an item, if that's what you're thinking."

"You're not?" Daichi was genuinely surprised. "I always thought... even in high school..."

"Not everyone is as willing to stake everything they have, captain." Iwaizumi's tone had turned cold. "Sorry," he said after a beat. "That definitely struck a nerve."

"How's it going with him then? If you don't mind me asking."

Iwaizumi let out a thorough sigh, and Daichi noticed the deepening creases between his eyebrows. "He just keeps on sending me selfies of him, asking if he is any more tanned, then sometimes he'll call me for an hour or so. We agreed to come back to Japan to see our families - and each other - in person over the winter holidays for a week, and during the spring for two weeks. It hasn't even been a full week, and he has to be back. Tonight's our last night staying together." His voice sounded raw to Daichi's ears, who put his hand on Iwaizumi's back. The man glanced back at him slowly.

"It's probably not my place to say," Daichi began, "but if you want my opinion, you'd have great chemistry whether you were dating or not. Don't stress, let things come naturally. But don't," he leaned closer, locking eyes with the taller boy, "under any circumstances, lose a relationship as strong as yours. It's worth way too much."

Iwaizumi scoffed, and Daichi caught him staring ahead at where Oikawa was leaning casually over the bridge's railings. If it weren't for the deceiving darkness, Daichi would have sworn that he noticed a slight pink undertone to Iwaizumi's cheeks. "You don't need to tell me that."

(Word count: 751)
(Total word count: 13,199)*
*(Total count does not include author notes)

Author's note:
Ack! Sorry this one is probably a little too short. The next one will definitely be longer (and as you can probably guess, it's an iwaoi one) :)