THE FINAL CHAPTER!!!
Iwaizumi was released from the infirmary two days later. During that time, Oikawa experienced his most peaceful hours since arriving at the prison. He wasn't looking over his shoulder in fear of being attacked, by Kuroo or anyone else. He didn't know what Kuroo had said about him, but it seemed that many of the other inmates had suddenly decided to keep their distance from Oikawa. The only acknowledgement that he received from Block Three during that time was when Kuroo offered him a courteous nod when they nearly ran into each other in the breakfast line.
It was nice. Oikawa thought maybe his sentence wouldn't be so bad if things continued on like this.
He'd ducked inside to use the bathroom and was heading back out to the yard when he saw him, walking at a slow pace down the hallway, his left arm held closely against his side. He stopped when he saw Oikawa, and when he smiled, it wasn't just by half.
"Hajime." Oikawa's eyes scrunched at the corners from the stretch of his smile. "You're alive."
Iwaizumi snorted. "I knew you wouldn't let me rest if I died."
"You were right." Oikawa drew closer, studying him. Iwaizumi didn't look bad, considering. There were shadows beneath his eyes, and a darker one on his jaw from his inability to shave, but other than that, he was the same. "You look good for a man who was stabbed."
"What a compliment." Iwaizumi rolled his eyes. He moved closer, brushing against Oikawa's shoulder, and stared out the window at the yard. He didn't have to say who he was looking for. Oikawa knew. "What kind of bullshit has Kuroo been up to?"
Oikawa stepped up beside him, although he didn't look out the window. He couldn't take his eyes off of Iwaizumi. "Don't worry about him. It's taken care of."
"What do you mean, taken care of?"
"I mean he won't mess with you anymore. Any of us. Don't worry about it, Hajime."
"The fuck did you-"
"Want to go for a walk? I have a present for you."
Iwaizumi's stare narrowed into a glare. Oikawa expected him to protest, to demand an answer, but Iwaizumi gave in with a sigh. "Yeah, whatever."
They went out to the yard together, and the sunlight was suddenly brighter, with Iwaizumi there. The basketball court, reserved for Block Two that day, erupted into a cheer when Iwaizumi stepped outside. He raised a hand in acknowledgment and staked out a slow pace around the walking path alongside Oikawa.
Oikawa scanned the yard for guards. The only one there was Kageyama, and he wasn't a concern. Oikawa slipped a small box out of the waistband of his pants and pressed it into Iwaizumi's hand with a smile.
Iwaizumi stopped walking to stare at it, then looked up at Oikawa, skeptical. "How the fuck did you get menthol cigarettes?"
Oikawa shrugged. "Anything for you, Hajime. Here, Mattsun gave me some matches."
Iwaizumi glanced toward Kageyama, who was looking everywhere but at the pair of them. Oikawa didn't mention that it was the guard himself who'd smuggled the cigarettes in, alongside the switchblade that was tucked away inside a freshly cut hole in Oikawa's mattress. He didn't plan to mention the switchblade at all.
Iwaizumi struck a match to light his cigarette. He tucked it between his lips and inhaled, eyes falling closed in smoky bliss. "Fuck, that's good."
"You really should quit, though," said Oikawa. "It's bad for you."
"Yeah, I know." Iwaizumi tapped off a bit of ash. "When I get out I'm not smoking anymore. I'll have better shit to spend my money on."
Thinking about that was bittersweet. Oikawa didn't want Iwaizumi to go, but he'd made sure there wouldn't be any barriers standing in his way. Iwaizumi deserved to have a life, even if Oikawa was unable to be part of it.
