Iwaoi | Damaged

Chapter five: "Signals"

Oikawa gasped and pulled out his camera again to take another picture.
Iwaizumi rose a large tree leave from his face, squinting his left eye. The sun was bright, casting a yellow glow over the dew that clung heavily to the trees and flowers.

Oikawa was enjoying himself. Taking nonstop pictures and wasting Iwaizumi's film. But he didn't care.
"These plants are beautiful."

He knelt down and grazed lightly at the cardinal blossoms. That smile never once leaving his face. Iwaizumi smirked and kneeled down beside him.
The flowers were grouped meticulously. Camellias, Orchids, and Willows were lined along the thick cheery wood bridge that led out of Tsutsujigaoka park to a lavish resort and hotel.

"Do you wanna take pictures Iwa-chan?" The sun gleamed upon Oikawa like fairy dust, giving him a divine appearance. His brown eyes flashed and sparkled so, like the stars. He took off the camera strap and handed it to Iwaizumi, who snapped out of his trance. "I, uh..." He shook his head and shoved his hands in his pockets offensively. "Your better at it than I am." He wasn't going to tell him that he looked good taking them.

Oikawa smiled and walked further down the trail to take pictures of the Japanese Plums and Maples that gathered at the Azalia trees.

Iwaizumi followed suit. His eyes wandered over to a traditional, small well built hut structure. Instinctively he started for it. The winds were serene, sounds of water flowing through the steam made the atmosphere tranquil.

At closer inspection Iwaizumi realized that the hut was large and that it was actually a shrine. A mid-sized statue of Ko-no-Hana stood at the center.

If he remembered correctly she was the blossom princess and goddess of earthly life.
Different colored lotus tread delicately over the crystal clear water. Iwaizumi bent over and plucked a pink one from the edge of the stream.

"Found ya." Oikawa jogged lightly towards the edge of the stream, meeting Iwaizumi. He handed Oikawa the flower that he'd taken from the mouth of the pond.

He said nothing and twirled the wet flower in his hand by the sturdy stem. A nostalgic or melancholic, to be more precise, expression crossed his face.

"What's wrong?"
Iwaizumi leaned forward, his elbows embedding his knees.
"I was just thinking how a year ago we didnt spend my birthday together. It means a lot to me,thank you."

    Considering how they hadn't really hung out that much with Iwaizumi's work and school. Not to mention the flimsy time he spent with Sado. Tomorrow was Oikawa's birthday. And this unexpected surprise from Iwaizumi made him even more exited for the next day.

    Iwaizumi's face flushed. Though he didn't evade Oikawa's eyes. They sat side by side watching the water leave the shrine and the lotus that floated down the man made stream. Oikawa's head rested on Iwaizumi's shoulder. Their hands intertwined as they watched as people made their way from the park over the bridge.

    Suddenly Oikawa's hand gripped Iwaizumi's. From the corner of his eye he could see him close his eyes and bite his bottom lip.
                     Is he in pain?
    Just as quickly as it happened it stopped. "Iwa-chan, look." He eagerly motioned towards the horizon, redirecting Iwaizumi's attention.

    "You really love sunsets," He chuckled. Oikawa nodded and nuzzled closer to Iwaizumi. The sun hung over the top of the mountain. Hues of orange and dark purple loomed above the glassy ice caps.

    "Lets go to the bridge."

Lanterns flickered on one by one. Illuminating a path down the walkway towards the edge of the park. Oikawa stood up, managing three steps before he buckled to the ground.