Garden Walks [Yamaguchi x Tsukishima]

01

Yamaguchi had never been the type to sleep well. He would have awful nightmares that would leave him waking up in a cold sweat every night. This occurrence had been going on now for as long as he remembered

Now, he just preferred to stay awake as long as he could, waiting until he passed out from pure exhaustion. He could go four or five night without sleep now, but it left dark circles under his eyes and made him groggy. He lasted on energy drinks.

Tonight, though, he had a reason to sleep. He would be going to the esteemed Aoba Johsai High, a start at a new life.

He didn't want the bags under his eyes to be noticed, so he figured he would try sleeping tonight. He popped a melatonin pill into his mouth and laid down.

Yamaguchi grabbed the tiny stegosaurus plush he had found abandoned at a park years earlier, probably left behind by some kid and slowly forgotten as the years went on.

He cuddled the plush close, because usually it helped him fall asleep faster, but it didn't help with the nightmares.

He tossed and turned for what seemed like hours, which was actually only forty-seven minutes, making up every possible scenario in his head for how the next day would turn out until he fell asleep.

Hundreds of people surrounded him, calling him awful names. Each person had their own taunt for him.

"You're not good enough to be in the volleyball club."

"He's not even good enough to be breathing."

"Those acne scars? Gross."

"Have you seen his hair color? What even is that? Looks like swamp water."

They were closing in on him, and there was no way for him to get away. He curled into a ball on the floor as they got louder and louder, until all he could do was feel his eardrums shatter into pieces.

He woke up covering his ears, the dinosaur plush thrown across the room.

•••

Aoba Johsai wasn't far from where he lived, it was a good walking distance, about a thirty minute walk. He had time.

The walk was more of a jog, since running would make him sweaty, and walking would take him too long. Plus, he wanted a warmup.

Self doubt loomed at every corner he turned at. From, "you're not good enough to attend this school," to, "you'll never make the volleyball team, theres many players way better than you."

He tried to be positive, he really did. Trying his best would be enough to get into the volleyball club, right?

In no time, he could already see the school. He felt like he wasted all his time walking there thinking of awful things, instead of calming himself down.

He did a quick breathing exercise and then headed towards the main building with his schedule.

Almost as soon as he got to the entrance, he heard girls shrieking on his left. He turned to look at them, and there was a whole crowd.

"Huh?" He wondered aloud, "I hope they're okay."

He walked towards the crowd of frantic girls, and realized a boy was at the center of them.

He was huge compared to them, with brown fluffy hair and a school uniform with a tan colored sweater under it.

"Oh, Oikawa! You're so handsome."

"Can you put your number in my phone?"

"Could you walk me to my next class? I'm still learning my way around."

"Oikawa? Wasn't that the captain of the volleyball team?" Yamaguchi asked himself.

He continued to approach the crowd, but he stopped before he got too close. He didn't want Oikawa to think he was weird. That was, until Oikawa and him made eye contact.

Yamaguchi looked away quickly. "That was awkward," he thought as he turned to leave.

"I'm sorry ladies, I have to get to class," Oikawa said as he maneuvered away from the girls.

"Hey, wait up!" Oikawa called.

Yamaguchi hoped he wasn't calling for him, but just to make sure, he turned around. Unfortunately, Oikawa was sprinting up to him.

"Oh, hi," Yamaguchi said, grateful his voice didn't quiver. He hoped Oikawa wasn't mad at him over something, that would be a bad start to the year.

Oikawa smiled at him and waved.

"So what's your name? Are you a first year?" Oikawa's voice was cheerful and sweet, but Yamaguchi couldn't tell if he was putting on an act or not.

"Uh, yeah, I'm Yamaguchi Tadashi."

"Didn't you sign up for the volleyball club? Your name sounds super familiar," Oikawa said as he leaned his arm on Yamaguchi's shoulder.

Yamaguchi nodded. "Yeah I signed up, I'm not a prodigy or anything, just your average player."

"Everyone says that, you just need practice, with you on our side we'll make it to nationals," Oikawa smiled. "I'll see you at practice, Yamaguchi."

•••

Four o'clock rolled around, so Yamaguchi headed to the gymnasium. He had already changed into his volleyball clothes.

He opened up the doors and the squeaked, which drew way too much attention to him. He flushed pink and apologized for the noise.

"Hey! Yamaguchi! You're right on time," he heard Oikawa's voice call.

"Oh, I didn't think you'd remember me," Yamaguchi smiled. No one had really remembered his name before, or even talked to him nicely.

"Who's that, Oikawa?" An unfamiliar voice asked. He had dark spiked hair, and was a little bit shorter than Oikawa.

"It's a first year, Yamaguchi Tadashi. I think he'll make a great addition to the team! Whaddya think, Iwa?"

"Well, I haven't seen him play, so how would I know?"

Oikawa chuckled and slapped Iwa on the shoulder.

Oikawa and Yamaguchi made small talk for a few minutes, and then Oikawa told all the members of the team to sit down in a line.

"Hello everyone! Welcome to the volleyball club, I'm the captain of the team, and that man over there," he pointed to an older man with brown hair, "is your coach, Irihata."

Coach Irihata waved from where he was, and then made his way over the the boys. Oikawa sat down.

"You boys will get to know each other better over time, so today we're going to just do some easy stuff. We'll be doing passes," Coach Irihata said and ushered the boys to stand up.

He began assigning the boys partners. Yamaguchi was partnered up with another first year named Kunimi.

"I'm Yamaguchi."

"Kunimi."

They passed for a while, barely speaking. Yamaguchi noticed Kunimi didn't move from his spot to try and catch the ball. If he couldn't reach it from where he was, he would let it drop.

"Alright," The coach's voice boomed, " Tomorrow we'll be practicing our spikes. You did good today."

Everyone began to go home, but before Yamaguchi left, Oikawa approached him.

"I watched you today," Oikawa said.

Yamaguchi was a little confused. "Oh, okay. Thank you."

Oikawa laughed, "Thank you? Anyways, I think you did good. I'm glad to have you on the team."

Yamaguchi smiled and went home.

He slept well that night.

•••
a/n: hiiii!! sorry this chapter is a bit short, but i hoped you liked it! i promise the other people will come up soon!!!