After All These Years (Iwaoi)

Time Heals all Wounds... is a Decade Enough?

My dearest Iwaizumi,

You finally found this one huh? I'm glad no one got curious and bought this letter out of the machine. I'm sorry to bring up old wounds but I'm afraid I'm going to have to. The next spot I want you to go to is our old apartment. 431, that was our number... incase you forgot. 

Oh no. Back to their old apartment meant back to the spot where Iwaizumi had wished he never saw Oikawa again. To the place where they had loved, and laughed, and fought, and loved again. How could Iwaizumi ever forget the place where he lost the love of his life? 

It's under the door. I called ahead to the receptionist. No one's living there right now. In fact I think they're considering demolishing that building to make newer apartments. Better see it while you can Iwa-chan.

See you,

Tooru Oikawa

Iwaizumi huffed exhaustedly. 10:03 pm. Three hours back home, and yet he was on a wild goose chase around town to who knows where.

He hopped in his car and turned the ignition once more. I better get to see you soon Tooru. My stupid, lovely Tooru.

Off to the apartment they had shared for the better years of college. In the middle of freshman year, Oikawa had made th suggestion and Iwaizumi had hesitantly agreed. It ended up being extremely helpful in the long run.

....

10:28 pm.

I'm actually here again.

I think I might actually be going insane. Like fully crazy. I get one letter from Oikawa who I haven't seen or heard from in 10 years and now I'm back at our old apartment.

"Iwaizumi-kun! It's been so long!!" The small blonde haired woman greeted him cheerfully. "It's so late dear!" Mrs. Nakano had been the first to show them the apartment and now she was the first to greet Iwaizumi. While he was alone....

"Ah, I'm so sorry for barging in so late but I need to visit my old apartment. It's hard to explain but-"

"Shush, he already told me. My you are late to the news eh?" Hajime chuckled, but in actuality this was making him nervous. How did Ms. Amaya and Mrs. Nakano both know so far ahead in advance?

"I'll just be a minute ma'am." She reached up and pinched his cheek affectionately.

"You're so big and handsome. Now run along, I need to get home soon."

Hajime walked quickly to the elevator and rode it up to the 4th floor

431. 10:34 pm. 

Sure enough a small white envelope with a red seal was sticking out from under the door. The seal was a deeper red than the previous ones. Crimson with an intricately designed house.

A house. They had planned to get a house together. Move in after college. Maybe even start a family. But that was the past. A decade ago. In a decade a lot can change. Change is also a dangerous game to play.

Iwaizumi carefully opened the next letter.

Hi Iwa~

I'm so happy you've followed me on this little journey. Oh but don't fret it's not over yet. I have two more places I want you to go.

Two more places? This trip had been enough tiresome, Iwaizumi didn't know if he had the energy to follow the letters anymore.

C'mon Iwa-chan I know you're tired but you can't give up now! I know you're going to hate me more than you already do but-

Iwaizumi stopped reading. "Hate me more than you already do..." How could he hate Tooru? That idea was absurd.

Ahah... anyway... I know you'll be mad at this one but you're going to head back to your house. I know it's far... But I need you at the final destination by sunrise. So head home Iwa-chan. Get some rest. Look in your mailbox again.

Maybe try to get some sleep, 

Tooru~

Iwaizumi stared with a blank face at the piece of paper. Alone in the dark hallway. Longing for the author of these goddamned series of letters to appear from the corner and hug him from behind. To tell him everything was okay. To tel him that the decade of lost time was forgiven.

But of course nothing happened. He stood in silence. A single tear dripped down his cheek and onto the rumpled piece of paper in his hand, which he hadn't realized he'd been gripping too tightly.

10:50.

Had it taken him that long to read such a short letter?

10:51. Time was meaningless.

Fucking dammit Tooru I just want to SEE you again. I want to see your stupid face. Your stupid, beautiful face.

Hajime dropped to the ground in defeat.

10:52.

10:53.

10:54.

Time is fragile. Iwaizumi thought he was unbreakable. But as he sat on the wood floor of the apartment he could not longer call his own, he sobbed.

Time is fragile.

10:55.

Iwaizumi Hajime is fragile.

10:56.

10 years.

10:57.

And in the most broken voice that he had ever uttered, Iwaizumi slowly whispered, "Where are you Tooru?"