Chapter Text
You kicked at the small pebbles that decorated the ground, hands imbedded deeply into your jacket pocket, searching for an almost nonexistent warmth.
Instead of catching up with your friends you decided to put your plan into motion, having sort of stalked Tsukishima to figure out his schedule and around this time he usually chooses to practice instead of eating lunch. You brought your clothed hands to your face breathing your warm breath into them, the gloomy sky casting a dark shadow over the corner you decided to reside in.
“cold, cold, cold..”
You huffed a breath of cold air out, glancing around the corner
Cold Mondays were never fun. Your body would just ache at the mere thought of it. Eyes wondering around aimlessly, you finally caught a glimpse of blonde messy hair in your peripheral.
You decided the best way to go about things was to approach him without thought.
I mean how hard could it be?
“H-hey.!” You shouted abruptly, immediately regretting it afterwards as your voice faintly echoed off of the swaying trees. He cupped one muffed speaker on his headphones, pulling it off his ear as he turned around with a confused expression.
The longer you stared the more you realized he looked the exact same as he did the very day you met. His confused expression quickly transitioned to almost a look of surprise..did he recognize you?
Wait..what was it I was going to say again? One glance his way and I lose my train of thought! You internally conversed with yourself, shutting your eyes momentarily as you began to reflect on every single choice you’ve made leading up to this moment.
“Oh, it’s you.”
You? Your eyes practically sparkled with disbelief.
“I’m sorry for bumping into you yesterday.”
“M-me? Oh, no don’t worry about it!”
You waved off his sudden apology, rubbing the side of your neck awkwardly.
Ahh, so by “you” he meant yesterday you. Seriously..? How embarrassing. You sighed, imagining yourself pulling at your hair
“Uhm out of curiosity,” approaching him rapidly, you tugged on his blazer coat which caused him to knit his brows together in utter confusion “do you happen to remember me?” you practically shouted in his face, not expecting a look of relief wash over his pale face
“Yes, y/n..from preschool right? I recognized you during the first week,” he grabbed your hands and released his coat from your grasp “but I didn’t want to approach you and make things awkward in case you hadn’t remembered me..” He stammered, turning his face away from you
W-woah was he blushing..?
You stared in amusement before finally clinging to him in a desperate hug “Wow it’s been like forever,” he gasped as you dramatically rubbed your face into his coat with no shame “you’re so tall and I mean, so different appearance wise!” Stepping back to take in his appearance again, you couldn’t help but remember the old Tsukishima. Small, shy, and just as terribly awkward as he his now but now, compared to your average height he practically towers over you. His lean figure and quiet demeanor coming off as slightly intimidating. You looked away with a chuckle, finally understanding why others found it hard to converse with him.
“You look the exact same,” he muttered suddenly which tugged you out of the daze that clouded your mind “act the same as well.” turning around, he began to walk towards the school gym
“You think? I wish I could say the same for you,” you pretend-pouted, following behind him in a rush to match his pace “don’t tell me you forgot how you would quite literally gush over me!” You laughed out, bumping into his back as he turned around to face you, gripping the strap on your shoulder bag, causing you to flinch slightly “Don’t bother teasing me, that was years ago.” He glared, or more so tried “Ah, Tsukki you should really know I’m like the last person that’d work on.” You laughed unnecessarily loud in his face.
“Just as troublesome..” He turned around again, sliding the gym doors open with a sigh. The cold air was chased away by the warmth of the empty gym as you continued to follow behind Tsukishima. His slim figure guiding you to the side of the gym where he put his bag down.
“Are you here to practice? I’d love to watch!” You smiled, gripping your shoulder bag until you were caught off guard by the sound of a sudden gasp.
Peeking behind the gym door stood a blonde with short hair, half tied into a small pony tail and a taller boy, his face decorated with a bit of acne and a trail of freckles.
“Oh Tsukki! We weren’t- we weren’t spying on you or anything!” The boy said, stepping into the gym with a flushed face “Tsukki?” You thought to yourself, Tsukishima only let his really close friends call him that. “We’ll leave if-“ the girl spoke before getting interrupted “No need, don’t be so dramatic.” Tsukishima waved them off, squinting through the glass of his eyewear.
“You’re like- woah you’re really pretty!” The blonde approached you with a warm smile, gripping your hands in hers “Ah don’t flatter me! Thanks so much, I could say the same for you!” You smiled before she began pulling you away gently
“Tsukishima really? Goodness, you could imagine my surprise seeing you two together!” Her bright brown eyes widened with surprise as she glanced behind you to look at Tsukishima
“W-well, we’re just childhood friends..nothing more I swear.” you awkwardly laughed, rubbing the back of your neck “Really? Well anyhow I’m Yachi, so nice to meet you!” A smile cast over her overly-obvious curious expression. Before you could speak you felt an odd presence behind you, followed by a hand on your shoulder. You flinched, staring at Yachi’s now flushed expression “Well, hello there!” Turning around your met face to face with a split color haired boy who was smiling unnecessarily bright
“You here to watch us practice huh? I remember you,” he laughed, pointing at himself proudly “must be here to see my oh-so-great skills!” “Well, she was actually just here speaking with Tsukishima. Right?” Yachi slipped into the conversation, attempting to save you from the boys attempt at compliment seeking “Excuse him, Nishinoya practically lives for compliments that feed his ego so don’t get him started..” Yachi tugged your shoulder, whispering in your ear with a laugh
“Ack, Tsukishima?” He flinched a shocked expression stamping his face as he looked at you. “A girl talking to Tsukishima? A pretty girl at that? What’s your name? How do you know Tsukishima? Seriously, you’d find far more enjoyment getting caught up with someone like me-“ he began to bombarded you with questions before he was immediately shut down by Tsukishima’s sudden approach “Oh, no please don’t get the wrong idea! I’m just a friend! My name’s y/n..” You stared at Tsukishima, then to Nishinoya and Yachi, before you gaze landed back onto Tsukishimas overwhelmed expression
The once quiet gym was now flowing with life as the boys began to rush in, trying to get any ounce of practice in before the bell rang. Before anyone else could approach you, Tsukishima dragged you out of the gym as you awkwardly waved goodbye to Yachi and Nishinoya. The cold winds washing over you all over again
“Maybe let’s introduce you to the club before you bother coming to watch anyone practice,” he looked around the corner to see if the two of you were followed “they’re very nosy especially Nishinoya and Tanaka who practically foam at the mouth from the sight of any girl.” looking back to your flushed face, he adjusted your scarf before he coughed nervously and backed off
“Hey,” you gripped his coat sleeve, ignoring what he was saying all together “I just wanted to say, I’m sorry.” Releasing his coat sleeve you stepped back slightly, avoiding his eyes before looking back up to him
“Sorry? What’re you sorry for?” He shot you a confused expression, his short, blonde disheveled hair gently swaying in the wind “I was so caught up in schoolwork and my friends, I hadn’t even noticed you the first week.” you pushed a strand of hair behind your ear, puffing out a cold breath of air “I wouldn’t want you to misunderstand anything really- or..well to put it simply, I wouldn’t forget someone like you, so just..I’m sorry if I made it seem like I had.”
Tsukishimas POV
I felt my voice suddenly get caught in my throat and I began to struggle to think. Her glossy eyes staring up at me whilst the wind took her hair in its hands. I’m glad I hadn’t but sometimes I wish I did experience something like this before, because maybe if I had I would know what to do or at least know what to say instead of gaping like an idiot.
Something I worried endlessly for, proved to be utterly useless. I completely thought she’d forgotten someone like me. Someone who couldn’t speak his feelings or even think for himself when overwhelming situations approached. My heart practically hammered against my chest, wishing to break out and hand itself over to her. I don’t understand why I feel something so strong for someone I hadn’t seen in years?
“Well say something..” She spoke in a gentle voice, almost a whisper that caressed my burdened mind
“It’s fine.”
Was all I could utter even though I had continuously overthought my response in that short moment. Digging through my pocket I grabbed my packaged heat warmer, opening it before shaking the contents up. Afterward I placed the small packet on her left cheek, pulling her hand up to hold it
“The bell’s gonna ring in a moment” I muttered, pushing up my frames that felt like ice from the cold winds caressing the material “I have to go grab my bag so you should head in before me.” Instead of waiting for her response I stuck my hands into my pockets and walked inside the gym again
Y/Ns POV
Your left hand held his hand warmer to your cheek as you stared deeply into space.
Since when was the awkward Tsukishima I used to know so bold?
You laughed to yourself as you shoved the hand warmer into your pocket, gripping your bag as you headed to class
“Just where have you been?” Momoe bit the straw of her juice box, watching you enter the classroom with a dazed expression “Nowhere, just wanted some fresh air..” discarding your bag by your side you slouched back into your chair
Class progressed slowly but before you knew it, it was over. Momoe gently shook your shoulder, waking you with caution. “You wonder why you’re grades are rejecting yet all you do is sleep in class..” she sighed, placing your bag on your desk
The fluorescent lights hummed quietly, followed by the soft tap of rain that penetrated the windows. The evening sky was engulfed by a dark cloud that threatened to weep over the school. “We should hurry out before the rain worsens.” Momoe grabbed her own bag and waited for you at the door before guiding you out the classroom. A yawn escaped your mouth as the two of you walked along the hallway corridor. The tall windows revealing the parade of students who rushed out the building in a diverse wave of umbrellas. Laughter booming through the glass as you watched a few students run out into the rain in pairs, possessing no umbrella.
“How awful, today I was supposed to go pick up my cello from the repair shop but I guess the weather’s against me.” With a pout you clung onto Momoes shoulder, dragging yourself along her dramatically “You’ll come keep me company, won’t you Momo?” “I suppose I’ll have to since you accompanied me to the volleyball club..” she snickered, pinching your cheek to lift you off her.
You and Momoe were in the school orchestra which was the only bit of extracurricular you were willing to indulge in, considering how long you had played the cello. Music was one of your greatest interests, you’d find yourself lost in different music shops, just browsing through artists and different genres.
You hadn’t seen Tsukishima since he had entered the gym a few hours earlier. Since encountering him, he paraded your mind like a plague which was funny considering how you didn’t even spare him a glance during the first week of school. “What’s gotten you all caught up?” Momoe questioned, pushing her long hair aside as she slipped into her outdoor shoes. “Oh. Sorry, it’s nothing!” Before you could realize, you were just leaning against the lockers in a daze.
Opening your locker, you grabbed your outdoor shoes, tapping the tip of your shoe to comfortably fit into them. The two of you shared Momoes pink umbrella, the now humid temperature glazing through the trees as the smell of the rain and grass filled your nose. The gentle pitter-patter of the rain against Momoes umbrella could really coo you to sleep if it wanted to. On the way to the instrument repair shop, the two of you walked past a small convenience store. “I think I’m gonna go in and grab a set of gloves! My hands are freezing!” Momoe said, handing you the umbrella before rubbing her pale hands together and walking into the store. You took a handkerchief from your bag, rubbing some of the rain off of a bench out front as you sat down. Staring at the rain hitting the street, you set down the umbrella next to you, pulling out your mp3 player and a thin pair of wired headphones. Pushing the earbuds into your ears, you scrolled through your playlist, finally landing on “Kinky Love” by Pale Saints. You fiddled with your hair as you waited, watching cars pass through the busy rain which hoped to coat the streets full of its tears. Closing your eyes you leaned back gently, until a sudden burst of warmth against your cheek weaved a surprised yelp out of you. “Momo-“ you opened your eyes and looked up only to see Tsukishima.
“Tsukki? What- why're you here?” The source of warmth was coming from a small meat bun, wrapped in cooking paper. “I was here with some of the club members for a snack after practice but,” he turned and your eyes followed his direction. At the front counter a flushed Momoe stood with a busy Sugawara as he helped hand out some of the meat buns to the others.”we got a little caught up.” He handed you the meat bun before he took a seat next to you, propping the slipping umbrella up with his hands.
“What’re you listening to?” His sudden question caught you off guard, or more so his presence alone did “Nothing really-“ before you could speak or even give him a title, he gently took your left earbud out, placing it into his right ear.
He leaned back, sinking into the bench as you did. The lyrics of the song echoed in your ears as it did his. The two of you sat in comfortable silence, the sound of the rain now becoming more prominent as your left ear no longer possessed your earbud. Sharing headphones was quite romantic, you’d never thought you’d experience such a moment like that ever but let alone with Tsukishima?
“A-are you headed home?” You asked quietly, attempting to break the ice. He sat with his eyes close and gave you a small nod. “Are you headed home?” He repeated your question, opening his eyes as he stared at you, waiting for a response. “No, not yet. Me and Momoe were headed to the instrument repair shop nearby to pick up my cello.” You sighed, inhaling the smell of the rain once more. “Cello? What happened to it?” He asked, planting his hand down on the bench seat next to you as he readjusted himself
“Well, I was practicing one night before a competition,” you spoke quietly, originally wanting to respond to his question but now feeling a bit embarrassed by it. “and I remember I felt so overly burnt out and overwhelmed, I ended up getting upset and I accidentally broke a string.” You laughed gently, recalling the memory “Breaking a string on a cello isn’t really the same as doing so on a bass or guitar so, I remember holding off on it for awhile before turning it in for repair. The pressure of playing got to me far more than I thought now that I’m speaking about it. Oh- I’m so sorry! I’m really just rambling on-“ your gloved hands shut your mouth “No, don’t worry. It’s nice to hear your voice after so long of not hearing it.” You looked to him and he stared right back at you. You watched his gentle expression in a daze and shared a moment of eye contact before the sudden ring of the store doors brought you back to reality.
“Sorry y/n!! I didn’t expect to run into-“ Momoes voice rang through your left ear, causing you to flinch. Tsukishima nervously coughed as he handed you your earbud back. “See you later..” he muttered before excusing himself and saying hello to Momoe. You sighed, slipping your earbuds and mp3 player back into your bag. You will seriously never hear the end of it now.”
“Y/n.” Momoe gripped your shoulder and without having to look at her you could tell what expression was on her face. “I wish you would try to tell me it ‘nothing’.” You stood up, shielding her head with the umbrella. “Come on~ let’s just get going okay?” Giving her a bright smile, you began to walk ahead, forcing her to join you or be left in the rain.
After explaining your history with Tsukishima to Momoe, the mischievous look on her face just told you she was not willing to let such a thing go. Momoe was a lot of things but one thing she swore she was, was Cupid. After dinner you stared blankly at your large brown cello which stood in the corner of your room practically glowing as its curves screamed “play me!”
For awhile it felt like nothing could really excite you, but after your very few interactions with Tsukishima, you couldn’t help but wonder what the next day would bring. The past you would never allow such a thing as getting caught up and burdened by the thoughts of a boy since you refused to become like every other star stuck teen who would get their heart broken far more often than the seasons would change. Tsukishima wasn’t a very open person, nor was he like any other boy you knew. True as it was, you refused to think romantically about him.
His kind gestures were probably just something he felt he had to do after not having seen you in years. It wasn’t something worth getting caught up over.
Yet you would continue to find yourself far more caught over the thought of him than you’d like.