#skye collabs

I watched a TED Talk on our break, He had a smart person accent

He said, "Don't look through the photos", Then I looked through our photos

A haze filtered over his eyes as he stared down at his phone. In the background, sappy love songs played as he ignored the bodies in the room. His fingers itched, tapping on the app. He swiped to the side, tapping on the Hidden from View folder and revealing its haul. Thousands of photos and videos opened on his screen. He tapped on the first one he saw. His heart lurched as he remembered. 

Just to spend a couple days with me

You flew halfway 'round the world for me

Iwaizumi was exhausted, feet, knees, and shoulders tired from all the patients he had visited that day. He had been running around the clinic, fetching this and that for Utsui. He slumped against the door as he entered his apartment, sighing heavily. He threw his keys into the bowl by the entrance, letting his bag fall off of his shoulders as he walked into the kitchen. As Iwaizumi turned on the tap, something caught his attention. He froze, staring at the suitcase before he shut off the sink. 

“(Name)?” He called, stumbling over his feet as he flew through his apartment.

“Haji!” You squealed, popping up as the door to his bedroom was flung open. 

“(Name)!” Iwaizumi stopped, his mouth drying as his heart stuttered as he was rooted in the doorway - shock filling him. 

What were you doing here? The last he knew, you had finals that you had to take, projects to finish. You should still be in Tokyo! 

“Wh-what are you doing here?”

You grinned at him, standing up and opening your arms to reveal the teal jersey you wore. “I finished my projects and exams early and I figured I’d come surprise you.” 

Iwaizumi shook his head, a dopey grin on his face as he ran forward to embrace you, arms wrapping around your waist as he held you to him. “God I’ve missed you so much.”

“Surprise,” you tease, blowing on his ear. “I’ll be here for a few weeks. Try not to miss me too much when I leave though, yeah?”

“Oh baby, I always miss you when you aren’t around.” 

Iwaizumi shook his head, the dull ache of the alcohol searing his throat. He swiped through the photos and videos from that trip.

“Oh Haji, look!” You beamed at him, sparkly pink mouse ears perched on your head as you pointed up at the castle. “I can’t believe we’re here right now!”

“I did promise to take you here one day, didn’t I?” Iwaizumi teased, warmth filling his senses.

His thumb was a blur as he swiped through the photos of you and him in front of the castle. He paused, staring at one in particular.

“One day, when I put my ring on your finger, I’ll bring you back here, okay?” 

“Haji!” You gasp, giggling. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to.” He squeezed the hand on his waist as he tucked some hair behind your ear. “Gotta make you the happiest person on Earth at the happiest place on Earth.”

“Who are you and what have you done to my brute of a boyfriend?” You tease, shoving his chest slightly.

His heart skipped a beat as he pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Maybe your brute of a boyfriend didn’t realise how much he’d miss you when you weren’t around.”

You blink up at him with doe-eyes, love and devotion in your eyes only for the spell to be broken by the photographer’s approach.

“Here you go!” He grinned, showing you the camera. He had perfectly captured the heat in your cheeks as Iwaizumi whispered in your ear. The photographer swiped through to the next photo to one of Iwaizumi kissing your forehead. “You’re both such a lovely couple.”

“Thank you,” Iwaizumi replied in perfect English, smiling. 

“Enjoy the rest of your day!”

Iwaizumi picked up his glass of scotch, chugging the rest of it as he stared down at his phone. His vision blurred as he proceeded to swipe through. 

“What are you doing here, moping by yourself?” Iwaizumi looked up, scowling as Oikawa stood here, a hand on his hip. “And why didn’t you say hi when you got here?”

Iwaizumi rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he willed his tears away. “Maybe I didn’t want to see you, Shittykawa. Think about that?”

I strategize a path to the bathroom

So I don’t walk past you

“Is it us you don’t wanna see, or (Name)?” 

Mattsun leaned against the table, tilting his glass of whiskey as his eyes fell on someone. 

Iwaizumi’s throat constricted as he saw you. 

You, in all your angelic beauty, stood with some of your old friends from Seijoh, chatting eagerly. He watched as your plush lips moved, noticed the crinkle of happiness in your face, the way your outfit hugged your body is such a perfect way. 

“Didn’t expect to see (Name)?” Oikawa asked, voice soft. He looked over at you, sad for not only his best friend, but also for you. He’d shipped you two the most. 

Iwaizumi gulped, shaking his head as he waved at a waiter, getting his glass topped off before downing that. “S’not that.”

“Then what?” 

“Gotta go to the bathroom,” Iwaizumi said bluntly, slamming his glass down. 

“Go to the one that way,” Mattsun advised, pointing to the left. “(Name) won’t see you if you do that.”

“Thanks,” Iwaizumi grunted. 

Make us try to fake our way through

"Hey, how are you?"

Iwaizumi slipped in the direction that Mattsun had pointed in only to accidentally bump into someone’s shoulder. “Iwaizumi.”

Iwaizumi flinched, recognising the all-too familiar voice. “Sawamura? What are you doing here?”

“My partner invited me.”

“Ah.” Iwaizumi’s brow furrowed. He shook his head. “Hope you have fun then, Sawamura.”

“You too, Iwaizumi.” 

Iwaizumi swiveled, making his way towards the restroom. He cursed the hall for being so dark as he bumped into another person. “I’m sor-” the words died in his mouth as familiar (e/c) eyes turned to found his.

“Haji.” 

The sting of the familiar nickname caused his heart to throb, his stomach churning. “(N-Name),” he stuttered, shock evident in his features. 

Weren’t you on the opposite side of the room? How did you get in front of him so quickly? 

“H-how are you?”

You smile, shrugging a shoulder. “I’m doing pretty well. How are you? Are you back from California then?”

He gulped, nodding. “Yeah.” He cursed his voice for cracking. “Been back for awhile now.”

“That’s good.” You both stand there awkwardly, staring at each other. Iwaizumi’s throat constricted, words clawing up his throat.

“Listen-”

“Well, it was nice seeing you.” The words caught in his throat as you gave him a small smile. “Maybe I’ll see you around sometime. We can catch up or something.”

“Sure,” he choked out, hurt and pain flashing through his eyes.

Why not now?

Wait, was he even ready to have that conversation with you?

“Bye!” 

You turn, disappearing back into the crowd to leave him staring blankly at the spot you had just been in. He blinked, shaking his head before he turned back to the direction he had just come from - the urge to use the restroom vanishing along with you. 

It's hard to summarize three years

More like four years

With each step, flashbacks ravaged through his mind. 

“Hey, (Name), can I talk to you?”

You look up from your lunch, startled. “Oh! Sure thing, Iwaizumi-kun.” You stand up, “I’ll be right back,” you smile at your friends before following the wing-spiker to the vending machines. “What can I do for ya?”

Iwaizumi froze, your dazzling smile freezing him in the spot. He cleared his throat, shaking his head. “Do you wanna go out sometime? Today maybe?”

“Oh!” If it was possible, you grinned brighter. “Sure, I’ve always liked you.”

“Wait, really?” 

You nod happily. “Yeah! Ever since we met last year as first years.” 

He blinked. “Me too.” 

“You liked you since last year?” You put a hand on your hip, a teasing lilt in your voice.

Iwaizumi scowled, “I meant I liked you too. Since last year. Dumbass.”

Your giggle made his heart fluttered. “I know.” You lean up, pressing your lips to his cheek. “See you for our date later then, Iwaizumi-kun!”

He shook his head, cursing his memories. 

“Aw, I love you.” His head snapped up, hearing someone’s voice echo those words in a playful, mocking tone. 

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

You plopped down on the bench beside him, elbowing him. “I’m sorry about the game.”

He shrugged, pulling a hand out of his pocket to grab onto yours. “S’no big deal.”

“It is to you.” You squeezed his hand. “You were amazing out there, Hajime.”

Iwaizumi snorted, shaking his head. “If I was so amazing, why do we lose to Shiratorizawa every time?”

“Mmm, that’s not your fault though,” you pointed out. “And there’s always next tournament. You have time, I believe in you.”

He sighed, shoulders slumped. You look curiously at him. You’d never participated in sports or competitions, not really understanding what it was like to work so hard for something only to be beaten every single time.

“I love you.”

His head snapped up, brows furrowed as his jaw gaped slightly. “Wait what?”

You shrug. “I said I love you.” You squeeze his hand. “I love you, Iwaizumi Hajime and I think you’re the best spiker in the whole wide world!” 

He rolled his eyes, shaken out of the spell you’d cast over him. “I love you too, dumbass.” He muttered under his breath.

“What was that?” You tease, blinking at him with those eyes that sparkled like the setting sun. 

Iwaizumi cleared his throat, tugging you closer to his side as he rested his chin on your head. “I said I love you too.” 

Oh, to hell with all your silver linings

And I'm tempted to distract myself, I'm trying not to

“Iwa-chan, you never call me anymore!” Oikawa’s whiny voice called Iwaizumi to flinch, his eyebrows furrowed in irritation.

“Maybe if you weren’t such an annoying little shit I wouldn’t avoid you,” Iwaizumi growled. He leaned back, throwing his head over the couch. 

“You’re so mean,” Oikawa grumbled. “Is this because you broke up with (Name)? Or did they break up with you?”

“Oikawa,” Iwaizumi warned, a sharp tick in his voice. “Don’t go there.”

“Why? Isn’t it better now? You can go pursue your dreams, move to new countries and do whatever you want.”

“I said leave it alone!” Iwaizumi bellowed, hanging up the phone and hurling it away from him. He stood, pacing as anger pulsed through his body. He didn’t need a reminder of how ‘good’ life would be without you. He just wanted you. He wanted to come home to you, wanted to hold you in his arms at the end of every night. 

He stalked towards the fridge, throwing it open and reaching for a beer before he paused. 

Drowning his sorrows wouldn’t do anything. Wouldn’t change that you were no longer his, and he was no longer yours. With an irritated click of his tongue, he slammed the fridge door shut, leaning his forehead against the cool metal. 

He needed a distraction, but not like this. He sighed, peeling one eye open to notice the gym bag peeking around the corner up at him. 

Maybe it was time to start working out again. 

Internally he laughed. Wasn’t that exactly what he was doing now? Drowning his sorrows with the golden ichor that drove even the most controlled of humans into chaos and sin? 

His feet started moving faster and faster, needing to escape from the suffocating weight of his memories. Not now, not in this room where everyone - especially you - could see him. 

He didn’t need the world to know that he wasn’t over his ex. 

Everyone wants an explanation

And I don't know what to say anymore

He still remembered the first time that people had found out that you’d broken up. The wave of texts that he had gotten when he first posted a photo that didn’t feature you, but featured another girl. 

“Hajime, let’s take a photo together!” She pouted, crossing her arms.

He rolled his eyes but allowed her to. She was just a friend, someone he’d met in class. They’d met up at a party and somehow he found himself posing for the photo, letting her throw her arms around his neck as she took the selfie. In his drunken state, he barely noticed the intimacy of it before he posted the photo onto his InstaFeed. 

[Oikawa]: Wow, she’s looking close! Won’t (Name) be jealous ;) 

[Mattsun]: damnnn, California changed ya, Iwaizumi!

[Makki]: Woof woof! Mind giving me her number?

[Oikawa]: hold on, where are all the pictures of you and (Name)??? Did something happen?

[Makki]: Wait, did you guys break up?

[Mattsun]: whoaaaa, when did this happen?

Iwaizumi shook his head, staring at his InstaFeed before tapping on the archive button and bringing up the hundreds of pictures - the ones that featured you. He stared at your face, tears welling up in his eyes.

[Oikawa]: oi, don’t ignore us

[Iwaizumi]: it’s none of your business. Now fuck off.

He shoved his phone back into his pocket, turning back to the girl as he reached for another beer. He didn’t want to think about this. 

Not now. 

Not when all he wanted to do was call you.   

“What happened between you two?” Oikawa asked, looking down at his best friend as Iwaizumi rejoined them at the table. 

“Don’t look at me like that,” Iwaizumi snarled, anger in his features.

“Haji.” Your voice came crisp and clear through his computer as he stared at your face through the screen.

“What’s wrong?” Iwaizumi frowned, hearing the slight tremor in your voice.

“I..I can’t do this anymore.”

“What?”

You swallow, finally meeting his eyes and he noticed how red and swollen they were. “I don’t wanna do this distance thing anymore. You’re doing so many great things and I just...You deserve better.”

“Wait, baby, what are you talking about?”

“Haji, I love you so much,” you force out, giving him a teary smile. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.” 

“(Name), wait-”

“Goodbye.”

The beep of Zoom ended the call as Iwaizumi stared in anguish at the screen.

“She didn’t want to try anymore, I guess,” Iwaizumi shrugged. He stared at you for a moment longer. 

You looked happier - sounded happier too. 

He sighed, sipping from his glass just as he noticed who slipped to your side. A hand settled on your hip, causing you to start before you looked up at the person who the hand belonged to.

He could just imagine your voice - soft and doting as you leaned up to kiss Daichi’s cheek. 

At least you found someone close to home, someone who would always be there for you and someone you could depend on. 

Iwaizumi turned back to his table, ignoring the pitiful looks from his friends as he sought out the bottom of his glass. He never imagined how badly it would hurt - just how much the smallest glimpse and interaction of you would throw his emotions into turmoil. Another sigh left his lips.

He couldn’t do this any longer. 

Couldn’t be in the same room as you.

“I’m leaving,” he announced bluntly, slamming his glass down before grabbing his coat. “I’ll see you guys later.” 

In his wake, he felt the heat of your eyes on his back. 

Did you still think about him like he thought of you? 

Did you feel the same pain that he did when he saw you? 

Did you ever think about your relationship with him? 

He shook his head, swatting away the malicious thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him. He had to get away, now. There was no more ‘us’ when it came to you, and there never will be. He could only hope that the next time he saw you, he wouldn’t have to run away. 

After all, it shouldn’t hurt this badly to be in the same room as you, right? 

*****

AN: All I felt was *pain* writing this ahahaha. Hope you enjoyed my addition to this collab!! Please be sure to check-out the rest of the incredible writers of @babythotshq​ ! 

general taglist: @kaizumi @newfriendjen  @kyomihann @cheerysparkle @seiijixcia​ @shoyomeow @tsumue​ @terminallyvolatile​ @aruhappy​