Archive of Our Own ^beta

Oikawa smiled faintly as he watched Matsukawa finally make the trek across the food court, approaching Hanamaki’s table. It was far overdue, honestly, and Oikawa had been trying to convince Matsukawa to take this little leap of faith (Pun fully intended) for weeks now, and was happy to see the hesitance he didn’t understand lessening.

The two needed each other right now. Oikawa knew, and had known for months. Their souls were ready for a growth spurt, and they’d make the perfect catalysts for each other. They’d inspire each other in an incredible way Oikawa didn’t normally see, incredible enough for him to take on the human form he always complained about and ‘bump into’ Matsukawa to quickly become his friend when Oikawa’s efforts from above hadn’t worked.

So he watched with rapt attention as Matsukawa spoke, and the two laughed. Matsukawa took a seat next to Hanamaki, and Oikawa was mentally filing this one in the ‘successes’ category.

Until he caught sight of a familiar set of eyes, one a soft green, the other a deep brown, and both shining with frustration as they locked onto Oikawa’s, and Oikawa’s eyes widened

Really? Him? Of all the others involved with this, it was him?

He looked away from Oikawa, and down to Hanamaki, who he’d been approaching. He said something, and Hanamaki shrugged, waving his hand dismissively. He nodded, and then straightened up, making a beeline for Oikawa, who just ran a hand through his soft hair, the only thing he found pleasant about being human.

“What are you doing here?” Iwaizumi demanded as he arrived in front of Oikawa. Oikawa smiled up at him.
“I could ask you that too.”
“You know why I’m here.”
“Then you must know why I’m here.” Oikawa responded as the familiar frown found its way onto Iwaizumi’s face and he sat down next to Oikawa.
“Not really,” he said. “I’m here for Makki. For whatever reason, he needs that dark haired guy.”
“Well, what a happy coincidence.” Oikawa remarked, smile widening. “Because, for whatever reason, Mattsun needs Makki too.”
“What?” he blinked, frustration giving way to confusion. “How?” Oikawa shrugged.
“Don’t know. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, but they need each other to grow.”

“How are growth and protection supposed to overlap?” Iwaizumi asked, glancing back towards Makki and Mattsun, who were laughing.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Oikawa responded, turning towards Iwaizumi. “But, in both of our interests, shall we make this one, a, ah, joint venture?” Oikawa asked.
“Absolutely not.” Iwaizumi responded immediately. “You know what happens when we try to work together.”
“Oh, c’mon Iwa! We’d be done quicker, they’d be happier quicker.” he argued.
“No, we wouldn’t.” Iwaizumi snorted. “I know what you’re like. Makki’s enough for me to deal with right now, I don’t need you on my plate too.”

“Ah c’mon, how hard can it be to convince him to listen to his feelings? It only took me a few days with Mattsun. Now look at him.” he said, gesturing to where he and Makki were watching something on one of their phones together.
“That’s the problem.” Iwaizumi deadpanned. “He doesn’t even know he has feelings for Mattsun yet.” Oikawa’s eyes widened.
“And you’re sure you don’t want my help?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes.” Iwaizumi repeated. “We’ve both got our work cut out for us. Because, it looks like Mattsuns on his way back over. And he didn’t tell Makki.” he said, and, sure enough, Mattsun was making his way back across the food court.

“You don’t know that.” Oikawa retorted, and Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow.
“Then why am I hearing him begging me to, and I quote, ‘Keep his heart safe when he finally gets the nerve up to open it’?” he asked, and Oikawa groaned.
“Fine. Well, if you’re not gonna work with me-”
“Way ahead of you.” Iwaizumi said as he stood. “But good luck. You’re gonna need it.” he added with a smug grin, and then he was gone, striding off towards Makki.
“I do not!” Oikawa all but shouted. “That guys a prick. I don’t want his blessing.” he muttered as Mattsun arrived back at his table.
“Wait, what was that?” he asked, glancing towards Iwaizumi’s retreating back.

Oikawa shook his head.
“Nothing, nothing,” he said. “Anyway, how did it go?” he asked with a smile. Mattsun glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Well, I have his number now.” he offered, and Oikawa beamed.
“That's great!” Ha, maybe Iwaizumi was wrong. “Did you ask him out?”
“Welllllll,” Mattsun said, starting to go red. “I didn’t really get around to it. We were too busy watching croissant buttering vines.” Oikawa sighed. Well, it was technically still progress.
“That’s ok.” he assured. “Why don’t you text him tonight though?” he asked, and Mattsun nodded.
“I was planning on it, I swear.”

His phone buzzed, and he quickly dug it out of his pocket.
“Speak of the devil,” he said with a smile. “He just texted me.”
“Oh? What’s he saying?”
“Oh, ah. Nothing.” Mattsun said, going red and quickly closing his phone. Oikawa felt him say a small prayer, and almost rolled his eyes.

Iwaizumi was right. They really did have their work cut out for them.

----

A month. Iwaizumi had been stuck in this annoying ass form for a month, ever since he’d gotten so annoyed with someone who was persistently praying to him that he came down to see who it was. Unfortunately for him, when he arrived, he was met with a surprisingly wounded individual. You wouldn’t guess it from looking at him, but Hanamaki Takahiro was nursing an incredibly sore, bleeding heart.

It helped Iwaizumi understand why his prayers had ended up with the god of protection, and, despite himself, Iwaizumi decided to help him. Something was telling him he needed to, and he had learned, after about five thousand years on this job, to let those intuitions lead him.

So here he was, after a month, staring at Hanamaki, now Makki to Iwaizumi, over a steaming cup of tea and wondering if refusing Oikawa’s help had been the best idea.
“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” he asked.
“He wants to go watch a movie this weekend. Do you wanna come too?” Makki repeated. Iwaizumi had to fight to keep his expression neutral.
“You want me to come with you two.” he asked, and Makki nodded.
“Yeah, why not? He mentioned a friend of his coming too.” he shrugged. Iwaizumi exhaled.

That was almost definitely Oikawa. He really didn’t want to see Oikawa. He probably wouldn’t refuse him if he offered his help again, even though he knew they’d get...how should he put this? Distracted by each other. But, the last time he had seen Oikawa before the food court was in the mid seventeen hundreds…
“Fine.” Iwaizumi sighed. “I’ll come. What movie are we seeing?”

-

And that was how, three days later, Iwaizumi and Oikawa were sitting next to each other in a darkened theater, one row above and directly behind Makki and Mattsun.
“So, if today’s any indication, you haven't been having much luck either?” Oikawa murmured.
“No. I swear, Makki’s one of the most internally oblivious people I’ve ever met.” Iwaizumi scoffed under his breath, and Oikawa bumped his elbow into him.
“Be nice.” he admonished. “You’re supposed to be a protector, not an insulter.”
“How can I protect someone who isn’t in danger?” Iwiazumi snapped.

It had been the only thought in his mind for weeks now. Iwaizumi could tell that Mattsun’s hands were some of the safest Makki could hope for. But the nerves and soreness from his initial need for and prayers to Iwaizumi, had, understandably, yet to fade.

“Ya gotta make ‘em understand that they’re safe.” Oikawa responded. “Look, I’m not getting much from Makki, but I can tell that he’s gonna need to feel safe before he can grow. And he just doesn’t yet.” he shrugged. “Now shh. The movie’s starting.”
“You shh. There's no way you actually want to watch this.” Iwaizumi retorted.
“No you shh.”
“You shh.”
“You shh.”
“You’re both right.” Makki said from in front of them, and Mattsun laughed.

Iwaizumi huffed, but dutifully fell silent and leaned back in his chair. At least that was one thing humans had made more widely available over the recent years. Comfy sitting equipment.

Iwaizumi tried to watch the movie. Really, he did. But his thoughts demanded he shift his attention elsewhere, either the prayers he’d felt gnawing on his conscience all day, or the being sitting to his left. He tried to focus on the first one, quietly and carefully giving out small blessings, easing a few minds, shielding a handful of bad thoughts, and intercepting a few injuries. It was small work, but it kept him occupied, and even had him smiling a few times as he got some thanks in return.

But eventually the other thoughts edged their way in. Thoughts of soft brown hair and softer brown eyes. Thoughts of the seventeen hundreds and the sixteen hundreds and the thirteen hundreds and the eleven hundreds and nine and seven and five and three and two hundreds and all the way back to the time before time. Thoughts of laughter, of gentle words and even gentler touches. Thoughts of tears and a searing feeling so painful, Iwaizumi understood the human term 'heartbreak’.

Not many of the other gods seemed to understand that feeling. Iwaizumi wasn’t sure why he could, only that he did. And that Oikawa did too. He had to assume that was what kept tugging them together, every century or so, inevitably.

“Oh my god, look.” Oikawa suddenly whispered intently, jabbing his elbow into Iwaizumi’s side, and he grunted.
“Geez, not so hard.” Iwaizumi said, focusing where Oikawa was gesturing, in front of them as he rubbed his side.

Mattsuns arm had been placed around the back of Makki’s seat. And Makki shifted slightly towards Mattsun as they both laughed at what must’ve been a joke in the movie, though Iwaizumi wouldn’t know.

“Well that's promising.” Iwaizumi muttered, and Oikawa hummed in agreement.
“We might just have underestimated them,” he said softly.

And then Mattsun’s arm slipped down from the back of the seat to rest around Makki’s shoulders, and he tensed. Mattsun immediately withdrew it, apologising with a light laugh that was betrayed by the small prayer Iwaizumi felt from him, and Iwaizumi sighed.

“You jinxed it.” he muttered to Oikawa, shifting closer to him and into the arm Oikawa had put around him.
“Nah, just spoke a little too soon.” Oikawa responded, sounding melancholic and thoughtful.

-

A half an hour or so later, the four of them were walking to the lobby of the theater, Makki and Mattsun laughing a little awkwardly about the movie while Oikawa and Iwaizumi exchanged a glance.
“You ready to accept that we need to collab on this one yet?” Oikawa asked, glancing to where Makki and Mattsuns hands smacked into each other, and then flinched apart like they’d been burned, for the third time.
“Fine.” Iwaizumi sighed after a beat. Oikawa beamed.
“Finally!” he said.”I knew you’d come around. Speaking of which, swing by my place in a few days? I have some ideas I want to run by you. Oh, and you should bring coffee.” he added, and Iwaizumi blinked.
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?” he asked, and Oikawa laughed.
“Maybe. But I think helping them will be worth it.” he said, and Iwaizumi let his silence voice his agreement.

He didn’t even realize their hands had found each other until they had to let go to part, after an almost half hour long walk from the theater.

---

“How did you even find this place?” Iwaizumi asked, voice torn between confusion and awe, and Oikawa laughed.
“Find it?” he asked with a grin. “Iwa, I made it, of course.” he said, opening his arms and spinning in a quick circle, watching as the interior of his literal treehouse spun by.
“You’re not big on it, so I always forget the ‘growth’ part of you being a growth god includes physical growth.” Iwaizumi muttered, gently touching the smooth wooden wall with his free hand.
“Exactly.” Oikawa shrugged. “Just took a couple days to find a good candidate, and then with a little concentration and a little energy, bam. Living tree house.”
“And no one’s noticed it so far?” Iwaizumi asked.
“Can’t notice what you can’t see.” Oikawa said. “Now, getting down to it. How’s Makki?” Oikawa asked, tossing himself onto the couch.

“...I guess I’m just going to ignore the furniture in here and how you got it,” Iwaizumi started, putting the drinks he’d brought onto the coffee table before rubbing his face, and Oikawa had to suppress a smile. “But, he’s… Ok. I think he’s starting to come around.” he said, and Oikawa perked up.
“Good!” he said before deflating slightly. “That means you’re having more luck than me,” he sighed as he grabbed one of the cups. “Mattsun won’t shut up about him and keeps bailing on talking to him.” he added after taking a long drink.
“Alright. So what's the plan?” Iwaizumi asked as he sat next to Oikawa. “You’re the one who wanted me to come over. I’m guessing you had something in mind?” he lifted his arm as Oikawa shifted closer, leaning against Iwaizumi as he sighed.

“That's the thing. I don’t.” he admitted. “At least not for Mattsun. I’ve tried everything I can think of, short of flashy miracles, and I’d rather not go that route.” Oikawa said, his nose wrinkling up slightly as he raised his cup to his lips again, and Iwaizumi rolled his eyes fondly.
“Of course you’d rather not.” he said, leaning down slightly to press a kiss to his forehead. Oikawa pouted slightly.

“You’re making fun of me.”
“Maybe just a little. But, honestly? I admire your restraint. Plenty of the others just show up whenever they want and throw around the ‘flashy miracles’, as you call ‘em.”
“You don’t.”
“Yeah, because, like you, I actually spend time around people every couple of decades.” Iwaizumi scoffed. “Besides, this isn’t one either of us would want to use our actual powers for, is it? We’re just trying to nudge them together, right?”
“Of course.” Oikawa responded before taking another drink. “We’re just… pointing them in the right direction,” he assured. “But, do you have any ideas?”

Iwaizumi sighed as he grabbed a drink.
“No. I came into this because you said you had ideas. I didn’t bring any of my own.” he responded, brow furrowing. “But, it’s probably best to get them to spend more time together, right? I know they talk a lot,-”
“So much.” Oikawa murmured in agreement. “I think Mattsun texts me every single time Makki texts him, just to spam me with crying emojis.” Iwaizumi laughed at that.
“And Makki’s always telling me about the newest memes Mattsuns sent him.” Iwaizumi added. “But, what if we got them to set up another outing? One that was more…”

“Interactive?” Oikawa offered.
“Exactly.” Iwaizumi nodded.
“Ooo, what about an arcade? I’ve heard good things about those.”
“Aren’t they usually for kids?” Oikawa shrugged.
“Do you really think Makki and Mattsun are the type of people to be bothered by that?” he asked, and Iwaizumi snorted lightly.
“No, not at all. But you just wanna go try playing video games, don’t you?”

“Uh, yeah?” Oikawa responded with a grin. “The last time I was down here, a color TV was brand new. Of course I wanna see what absolutely bonkers stuff they’ve come up with by now.” Iwaizumi shook his head softly.
“Try having TV be pretty much new the last time you were down here,” he responded.
“Aww, please Iwa? I promise it’ll be fun.” Oikawa said with a grin. “For Makki and Mattsun?” he added, the puppy dog eyes he’d perfected some fifteen hundred years ago making an appearance.

Iwaizumi sighed.
“Yeah. Fine. For Makki and Mattsun.” Oikawa beamed up at him.
“Thank you so much.” he said.
“Yeah, yeah. Should we say we’re going and ask if they want to come?” Oikawa shrugged.
“Sure, but I don’t feel like moving. Why don’t you text Makki and see if he’ll text Mattsun?”
“Lazykawa, making me do all the work.” Iwaizumi grumbled as he slipped his phone out of his pocket.

But then Oikawa was shifting, throwing an arm over Iwaizumi’s lap as his eyes fell closed, and Iwaizumi placed a hand gently on his head, running it through his hair, and he sighed in contentment. “There, text sent.” Iwaizumi said a moment later, and Oikawa hummed gently.

“Thanks.”
“Course. You going to sleep down there?”
“I just might.”
“You should let me use the bathroom first if that's what you want.” Oikawa rose up.
“Sorry. Do you need to?”
“Only if you actually want to use me as a pillow.” Iwaizumi responded with a soft smile, and Oikawa felt his heart constrict.
“I can?”
“If you want.” Iwaizumi reiterated.
“I...do. But, you’re alright with that?”
“Yeah? I mean, you already invited yourself into my lap and I wasn’t exactly kicking you out.”
“I know, it’s just…been a while.” Oikawa said carefully, and Iwaizumi’s eyes flashed with recognition.
“It has been. But it’s ok, I promise, I’m being honest.” Oikawa sighed, shaking his head.
“You’re right, you’re right. We don’t want this turning into sixteen twenty three again.”

Iwaizumi groaned loudly as he stood.
“No, we don’t.” he agreed. “I still can’t believe-”
“Nope! Let's not rehash it, yeah? It’s already a couple hundred years behind us, where it belongs.” Oikawa interrupted as unwanted memories wormed their way into his thoughts.
"Thankfully." Iwaizumi responded. "I'll be right back." He strode towards the bathroom, and Oikawa sighed.

They hadn't seen each other in over a hundred years, before the food court. It was the longest gap in a while. Oikawa didn't know why, but somehow they always ended up in the same place at the same time. It was as reassuring and comforting as it was annoying and frustrating.

He supposed it was because of people, honestly. Neither of them could stay away from humans for long, as he and Iwaizumi, a god of growth and a god of protection respectively, they both tended to end up taking a more hands on approach to their divine duties. Or, the ones that couldn’t be attended with a small blessing.

Well, and the fact that they both tended to find their other option more than a little stifling after a prolonged time. As the god of growth, Oikawa didn’t like to stay still, and physical (Or ethereal) location was no exception. Too long in any one, and he was itching to leave it.

Except for one place. Iwaizumi’s arms. He couldn’t explain it, not what they were or how they came to be what they were to each other. He supposed that, if he wanted to use human labels, they’d be lovers. Oikawa frowned to himself at the thought.

Or, what was it this century? Boyfriends? Maybe husbands?

“What's that look for?” Iwaizumi asked as he reentered the room brow furrowing as he looked Oikawa over. Oikawa glanced up at him.
“What are we?” Oikawa asked, and Iwaizumi sighed as he sat, opening his arms and letting Oikawa settle half way in his lap.
“I’m gonna need more than that, cryptickawa.” he muttered as one of his hands started running through Oikawa’s hair, earning him a soft sigh.
“I mean,” Oikawa mumbled. “What are we now? What would humans say we are to each other?”
“Humans? I think the term now would be...partners?” Iwaizumi offered, and Oikawa hummed.
“A little clunky, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think so. I like it. Emphasises the collaboration aspect of a relationship.” Iwaizumi responded.
“I liked lovers. Why did they stop using that one? It sounds so nice.” Iwaizumi huffed out a laugh, gently rubbing his knuckles into Oikawa’s scalp briefly.
“Then you can still use it, nitpickykawa.” Oikawa slipped an arm around Iwaizumi’s waist as he looked up at him, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“You say such nice things while you call me such mean names.” he said, the feeble attempt at sounding somewhat upset failing miserably.

He just sounded smitten.

Iwaizumi’s smile only widened, eyes somehow softening further.
“Well, you haven’t told me what it is this time yet.” Iwaizumi responded softly, and Oikawa blinked.

That was right. He hadn’t.

“Tooru.” he said, and Iwaizumi nodded thoughtfully, like he always did when Oikawa told him the newest given name he was using. It was as much because of Oikawa’s inability to stay put, even in a name (“I’m changing Iwa-chan, why shouldn’t my name as well?”) as it was to help avoid extra attention from humans.
“I like it,” he said. “How long have you been using it now?”
“A couple decades.”
“It suits you, you know?”
“Yeah, that's why I picked it.” Oikawa grinned at Iwaizumi, and got an eye roll.
“I’m trying to compliment you, annoykawa.”
“Always calling me such mean names.” Oikawa repeated, shaking his head lightly, the ghost of a smile still on his lips.
“And yet, you haven’t asked me to stop.”
“Because I don’t think you've really meant a one of them, love.” Oikawa responded, and Iwaizumi went a bit red.

A brief beat of silence enveloped them, before Iwaizumi’s phone broke it, chiming loudly.
“Well, speaking of partners and lovers,” he said, just a little too loudly, as he checked his phone. “It looks like Makki and Mattsun are down for the arcade in a few days.”
“Nice.” Oikawa said, wiggling around a bit and all but burying his face in Iwaizumi’s stomach.
“How much longer do you think this’ll take?” Iwaizumi asked, and Oikawa shrugged as best he could.
“Not much? I mean, they have to figure it out eventually, don’t they?”

Iwaizumi was quiet for a suspiciously long time before sighing.

“I hope you’re right, Tooru.”

---

A few days later, their little group of four was strolling down the street, only a few blocks away from their destination.
“I still can’t believe you’ve never actually been to an arcade.” Mattsun said, shaking his head. “Aren’t you guys our age?” he asked.
“Something like that.” Oikawa said, and Iwaizumi poorly disguised a laugh as a cough. “But it doesn’t matter, I’m just glad I’m getting to go now.” Oikawa added, squeezing Iwaizumi’s hand a little harder than he needed to as he shot him a look.
“Yeah, I guess it’ll probably be cool.” Iwaizumi shrugged.

The next thing Oikawa knew, he was gasping as they stepped inside.
“Whoa.” he managed, and Makki laughed.
“You, my friend, are easily impressed,” he said. “C’mon, let's go to the claw machines.” he added, grabbing Mattsuns arm and tugging him off, Oikawa and Iwaizumi following suit.
“This is amazing.” Oikawa muttered, still wide eyed as he looked around, taking in the colors and sounds.
“Makki was right.” Iwaizumi responded, but his tone was fond. “You really are easily impressed. Haven’t you been trying to get Mattsun with Makki for a few weeks? And don’t you have a phone? How is this what you’re in awe of?”
“Because. Phones don’t have stuffed animals in them.” Oikawa stated as a claw machine full of plushies, with Makki in front of it, back to them, came into view. “Iwa. I need one.”
“Then let Makki finish and see if you can get one.”
“Oh? No offering to win one for me? What happened to the nobility you loved to preen about in thirteen forty?”

“One, shut up, you shouldn’t say shit like that so loud. Two, if I remember correctly, and I do, you ended up giving that toy away, like, thirty seconds after I gave it to you.”
“Exactly.” Oikawa responded. “The point wasn’t the toy. It was the act of winning it.”
“So you don’t actually want one?” Iwaizumi asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I mean, not as much as I want you to win me one.” Oikawa teased.
“Hmm. Shame. They’re pretty cute.” Iwiauzmi muttered, staring at the machine, and Oikawa grinned.
“Then give me a second.” he said, hurrying ahead to stand next to Makki. “Hey, show me how this works when you’re done?”
“Yeah, course. It’s not easy though.” he warned as the claw dropped, and then came up empty, earning four ‘awwws’.

Makki stepped aside, and gestured for Oikawa to try. He quickly paid, and glanced at Iwaizumi.
“Which one do you want?” he asked with a teasing grin, and Iwaizumi huffed as he looked into the machine.
“That one.” he finally said, pointing to one shoved into a corner, and Mattsun laughed.
“That’s almost impossible.” he remarked, and Makki hummed in agreement.
“We’ll see about that.” Oikawa said.

Naturally, he missed spectacularly. Unexpectedly, the claw managed to come up holding a different toy, a small hedgehog.
“Well, beginners luck, I guess.” Makki said with a grin as Oikawa pushed open the small door and grabbed the plush.
“Here you are.” Oikawa said dramatically, bowing for good measure as he held out the toy. Iwaizumi snatched it out of his hands, going red.
“Ok, ok, fine. You made your point. Good job. Stop being weird.”
“That last one’s probably asking for too much.” Mattsun said, and Makki laughed as Oikawa gasped in mock offense, straightening up. “Hey, how about we go see if Oikawa can get anything from the big crane? The one with those, like, two foot tall plushies?”
“Oh my god, yes!” Makki said, and then he was grabbing Oikawa and all but dragging him to another claw machine.

And thus began an afternoon that followed that pattern. Someone would win something. Someone else would drag the group to a new game. They’d win or lose, and there’d be ‘aww’-ing or laughing. Rinse and repeat.

Oikawa had never had so much fun doing the same thing over and over again, he mused as he stepped away for a moment, leaning against a wall and watching Makki and Mattsun play air hockey.
“You alright?” Iwaizumi asked as he approached, leaning next to Oikawa, who nodded.
“Just fine. How’re things going out there?” he asked, gesturing to where he could see, but not hear Makki and Mattsun.
“Well, I’m not sure if they’re trash talking or flirting, but they both seem to be into it.” Iwaizumi reported, and Oikawa laughed.
“Well, I’ll take that as a good sign,” he said.
“How long are we staying?”
“Well, they're having fun, I wasn’t planning on dragging them away before they were done.” Oikawa shrugged. “Why, you in a hurry to be done embarrassing yourself?” he teased, grinning at Iwaizumi, who scoffed.

“Yes, but that's not what I was asking. I meant us. Here. We really shouldn’t spend much more time down here, even if they don’t get together.” he pointed out.
“We could though.” Oikawa mused. “I mean, we can perform our duties fine from here.”
“We’d get in a lot of trouble though.”
“With who?”
“Ok, not trouble, but...you know what I mean.” Iwaizumi sighed.
“I do. I’m just not sure if I care.”
“Well that makes one of us.”

“Then,” Oikawa said with a smile tinged with sadness. “How about we go have some more fun and make sure these fools end up with each other.”
“Agreed.” Iwaizumi pushed off the wall and they walked back to the air hockey table, right as Makki groaned in mock distress, dropping his heading lightly into the air hockey table.
“Ooo, I take it that means Mattsun’s our victor?” Oikawa asked, and Makki just groaned again as Mattsun laughed.
“Yup. Ten to seven.”
“Cheater.” Makki grumbled as he straightened up, but he was smiling ruefully and his tone was teasing and playful.
“I think you mean winner.” Mattsun shot back in a similar teasing tone.
“Well, regardless of who won or lost, what’s next?” Iwaizumi asked, butting in gently.
“Food.” Makki and Mattsun said in perfect unison, and Oikawa laughed.
“Perfect, I was just getting hungry. What should we get?”
“Pizza.” Makki and Mattsun said, again, in perfect unison.
“Ok. That's a little creepy, but alright, let's go get some pizza.” Iwaizumi said, earning him a laugh from the other three.

And so, barely half an hour later, they were all sitting around a table with their drinks, waiting on pizza.
“This has been fun.” Oikawa noted, hand finding Iwaizumi’s under the table.
“Yeah. It’s been cool. Thanks for letting me tag along.” Mattsun said.
“Ah. please, this wouldn’t have been the same without you.” Oikawa responded with a grin.
“Yup. He’s a delight.” Makki said, and Mattsun nodded.
“I am.” he agreed.
“But,” Makki continued. “I’ve been meaning to ask you two, how is it that you’re in your twenties, in this day and age, and have somehow never been to an arcade?” he asked.
“Ah, just one of those things, you know?” Oikawa shrugged.
“Mm,.” Mattsun hummed. “And, how old are you two, exactly”
“I don’t kn-” Oikawa started honestly
“Twenty six.” Iwaizumi interrupted, squeezing Oikawa’s hand under the table as Oikawa shut his mouth. Makki and Mattsun exchanged a glance. Before anyone could speak again, the server was setting down their food, and everyone was momentarily distracted, grabbing it and shoving it in their mouths, despite the heat.

After their initial hunger had been sated and their pace of eating slowed, Oikawa found himself speaking first again.
“That was incredible.” he said, and Makki arched an eyebrow, mouth full of pizza.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never had pizza before today either.” Mattsun deadpanned, and Makki made a small affirmative noise, that undoubtedly being the question he had wanted to ask, and Oikawa laughed.
“No, no. I’ve had pizza before.” he assured them.
“I haven’t.” Iwaizumi muttered under his breath, and now it was Oikawa’s turn to squeeze Iwaizumi’s hand. Makki sighed after swallowing and setting his slice down, brow furrowing.
“Ah, hey, has anyone seen my wallet?” he asked, hand moving to his pocket as Mattsun shook his head.

There was a light murmur of ‘no’’s until Oikawa’s hand hit his pocket.
“Wait, hold on, I think it ended up in my pocket.” he said, digging it out, and Makki grinned.
“Trying to steal my life savings of my id and, like, fourteen dollars?” he teased, and Oikawa laughed.
“Caught red handed!” he declared as he held it out. And Makki’s eyes widened as they fell on it.
“No way.” he said, and Oikawa frowned as he glanced down at it
“Wha-Oh. What the…” Oikawa muttered, seeing a small, bright green shoot growing out of the interior of the wallet. Makki looked up at him slowly.
“Ok, so, I just wanna come out and say it. You aren’t human, are you?” he asked evenly, and Oikawa almost dropped the wallet into his plate as Iwaizumi snorted lightly.
“The hell do you mean by that?”
“What I said.”
“And, why would you think this?” Oikawa managed as he cleared his throat.
“One: You’ve never been to an arcade. Two: Never eaten pizza. Three: You both talk about stuff that happened hundreds of years ago in really loud whispers.” he rattled off.
“I’d hardly say any of that means we aren’t human?” Iwaizumi interjected.
“And that was a seed half an hour ago.” Mattsun deadpanned, gesturing at the still rapidly growing small plant, and Oikawa paled as Iwaizumi went red. “I-wow, I thought that it was just a dream when I saw you fucking totoro-ing that tree a few weeks ago.” he laughed, remarkably calm

“You what?” Iwaizumi hissed, whipping towards Oikawa. “You said no one saw it!”
“Because I didn’t think anyone saw it!” Oikawa shot back.
“How were you not more careful?!”
“Hey, in his defense, I also saw you create a wierd, kinda glowy barrier when someone fell and they didn’t get hurt.” Makki chimed in, staring at Iwaizumi.
“How were you not more careful?” Oikawa parroted, and Iwaizumi groaned.
“Ok, well, you’re not gonna believe us if we try to convince you otherwise now.” he said, and Makki and Mattsun shook their heads.
“Nope.” they said in unison.

“Unless, like, you have to kill us if we find out. If that's the case, then you are both very much Average Normal Men.” Makki added in a teasing tone with just a hint of genuine fear, and Oikawa let out a strained laugh.
“No, no, nothing like that.” he assured. “In fact, I could’ve introduced myself as a god if I wanted to, I just didn’t.”
“Why?”
“Well, one, attention. It’s really hard to get anything done when people are constantly physically demanding your blessing instead of praying. And, two, we didn’t want you two to know. And, well, three, I didn’t really think either of you would take it this well. A lot of people don’t.” he said, a bit unnerved at their nonreaction.

They both shrugged.
“You aren’t the first I’ve met.” Mattsun said, and Makki nodded.
“Really?” Iwaizumi said, almost recoiling. “Who did you meet?”
“Didn’t get a name, but he was a little taller than you, really deep voice, brown hair. He’s actually the reason I ended up meeting Makki. He handed me a wallet and told me who to return it to, but said he didn’t have time. Then he just, like, vaporised in front of me. That’s how you get a reaction, by the way. Not from being impressed by arcades and never eating pizza.” Mattsun finished, leaving Oikawa and Iwaizumi a little speechless as Makki took over.
“And mine was when I was younger, but the details aren’t that important.” he said, waving his hand lightly. “I think you two are taking being found out worse then we’re taking finding out.” he added, sounding a little too amused at that.
“Wait, so did you guys know this whole time?” Oikawa asked, shaking his head.
“Nah, just suspected.” Makki said with a grin. “That's why I had Mattsun put that seed in my wallet and shove it in your pocket. I figured a god who could make plants grow would do that statically as well as intentionally.”

Oikawa groaned as he remembered Mattsun bumping into him earlier.
“Well, right you are.” he conceded, shaking his head.
“So, are you like a plant god or a forest spirit or something?” Mattsun asked as he took another bite of pizza, and Oikawa sighed.
“If we’re going to have this discussion, let's not have it in a restaurant.” Iwaizumi interjected. “You’ve figured it out but I don’t think everyone in the building has, so, a little discretion, please?” he asked, sounding somewhere between embarrassed and mildly offended.
“Fine by me. But where are we going then?”
“Well, since you already know,” Oikawa started, a grin spreading over his face. “Might as well come by my place.”
“Show off.” Iwaizumi muttered, but didn’t object. Makki and Mattsun exchanged a glance.
“Ya think it’s safe?” Makki asked, and Mattsun shrugged.
“If they felt like smiting us, I feel like they already would’ve done it. Plus, I really, really, want to see what the inside of the tree looks like now.” he said, and Oikawa laughed.
“Alright, good enough for me.” Makki agreed.

-

The next thing they knew, the four of them were slipping into the treehouse, Makki and Mattsun both stifling sounds of surprise and wonder as they took it in. Oikawa smiled as watched them spin in small circles to see the whole room and run their hands over the still living wood of the walls. Honestly, he was pretty proud of this particular piece of godly craftsmanship. After entering through a simple door at the base of the tree, the entire trunk was hollow, creating a circular room, around fifteen feet tall, and twenty five feet in diameter, with a nice couch, a simple coffee table, and two equal sized windows.

"There's a bathroom upstairs too, if you need it, and my bedroom." Oikawa said, gesturing to a staircase carved directly into the wood, virtually part of the wall, that spiraled up above the ceiling of the room they were currently in.
“So, like, are you a plant god?” Makki asked with wide eyes as he wrenched them away from the spacious interior and to Oikawa’s face.
“No, not plants.” Oikawa said with a smile. “Growth.”
“And what about you?” Makki asked, gaze swiveling to Iwaizumi as he fell onto the couch and grunted.
“Protection.”
“Growth and protection,” Mattsun muttered. “Then, what made you two interested in us?” he asked, and Oikawa sighed.
“You’re about to do a lot of growing. It would be best if you did it with him.” Oikawa said simply, gesturing to Makki.
“Protection,” Makki said softly, glancing at Iwaizumi, his eyes softening a bit as he sat, cross legged, on the floor in front of the couch, Mattsun following suit, and Oikawa striding to the couch. “Thank you, Iwaizumi.”

“Of course. It’s what I do.” Iwaizumi said, lifting his head up as Oikawa sat next to him before quickly shifting into him, halfway laying in his lap.
“Ok, but, wait, I don’t like him because of you two do I?” Mattsun asked, eyes widening in alarm.
“No!” Oikawa yelped. “That's all you! That's another reason I didn’t want to tell you, I was afraid you’d think I was manipulating you into it. I swear, I’ve only used my powers to help you fight your fears. But even that, evidently, didn’t do much.” Oikawa sighed.
“Wait, you like me?!” Makki said, almost flinching as he whipped around to look at Mattsun, and Mattsun went red.
“Yeah.” he mumbled, and Makki paled slightly.
“Oh. Oh damn it.” he muttered, dropping his head into his hands. “Fucking damn it, god damn it.”
“No can do.” Iwaizumi said gently, eyes closed. Makki raised up.
“So, you’re both gods? Not just spirits or something?” Oikawa nodded, and Iwaizumi hummed in affirmation as he cracked his eyes open, shifting so he was laying on his side, making eye contact with Makki.

“I don’t think either of you were really trying to, or to direct them to us, but we heard your prayers.” he said. “And, Makki, I get why you’re freaking out right now. Trust me, I do.” he continued, looking pained. “But, and I give you my word as a protector on this: Issei means you no harm. You will be safe with him. If that ever changes, I’ll tell you.” he said seriously, and Makki glanced furtively between the two of them.
“If it means anything,” Oikawa started gently. “You can have my word too. Growth can be painful and uncomfortable, but it’s hard to stop. Better to do it with those who are invested in minimizing those two things instead of maximizing them. And trust me, Issei’s the first one.”

“Hey, guys, stop.” Mattsun said firmly, still red. “Don’t try to make him feel like he has to be with me.” he said before turning to Makki. “Look, this whole thing got really weird really fast, and I just want to clear a few things up. I really like you and want to go out with you. You do not have to feel the same way, and if you say no, I’ll drop it, I swear. And you don’t have to answer right away either.” he said, and Makki nodded slowly.
“Right, I know, man.” he said. “It’s not like I think you’re a bad guy or anything, you’re awesome, it’s just…”
“Not gonna happen?” Mattsun filled in.
“Yet.” Makki corrected firmly. “Ask me again in a month.”
“For real?”
“For real.” Makki confirmed. “Now,” he said, facing Iwaizumi and Oikawa, who had been watching the exchange in silence. “Does that satisfy your little urge to play matchmaker?” he asked, and Oikawa laughed as a smile spread over his face.

There was an entirely new energy radiating off of Makki.

Where there had been hesitancy, there was motion.

What had laid dormant, protecting itself, was waking.

The germinated seed had sprouted, though it had yet to break the soil above it.

“More than.” Oikawa assured.
“Good. Now, do you have internet, or will I have to use my data?” he asked, and Oikawa blinked.
“What?”
“You heard him. Does this tree have wifi?” Mattsun said with a relaxed grin and a faint dusting of pink on his cheeks, a new energy radiating off of him as well.

Where there had been tension, there was relaxation.

What had been coiled was finally stretched out.

What had been waiting anxiously on a threshold had finally stepped over it.

“The routers up those stairs.” Oikawa laughed, gesturing to the coiling staircase to the right of the couch, and feeling better than he had since he’d arrived down here.

Finally. Progress.

Growth.

He had known it was inevitable, but seeing it realized filled him with a warmth that he craved.

“What? Really?” Iwaizumi asked in surprise.
“Yeah. And don’t ask how. Magicians and gods never reveal their secrets,” Oikawa responded with a grin, scratching the top of Iwaizumi’s head, and his eyes fluttered shut again as Makki and Mattsun all but flung themselves up the stairs.

-

And so, half an hour later, Makki and Mattsun were sprawled out on the floor in front of the couch, a laptop between them, and Oikawa and Iwaizumi were still draped over the couch together, Iwaizumi mostly asleep

“So, are you two, like, a thing?” Mattsun asked, glancing up from the screen as Makki paused the show that had been playing.
“A thing?” Oikawa asked as his hands carded through Iwaizumi’s hair.
“Yeah. Do you feel the same way about him that I do about Makki?”
“Ah, that ‘thing’.” Oikawa said before sighing. “It’s similar, I think. I think what you have might just be a little stronger though.”
“Stronger?” Oikawa nodded.

“Something about humans. You always have such intense emotions.” he almost chided.
“And you two don’t?” Makki asked.
“Every now and then.”
“How long is every now and then? Wait, how old are you guys?” Mattsun asked, and Oikawa smiled.
“I can’t say.. At least several millennia.” Oikawa shrugged, and Makki whistled.
“Have you two known each other all that time?”
“More of it than not.”
“And have you two been this cuddly the whole time?” Oikawa laughed at that.
“Not quite. Touch is a bit of an acquired taste among the divine.”

“And it looks like you two acquired the hell out of it.” Mattsun noted with a smile. “You two love each other.”
“Yes, but I couldn’t tell you quite what type it is by human standards. You two love each other too, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” they said in unison.
“Whatever that ends up looking like in the future, I don’t really care.” Mattsun said. “I’m just happy to have it today.” Oikawa laughed lightly.
“Then you really must’ve absorbed some of my energy. But I’m glad. I truly wish the best for the two of you.”
“Thanks. But, now that you did what you wanted, are you two leaving?” Makki asked, sounding oddly sad about the prospect.
“I suspect so.” Oikawa shrugged as Iwaizumi stirred in his lap.
“Do you have to?”
“Well, I guess not. But, we both have others to help.”
“Yeah, that's a good point.” Makki said, shaking his head with a sad smile. “I might actually miss you two weirdos though.”

“We don’t have to leave yet.” Iwaizumi mumbled from Oikawa’s lap, drawing three sets of eyes to him.
“What?” Oikawa asked.
“Well, we don’t.” Iwaizumi said, glancing up at him, eyes still a little unfocused, and voice heavy with sleep. “They’re fun to hang out with. We could spare a few more weeks. Just until they’re...ya know, growing well and thoroughly protected.”
“Now, I did not think he'd be the clingy one.” Mattsun said with a grin. "It'd be awesome if you hung around, but don't get into cosmic trouble over it, ya know?" He added, a little more seriously.

"Don't worry, there won't be any divine smiting if we decide to stick around a few extra weeks." Oikawa assured with a small laugh.
"Good." Mattsun said with a nod as he shifted his attention back to the laptop, and then yelped. "Shit! It's late, I gotta go." He said, standing quickly.
“Ah, me too.” Makki said, following suit. They both made their way to the few things they'd left by the door and scooped them up. Once he was done, Makki faced the couch again. “But uh, if you two do decide to stick around, let us know.” he added as they headed out the door with a little wave that Oikawa returned.
“We will!” he called as the door fell shut.

He looked down at Iwaizumi, raising an eyebrow.
“What was that. I thought you were the one who wanted to leave soon.”
"Maybe I changed my mind." Iwaizumi responded.
"And why would you do that?" Oikawa murmured, brushing a piece of hair off of Iwaizumis forehead.
“I don’t want this to be over. Call it a selfish blessing, but I’m protecting my heart.”
“They mean that much to you?” Oikawa blinked in surprise.
“They’re not the only thing I’d be leaving.” Oikawa softened at that, leaning down to kiss Iwaizumi’s forehead.
“You know you won’t leave me for long, Love. You never do.”
“But it always feels so long.”
“It really does, doesn't it?” Oikawa murmured against Iwaizumi, his eyes falling shut as Iwaizumi’s hand came up to cup his cheek, and they fell into silence, drinking in each other's presence.

“I love you.” Iwaizumi finally said, breaking it. “I love you so much, Tooru.”
“I know, Hajime. And I love you. It’s one of the few things that’s stayed consistent after all this time. The exact type has changed, our interactions have shifted, but I have loved you, I love you, and I suspect I’ll go on loving you.”
“You’re so fucking sappy.” Iwaizumi laughed weakly as a tear slipped out of the corner of his eye.
“And you’re not?” Oikawa teased. Iwaizumi cleared his throat.
“No. I’m not. I’m very serious.” he declared. “Now, what should we do with Makki and Mattsun in a few days? Or should we let them pick this time?” Oikawa smiled as he leaned back, letting Iwaizumi sit up next to him.
“Lets let them pick. I’d love to see where two humans decide to take two gods for a hang out.” he responded with a grin as Iwaizumi wiped his misty eyes and chuckled.
“They’re going to pick something absolutely ridiculous, aren’t they?”
“Of course. And I can’t wait for it.” Iwaizumi smiled at Oikawa, shaking his head.
“I can’t either.”