#gruff and pointblank

[adarkandmagicalforest]

whether or not you ship sansa/sandor or not

the hound is most definitely sansas sexual awakening right now in the vale, and grrm never writes things like this by accident, so this fact definitely has to mean something in the long run, right?

this is a girl who previously had been attracted to beardless, pretty boys like ser loras tyrell and joffrey

and now, she is in the vale, being regularly kissed and touched against her will by littlefinger who calls himself her FATHER and is trying to marry her to harrold hardying, a boy who fits that pretty boy archetype but she is just so thoroughly unimpressed by him

its the HOUND she thinks of in her marriage bed, its the Hound who protected her from the mob, the Hound who despite being vicious and often rude to her, has never lied to her and tried to bring her home during the blackwater

yes, sansa is all but 14 years old (but there was a timeskip that grrm had been planning while writing the books that got removed before feast? so she in that original plan wouldve been 19 in the vale) but she has already been exposed to so many of the cruelites of man - and yet, the man who she so frequently longs for, who she prays for, whose kiss she dreams of and whose kingsguard cloak she kept, is sandor clegane

and if he is the gravedigger - then he has just overheard from brienne and ser shadrich that sansa stark is in the vale with petyr fucking baelish

#sandor by description also sounds like a northman #gruff and pointblank #a call to home #sandor clegane #the hound #sansa stark #sansan #alayne stone #a song of ice and fire #asoiaf #game of thrones

[plus-size-reader]

Not a Secret Anymore

Henry Bowers x Plus size!reader

Word Count: 1664 words

Warnings: none

Summary: Henry wants to keep his relationship a secret but his girlfriend has a different plan. 

———————————————————————————————————

Henry liked to keep his two worlds separate, as a general rule. On one side, was the gang and the dorks at school and his rough gruff persona. He had no problem with that, the issues came on the other side.

You.

No one knew that Henry had a girl and there was a reason for that. You were a good, sweet girl with a bright future ahead of you and he was only going to ruin that. Not to mention that his friends would call him a pussy for keeping a girl like you on his arm.

But that didn’t change the fact that he was, no matter how much he hated it, that he loved you more than anything.

You had always been there for him, and if it hadn't been for your love and support, he wouldn't have had anyone. You were his reason for being, and the light of his life, but no one could know that.

That was the problem.

In trying to keep you out of the world he lived in, Henry had unintentionally hurt you and himself. You had never come out and told him pointblank that it bothered you when he pretended not to know you at school and only came to see you after the sun went down...but he knew.

It made him feel guilty that it had to be this way but what would people say if you two were together? What would his boys think if they knew that he'd tied himself down to one goody-two-shoes broad.

He'd never hear the end of it.

It just couldn't be like that, not if Henry was going to keep up his image, and you'd accepted that...because you loved him, so of course you'd do whatever he asked, even if it meant you weren't allowed to speak to him if anyone else was around.

Neither of you liked that rule, but sometimes it just had to be that way.

~

Your morning started like any other, getting out of bed and getting ready for the day. You peeled off the cutoff tee you'd been sleeping in, briefly considering if it was Henry's or not and replacing it with a skirt and blouse.

After some breakfast and making sure your hair was done just how you liked it, you were ready to go. The walk to school didn't take very long at all, but it wasn't as quiet this morning as you typically liked it.

The sound racketing through the neighborhood was one that every student in Derry could recognize, but to you, it meant something different.

Belch's Trans Am.

You fought back the brief desire to roll your eyes and gripped your handbag a little tighter to your body. If you were lucky, they would just move on without bothering you too much...if you were lucky, which you rarely were.

"Well damn, that's a lot of woman!"

It was Patrick, like it normally was. He'd been very vocal about his desire to 'wear your thighs like ear muffs' for quite some time but you knew better than to retaliate, it wouldn't do any good.

They knew you'd decided not to talk to them, because they tried every morning, unsuccessfully. Still, those boys were relentless most of the time.

"Oh, what's wrong baby? I promise I'll be nice" he purred, sticking his head out the window of the backseat. For whatever reason, Belch was driving slowly alongside you on the sidewalk, giving all the boys the perfect view of your legs as you tried your best to walk away from them.

You said nothing, until the next offer came along...and you got an idea.

"Will you at least let us give you a ride Sweets? Who knows who you could run into out here?" Patrick was ridiculous, and usually, you would have shrugged him off but this could be interesting.

Quite quickly, you turned toward them, a look of fire in your eyes. Henry was shocked, though he did a good job of hiding it. He had never seen your like that, and honestly, he had no idea what you were doing.

"You know what Pat, I think I'd feel much safer with you guys to protect me...you know, with all the kids going missing" You hummed, giving him a sweet smile that made Henry's blood boil. You were playing him on purpose, he could tell due to the way your eyes shifted over to him quickly.

All you did was smile, not wanting to give anything away. You'd had enough of all the secrecy and hiding and if baiting Henry was what it took, so be it. You weren't some weak little girl and you were going to prove that to him today.

The other members of the Bowers gang also looked confused by your choice, but said nothing when Patrick opened the door and let you in.

Belch and Vic weren't your concern though, you were watching Henry from your place in the backseat, perched on his best friend's lap. His knuckles were white, due to the tight grip he had on his own knee.

Henry was pissed, and you couldn't have been happier. He had always held the upper-hand and called all the shots, and you were over it. He wasn't allowed to hide you away like something he was ashamed of.

And you were leaning into your rebellion hard.

"This girl smells like strawberries you guys" Patrick grinned, his voice just over your shoulder, making it very clear that he was just chilling back there, sniffing your hair. He wasn't exactly wrong, you liked fruity shampoo because it was Henry's favorite.

You forced yourself to giggle, ignoring the strange way Patrick was making you feel. He had always made you uneasy, even before you got all wrapped up with Henry, but your spite was driving you right now, not your logic.

"It's nice right?" you smile, reaching up to grab the elastic that was holding your hair up, and letting it down. The movement of your freshly washed hair filled the small backseat of the trans am with the sweet scent of your hair.

It smelled really good, and only served to make Henry even more angry. He was supposed to be the only person who was allowed to experience you that way. You were his and it would seem that you needed a reminder.

Who did you think you were? Flirting with Patrick and putting yourself directly in with his gang, knowing they couldn't know about you. It was stupid and dangerous, but more than that, you were way off base.

The one thing that bothered him more than any other and you knew it...you flirting with Patrick, he just couldn't wrap his mind around it. Everything about it was wrong, and the more he thought about it, the more angry Henry became.

When the Trans Am finally pulled into the school parking lot, Henry burst out of the car, slamming the door behind him. Just as quickly, your door was open and you were yanked away from the taller man, Henry's hand clasped around your wrist tightly.

"What are you doing man?!" Patrick yelled, hardly getting the words out before the door slammed in his face. Henry didn't have any care in the world for what they were thinking or saying...he had something to deal with.

That was when his attention turned toward you, rattling ever cell in your being. Henry was angry, really angry and maybe you shouldn't have pushed him so hard.

You were in for it, but you also knew that the chances of doing something in public were unlikely, considering he still didn't want anyone to know about the two of you.

However, when Henry bent down to pick you up and threw you over his shoulder, you realized just how angry he was. He was willing to throw out months of secrecy over a single morning.

“What are you doing?” You whisper-yelled in his ear, shocked at what he was actually doing. There was no way to know how the guys would react but in truth, they weren’t seeing anything that would give you away too quickly.

All they knew right now was that Henry was stealing Patrick’s new squeeze, nothing more, nothing less and hopefully it would stay that way.

“Getting you away from Patrick, since you can’t stop acting like a whore” he spit, carrying you all the way around the back of the school, knowing that no one would stop him.

He wasn’t wrong. You’d definitely crossed a line with Pat this morning but you had just been so upset with him, that you hadn’t thought it through.

“I’m sorry but I didn’t think you’d really notice" you teased, finally feeling your feet touch the ground as Henry finally sets you down. Henry may have been angry but his rage had nothing on your own, no matter what he would have you believe.

Something was going to have to give if he wanted this war to be over, and lucky for you, he was over this war between you.

"Fuck, fine" he groaned, grabbing you once again by the wrist and dragging you around the school, finding the gang still sitting in the Trans Am. They had been too confused by all of Henry's antics to move on and frankly, Patrick was kind of peeved that the blonde had taken his girl.

It wasn't fair.

...But Henry couldn't have cared any less about Patrick's pussy whining.

"LISTEN UP SHITHEADS! Y/N Y/L/N IS MY GIRLFRIEND AND I'M IN LOVE WITH HER!" he yelled, his voicing seemingly carrying through all of Derry. You weren't ready for that much attention but at the same time, Henry had given you what you wanted and you couldn't complain now.

The entire courtyard was full of whispers and chatter but all you could focus on was Henry, who's eyes were also locked on your own.

"Happy now?" he asked, not that you were sure how to answer him.

#Henry Bowers #henry bowers x plus size reader #henry bowers x ps reader #the bowers gang #bowers gang #bowers gang imagine #bowers gang x ps reader #it #it 2017 #it 2017 x ps reader #it 2017 x plus size reader

[holymyth]

doc  has  the  common  sense  to  feel  nervous  as  he  raps  once  on  the  door  before  him .      muffled  voices  can  be  heard  yelling  within  the  hall,   clamorous  like  clashing  notes  as  they  argue  the  merits  of  some  plan .      for  a  moment,   doc  thinks  he  hears  his  name  but  when  he  stiffens,   spares  a  look  over  his  shoulder,   he’s  met  with  nothing .      pointblank  silence .      perhaps  he’s  focusing  too  hard,   but  he  flinches  in  the  slightest  when  moody’s  voice  slices  through  the  quiet,   a  few  gruff  and  curt  words  filtering  through  the  door  that  doc  takes  as  permission  to  enter  his  office  at  headquarters .      (   but  perhaps  the  first  sign  that  all  was  not  totally  normal  was  how  doc  hadn’t  already  walked  in  as  if  the  space  was  his  own.      or,   okay,   maybe  the  first  sign  ought  to  have  been  the  two  weeks  worth  of  shadow  across  his  jaw  and  mess  of  hair .      but  in  his  defense,   the  scruff  did  an  impeccable  job  at  covering  the  scar  that  was  a  puckered  and  bitter  pink  against  tanned  flesh .    )      he  shoves  through  the  door  and  a  grin  dares  to  curve  at  his  lips .      “ got your owls . ”       the  boy  drops  unceremoniously  into  the  seat  opposite  alastor  and  holds  up  his  hands,   as  if  to  say  hold  your  applause .      " and  i’m  here .      what’d  i  miss ? ”

0  days  since  our  last  nonesense   for  @honeydrps

#yea we're redoing this thread and we're doing it BETTER #this is the only part im copying and pasting xo #` i. speaking now while rome burns . ( 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐂: 𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄. ) #` i. from underneath the rubble / sing a rebel song . ( 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐂: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐑. ) #` v. queue . ( 𝐎𝐔𝐓. )

[le-amewzing]

falling into step (part 11/11)

And now, a day with Mattsun.

Epilogue: "A Day in the Life" [FFN] [AO3] | ←

Pairings/Characters: Matsukawa Issei/Watari Shinji, OCs, Hanamaki Takahiro (mentions of Hanayaha), with a cameo from Oikawa & Iwaizumi (implied Iwaoi)

Rating: light T

Words: ~7,450

Summary: Watari, responsible and content and comfortable in all his current roles, doesn't find his third and final year of high school lacking. But a rekindled friendship shows him that it's still possible to miss the good things around you even when you're not looking for them. Epilogue: Let us check back in with these cute goofs. ♡

7:00AM

                For once, he'd managed to convince Hanamaki not to horse around last night, and so Matsukawa had gotten a full eight hours of sleep, at a reasonable hour, too, no less. That meant he could wake that Friday also at a reasonable hour, and he could pop over and see Ryouzou-san next door before everyone in the Matsukawa household had breakfast. At this time of the morning, the old man would've already eaten, so Matsukawa wouldn't have to worry about intruding.

                He dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, grabbing a thin sweatshirt downstairs by the front door before heading out, because this weekend truly felt like autumn. It wasn't hot like last week, which had been unusually warm as he'd promised Watari. No, whereas he and Watari had eaten ice-cream outside last week for summer's final hurrah, this weekend… This weekend Matsukawa wanted to hole up inside, maybe break the kotatsu out early. The mental image of him and Watari bunching up under the heated blanket in his room but otherwise cozy as usual made him smile and chuckle to himself.

                "Good morning, Issei," Ryouzou-san said from his veranda as the teen entered through the gate and drew near. The old man really fit in with the neighborhood's aesthetic, preferring to dress in a worn kimono and an overcoat and thick socks, his legs tucked underneath him properly, his arms crossed and hidden by his sleeves. He rocked back gently on his heels, looking up at the tall boy as Matsukawa joined him but sat on the edge of the porch, planting his sneakers lazily on the gravel path. Ryouzou-san, very much like Matsukawa and his family, didn't display his emotions readily on his face, though the way he often pinched his dark brow together and pursed his lips gave him a gruff appearance, as it did now as he faced his companion seated on his right. "That's a pretty dumb look you've got there on your face," he said pointblank.

                Internally, Matsukawa rolled his eyes. The personalities at Aoba Johsai had been a piece of cake to handle after growing up beside this geezer who said whatever was on his mind. But Matsukawa found it endearing to an extent, found Ryouzou-san akin to a spare grandfather he didn't exactly ask for and couldn't exactly shake but found enjoyable all the same. "Not really," Matsukawa finally retorted, but his reply came late and sounded weak with his efforts zeroed in on taming his smile instead of finding a suitable comeback.

                "You didn't come emptyhanded, did you?" the old man asked, changing the subject without a qualm.

                Matsukawa shook his head and pulled out the thin book he'd tucked into the back of his waistband at the last second, passing it to Ryouzou-san. As the older man flexed it and smoothed the cover, Matsukawa said, "I would've gotten it back to you sooner, but—"

                "I don't mind how long you take to read things, especially when the vocabulary's harder."

                There was a slightly mocking edge to his tone that made Matsukawa roll his eyes outwardly. "I finished it in two nights, Ryouzou-san."

                "Then why the apology?" he asked, tucking the book into his sleeve as his bull terrier trotted outside and joined them, coming and sticking his eggshell-colored snout between the two males, smiling up at them with squinty little eyes.

                "I…let someone else read it," Matsukawa answered, patting the dog's head.

                Ryouzou-san looked at him, aghast. "You let someone else borrow my book?!"

                The dark-haired teen shook his head as the man growled "Nobu, sic him, boy!" to the dog. "No. I wouldn't loan out someone else's property—at least, not without asking first."

                In an instant, half the angry wrinkles on Ryouzou-san's face vanished, and he went back to stroking Nobu's head. "Oh." Then he stared at Matsukawa oddly. "You had a guest over and made them read a book, Issei?"

                On the face of it, it did sound ridiculous and boring, but Matsukawa knew otherwise. "He's a fast reader, and we enjoy some of the same things. It wasn't an issue."

                Ryouzou-san made a face. "It wasn't Takahiro, was it? If there's so much as one dog-eared page—"

                Matsukawa shook his head again, motioning that he knew better.

                The old man calmed once more, and he pulled Nobu into his lap, a mawkish gesture which always stunned Matsukawa, because it didn't fit in with Ryouzou-san's overall image. "Did you like the novel? The both of you?"

                The obvious answer was "yes," though Matsukawa knew he'd forgotten some parts, especially after discussing it with Watari, because his mind had been elsewhere with his attention on the libero… Still, he went with "yes." "Ah, but I might dial back on how often I come to borrow from you for the time being…"

                A long pause played between them, and the early morning birds sang in the quiet. A second later, Ryouzou-san's brown eyes sidled over to observe him. "Finally putting your head in your books, eh?"

                Not what Matsukawa had been thinking, though Ryouzou-san reminded him of something very important. Of course at the forefront of his mind was Watari and this relationship which they'd all but named, but Matsukawa now thought back to when he'd been helping Watari study, when they'd talked about the future. Matsukawa was certain he wouldn't follow in his parents' and sister's footsteps, and he wasn't certain what he wanted to do in general… He didn't have goals like Watari's, but he knew, at least, that he didn't want to be like Hanamaki forever, as much fun as his best friend seemed to be having balancing hours at his new part-time job and swinging around to dog Yahaba's heels.

                "School or no, it's no life if you don't enjoy it," Ryouzou-san quipped when the teen didn't answer, and he pointed at Matsukawa with Nobu's left forepaw. "So you better make time for pleasure reading, Issei. That's the only way to ensure a generation maintains some common sense."

                Matsukawa laughed politely at that. He checked his watch after and saw he had to go eat then if he were to have enough time both to clean up and to head to the store to start his shift. He stood to go, bowing his head to Ryouzou-san and scratching Nobu's ears once more.

                "Ah, Issei," the old man called once Matsukawa was a few yards away. He continued when the teen turned partway. "The friend you let read my book—are they trustworthy with your own books?"

                Matsukawa nodded.

                Ryouzou-san, too, nodded, but to himself. "Then I'll have to meet them and see so for myself."

                The idea of Ryouzou-san scrutinizing Watari made Matsukawa's heart race with panic and forced bile into the back of his throat, and he daren't think about the last time Ryouzou-san had passed judgment on one of his friends. Of course, Hanamaki was a troublemaker and nothing like Watari, but still…!

12:30PM

                Just as the alarm on his watch beeped to signal his lunchbreak, Matsukawa turned and saw his sister shaking her head as he began to slip his Sekitan apron off. He grimaced, but that did nothing to provoke her.

                "Sorry," she said nonchalantly, scurrying past him, her denim jacket on and a package under each arm. "I got a call from Mom and Dad, and I need to join their meeting, so the shop's in your hands. Have a working lunch, Itchan."

                He opened his mouth to protest, but it was useless. From a young age, he'd learned not to disrupt his parents when they were in their busy mode, and he'd had to learn the same for Kako once it became obvious she was going to be in the same line of work. So he resigned himself to his fate and appreciated that Kako at least brought his sandwich up front from the fridge in the back before leaving. He ate at the counter during a brilliant lull, taking his phone out and wondering what kind of text to send Watari.

                Speak of the devil—a text came in from Watari right then:

-Good news! No practice today. I can come over right after. c:

                Just as suddenly as his mood had plummeted after Kako's announcement, his mood lifted up at Watari's message, and he quickly sent a confirmation:

-（￣ー￣）

                "That's a pretty deliriously happy smile you've got on there."

                Such familiar words… But they came from Hanamaki this time, not from Ryouzou-san, so Matsukawa settled the speaker with a particularly dry look as the annoyance sauntered up the main aisle to greet him. "…on my lunchbreak? Seriously?"

                Hanamaki grinned at him and leaned his elbows on the counter, reaching for Matsukawa's sandwich. He pouted when the taller boy yanked it out of his grasp. "Seriously. I don't work Fridays. At least, not yet. But you"—he pointed rudely at the jet-haired giant—"are in the middle of your typical day here, when you should be on break."

                "Kako had to step out."

                "Ah." Hanamaki raised his eyebrows and shrugged, turning around so he could lean against the counter and watch the store with Matsukawa. "Then why're you so happy?"

                Matsukawa pursed his lips. He refused to answer. Besides, Hanamaki would supply his own explanation soon enough.

                And, not one to disappoint, Hanamaki glanced over his left shoulder at Matsukawa, a knowing smirk painted on his lips. "You heard from Watari, I take it."

                Matsukawa busied himself eating.

                "Call or text…text, gotta be," Hanamaki continued, eyeing his friend. He faced Matsukawa again, again leaning on his elbows but stroking his chin this time. "Yeah, definitely a text. He told you there's no practice today, so you two will meet up at the end of the day."

                Matsukawa gawped at him. "How…?"

                Hanamaki stuck his tongue out at him. "Duh. Yahaba called me at the start of the lunch period."

                Oh. That made sense, actually. Matsukawa exhaled, calmer after hearing that.

                "But…damn."

                "What?" Matsukawa asked, finishing his food right as two customers entered the apothecary. He threw out his trash and took a squirt of hand sanitizer from the dispenser in the back, just in time to find an order for the first customer. The other dawdled in the front, looking at the various lip balms, so Matsukawa shot his friend a little glare for him to continue but to do so quietly.

                "Watari always gave off that pet vibe, to be honest."

                Matsukawa pulled a face.

                "Oh, come on. In club? He was such a good kid. Polite, like, ninety-nine percent of the time. His sass is so watered-down, it's almost not sass."

                At that, Matsukawa turned his head to hide a snicker. If only Hanamaki and the others knew…! Yahaba probably knew about the snide side of the libero, but Matsukawa had a feeling Watari only ever showed his exasperated side to his friend and that Matsukawa got more of what honestly made Watari…well, honest.

                Hanamaki paused to give Matsukawa a befuddled look, but he pushed on. "Anyway, so when you mentioned months ago about running in to him, and then seeing him kinda often, I thought you'd gotten yourself a pet." He laughed at the second glare Matsukawa gave him, but there was no meanness in his tone or in his eyes, although he couldn't wipe that smirk off his face. "But I get it. I know better now, you know."

                Matsukawa quirked an eyebrow, like "Is that so?"

                "Really. I had a hunch—so did Yahaba—but I knew for sure after the pool. And if not then, then definitely now, with that delirious look on your face."

                "Is 'delirious' your choice word of the day?"

                "Maybe. It's fun to say." Hanamaki twirled halfway around, the hood of his pink sweatshirt flapping behind him, and sashayed in front of the counter after the other customer left without buying anything. "Delirious~ Delirious~ Matsukawa is delirious~"

                Good grief. Where was Iwaizumi when a guy needed him?

                "Oh!" Hanamaki spun around to a stop in front of the dark-haired male once more. His eyes were bright. "You know this means I don't have to ditch you, nor Yahaba, Watari, anymore. We can do double-dates!"

                Matsukawa frowned—for two reasons. He'd heard from Iwaizumi about hanging out with Oikawa along with Hanamaki and Yahaba, and that had happened only once for good reason. Secondly… He was still enjoying this transition that wasn't quite a transition for him and Watari. But he didn't want to rush into something like a double-date too soon. Or, if he were being honest, he wasn't ready to share Watari with others just yet. The pool had been a different set of circumstances, and Matsukawa knew he'd almost gotten carried away, even then.

                "Hey."

                Matsukawa blinked, coming back to the present. He met a concerned pair of tawny eyes.

                "I mean, I'm not exaggerating…am I? You two are…?"

                It was nice to know he cared, but that wasn't what brought the smile back to Matsukawa's face, small though it was. It was the fact that Hanamaki wasn't exaggerating; he had no need. With Matsukawa and Watari, things were fine…things would be fine.

3:15PM

                At home, Matsukawa changed into his slippers and welcomed the silence of the empty house. Kako and their parents had returned to the apothecary in time for his shift to end, and he was more than glad to have the house to himself. He could change, clean up his room, fix a snack…fret about what was going through his mind.

                He really liked Watari. As in, really liked Watari. But had he ever actually made that abundantly clear to the libero?

                Consciously, Matsukawa thought as he took his time putting away some laundry in his closet, he'd been aware of his intense favoritism of Watari for a few months, around the time he'd first taken Watari out to a movie, to cheer him up after the Interhigh loss. And it was likely around the time he'd first decided to lend Wish You Were Here Yesterday to Watari that Matsukawa had acknowledged he wanted to keep Watari around permanently. Although…

                His hands slowed to a stop in hanging up his clothing as he discovered one of his father's handkerchiefs mixed in with his laundry. The token was a reminder of Matsukawa and Watari's encounter at the start of summer, and Matsukawa's face reddened as he daydreamed about recently returning Watari's handkerchief to him. Unconsciously, he'd held on to it, accidentally on purpose, but he knew he couldn't hold on to it forever and so had given it back.

                Gods. The shattered look that had passed over Watari's face had made Matsukawa panic then, so Matsukawa had made sure not to end the night on too permanent a note. He'd even said explicitly that he wanted to continue seeing the shorter teen. And Watari had cheered up, and then Watari had mislaid his phone days later, and then they'd met up again and had an impromptu movie date and—

                —and it had been a week and a half since then, and Matsukawa was, as Hanamaki phrased it, deliriously happy. But that didn't mean he didn't worry about things he and Watari had yet to say or discuss.

                His phone rang then, and he wondered if Watari had managed to pull off good timing twice in one day. Instead, the chime for a video chat followed, and Oikawa's and Iwaizumi's faces appeared on the screen when he answered. "Oi" and "Yahoo~" were said simultaneously, so it came out sounding like "Oihoo."

                Matsukawa mustered a grin for them as he kicked the emptied laundry basket out of his room and picked it up at the top of the stairs. "You two all settled in now?"

                "Settled…" Iwaizumi echoed his word but looked a rather sickly shade of green at saying it. "Please don't say it like that…"

                Matsukawa saw from the corner of his eye that Oikawa shot him an unimpressed look. "Oh, get over it already." He faced the screen as Matsukawa stepped onto the main floor. "We are, though. Oh, and classes just started, but they're a lot of fun! You should come join us, Mattsun."

                The black-haired teen internally sighed and smiled in response. He knew what it was like to stay overnight with them. But sharing a campus and maybe a dorm with them, for another four or so years? There was only one answer: "I think your university's a bit of a hike for me, guys."

                "Yeah, but we've got everything around here," Oikawa continued, poking Iwaizumi in the face until their former ace looked irate more than nauseated. "Iwa-chan turned down around fifteen different venues that weren't up to his standards, but it was worth it, being patient with him." His smile was friendlier than Iwaizumi liked, judging by how the latter tried shoving him out of view, snarling about who actually needed patience in their twosome.

                "But we'll be home next week," Iwaizumi announced, managing to shove Oikawa to the side only partially, so he had Oikawa's cheek mushed against his left temple.

                Matsukawa raised his eyebrows.

                "The Spring High prelims are next week, right? So we're planning to come show our support." He frowned. "I really wish we could've been there for Interhigh prelims, especially after what Shido said happened."

                Oikawa yowled in the background about "Tobio-chan," but Matsukawa, too, though back on that day, and he was glad it had been only him, Hanamaki, and Shido. Not that Oikawa and Iwaizumi were unwelcome, but, in hindsight, Matsukawa could say for sure that the current team didn't need such strong personalities hanging around that day. Not to mention that might've made it harder for Matsukawa to break off from the alumni to hover around Watari…

                His dark eyes inched back for another glance at his phone's screen, watching his two friends blather on about something else—perhaps one of their classes? Matsukawa wasn't sure since he'd zoned out—and the familiar scene helped put him at ease…no, that wasn't quite right. Instead, it gave him some hope. Oikawa and Iwaizumi were a good example of people who understood where things stood between them even if they said nothing. Of course, Matsukawa and Hanamaki and the rest forever wondered if Iwaizumi would ever get with the program, but Matsukawa realized that paradigm shift was going to be something far different from his with Watari. In that way, he knew he was very lucky.

                His phone buzzed while the duo continued talking, and a text appeared on the bottom of the screen:

-I'll be at your gate soon.

                Matsukawa blinked, suddenly recalling the front gate, short though it was, was locked, and he didn't want to force Watari to clamber over it. He dawdled, waiting for a pause to interrupt the childhood friends. "Guess I'll see you next week, then," he said, and Iwaizumi nodded and they said their farewells, although Oikawa's eyes felt sharp on Matsukawa as the line disconnected, and the former middle blocker prayed that the Interhigh prelims were all Shido or any of the others had mentioned to the two. If Hanamaki or Yuda had let slip any observations about him and Watari, then next week would not be as enjoyable as he'd originally pictured.

3:31PM

                Watari walked up to the gate as Matsukawa neared, and Watari's smile was soft and welcoming as Matsukawa unlatched the gate that separated them. "That was quick," the shaven-haired boy stated, laughter lacing his tone.

                Matsukawa blinked slowly, appreciatively. With a shock, he realized they never said "hello" to each other except for Watari's usual "Good evening" when meeting up with him on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and he kind of liked that, as if they didn't need the greetings and never had. There was something comforting in the simplicity of being around Watari, and Matsukawa knew the ends of his lips were curving up as he lingered by the gate, not moving aside to let Watari in, only staying there and looking down into his favorite set of warm gray eyes.

                A healthy, berry hue dusted Watari's dark cheeks, but he didn't avert his eyes. He scratched his cheek, practically giggling as he said, "Um, Matsukawa-san, haven't you realized…? We've got an audience."

                That snapped him out of his stupor, and at last Matsukawa sensed four other sets of eyes not only on him but on Watari, as well. Matsukawa flicked his gaze to the kids from the family across the street, and he promptly wanted to stick his head in the ground at how openly they watched the two teens from their front yard. In lieu of that, he hid his face with one hand while Watari laughed and waved to them. "…I'm an idiot," he grumbled.

                "No, you're not. They're curious, that's all."

                "Yeah, but I wanted to—" The older boy stopped short. He peeked between his fingers.

                Watari turned back to him, not needing Matsukawa to finish his sentence. And, somehow, though he was just as red as Matsukawa, Watari still smiled cheekily at him, a sight only Matsukawa got to see. "I'm glad," the libero said eventually, gently pushing the taller male aside so he could get past.

                The older boy ran his hand through his curls halfheartedly before dropping his hand back to his side. Then Matsukawa twisted his lips around after closing the gate, like "Why's that?"

                "You still get excited to see me. It's mutual."

                Matsukawa was only a step behind him, but the sincerity of Watari's words froze him to the spot, so Watari reached the front door before he got moving again. He couldn't very well tell Watari he was wrong when he wasn't, but he did give the younger boy a pouty glare. Watari laughed in response.

                "I thought about stopping home to drop my things off," Watari stated as they entered Matsukawa's room, "but I decided against that."

                "Why's that?"

                Watari dropped his duffle bag on the floor and pushed it out of the way, beside the dresser on which Matsukawa's gaming system was staged. "Well, not every day's like this, so why not take advantage of it?"

                His ears weren't playing tricks on him, but Matsukawa's brain definitely spun a thousand fantasies at that, most of them childish demands, and it was all he could do to nod when Watari double-checked that the bathroom was at the end of the hall and excused himself. Then the jet-haired boy flopped backwards on his bed and brought a pillow up to hide his face, wishing his pulse would stop racing.

                Why was it that Watari could act so natural, feel so natural being in Matsukawa's house and room? And the naturalness with which he said such things… Matsukawa was at the point where he no longer knew whether to be happy or to be nervous about the fact.

                That transition that wasn't really a transition for him and Watari? Maybe Matsukawa had imagined it, on his part. Watari seemed so relaxed around him now—"settled in," as Matsukawa had teased Iwaizumi and Oikawa only twenty minutes ago.

                But Matsukawa, on the other hand, felt the buzz of a pleasant thrum under his skin these days, a sensation that went hand-in-hand with the hyperawareness he now experienced as he thought about how well he'd come to know Watari at this point.

                That cheeky smile only he ever saw.

                How Watari preferred the sweater vest to the school blazer, evidenced even today, the vest smoothed nicely over his oxford, the top button of his collar undone but his tie barely loose enough to give that away.

                Watari's general taste in clothes, his favorite style a mix of active but comfortable, always ready to go with the flow—something that meshed well with the libero in him.

                Watari's taste in stationery, from gel pens over ballpoints to notebooks and index cards in subdued colors to sticky notes in hues as bright as Watari himself.

                How Watari could eat anything placed in front of him but had a twinkle in his eye when it was something Matsukawa made for him specially.

                That Watari didn't really have any qualms with his height, that maybe he'd accepted he wouldn't grow any taller long ago, that maybe he'd acknowledged there were many advantages to being his height…and perhaps spending time staring up at Matsukawa was a prime example of a plus.

                …ah, honestly. Matsukawa couldn't calm down like this. Least of all when he'd come so close to kissing the other boy outside a moment ago.

                But he was pulled from his spiraling thoughts at the arrival of a heavy warmth on his torso, and he lifted the pillow up enough to see Watari had returned, quiet as a cat, and crossed his arms atop Matsukawa, leaning on him over the edge of the bed. The shaven-haired boy beamed at him.

                Matsukawa was glad Watari didn't ask what was wrong, because, the longer he remained in that position, the farther Matsukawa's unsettled feelings flew away.

                "Oh, I remembered to bring your books, by the way," the third year said, motioning with his head to his bag.

                Matsukawa raised his eyebrows. "Even though you were supposed to have practice, you were still going to come over?"

                Watari moved his shoulders slightly, a mediocre shrug with his arms crossed beneath his chin. "Even if only for a quick visit." He laughed at himself. "I really thought I was better with returning borrowed things than I actually am."

                Watari could keep Matsukawa's stuff for as long as he liked, as far as the dark-haired boy was concerned. But he thought that might sound odd, so he withheld that comment.

                "And next week will probably be pretty busy, with last-minute things to take care of before the Spring High prelims." He tucked a fist under his chin, propping his head up without digging his elbows into Matsukawa's gut. "So, aside from a chance on Sunday, I'll probably only be able to see you briefly Tuesday evening." He smiled, but his tone sounded a tad down.

                Matsukawa slid the pillow off his face, tucking it under the arm opposite Watari. "Funny you should say that. It might be more than just me and Hanamaki and Shido coming next week," he elaborated after a pause in which Watari cocked his head to one side.

                "Really?"

                "Yeah. I spoke with Iwaizumi and Oikawa earlier. I think they miss us," Matsukawa added, snickering at their expense. As rowdy as the Seijou house could be, there was plenty to miss for those who left.

                "You realize it'll be different from the Interhigh, Matsukawa-san."

                Matsukawa gave him a "Well, duh" look. "You guys will kick ass."

                Watari shook his head, smilingly wryly. "Not only that. Something tells me Hanamaki-san will feel like no holds barred this time around, now that more people know and are fine with him and Yahaba. Yahaba might kill him yet, if Hanamaki-san hoots and hollers even worse than last time."

                He laughed at that, but the warmth that often pooled in Matsukawa's middle whenever they hung out grew with Watari stretched out on him, and Matsukawa shyly flicked his eyes to his companion. "What if I came and hooted and hollered for you?"

                Again, Watari laughed, but he scooted up a smidgen so he was properly across Matsukawa's middle, and he playfully patted the older boy's stomach, still hard and flat despite trading in the volleyball for manual labor. "Matsukawa-san, we both know even you wouldn't do that." He raised his eyebrows.

                And Matsukawa caved, his cheeks growing warm. "… I could try." Though he, too, knew he wasn't into self-abasement, especially the public kind.

                Watari beamed at him, and, much as before, Matsukawa had clashing feelings, the desire to kiss that smile beaten down by his shyness. Sadly, the choice was no longer his as Watari sat up, taking his warmth with him as he rearranged his legs and leaned back against the side of the bed. "It's all right." He pulled his knees up to his chest and turned his head to Matsukawa. "It's nice just having you there, you know."

                Matsukawa sat up partially, but Watari's words… The former middle blocker knew he'd said some deliberately misleading things to toy with Watari, but it seemed as though his bad behavior had rubbed off on Watari. But, at this point, even taciturn Matsukawa was done with the things left unsaid. Of course, he couldn't find the right words when he needed them, but he reached out and nudged Watari's nearer shoulder with his fingertips.

                The libero's eyes flitted to the gesture, and he chuckled at it as he played with Matsukawa's fingers on his shoulder. He tugged each finger lackadaisically before deciding to hook a couple of his with Matsukawa's.

                "I remember once telling you it's okay to be selfish on occasion," Matsukawa started, and he sat up the rest of the way, lowering his legs over the bed's edge until his feet were on the floor and Watari could lean against him.

                "I know."

                "So…this is me being selfish, asking you to be selfish."

                Watari eyed him, all wide stare and blinking baby grays. Then that soft, gentle, Watari smile bloomed on his face. "All right, then. I'd like you to come cheer us—me on," he corrected when Matsukawa turned pouty. "I'd like you to come cheer me on, and I want to hang out with you after all of our wins, and I want to do all of this because I like you, Matsukawa-san."

                Oh. Hell. "…you didn't have to go that far," the older boy grumbled, sliding off the bed and sinking down beside Watari, who pulled Matsukawa's hand up to lace their fingers now that he had better access.

                "Maybe not, but I wanted to say it finally. Indulge me," he added, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter no doubt at how red he'd made his friend.

                Matsukawa paused at that. Ah. Yes, they were friends, but there were other words he could use to describe Watari now, weren't there?

                "I understand it, though," the shaven-haired boy continued, and Matsukawa indulged him again as Watari leaned to his right and rested his head against Matsukawa's shoulder.

                Matsukawa couldn't show Watari his expression without disturbing their current position, so he gave Watari's hand a squeeze instead.

                "I understand Morioka's feelings, as well as Yahaba's." He paused with a sigh and didn't continue for a moment, which made Matsukawa antsy, considering he'd just mentioned the girl who'd practically confessed to the third year.

                "Don't you think they're a little different?" Matsukawa suggested. Morioka had only had a crush. Yahaba was in love. That was a big difference in Matsukawa's book.

                "Not initially. It's… It's being intrigued by someone that's the start of things. Then it's up to the person who's intrigued to decide what'll become of him and the other party."

                Matsukawa frowned. "But…she approached you."

                Watari picked his head up and looked at the older boy's profile until Matsukawa peeked down at him. "She did. And she didn't actively pursue me, so I think she'd made up her mind from the start. As for me, there was no interest on my part, so it was a dead-end." He pulled on Matsukawa's fingers, stretching their arms out, pressed flush together, fingers laced, wrist and elbow and shoulder touching—well, as best they could, considering the size differential.

                Matsukawa's frown disappeared slowly the longer their arms remained this way. He marveled at how this was the best of both worlds: them sitting comfortably together as they'd always done, their hands linked in a new, fun meaning. Watari's fingers were darker and shorter and stockier than his were, but there was a softness to them that fit in with Watari's overall soft image. Matsukawa thought again of huddling under the kotatsu with Watari…but he fancied, instead, wrapping himself up in Watari, when the chance came. "I like you, Watari," he breathed, his eyes on their hands as he gripped that other palm and drew their arms back up.

                He caught Watari's gape in time, very much like all those other times he'd enjoyed teasing the other boy, with the libero turning magenta from the tip of his nose to the apples of his cheeks to the back of his neck—a color that spread even under his buzz cut, Matsukawa noted with amusement.

                Ah, yes. If this was how things were going to be with them—calm and quiet and exciting and surprising and confusing and affectionate and frustrating and loving—then there really was no reason for worries or misgivings. He mused about saying this aloud and putting Watari at ease, but he knew he was also better with actions than with words, so he leaned forward to grab the remote off his table and turned the TV on to something mind-numbing, hugging Watari's arm to him until Watari gave up and nonverbally agreed that, yeah, this was them, and there was no need to get used to something which they were already enjoying like a second skin.

5:47PM

                "Itchan!"

                Mostly through one whole movie later, Matsukawa's eyes glumly went to his door as he heard his sister climbing the stairs. His eyes darted to Watari back on his shoulder, and the smaller boy rubbed the sand from his eyes with a yawn since he'd fallen asleep.

                Watari woke up the rest of the way when Kako's footfall thudded on the boards outside Matsukawa's door, and his arm, still trapped in Matsukawa's grasp, tensed—but he didn't go to remove it from the larger boy's reach. He simply gazed up at Matsukawa, his lips pursed, somewhat apprehensive.

                Matsukawa dwelled on it for but a second, and then he decided he didn't care if Kako saw or not. There could be other points of contention in his family, about university or his career or whatnot. But he wouldn't let Watari be a problem, and he wanted to make that clear from the outset.

                Kako slid his door open after a quick knock, and she halted for maybe a millisecond after her eyes locked on to her little brother and his guest. Her lips curved up just enough for Matsukawa to notice, but she didn't remark about the scene before her. She, like Hanamaki, seemed to view Watari as some cute pet, despite her dislike for cute things, preferring everything to be basic, simple, pragmatic…necessary. So, instead of commenting, she leaned against the doorjamb and turned to Watari. "Hey, Shinji. Mom and Dad will be home before long, so we were thinking of eating early for us. You're welcome to join us," she reminded him.

                Well, hell. Matsukawa had killed to avoid such a scenario until now, and his shoulders sank as he shot Watari a desperate glance.

                But Watari seemed to be drawing strength from Kako's quiet acceptance, if not approval—almost as if he got the feeling Kako actually saw him as a necessary presence in Matsukawa's life. He touched the index finger of his free hand to his chin, a new, impish gesture Matsukawa had the sinking feeling he'd grow to be familiar with in the future. He rummaged in his pocket for his phone and looked at the time. "I think I will," he said in the end, and he laughed as Matsukawa groaned and Kako cackled good-humoredly.

                "Good answer," the woman said, and she turned to her brother. "By the way, Mom said you're responsible for prep tonight, so the kitchen's yours." She waved over her shoulder before disappearing into the bathroom, and they heard her sigh in relief as the showerhead came to life.

                Matsukawa grumbled under his breath, taking the hand Watari offered as they got up off the floor. "You're far too cozy here," he scolded the younger boy as they went downstairs.

                "Kako-san's been insisting for ages, and I haven't met your parents yet. It was bound to happen sooner or later, so might as well let it happen now." He grinned at the bottom step as he took out his phone again, likely to message his parents that he'd be staying for dinner. "Besides, any time I can eat your cooking is a win. Ah, ow, Mahkawah-shan!" he yelped when Matsukawa pinched his cheek.

                With a new task at hand, both were better behaved, and Matsukawa felt more in his element…though he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy having Watari there with him in the kitchen. Whereas before he'd had Watari sit patiently at the two-seater within the kitchen space, watching as Matsukawa did his thing, this time Watari jumped in, a second set of hands for Matsukawa when he needed them.

                The kitchen was quiet as they worked, Matsukawa simmering some mushrooms and Watari tossing the red bell peppers he'd cut up with a pinch of salt. Aromas floated around, spreading to the rest of the first floor and heading up to the second, and it was kind of like being in a bubble, just the two of them. As things were finished one by one, the two friends—

                Matsukawa hesitated at his inner monologue, turning the skillet down low. It hadn't helped, growing up around people with poor communication and emotive skills, but, if this relationship were to work, Matsukawa would have to lay things out plainly. He furrowed his brow.

                "Matsukawa-san," Watari said, holding the bowl with the vegetable mixture, "I finished this part. You're right; it tastes good with just a little sal—"

                Of course he was right. Matsukawa appreciated subtle flavors and salty tastes—a mix of which Watari tasted when the taller boy ducked down to peck his lips at last. He straightened up after, raising his eyebrows as he licked his lips. Watari tasted like salted peppers and…something more. Something sweet. Something…Watari.

                That was a delicious flavor Matsukawa didn't imagine replicating, but he was all right with that.

                "Matsukawa-san…!" Watari mewled, stunned beyond belief for the second time that evening. Good thing the bowl hadn't left the counter, lest they would've had peppers everywhere, and Watari wouldn't have a bowl in which to hide.

                But Matsukawa laughed. "Kako did say our parents will be home soon, so…y'know." And he laughed again at the implication that they were running low on alone time.

                "Matsukawa-san…!"

7:58PM

                "They like me."

                "…I know."

                There was a bounce in Watari's step as they took their time walking to Watari's house, even though Watari had insisted it was rather late for Matsukawa to see him home on foot. In the glow of the streetlights, Watari's eyes glittered. He practically gloated, "They like me."

                Matsukawa sighed and rolled his eyes, rubbing Watari's head and pushing him playfully as the shorter boy laughed. "Yeah, I know. I was there for that." And he had been, for over an hour. His parents had come home ten minutes after Matsukawa had stolen another quick smooch, and they'd introduced themselves before his mother had taken over in finishing putting the meal together. Watari had carried on smoothly with Matsukawa's father at the dinner table, enlightening Matsukawa's mother as best he could when she chimed in from the kitchen, focusing on memories of Matsukawa and the other alumni in the previous two years at Seijou and highlighting some rather fond anecdotes of kindness from this past summer. Matsukawa had been uneasy when Kako joined them, but her shower and a beer put her in a good mood, and she didn't let anything slip to their parents. Dinner was merely an amicable affair after. And Matsukawa's stoic parents were positively charmed with the libero who'd only been a name to them until then.

                "I like them, too," Watari said, his tone and smile content little promises to Matsukawa as he kept up with the taller boy's pace. "I mean, I liked Kako-san before—you two are fun to watch—but…I really like it there."

                The dark-haired boy pursed his lips, thinking, too. "…yeah, me, too," he said quietly. Not that he'd never loved his family before, but… There was something about tonight that made home seem more like home to him. Could it have been the enjoyment plain on their faces? Or maybe it was the conversation. Or maybe…

                His eyes alighted on his boyfriend, and he leaned on Watari as they turned onto the shaven-haired boy's road.

                It was the Watari Effect. Definitely the Watari Effect.

                "Goodnight, Matsukawa-san," Watari said, amusement in his voice again as he righted the older boy when they arrived at the Watari nameplate.

                Matsukawa nodded. He gave Watari's hand a light squeeze and ducked his head by way of parting. But Watari held on tight when he turned to leave. He lifted on thick eyebrow.

                "Um…well…" Watari yanked on his hand, pulling him back to Watari. The shorter teen stared up at him expectantly.

                Oh. This was a shocker. Matsukawa's eyes widened at the realization of what Watari was demanding, because he wouldn't've pegged Watari as the PDA type in a million years. But the new information made him happy and his heart light and the butterflies in his stomach cheer as he stooped down, meeting an on-tiptoes Watari partway to kiss him again, still sweet and light but much better than the kitchen kisses from before.

                Watari grinned against his lips and broke away then. "'Night," he said, heading up to his front door.

                Matsukawa waved. "Goodnight," he mumbled long after Watari could no longer hear him. He walked home with a bounce in his step, too.

                A good night, indeed.

11:49PM

                Matsukawa was still up, bathed and ready for bed but reading since he felt only the lightest drowsy touch. His choice of book probably wasn't wise, not when he couldn't think too deeply about the fantasy novella he was reading, despite Ryouzou-san's insistence that the fantasy was only a device to disguise the political implications within. …frankly, this type of book wasn't his norm, but he was giving it a go since Ryouzou-san's suggestions were on the mark more often than not.

                Since he was still up, he wasn't disturbed when his phone buzzed with a text, though it wasn't an unusual occurrence. He'd spent many a night—especially Friday nights since graduation—answering dumb messages from Hanamaki and the occasional from Oikawa or Shido on weekend nights, though Hanamaki was the usual culprit. He'd dialed it back, his demands to keep Matsukawa up playing games, now that he'd started working part-time at the sweets shop in the next town over, but Matsukawa expected the occasional bad judgment call from his lazy friend.

                But it wasn't Hanamaki. It was Watari:

-Matsukawa-san? Are you awake?

                So strange. Matsukawa had him pegged as the early-to-bed, early-to-rise type.

-Yeah. (‘◇’)?

                A moment later, he had his explanation:

-I'm not sleepy yet.

                Matsukawa chuckled.

-Need a lullaby? (´△｀)♪

                Watari's reply was hasty:

-No! I think I just wanted to chat?

-You're asking me?

                A full minute passed.

-No, I'm not. I

                His finger must've slipped. Matsukawa knew Watari employed proper grammar and punctuation in all his messages.

-I looked up a few kaomojis myself.

                Oh, boy. This should be good.

-And?

                Watari's reply was so precious, Matsukawa dropped his book. He paused to freak out and make sure the item was all right—the geezer would kill him if he damaged one of his favorites—and then he reread Watari's text twice:

-ヽ(愛´∀｀愛)ノ ♡ 

                Good gods. Was it bad if Matsukawa thought of him as cute? Did guys call each other cute, even if they were dating? But Matsukawa didn't have a better word for his boyfriend. He decided to avoid the word for now, lest he discover Watari had an irritated-with-being-called-cute side, too.

-Ditto. ♥╣[-_-]╠♥

                His response must've been the right one, since Watari was satisfied with that.

-I think I can sleep now, Matsukawa-san. Goodnight! (*°∀°)=3

-Goodnight, Shinji. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

                He sent the text before he realized what he'd typed, but Watari must've gone to sleep without seeing it, so Matsukawa breathed a momentary sigh of relief. He'd have to wait to find out if that was too soon, but at least Matsukawa could put his book away and recline in bed now, set to dream of the excitement of the morning—another morning, with Watari, just as the mornings and days and evenings and nights after would be.

                "Yeah…I'm in deep," Matsukawa whispered to himself, and he turned the lamp by his bed off, a happy smile on his face that remained there even while he dreamed.

Yes. Just…yes. I wanted to dive in to Mattsun's mindset a little, and the ending juxtaposes Watari's internal commentary at the end of ch10, with him just flat-out admitting to himself that he's in love. That said, I like, too, that neither of them said "love"—they're both new to this and learning, and "like" encompasses all they can grasp right now, but it really is the start of something big for them. -w- Let's see… I wanted everyone to meet Ryouzou-san, since he's someone important to Matsukawa, and the bull terrier finally got a name! I think, in the future, Nobu will appreciate walks more when Matsukawa has Watari tag along, since Nobu really liked meeting Watari back in ch4. XD Makki, tho… I absolutely love Mattsun's friendship with him. Though their class assignments might say otherwise, I think Mattsun has more drive than Makki does, so it was interesting for me to compare the two in this story, both through Watari's and through Mattsun's eyes. And Iwaoi cameo! They say they'll be back for the Spring High prelims, but I think they'll be back more than a month later for the prefectural rep playoffs, too. -w- Mattsun's actual fam is also pretty precious, and I think Mattsun's exposure to Watari is good not only for the quiet giant but also for his family—as Mattsun thought, it's the Watari Effect. ;] And GODS. How innocent can Mattsun be, stealing smoochies like that? XD Though Watari being fine with PDA is a personal headcanon of which I can't seem to let go, but I think it really works for Matsuwata??? Gosh. :3c And finally they exchange some fluffy texts! Like, pls. They need to stop being so cute. ;w; They are not good for mew's heart. XD

So, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING UNTIL THE END! :D Much of this story was written in about a week, but then Matsuwata kept adding layers to the story and I just. By ch5, it was a novella, and now it's actually novel-length. *happy sigh* I have more Matsuwatas in the works, but give me some time to recover from this fluff until then, yeah? ;D

Some final notes: Since this story was rather long, I ended up with a short, fun playlist for them (two songs I mentioned in my ch10 A/N): "Love Is" by Meg and Dia, "Don't Look Back" by Télépopmusik, "In Too Deep" by Raleigh Ritchie, "Breathe" by Télépopmusik, "Weird Inside - Just Ask" by Oshi, "August" by DeKobe (couldn't find a link, sorry!), and "One Step" by Hyolyn and featuring Jay Park. Funny to me how two of those have no vocals, but it fits the quiet feeling of Matsuwata I guess??

And a BIG, GIGANTIC "THANK YOU!!!" to my pal, @palmtreeexpress , for being my beta reader and editor! There are forever a million things to thank you for, hon, but I truly appreciate you giving my boys and their story some TLC. -3-

At last, as I like to say…thanks for reading, and please leave an anon/unsigned review via the FFN link or the AO3 link at the top of the post! And I hope you try out more Matsuwata and my other HQ!! fics if you enjoyed this! Thank you very much, and let's meet again!

~mew

#hq!! #haikyuu!! #matsuwata #matsukawa issei #watari shinji #hanamaki takahiro #OCs #oikawa tooru #iwaizumi hajime #mew writes too much #fanfic #ws/mi: falling into step