Chapter Text
You loved Suna first.
Ever since your first morning at pre-school: when you were a crying, knock-kneed mess in the corner with snot running down your face, and he was the only person who approached you, holding his favourite teddy bear out for you saying you could play with it as long as you promised to look after it.
You held it to your chest, staring in awe at the chubby little boy in front of you, smiling so widely his eyes disappeared into crescent moons, flashing crooked milk teeth.
Don't ask you how you knew, but you were certain that after this you would be bonded for life.
From then on you were attached at the hip. You were his only friend and he was yours, too wrapped up in your own world to try and make friends with the other kids who often poked their nose into your make-believe games and tried to join in. After a while and many futile attempts at involvement, they simply left you alone.
When you were little children, there wasn't much difference between you and Suna’s personalities. Both loud, both boisterous and both mischievous to the point where it drove your parents insane. Your families gave you the moniker 'The Terrible Twins' because of your likeness and bad habit of getting into trouble at every corner.
Back then, you loved him in the immature way all children love their favourite possession. To you, he was like a prized doll or teddy bear that you cherished; the two of them linear. When you're young and egocentric, you think everything on earth was put there for you. With Suna, this couldn't have been more truthful. Even after you grew out childhood.
Your parents arranged regular playdates for you on the weekends, because only seeing each other during school hours wasn't enough. You'd flit between houses depending on each family's work schedule, though it was usually you going to his house more often. He had a treehouse in his backyard, which was just the greatest thing ever to two six-year-olds.
Only in elementary school did you become less tangible, developing your own personalities. Suna turned in the opposite direction, reverting into a quiet shell that was so unlike his chaotic toddler self. He hardly spoke in class, avoided interaction with classmates unless absolutely necessary and kept to himself where possible.
You didn't change much. Obviously you were no longer a wild child but you didn't become meek like your best friend. You always joked it was a good thing Suna had you to balance out his coyness, to which he would always reply, so sharply witty for someone his age, "That's supposed to be a good thing?"
It became apparent that Suna wasn't shy, as such. When people spoke to him he would make conversation back, he wasn't socially awkward or cripplingly terrified of human interaction, he was simply reserved. In a way, it was beneficial because you would talk his ear off about all manners of things and he'd studiously listen, no matter how mundane the topic.
Despite the differences shifting between you both, you still remained best friends throughout your elementary and middle school years. Weekly sleepovers were still a thing, you'd still go to each other's houses after school, but instead of playing with toys or creating fantasy worlds, you'd do homework, watch TV or play on your games consoles.
The older he got, the less Suna liked going outside and doing things like exploring or riding bikes. You didn't mind. As long as you were close that was all you cared about.
Your first year of high school was when everything changed.
The first adjustment was that you were placed in different classes which had never happened before. You were counting on using Suna as your safety crutch as you'd navigate through Inarizaki High School together. You never got the chance. The only time you saw one another was at lunchtimes or after school.
Suna decided to join the volleyball team since he'd been playing since middle school, while you joined the yearbook club. When you told him about this, Suna almost died of laughter; asking why you'd join such a nerdy club when generally speaking you were outgoing and social.
You'd shoved his shoulder harshly and told him it was because you hated sports- he fully well knew this. That's just your best friend; he can sometimes be so casually cruel without realising it.
The third big change was that Suna started getting friendly with the boys on the team. He never had the opportunity to make other friends in middle school, he didn't have the effort to approach people; but when these boys seemingly fell into his lap, everything slotted into place perfectly for him.
It sounds bad, yet it wasn't really. Suna didn't forget about you and tried to include you in all their activities, obviously feeling negligent if he didn't. He'd invite you to their practises or ask if you wanted to join them if they ever went to eat. At first you felt like an intruder, but the team reassured you they liked having you around- any friend of Suna's was a friend of theirs.
When you glanced over at him as they announced that, he smiled softly and found your hand under the table to squeeze it.
The final and biggest change was that you realised you were in love with him.
It wasn't a huge revelation; a lightbulb moment that made you rethink your entire existence. It didn't come to you with any particular force or jaw-dropping realisation. You were sitting at your dining room table doing homework when you happened to look up at him, his face framed by the golden afternoon light coming through the open door and you thought contentedly to yourself: I really love you. I always have.
Surprisingly, nothing changed in your friendship after that. You didn't act any differently around him or suddenly become shy, you'd known him since you were still in diapers so nothing regarding Suna could embarrass you that badly.
You interacted as normal. Because you'd always loved him, it changed nothing. You weren't even particularly bothered about him discovering how you felt, you were so sure that nothing would ever force a wedge between you.
You knew Suna loved you too, even if it was only as a friend. And you were content with that.
Until it just wasn't enough.
Because you carried on as normal, you became hyperaware of instances where he would take your hand in his, or he'd give you a piggyback, pat your head or put his arm around your waist playfully, and you were struck with sudden cognisance that you wanted it to be real.
That you wanted him to look at you the way you looked at him, for these friendly moments to mean something more.
You felt terribly greedy not being satisfied, but these newfound feelings snuck up on you in a way you weren't expecting.
Maybe telling yourself you were content with just friendship was a complete lie you convinced yourself of to stop getting hurt in future.
***
Your second year at Inarizaki begins uneventfully. As expected, you're still not in the same class but since you made it work last year it doesn't concern either of you greatly. During the first week, you see Suna at lunchtime and that's it.
He doesn't have time after school because of volleyball obligations whereas you're busy helping introduce the newcomers to the yearbook club, so both of your schedules are packed. However, on Saturday after practice, he comes to your house, just like the old times.
Suna isn't the most talkative person but sometimes he can be coerced into a lengthy conversation if you ask the right questions. So when you inquire as to how volleyball is going, he launches into a spiel about their new captain- Kita Shinsuke- how hard he's pushing them already and a funny anecdote about Ginjima locking himself in the storage cupboard.
You listen, enraptured, staring at him with stars in your eyes as he recalls all of this. You're both laying on your bed; him with his hands behind his head staring at the ceiling with you propped up on one elbow, eyes tracing his side profile.
He really is so pretty. It amazes you how he hasn't got a girlfriend yet. You know he has received a few confessions but he tosses them in his bag never to be looked at again. This greatly comforts you.
He turns his head suddenly, catching you by surprise. You try to make it look like you weren't just staring at him, aware of how suspicious you must look while your eyes dart around the room faux casually.
"What about your week? Anything exciting happen?"
"Nah." You relax once you know he isn't going to ask why you were looking at him.
"Sounds like you need something more exciting than yearbook club," he snickers, making you hit him with a pillow.
He never misses an opportunity to tease you about your choice in extracurricular activity even if it's all lighthearted.
"I've been very busy with it, for your information," you say haughtily. "We've got lots of newcomers this year."
"They'll soon realise how lame it is."
You snort. "Like volleyball club is any better. All you do is throw balls around a court and slap each other's asses with towels in the locker rooms."
"I told you never to repeat that," Suna says quickly, looking shifty. "It's just an initiation thing. It doesn't happen every day."
"Sure," You tease. "Now I know why you spend so much time there- ah!"
You squeal when Suna leaps across the bed and begins tickling your, deft fingers digging into your ribs knowing exactly where your ticklish spots are. After all, he's been doing this for years. He knows your body better than anyone.
You try to wiggle out of his grasp but his grip is relentless, bearing down on you until you have to breathlessly accept defeat. He flops back down beside you, broad shoulders brushing against yours. Your heart squeezes as you think 'it could be like this all the time. This could be real'.
"Rin?" You speak up, quieter than before. "I really miss you when we're at school."
"I miss you too," he reciprocates. "No one knows me as well as you do."
You could kiss him. In this moment you think he'd let you. Who knows what could develop between you if you did? Your whole life could change if you were brave enough to take this step.
"Will we still be friends when you get a boyfriend?"
"What?" You choke, turning to him in horror. "Why would you say that?"
He shrugs. "Dunno. Just been thinking about it. I mean, not seeing each other because of school is one thing but what if your future boyfriend doesn't like us hanging out? Who would you choose then?"
"You, obviously," you say without hesitation. "I'd chose you above anybody. What about you? Who would you choose?"
"You," he replies, patting your head. "You don't even need to ask."
I love you, your mind echoes. I don't think I'll ever stop loving you.
"Besides," he continues. "I don't have to worry about you getting a boyfriend any time soon."
You sit upright, trying not to let the offence evident on your face. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugs lazily. "No offence, Y/N, but you're not the type to have a boyfriend. You know guys like you and you turn them down. It's okay not to be ready for it."
He is such a hypocrite! He does the exact same thing! Countless girls have professed their affections and he's turned them down without second thought. Why are you the only one being ridiculed?
You also know for a fact that he's never had a girlfriend or even any of his first times; this is something he's too shy to initiate. He doesn't even talk to girls.
Your blood is boiling at his little comment, anger steadily rising in your chest like a tidal wave. You have to bite down hard on your tongue to stop something hurtful slipping out. You don't want to lash out at him, not when you're having such a perfect afternoon together.
However, that doesn't mean nothing stupid doesn't come out.
Before you even have time to process what's going through your mind, you blurt it out. The words you can't take back.
"Well I do have a boyfriend, so there."
Suna sits up, his gaze hard and calculating. Usually you would flinch away from his intimidating stare, but you jut your chin out childishly to glare back. He's trying to analyse whether you're telling the truth, looking for telltale signs of dishonesty; the ones he has come to recognise so well.
You're so annoyed that you're not scared by his scrutiny.
"Who?" He asks, eyes narrowed.
And that's when you say it. Blurting out the first name you can think of. Possibly the stupidest thing that has left your mouth to date.
"Miya Atsumu."
***
You fall against the gymnasium doors, gasping for air and clutching your chest. Taking a few moments to get your breath back, you squeeze your eyes shut trying to control your laboured breathing. I really need to get fit, you think.
You had to run from your house to the volleyball gymnasium at school before Suna gets here. Since you have his schedule memorised, you know exactly what time he arrives on a morning, so you ensured you would arrive fifteen minutes before him. That gives you enough time to talk to Atsumu and leave.
Sliding the door open, you poke your head around to see if you can locate the blonde twin. Your eyes land on him and Osamu's bags in the corner, meaning he's somewhere around. You just have to find him. That shouldn't be too hard.
Slipping inside and taking your shoes off, you begin walking across the empty gymnasium. It's weirdly deserted. You thought the boys would have started setting up by now. Suna leaves practice until the last minute, but has already told you before that the other team members always come early. They possess much more enthusiasm than him.
"Hello?" You call. "Is anyone here?"
"L/N?" Aran questions, looking confused as he steps into the gym. He's carrying the net under one of his arms. "Are you looking for Suna?"
"I'm looking for Atsumu, actually."
He doesn't even attempt to disguise his surprise. "He's in the locker room. Him and Osamu have been arguin' again."
"Thank you!" You smile, quickly stepping past him, hurrying away. You don't have long and you need a while to explain yourself and appeal to him. You realise you’re asking a lot of him.
As fate would have it, Atsumu is walking out of the locker room the moment you enter the hallway. And he's on his own. Albeit he has a face like thunder and is muttering under his breath, obviously worked up over him and his brother's argument, but when he sees you his expression shifts to one of bewilderment, much like Aran's.
"L/N!" He exclaims. "What're ya doin' here? Lookin' for loverboy?"
"Looking for you actually," you correct.
Before he can protest, you grab his wrist to yank him into the nearby storage closet. He yelps in surprise as you drag him away, slamming the door shut behind you and resting your back against it. That should give you some privacy.
"What is this?" He demands.
"I need to ask you a huge, huge favour," you begin, widening your eyes for emphasis. "I know it's a lot to ask- believe me I wouldn't be here if I didn't have any other choice- but... I need you to be my fake boyfriend," you say in a long exhale.
Atsumu remains blank for a moment, before realisation mists over his eyes. He does a dramatic double take, mouth falling into an 'O' as he stares at you for further elaboration.
"I know it sounds crazy but at the weekend Rin said something to me and without even thinking I told him you were my boyfriend. I said your name because I know you two are friends and you're a pretty cool guy-"
Atsumu shakes his head, holding his hands up. "Woah, woah, save the grovellin' for later. I wanna know what Suna said first."
He hasn't outwardly denied your request yet. Holy shit, is he actually considering this?
You swallow awkwardly. "He said I'm not the type to have a boyfriend; that I'm not ready for one."
"Is that it?" He wrinkles his nose. "Wait... you like him, don't you!"
"What? No!" You snap defensively. "No I don't. Why would you even think that?"
You thought Atsumu was meant to be dumb. How has he caught on so quickly?
"Yeah, you do," he smirks. "You wanted him to get jealous, right? To see what he'd say if he knew you had a boyfriend."
Your silence is the answer he needs. Somehow he has managed to sum it up perfectly with the meagre information available. You wonder how he came to the conclusion that you like Suna so soon.
"So you wanna use me to make him jealous." Atsumu juts his hip out, framing his chin with his forefinger and thumb, looking deep in thought. "What's in it for me if I agree?"
"I hadn't thought that far. I thought you were gonna reject me as soon as I mentioned it."
"Hm..." He hums. "I guess this could work for me too. Aiya keeps rejectin' me so she'd get jealous if she saw us together."
You frown. "If she's rejecting you then shouldn't you respect that?"
"Nah, she's just playin' hard ta get. Trust me. I know when a girl likes me."
You refrain from rolling your eyes. Clearly he doesn't. You're not going to argue, especially when he's so close to agreeing. With how desperate you currently feel, you'd get down on your knees and beg for it if he so asked. Since he seems a bit sadistic, you're not going to mention this.
"Okay," he says suddenly. Your eyes almost fall out of their sockets. He's actually going to go along with this? "But if I don't think it's workin' then I'm callin' it off. Sound fair?"
"Yeah, of course!" You blunder, brain failing to catch up with the reality of the situation. Miya Atsumu is really agreeing to be your fake boyfriend.
"'Sides, there's worse girls to fake date." He eyes you up and down. "Yer actually kinda pretty. Shame yer hung up on Suna."
You can't help but snort. "And that is exactly why I would never like you for real."
He looks smug. "I'd be a bit nicer to yer fake boyfriend. It'd be a shame if I told Suna the truth, wouldn't it?"
You freeze, eyes narrowing dangerously. "You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?" He asks lightly. "Guess you better be nicer ta me so you don't find out."
Two can play at that game.
"Okay, my dearly beloved." You throw yourself at him in an aggressive hug. He chokes as your arms tighten harder than necessary around his neck. "I'll be the best fake girlfriend you could ever ask for."
He pushes you away by your shoulders. "Yuck. Suna can have ya. I can already see this clinginess is gonna be an issue."
You dust yourself off, trying to wipe down any of his germs that might be lingering on your clothes.
"I better go before Rin arrives. Don't want to look suspicious. Thanks again, Atsumu. Really. I owe you one."
"Yeah, that's kinda botherin' me. What exactly do you owe me? Like, what's my reward for this?"
You're completely at a loss what to say. If you don't offer him something good enough will he back down? Although he's supposedly going to benefit from this by making Aiya jealous, you don't hold much hope for this. It sounds like she doesn't even like him.
She has the right idea. If you had any other option you wouldn't be within a ten foot radius of him either.
"What do you want?" You ask carefully.
His mischievous eyes light up. "One wish. You have to give me whatever I ask for."
"Come on," you whine, stamping your feet. "Wouldn't food or something suffice?"
Atsumu folds his arms over his chest, smirking. "One wish," he repeats.
"Fine. And if this doesn't work and you're not convincing enough, you owe me one wish too."
"What?" He chokes. "'Course it's gonna work! I'm gonna be the best fake boyfriend the world has ever seen!"
"Something tells me the competition isn't going to be challenging," you deadpan. "Now I really have to go. I've wasted enough time talking to you."
As you're discreetly slipping out of the closet, Atsumu sticks his head around the door and yells, "See you on Monday, babe!"