Chapter Text
“Keep up on the dishes so the place doesn’t start to stink.” Tsukkishima Kei was going through his final mental checklists. The ride he hired to bring him to the train station was only a few minutes away.
His boyfriend, Yamaguchi Tadashi, rolls his eyes, glancing at the clock again. The batteries in it must be dying. That’s the only logical explanation for how slowly this entire morning has gone.
“And when you load the dishwasher make sure you rinse everything first.”
He honestly can’t wait for Tsukki to get his bossy ass out of the apartment. He’d been fussing like this all morning.
Yama was trying to be understanding and supportive. The behavior made sense. Tsukki always stresses out before a trip. The fussing was normal. He didn't really mean to be an dick about everything…
Sure…
“And make sure you don't overload it.”
But Yama could only put up with so much.
“Yeah.” Yama acknowledges, not even trying anymore to keep the annoyance out of his tone.
I know how to load a fucking dishwasher. He stops himself. Just hang in there.
They had gone on an extra long run that morning but apparently it hadn't killed enough time or energy. Tsukki had been packed since last night, so after they got back from their run and showered, he had nothing left to do but start nit-picking.
And he was being an ass.
And seriously how is it not time for him to leave yet?
“And don’t let your clothes pile up all over. You need to do a load here and there throughout the week.”
“You’re acting as if I don’t also take care of things around here,” Yama snaps, “and it's not like this is the first time you've been away this summer.”
Tsukki was leaving for his volleyball team’s summer training camp. A two week trip away with the team before the official season kicked off. It was not the first time the two had been away from each other, but it was for sure the longest since they had begun living together post college.
Yama’s stomach flips uncomfortably at the reminder. Tsukki’s been gone for an extended weekend here and there, but two weeks? Two weeks is a long time…
Tsukki shoots Yama an all knowing look with that stupid smug face of his. Yama glares back, irritation replacing his moment of melancholy.
“I'm skeptical of your motivation when there isn’t anyone else around,” his tone is reasonable and matter-of-fact, his head tips at a cocky angle. Yama wants to reach out and smudge his fingers across those stupid glasses…
Tsukki continues, “You forget that I’ve seen how you live when you're on your own. There's a reason I never slept over in that biohazard of a dorm room you had in college.”
This bitch better have a lense cloth handy, “That was years ago!”
Tsukki sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, sounding tired, “I’m just not looking forward to coming back to a total pit.”
“That’s not fair at all and you know it!” Yama shoots back, pissed. Tsukki is treating him like a child.
“Isn’t it?” Tsukki’s tone snaps as he begins to respond to Yama’s irritation with his own. “This isn't a weekend tournament or overnight match, Tadashi. Two weeks. You really think you can handle it? I’m not playing around. Last time I came home we spent hours cleaning. Hours! It was one weekend. The apartment isn’t that big! You’re just one guy!”
Yama flinches a little, hurt. Just as equally by Tsukki’s attack as by the fact that he knows there’s truth to what Tsukki is saying.
Still…
“You're being an asshole right now,” he says, deflating. Tsukki may be stressed but none of this was easy on Yama either. Saying goodbye always made him sad. He was so proud that Tsukki had these opportunities to travel and be a part of a team still. But, he couldn’t help feeling a little left behind now and then. He’s traveled to watch games but it’s not the same as it was back in highschool, and there wasn’t anything to do about it.
And it’s not like any of it was Tsukki’s fault or choice. That man hated being away from home. With all that said, it made a mess of Yama’s head and heart. The thought of two weeks away had Yama’s stomach in knots for days ahead of time. He wished it didn’t feel so pathetic.
It wasn’t like there was a no phones policy at the camp or anything like that. They would still be able to call and chat. Yama just really didn’t like being alone. And that was his own issue to deal with.
Although, the way this conversation was going, that didn’t sound so bad right now. Tears start to burn at the corners of Yama’s eyes.
Tsukki clicks his tongue, at a loss for words his gaze turns to the floor, eyes piercing daggers into the linoleum. The kitchen is silent. The energy is tense. Both of them are frustrated. Neither one of them knows where to go from here.
Tsukki is the first to break the silence. He starts out slowly, his tone offering a white flag.
“Okay, fine. You say I’m being an asshole. I will admit, you’ve earned some credit there. I know I haven’t been the… easiest to deal with this morning. I’m sorry.”
Yama looks up to meet Tsukki’s eyes. Tsukki smiles softly in reward. A little honey before the sting of his next statement.
“However, I think we can both agree I’m not exactly wrong either. You are not good at keeping things… tidy.” He pauses, waiting.
Yama lets out a stressful sigh. Nodding. He’s right after all, Yama is a pretty crappy house keeper. His eyes find the floor again. Today sucks.
“Care to make it interesting?” Tsukki asks, filling the silence, his tone still seeking peace. He steps into Yama’s space, finger tips reach out to cup Yama’s cheek. Tsukki hesitantly tilts Yama's gaze up from the floor until they are eye to eye. “If you manage to keep this place clean while I’m out, the next week of chores will be completely on me.”
Tsukki is offering one week of cleaning in exchange for Yama’s two weeks.
Seriously? Does he think I'm stupid?
Yama rolls eyes that start to fill with tears. He’s so over it. So angry that he’s doing a crap job of holding it together. This is so dumb.
“One week of two-peoples-worth of chores,” Tsukki emphasises, ducking to recapture Yama’s gaze.
Okay, that may be a fair point. Ugh, my head hurts.
“and…” Tsukki pauses, debating his next move. “I’ll give you one full day of me… in… in the maid outfit.”
Oh yes, the maid outfit… WAIT, what?!
Full stop.
The maid outfit!? That changes everything.
Neither of them had been sure if Bokuto had sent the costume as a joke or because he genuinely thought they should have one. Either option was equally valid when it came to the exuberant man, but they had opened the box and then promptly put it into the closet with a laugh.
That was a couple months ago.
Yama assumed Tsukki had forgotten all about it, and now here he was, offering it and himself up on a silver platter.
Yama is stuck in buffer mode as his thoughts come and go at lightning speed. There’s no way this isn’t some kind of trap, right?
Reviewing the offer, and what’s at stake, against the likelihood that he could come out on top with this one… it was really a six in one, half a dozen in the other type of situation. Worst case scenario, he ends up in the maid outfit. It would be a first for Yama, but it had always been something he was interested in exploring anyway.
And best case scenario?
It was one hell of a white flag. His eyes snap back to Tsukki whose face is set. He’s dead serious.
“Three days in the outfit.” Yama counters, his emotions whipping around like crazy. He wants to gauge just how far Tsukki is willing to let him take this.
Tsukki chuckles, realizing he has Yama on the hook. “One day,” he reasserts, clearly not budging.
Yama huffs softly, lip slightly pouting.
Don't back down.
What else could he try to get out of this. He knows that what Tsukki is offering is way out of the man’s comfort zone so he doesn’t think he’ll get away with too much… but it would be a shame if he didn’t try to capitalize on it somehow…
“Pictures,” the word ghosts out of Yama’s mouth.
“What?” Tsukki’s eyes take on a glint of panic, his grin falling slightly.
“One day in the outfit, fine. But I get to take pictures.” He hardly dares to breathe let alone celebrate the fact that he was the one to catch Tsukki off guard for once. The man’s face flushes a soft pink, he’s flustered.
Yama never thought in a million years he’d even have a shot at getting Tsukki into that outfit. Always assuming he’d be the one to wear it if they ever decided to role play with it. He needs to make sure he gets the most out of this opportunity in case it never happens again!
Tsukki, weighing his options, recovers fast with a slow nod. Yama doesn’t like the grin that spreads across his face. His eyes become focused and calculated, the gears turning.
Oh boy… remember that trap your brain tried to warn you about?
“Yeah, okay Tadashi.” Tsukki reaches up and brushes a lock of Yama’s scruffy hair back behind his ear. “You be a good boy and keep this place clean and I’ll put on the outfit for you.”
Oh, Yama could be a very good boy if it meant getting to see Tsukki in a skirt. The idea was so “other” when it came to the stoic man. Yama found it totally arousing.
“And?” He needed to hear Tsukki say it.
“Aannd…” Tsukki grits out, “IF you do a VERY good job… I’ll let you take a picture of me.”
“Pictures.” Yama emphasises the plural.
Air escaping his mouth in a huff, Tsukki nods mechanically in agreement. Yama chuckles at how uncomfortable he looks, but Tsukki is quick to recover once again. The hairs on Yama's neck stand up as Tsukki grins, his demeanor turning confident, dark, and hungry.
“And if I win,” Tsukki continues, cooing, “same deal. I get to watch you traipse your cute little ass all over this place, while you clean every inch.”
Fine, Yama felt totally normal about that.
“And I expect you to call me ‘Sir’ while you do it.”
Yep. Absolutely normal.
“I’ll expect you to be thorough. And I get to have a little photo shoot of my own."
NOT NORMAL. ABSOLUTELY NOT NORMAL.
Tadashi’s breath hitches. His brain goes on the fritz as he experiences a minor meltdown. He’s totally turned on at the thought of playing maid for Tsukki. Thinking of Tsukki watching him… taking pictures for his eyes only…
His fingers dig into Tsukki’s shirt. His arousal soars briefly before falling flat on the pavement.
“Please… don’t go,” Yama begs flatly. He knows it’s not going to change anything but he can’t help himself.
“Tada-”
“Stay.” Yama interrupts with a weak plea. Burning eyes glue themselves to Tsukki’s chest.
“Hey… look at me?” Tsukki quietly requests.
Yama tries to gather himself. He feels small. Helpless. It’s really happening. Tsukki has to go.
This is pathetic.
He drags his eyes up to meet Tsukki’s, trying but failing at a smile.
“It’s going to be good. Okay?” Tsukki puts on a brave face, “I’ll call you on breaks and we can video call whenever you want in the evenings.”
Yama nods, taking in a deep breath, he tries to pull himself up emotionally. He refuses to send Tsukki off with anything but a smile…
Tsukki’s phone dings and Yama’s smile turns into a whimper. The ride is pulling up.
Tsukki gathers him up into a tight hug. Yama hugs back fiercely, wishing he could just have a few more minutes. He kicks himself for every time he glared at the clock that morning.
Tsukki pulls back slightly, catching Yama’s lips up in a kiss that makes his eyes tear up.
He has to go.
“Text me when you get in, okay?” Yama says with a shaky brightness. The sniffle doesn’t make it very convincing, but Tsukki gives a warm smile back, rewarding the effort.
“Of course,” Tsukki promises softly, pulling him into one last hug. He presses a kiss into Yama’s forehead.
Yama hates how much better Tsukki is than him at goodbyes.
His phone begins to ring. They pull away, exchanging soft smiles.
“Love you,” the promise leaves both of their mouths. Yama’s heart squeezes painfully behind his ribs.
Tsukki grabs his backpack and suitcase and Yama holds the door open as he leaves the apartment answering the call on the way out.
“On my way down...”
Yama locks the door behind him and quietly walks into the living room. He stands for a moment in the silence. Now what? All the things he had planned for when he was finally alone didn’t seem appealing right now.
Two weeks. Fourteen days. May as well be a month.
He sighs, plopping down on the couch and hugging a pillow to himself he glances around the apartment.
The two of them had cleaned together last night in preparation. He just had to keep it this way… no big deal… easy peasy…
And Tsukki… He’ll be home in no time.
…
…Sure.