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Ushijima finishes speaking, his confession hanging in the air between them. Tendou has been gaping at him for about 30 seconds until he starts tearing up. Ushijima’s face falls.
“Satori, why are you crying? Do you not reciprocate my feelings?”
"Oh god Wakatoshi, no, that's not it, I- I'm crying because... because I never thought someone would love me. Like, really love me. Like, all in, unconditionally love me."
Ushijima's face scrunches in confusion, everybody who meets him seems to love Tendou, he's funny and kind, why wouldn’t they love him? He tells him as much.
"I don’t understand, everybody on the team loves you, and your family, they love you. I have even seen strangers smiling at you when you tell your jokes."
Tendou laughs wryly.
"Sure but I mean, the way you love me, Wakatoshi, you- you see me, y'know? Even if it'd been just platonic, you've seen all my flaws and you've seen the things others think are weird. You listen to my rambling, you laugh at my jokes, you let me be myself. And I thought I was already so lucky. Lucky to have a best friend like you. To have someone that let me, be me, and that doesn’t mind my... eccentricities. And I was content with that, with friendship. I accepted that you wouldn't return my feelings. Not in the way I wanted. Your friendship was enough for me. But now, here you are, coming to me and telling me you love me, romantically, of all the fucking ways to love somebody."
Tendou lowers his head and sniffs, directing a sad smile to the ground, kicking at the gravel. He wipes at his cheeks, smearing the tears that are now falling less steadily, and looks back up at Ushijima.
"I just never thought" he pauses,
"I've liked—loved–you for so long, and I didn't think you'd love me back. Not like that. And now, now you're telling me you want to kiss me, hold me, love me. Wakatoshi, I didn't even know you were gay!"
Tendou takes a deep breath, his own confession now the one lingering in their space, and waits.
The silence feels heavy, as Ushijima considers Tendou's words. Then, he smiles. A small, maybe bittersweet thing, but entirely all too genuine.
"Satori. I have always seen you. I like your unusual qualities, even if you say or think that others may not, I do. I have always seen you, and I will always love you."
He reaches an upturned hand out. Tendou stares at it, hesitant, but ultimately places his own in Ushijima's waiting palm, and Ushijima pulls him into a tight hug,
"You see me too, you know. I know that most find my personality... unapproachable, but you approached me anyway, and brought with you the light I did not know I was missing." He whispers against Tendou's cheek.
Tendou breathes in his scent from the place he's tucked into ushijima's neck, and sighs. Tears gone, now replaced with a content smile.
"I see you." He whispers back.
Ushijima pulls back, only slightly, and places a small kiss on Tendou's forehead.
"And yes, I am gay."