Prompt: Teachers. ~585 words, T, established relationship, aged-up, they’re gon get fired.

All fics in my tsukkiyama month tag.

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“Yamaguchi-sensei, can we ask you a question?”

One of his students, a second-year, was nervously twisting her hands and standing in front of his desk. Yamaguchi smiled encouragingly, though he had no idea what this could be about. It was only the first day of school and all that had happened was the opening ceremony and the teachers giving a rundown of what they would be covering in the following year.

“Sure, Ando-san,” he said. “What’s up?”

“Is it – um – is it true you know the new girls’ volleyball coach?” Ando-san glanced back at the classroom doorway, where two of her friends were waving at her to go on. “He’s – um – he seems very cool.”

Yamaguchi was torn between cracking up and rolling his eyes, but settled on just nodding. He really thought that after nearly twenty years, he wouldn’t still be fielding confessions for Tsukki. It was just like old times. “Yes, Tsukishima-san and I are childhood friends,” he said and shot her another warm smile. “I’ll be sure to pass on your regards.”

Ando-san bowed deeply, which also nearly sent him into a fit of giggles, and then dashed out of the room with both of her friends in tow. He got up from his desk and headed toward the gym. It felt a bit weird walking through the halls of Karasuno, preparing to bug Tsukishima about lunch, but he guessed what they always said was true: The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

Tsukishima was in the gym the girls’ team shared with basketball when Yamaguchi found him. He was only working there part-time, freelancing from home the rest of the time. Yamaguchi was glad Takeda had convinced the new vice-principal that it was better to pay knowledgeable coaches, instead of relying on the teachers or the kindness of the locals to take care of Karasuno’s sports teams. Ukai-san was the first beneficiary of that policy change, paving the way for others, including Tsukishima. Which was good. Yamaguchi couldn’t see Tsukki taking on teaching as a full-time gig.

“Is this where I find the very cool new girls’ volleyball coach? The very cool one who didn’t realize he wasn’t wearing his glasses this morning until his generous boyfriend told him because he was so nervous?”

Tsukishima turned around then and Yamaguchi’s suppressed laughter finally bubbled over. He was wearing a headband, the same kind Ukai-san still wore even though his hairline had moved back a few centimeters over the years.

“Do you like it?” Tsukishima said, patting the top of his head. “Takeda-sensei said it brought out my eyes.”

“It does,” Yamaguchi agreed and allowed it when Tsukishima crossed the gym to wrap his arms around Yamaguchi’s waist, pulling him close. “Takeda-sensei’s giving you gifts now? Should I be jealous?”

“No,” Tsukishima said, very seriously, holding Yamaguchi’s gaze for several seconds. A shiver ran down Yamaguchi’s spine; it was totally unfair that Tsukishima still made him feel like that after all this time. Then Tsukishima moved in for a kiss, which is when Yamaguchi finally remembered where they were. He shoved a hand in between them and pushed Tsukishima’s face back.

“Tsukki, we’re in the gym! Anyone could walk in on us here.”

Tsukishima smirked. “Then I guess it’s time we break in the storage closet again,” he said. “It’s just like old times.”

Yamaguchi easily let himself be led away, wondering if that closet had missed them. Well, there was only one way to find out.