III. Breaking Point

STEAL YOUR LOVE
Part 3: Breaking Point

"I can't stand losing you, [Name]."

Oikawa Tooru's words had weighed heavily in your mind, and you weren't able to come up with an answer. His words and behavior were so inconsistent and you just didn't have it in you anymore to try to figure out what his real intentions were.

"I want you to be mine forever," he added softly, but there was an edge to his voice---something dark and cold. He held your gaze, his eyes boring into yours. "These beautiful eyes that glare at me one instant, then question me the next... I want you to look only at me, [Name]."

The words that left his mouth were supposed to fill you up with love and contentment. Those were the exact words that you had been longing to hear after all. However, this time, they only gave you another wad of stress and disarrayed thoughts.

Oikawa yet once again placed a small kiss at the side of your lips, then whispered, "All of your emotions belong to me. And only to me."

Everything seemed to not make any sense anymore as disjointed thoughts swirled around in your head.

Should you trust him? Should you believe every word he said? But what if he was just saying all of this to get rid of any resistance from you?

You didn't know. You honestly didn't know what to think anymore.

***

Days had passed and yet your body seemed to only get weaker and weaker. You'd been absent from your classes since that day too. It had been a tough week, but you didn't even know where to get enough support.

Oikawa had been paying you visits whenever he had time, however, he had been nothing but an additional burden to you. The bittersweet affection he was giving you, sometimes forcibly, was like a knife on your throat, threatening you to obey his every wishes.

His desire to own every inch of you was overwhelming in a way you couldn't put into words.

It was an empty, terrifying love... Trapping your heart in a maze with no way out.

***

It was Sunday.

Your fourth day of being stuck in bed.

Your parents were invited to your Aunt's birthday celebration at a resort, but with you still sick and all, you were apparently left behind. Alone. Housesitting. You still couldn't move around freely but since you didn't want them to miss this chance to get reunited with distant relatives, you pretended to be okay and told them they could go.

They deserved it, you thought. You had worried them so much these last few days. The least you could do was help them get a breather.

You were currently lying comfortably on your bed when the doorbell rang. Once. Twice. Thrice. Perhaps getting impatient for not receiving a response, they thought it would be wise to press the button a hundred times more.

"Damn," you grunted. It was annoying.

You knew it wasn't Oikawa---the guy was already accustomed to barging in to your house like a criminal whenever your parents weren't around. And knowing that it wasn't him somehow relieved you the tiniest bit. So you got out of bed, careful not to bump into anything as you slowly walked towards the front door.

When you opened it, Iwaizumi Hajime's worried frown greeted you.

You stayed frozen for a minute, surprised of the emotions that suddenly surged through you as you stared at his serious expression. Seeing his face in front of you, seeing him look at you with that same gentle eyes, it was making your heart throb almost painfully.

You missed him. So much.

"I-Iwaizumi," you muttered, still in a daze. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you. I just thought your break is taking so long."

You managed to laugh wryly, trying not to worry him even more. "Sorry. I'm just making the most of it."

However, Iwaizumi didn't seem to buy your act as he continued to stare at you, as though studying every inch of your face. "You've lost a lot of weight."

"Y-You think so?"

"I don't think so, I'm seeing it." He was in his usual scolding mode, but there was gentleness in his tone---and sadness that you couldn't quite comprehend.

"Oh," was all you could muster up as a reply. You realized there was no point in pretending. He just knew you so well.

"Anyway, I'll go now. I only wanted to see you and make sure you're still alive," he said.

Your pallid lips pulled into a childish pout. "That's so rude."

He slightly laughed, reaching out to rustle your hair, the fondness evident in his eyes. His touch was warm. The gesture was kind. And you fought back the urge to grab hold of his hand.

Well, you knew you couldn't do that.

"I know I'm not in the position to say this," he suddenly started, "But if you really care about yourself, you won't let this happen to you. Get some more rest and take your medicines."

Upon hearing that, you couldn't seem to find the right words to say anymore. You knew that Iwaizumi Hajime didn't mean something else, but it still struck a nerve. Was he right? Have you been letting all this shit happen to yourself?

That couldn't be, right?

The male took a step back, retrieving his hand. He looked all ready to leave now. "Take better care, okay?"

Without thinking, you grabbed his hand, stopping him from taking a step away. "Don't go."

His eyes grew wide in surprise as he darted them to your hand which was gripping his own tightly. Desperately. Then after a few seconds, he looked at you in the eyes again. "Why?"

"Umm..." You were suddenly lost for words as you finally realized what you just did. "I'll make you some tea," you told him in a livelier tone to hide your embarrassment.

He frowned, studying your expression. "Are your parents home?"

You slowly shook your head. "No, they're not here."

"Then I really must go. It's rude to suddenly enter your house while you're alone." He tried to pull his hand free, but you didn't let him go. Iwaizumi released a deep sigh then squeezed your hand, as though prompting you to let go. "[Name], you're aware of my feelings for you, right? It'll only be harder for me to move on if I won't distance myself. I just had to see you today because I was so worried I couldn't stay still."

As if a glass of cold water was poured on you, you hastily let his hand go. His words had managed to wake you up, pulling you back into a bitter reality. "I-I'm sorry."

You hurriedly turned your back then went inside the house, closing the door in a rush. A hot sensation burned your eyes as you leaned your back against the wall that separated you from Iwaizumi's presence.

What the heck were you doing? You were only going to end up hurting him more. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. How could you be so stupid? Why on Earth did you do that? Crazy.

A knock on the door startled you, followed by your name being called out from the other side. It was, yet again, Iwaizumi Hajime. He hadn't left. You hesitated at first, but after a few seconds of just idling there---thinking about the best thing to do---you wiped your tears dry and opened the door one more time.

"I guess I'll take you up on that tea," Iwaizumi said quietly, averting your gaze as he pushed his body inside.

It surprised you to bits. But instead of asking him questions, you followed him inside. You knew this was wrong, but you couldn't help but smile as waves of undeniable happiness washed over your entire being.

***

You could tell that Iwaizumi was nervous as he sat wordlessly on the couch. And since you really couldn't make tea, you handed him the can of soda that was stored in your refrigerator instead, completely ashamed of your own incompetence.

"I lied," you admitted, your tone apologetic, "I really can't make you proper tea in my current state."

He opened the can then threw you a knowing stare, before responding, "I know. So just take a seat and stop staggering around."

"Hey, I wasn't staggering."

He rolled his eyes deliberately. "Yeah, and I'm an American model with blonde hair."

You couldn't help but burst out laughing madly at his joke. You knew he was being sarcastic, but the expression on his face was just so funny. It was priceless.

Upon seeing you laugh your ass off, Iwaizumi chuckled as well. "I'm glad you're finally smiling again."

You tried to calm yourself down then sat next to him. "What do you mean? Wasn't I smiling all this time?"

"No," he answered almost immediately, "For the past few weeks, I noticed you weren't yourself. I knew there was a problem, but I won't know what it is unless you tell me."

"Iwaizumi..."

"You've always had a beautiful smile, you know. I'm glad I got to see it again today."

Without realizing it, hot tears streamed down to your cheeks. You really didn't know why but the tightening of your chest was suddenly unbearable. Iwaizumi was so sincere and kind, and he sounded like he was saying goodbye to you. It was breaking your heart.

"W-Why are you crying?" he asked awkwardly, panicking. "Did I say something wrong?"

You slowly shook your head, wiping the tears in your eyes as you gave him a small smile to somehow calm him down. "No. It's just that... It sounds like you're saying goodbye. I can't take it."

Silence danced around you for a while as Iwaizumi merely stared at you intently. It looked like he was contemplating every meaning of the words that left your mouth. Then after a few seconds, he said, "You sound like you love me, [Name]."

This time, it was what he said that surprised you and you looked at him with bulbous eyes. The words themselves were shocking you couldn't help but repeat them in your head over and over again. "I... love you?"

"But that's impossible, right? I mean, you have Oikawa. He's your boyfriend and you're supposed to be in love with him."

Nothing could ever describe the confusion you were feeling at the moment. Your brain refused to process what Iwaizumi Hajime was saying. It can't be true, you told yourself repeatedly.

When you looked into his eyes, the same bewilderment was dancing through Iwaizumi's features. "I... I don't know. But..."

..I don't want to lose you.

At that, realization finally dawned on you, leaving you completely senseless and miserable. You unexpectedly fell for him. You fell in love with Iwaizumi Hajime. The one person who truly cared for you all this time. You loved him. But it was too late... Too late for that now. Because Oikawa would never let you go. Ever.

It was so unfair. The truth hurt so much. Iwaizume was just in front of you, but you knew you could never be with him.

Iwaizumi's hands came to wipe away the tears in your eyes, cupping the sides of your face. You didn't know what he was thinking but he was staring at you ironically, almost as though he could read exactly what was in your mind. "Fate is a goddamn jerk. Here I am holding you like this, but at the end of the day I'd still be wishing you're mine."

You didn't respond to that and merely bit the insides of your lower lip. Guess he realized it too. That no matter how much you loved each other, that wouldn't alter the fact that you're with Oikawa Tooru now.

"I know it's wrong," he suddenly started in a low voice, "But can I kiss you, [Name]?"

He didn't even wait for your answer and promptly pressed his lips against yours. You gasped softly, surprised. But it was only for a moment because when Iwaizumi started to move his lips, it was like nothing else mattered anymore.

The kiss was passionate, yet also gentle. His mouth was warm and sweet against yours, and you began to feel light-headed at the intensity of the kiss.

Slowly. Carefully. Blissfully.

Iwaizumi Hajime was filling you up with warmth and love. Almost as though showing you millions of reasons to be happy again. Millions of reasons to forget everything that happened and be you again. This was like a beautiful dream. But then again dreams are just dreams, and like every other dream that you've had before, you woke up this time with nothing but terror. Because Iwaizumi was suddenly being yanked away from you.

Oikawa Tooru gave him a good pull he had easily landed on the floor. You gasped, following Iwaizumi's body on the ground then to the fuming guy in front of you. Oikawa's shoulders were shaking as he glared at you furiously. Darkly.

"WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS?!" he roared.

Like a dripping water in a quiet room, the sound of a strong slap echoed as Oikawa's hand landed on your cheek. The impact had you falling sideways to the couch you were seated.

"OIKAWA! YOU BASTARD!" Iwaizumi, after witnessing with his own eyes, pushed Oikawa away from you. He looked angrier, scarier, stronger. It seemed like he had finally realized something because he was looking at the setter with an expression more severe than any you'd ever seen. "Are you always like this to her?! Has it always been so easy for you to hurt her?!"

"This doesn't have anything to do with you!" your boyfriend shot back.

In an instant, Oikawa was already on the ground, struggling to get up as Iwaizumi's fist landed on his jaw. Grabbing his collar next, Iwaizumi pulled him up to his feet then dragged him towards the door. "I won't let you make her cry again!"

"She's mine! You can't do anything about that!"

"I can!" Opening the door, he pushed Oikawa out. "I'll do everything in my power to make her forget about you."

Leaving those words, Iwaizumi slammed the door close. He quickly rushed to your side, studying your miserable state. The bruise on your cheek was clear in his eyes and the small wound at the side of your mouth was starting to bleed. Iwaizumi balled his fists. "How many times had he hurt you?"

Unable to give him a proper answer, you buried your face on your hands instead.

How many times had Oikawa Tooru hurt you exactly? The truth was you'd lost count.

Iwaizumi knelt in front of you, removing your hands from your face. He checked the mark on your cheek that was now turning a darker shade of purple then ground his teeth angrily.

"You're so precious to me. That's why I can't accept this, [Name]."

You opened your mouth to speak, but the pain on your cheek was hindering your words and a small whimper escaped instead. Just as you were about to cup the aching part, Iwaizumi wrapped his arms around you, pressing you against his warmth.

You snuggled up into his scent, sobbing miserably.

"[Name], will you let me steal you from Oikawa?"

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A/N: omfg hi everyone. so sorry for not updating this series for over a year now, I got busy with work and life. but I just can't give up writing so I'm back. :)

gaaahd. I missed you guys so much ♡♡

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