Chapter Text
A brick wall explodes mere feet away from him, and Iwaizumi seriously considers, for the first time since this mess started, whether they have made a mistake. His senses are hyperaware and nearly out of control—simultaneously casting protection and defensive charms all around him while desperately searching for Oikawa. He can hear him—heard him—a few minutes ago as he casted a wall of fire that hopefully gave him time to get away from the Aurors.
He needs to reach Oikawa without giving anything away, they’ll only have minutes—no, seconds—to apparate. Iwaizumi is rushing through mental images, thinking up their next destination. Anywhere near their neighborhoods is out of the question, they had promised not to bring this battle to their families. Mahoukotoro is of course off-limits, and he deeply regrets not having taken Sugawara’s advice and packing more maps depicting the magical villages—
“Protego! SNAP OUT OF IT IWA-CHAN!” He doesn’t know if he goes partially deaf because of the explosion that gets diverted from nearly happening in front of him or because of Oikawa’s shriek as he hauls him away from the debris.
Oikawa. Oikawa is here. He found Oikawa. Or rather, Oikawa found him. Iwaizumi has no time to retort with a clever comment, and he knows Oikawa notices this by the way he swallows deeply, his teeth probably crunching against one another. Iwaizumi observes the specks of dirt coloring Oikawa’s fair skin, the blotches of red across his cheeks both from the battle and his preference for fire spells. If they were not in the middle of fighting for their freedom, Iwaizumi might even find the image endearing. Right now, amidst the yells and the adrenaline, Oikawa looks very much like the whiny boy who would chase after Iwaizumi on those summer nights, deep up the hill of their joint family’s summer home, where only the cicadas could hear them. Every time he tripped or snagged himself against a branch, he would pout and stomp, threatening Iwaizumi with leaving him and returning to the magically-cooled home (“And you’ll stay here all ALONE, Iwa-chan! Without me to protect you!”) It’d only take a few seconds of Iwaizumi shrugging and continuing his walk for Oikawa to let out a deflated whine and carry on (following him, always following him despite the threats).
In that so-called solitude surrounded by nothing but trees and ethereal nature, Iwaizumi learned to appreciate Oikawa’s loud company. If only—
Iwaizumi grips Oikawa’s white robes. Oikawa stops running, stops tugging at his hand, and only stares.
“I know where to. Trust me.”
Oikawa’s grip hardens in reassurance.
Iwaizumi’s eyes close.
When the smoke clears, when the Aurors successfully extinguish the fire wall blocking their path, they find no trace of the two wanted wizards: Oikawa Tooru and Iwaizumi Hajime.
_______________________
“I don’t think we need to feed the Devil Snare today, Suga, pretty sure Asahi said he took care of it last week.”
“You mean he nearly got choked by the Devil Snare—that doesn’t count as feeding, Daichi. I swear, whoever thought of putting Asahi in charge of a plant that requires you not to be anxious around it—oh, hello.”
Seventh years Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koichi are staring right at him, and Iwaizumi gives another step forward, attempting to become the center of attention, diverting all focus from Makki and Mattsun behind him, and particularly away from Oikawa.
He knew assuming the school would be totally empty was a mistake. They should’ve stuck to his original plan and gotten the hell out of there the moment they left the dueling club room. However, Makki had suggested taking advantage of the school grounds and gathering some supplies before their departure (“We don’t know how long you’ll be gone or where—won’t you need basic potions, heck, spell books?”)
Iwaizumi’s face had resounded a clear “no”. But Oikawa, of course, thought differently. Oikawa, who had asked for a pensive on his fifteenth birthday so he could keep record of the many duels he had participated in, revisiting these moments to study his opponents, chastising his mistakes regardless of whether the outcome had been victory or defeat, staying up till dawn taking notes, remembering, vowing that next time he would be better.
“You’re right. We need to be as prepared as we can. To the library!”
They wasted two hours gathering books, from charms to magical creatures. In that time, no one brought up Oikawa’s white robes, still concealed underneath Iwaizumi’s borrowed green ones.
In that time, no one brought up the kiss, either. Iwaizumi wasn’t sure if he was grateful for that or not. His first kiss, his first kiss with the only person he had ever considered wanting to kiss, and they get to completely set it aside in favor of thinking of a solution to this mess. When have serenity and Oikawa Tooru ever gone hand in hand?
Oikawa. Iwaizumi seeks him out from the corner of his eyes. Oikawa in his white robes. Expulsion. Ministry trial. The possibility of separation.
With a newfound energy, Iwaizumi continues skimming through the potions section, picking from basic tomes to ones he knows they wouldn’t have studied until next year.
He misses Oikawa’s careful stare in his direction, misses Oikawa’s low sigh as he watches Iwaizumi strain his muscles to reach the books located on the higher shelves.
Behind them, Mattsun and Makki are charming two rucksacks, magically expanding their interior in order for them to carry as much as possible without being burdened by the weight.
The library is vast, calming yet eerie. It is filled with golden lanterns enchanted to glow only when someone walks near them—on a regular school day the library is shrouded in light, students rushing by to find a spot to study or a book for class. Today, a quiet weekend like today, it is almost foreboding in its darkness except for the faint glow where the four of them are standing.
One might even call the glow hopeful, but Iwaizumi will give himself the luxury of thinking about hope once they get out of the school.
“Look, I’m pretty sure we have what we need. Anyway, it’s not like we’re going to whip out a book in the middle of an Auror encounter.”
Makki tosses the rucksack in his direction, with Iwaizumi catching it effortlessly, stuffing the rest of the books.
“Thanks. Now, let’s go. Oikawa…”
Oikawa has his back turned to them, his eyes fixated on a window so wide and so clear it gives the impression of being a glass-less hole on the wall, giving way to a majestic view of Mahoutokoro’s mountainous landscape.
“Do you think I’ll get to see this view again?”
Iwaizumi does not spare a single second, “Yes.”
_______________________
Coming face to face with golden boys Sawamura and Sugawara is making him think they’ll have to backtrack and see Oikawa’s forlorn view sooner than anticipated.
“Dueling practice, we’re just leaving,” Iwaizumi has always been a man of few words, he’s grateful for this particular trait, knowing no one expects him to give an elaborate response.
Sawamura nods, a faint smile on his face, he has accepted Iwaizumi’s explanation.
Sugawara shows no response.
There’s an ugly snort behind him, and he feels Oikawa coming to stand next to him.
“Too observant for your own damn good. Always hated that about you, Mr. Refreshing.”
Iwaizumi wants to facepalm while simultaneously apparate them away. Sawamura opens his mouth, immediately shutting it, unsure of how to read the situation.
Sugawara stares at Oikawa, his entire posture meaning business. Iwaizumi begins to reach for his wand as subtly as possible—dueling his way out of the school had never been part of his plans, but they’re wasting precious time. He can sense Mattsun and Makki doing the same thing behind them.
“Suga—” Sawamura begins, seeking some clarification.
“Professors are around on the weekends. You’ll never make it to the front gates.”
Iwaizumi’s wand flourishes out, he glares, “And you’ll be one more obstacle, I imagine?”
Sawamura looks incredibly lost, “Wha—”
Sugawara smiles, dimples and all, “I know an easier way out. Follow me.”
Oikawa smirks. Sawamura blinks. Iwaizumi snarls, “We can’t trust you!”
Sugawara moves so effortlessly, and so dangerously fast, that he’s already gripping Iwaizumi’s shoulder before Iwaizumi can lift his wand, “Sadly, you can’t. You’ll still come with me, either way.”
“Do as he says, Iwa-chan,” Another hand at his shoulder, but this one warm and reassuring. Oikawa’s entire attention is devoted to the silver haired boy before them.
_______________________
The surrounding area is quiet, eerily quiet, when they appear with a pop. Oikawa stumbles slightly, and Iwaizumi is immediately fussing over him, checking for wounds.
“I told you to just stick to basic protection charms.”
“Well, that’s kind of dumb, considering the Aurors are not using basic offensive spells, Iwa-chan. I’m fine, I promise, just bruised.”
Iwaizumi sighs, gripping Oikawa’s neck as he evens out his breathing.
Oikawa is preoccupied with examining their surroundings, his eyes going from inquisitive to excited.
“Is this Miyagi?! Our summer hangout! Aww, Iwa-chan, so sentimental.”
“Shut up. It’s the only place I could think of where they wouldn’t search for us right away.”
Oikawa’s carefree grin is front and center for a total of five seconds, quickly replaced by a grim smile.
“True. But not forever, let’s get going.”
The hike is quiet, disturbed by the occasional crunch against branches or pebbles, or the squawk of birds and other forest creatures. The foliage creates shadows along their path, and Iwaizumi is grateful that it’s fall and not winter, although they’ll definitely need heating charms to sleep comfortably—as comfortably as sleeping on the run can get. He is already creating a mental map of the area, knowing that staying anywhere within the village’s perimeter is a bad idea. It’s a magical village, it’s only natural the Aurors get to it eventually.
“I remember there’s a stream somewhere around, right? Close by?” Oikawa is wiping sweat from his forehead. Iwaizumi knows he’s exhausted but refusing to admit it out loud.
“No. That’s several kilometers south, closer to the hill where you got attacked by pixies once.”
Oikawa flares, “I was not attacked! Just taken by surprise!” He pouts in Iwaizumi’s direction, “And that’s a shame. Would’ve been nice to cool off a bit before continuing.”
“You always had a shitty sense of direction. Besides, we don’t have time. This is not a vacation.” He knows it’s the wrong thing to say, Oikawa’s shoulders go rigid, his stare distant.
“Oikawa—”
“Come on. We need to put as much distance between ourselves and the village as possible.”
What once would’ve led to playful banter between them is now replaced by heavy bricks settling deep in Iwaizumi’s stomach. He wants, oh, how he wants, to pause and talk this out before Oikawa’s stubbornness simmers and brews to an ugly sulk.
But times have changed. Not a vacation indeed—they have to reach Nekoma before the Aurors start piecing things together.
_______________________
It’s an awkward group, to say the least. Sugawara and Sawamura are leading, with the latter throwing confusing looks in the former’s direction, but whatever he finds in Sugawara’s eyes must be enough, for Sawamura ceases his questioning.
Oikawa and Iwaizumi are right behind them. Despite Oikawa’s willingness to tag along, Iwaizumi refuses to put his wand away, no matter how many times Oikawa’s fingers brush along his arm in useless appeasement. Mattsun and Makki bring up the rear in anxious silence.
It’s Sugawara who breaks the silence, “When did it happen?”
“Honestly, wouldn’t be able to tell you, Mr. Refreshing,” Oikawa’s voice is back to its saccharine level, his right hand mussing up his hair to create an image of confidence, “it’s just an annoying little hiccup that’ll get sorted out soon—”
“Six hours.” Sugawara’s steeled tone does not match his careful stride.
Iwaizumi frowns just as Oikawa glares at the silver-haired wizard, “I really hate cryptic sentences.”
Sawamura looks like he’s about to interfere, but Sugawara beats him to it, not breaking the pace of his walk.
“Last time…last time this happened… that’s how long it took for the Ministry of Magic to find out.”
Oikawa immediately stops his walk, Mattsun and Makki crashing into him inelegantly. He’s staring at Sugawara with widened eyes, his pretense of calmness completely gone.
Iwaizumi hates it. Hates seeing Oikawa letting down his arrogant guard as much as he hates seeing him put it up. He chooses to speak first,
“Last time. This has happened before? No way, we would’ve heard about it.”
Sugawara scoffs.
“Have you been sleeping in History of Magic? What’s the Ministry’s motto?”
Taken aback, Iwaizumi tries not to fidget as he very openly ponders the answer to this question.
“Order in silence; Swift diligence.” Oikawa’s response is laced with distaste, clearly having read more into Sugawara’s statement and question. Iwaizumi feels a tinge of alarm as he watches Oikawa look down at his shaking hands, “Of course. Of course, what’s the best way to highlight a government’s effectiveness?”
Although it’s voiced as a rhetorical question, it is Sawamura who provides an answer, “Deal with all anomalies as discretely as possible.”
Sugawara nods, pausing for the first time in his purposeful walk and turning to face Oikawa and Iwaizumi, “If you’re expecting blaring alarms and flying spells, you won’t get them. They’ll come, they’ll take you, end of story.”
“Like hell they will!” Iwaizumi does not realize when his body moved on its own, but he’s now face to face with Sugawara, his wand dangerously poised against the other’s neck. He knows Sawamura’s wand is out now, and he can feel rather than see Mattsun’s and Makki’s tensed bodies.
Oikawa is surprisingly calm, “Hajime, wait.”
The personal name throws him off at once, his wand arm immediately lowered just as Sugawara sighs.
“Look, I admire your bravery, Iwaizumi, but a hot-headed attitude will not do Oikawa any help.” He puts up his hands in mock surrender, a cheerful smile suddenly gracing his features, “However, I know of something that will.”
Throughout their chatter, Iwaizumi had completely lost attention to the path they were walking, but a gentle breeze makes him realize they are close to the school’s gardens, leading to the massive waterfall shielding the school from the rest of the non-magical world.
Oikawa sniffs, peering down at Sugawara with an upturned nose and narrowed eyes, “Tell me.”
Sugawara speaks only one, completely meaningless, word,
“Nekoma.”