Chapter Text
Kei doesn't text back.
Despite the plethora of kaomojis and hearts Shoyo sends him, Kei can't bring it in himself to reply. He merely stares down at his phone screen, trying to will down the warmth rising to his cheeks. Mostly, he's overthinking himself to death on just how this happened.
There were the technicalities – and Kei was well aware of how it could’ve gone down. Yamaguchi, sending him the wrong number while he was next to dozing off at 3am. Completely oblivious to what he'd done.
But Shoyo. Talking to a perfect stranger– it was a little hard to believe, considering just who the subject of this ordeal was. He knew the pipsqueak could be dense– But willingly talking so much to someone whose identity he questioned so often!? Shoyo really was something else. Kei almost felt jealous of himself.
And of course, he'd spent all of the night before dutifully scrolling through the messages with a new perspective. It came as a surprise to Kei– how open the redhead could be. He figured Shoyo was already like that– friendly to a fault. But every message exchanged now felt like their little secret.
Or rather, Kei’s secret.
For the umpteenth time, he opens the app to scan the many messages of Shoyo gushing about his crush.
About him.
Shoyo (?): isn't he cute ???? (≧▽≦)
Shoyo (?): his name is Tsukishima! But our friend calls him Tsuki sometimes
Shoyo (?): I'm probably gonna see him today!!!
Shoyo (?) : I'll let you know heehee (◔‿◔)
Kei can't help but laugh softly at the kaomoji– he can practically imagine Shoyo’s fingers twiddling over his flip phone, hunched over and sticking his tongue out as he joyfully sends each message.
He'd rather hear the words from the boy himself– out loud. But this is enough for now.
When Kei locks his phone, his smile lingers.
♡♡♡
His now-realized secret, Shoyo was quickly finding out, was much harder to keep than he initially expected.
It all starts with Mr. Stranger, of course– who doesn’t text him back right away. Or rather, at all , but the fact quickly flies over his head when Shoyo gets to school. He finds Tanaka first– and Shoyo can’t help his grin when the third year approaches him.
When the older asks him what’s got him so giddy, Shoyo just can’t lie. So he tells him. Makes sure to tell his senpai to keep it a secret, and Tanaka gives him a secret thumbs up to prove his honesty. Shoyo practically skips away.
When he encounters Nishinoya in the hall, the boy also greets him, asks him how he is. And Shoyo once again has to confess. He can’t stamp down the blush on his face, after all, and he’s not afraid to tell him about Tsukishima, either. (As long as he keeps it a secret too.)
Nishinoya lends him a listening ear, and promises just that with a sly smirk.
Shoyo’s first class starts, and then his second. And then lunch– and that’s when Shoyo comes across Kageyama, because sometimes they eat together.
Even the setter can tell Shoyo is happier than usual– so Shoyo decides to tell him too. He definitely ignores the look he gets– something akin to disgust– but it doesn’t matter to him. Kageyama swears to not tell anyone. Even so, he says he’ll probably forget in a matter of hours.
In all honesty, Shoyo loses track of just how many people he tells. There’s Yachi, and the new first years, and Yamaguchi, too, but he’s extra trustworthy, in his opinion. (Shoyo doesn’t catch the smile he receives from his peer at the end of the school day, because the bell rings)
Once their volleyball practice starts, Shoyo is hyper aware of his crush– quickly spotting the tall blond amongst the black track suits. If he runs a bit fast to join him in the circle for their meeting, he’s pretty sure Tsuki doesn’t notice. (It’s not like he can really see his expression anyway, from all the way up there.)
And after three hours or so, he stays back, just because he can. Mops up slower than usual, so he can get some help from Tsuki. And when Yamaguchi and the others head outside– the first ones to leave– Shoyo hangs around then too, because Tsukishima always takes his time.
He leaves him be, though– because Shoyo doesn’t want to be too obvious.
While Tsukishima stuffs the remaining mops into the supply closet, Shoyo stacks a couple of volleyballs on top of each other, waiting patiently until he’s done.
As predicted, Tsuki turns to him wordlessly, and Shoyo gives them up silently, albeit with a large smile tugging on his lips.
This time, it doesn’t go unnoticed by the blond.
“You look happy today,” He chirps, not quite facing him as he locks the doors.
Shoyo can only let out a long hum as he gets to his feet.
“Yeah,” He answers, “We had good practice today! Don’t you agree? Tsukishima-kun.” He keeps his tone playful. Light hearted. And he’s fully expecting to hear a witty reply back.
When Kei faces him with a sour expression on his face, Shoyo stills.
He knows that look.
At least, he thinks he does– and suddenly he’s back at the Shiratorizawa camp– the one he snuck into– and his heart is leaping up into his throat with the way Tsukshima is glaring at him.
An uneasy chill runs down his spine– equal parts alarmed and struck by just how pretty his teammate is even while frowning.
“Was it not good?” Shoyo mumbles, a little under his breath and almost out of breath.
Kei doesn’t respond to him– that hurts. He merely stuffs the key into his pocket and turns towards the exit, leaving Shoyo to scramble after him.
“Wait! Wait, Tsukishima,” Shoyo hisses.
His feet are moving before his mind can direct them where to go– and so Shoyo grunts when he walks right into Tsukishima’s back– stopping midway right at the threshold.
Not for the first time, Shoyo recalls, confused all at once.
“What? What is it?”
It feels like the air is punched out of his lungs when Tsukishima turns to face him yet again, with that same expression Shoyo can’t quite read. He almost jumps a foot into the air.
Again? What’s the matter with him?
He attempts the smile– but it quickly wanes as fast as it appears.
“Tsuki. What…”
“So you’ve had a good day, right? Telling everyone your little secret? That seems kind of unfair to me.”
The light catches Tsukishima's lenses, glaring in more ways than one. And Shoyo's heart indeed leaps into his throat.
His secret? How did he know about that?
“I don't know what you're talking about,” Shoyo retorts. His voice sounds dry to his own ears. Unconvincing.
It might as well just be his imagination, but Tsukishima has leaned in closer – looming over him– and it sends a full body shiver through Shoyo's nervous system.
“Tanaka. Nishinoya. Even Yamaguchi knows,” Tsukishima's voice takes a cryptic tone, accompanied by his intense gaze. “Don’t they?”
Shoyo can hardly look him in the eyes– he's far too pretty.
He might combust to flames at any second.
“N-Nishinoya?” Shoyo fumbles over his words, “Ah, I didn’t tell anyo…”
An embarrassing squeak leaves his lips when something warm touches his hand– barely grazing his fingers. Then all at once, enveloping it whole.
Tsukishima–
And that’s when he sees it. The faint blush rising to Tsukishima’s pale face.
He’s not angry at him. This is…
“So,” Tsukishima says, the grip on his hand tightening. “Are you gonna let me in on your secret, or aren’t you?”
His voice is so steady. Just on the edge of wavering, but it’s nearly imperceptible.
A year ago, Shoyo definitely wouldn’t have noticed. Right now, he feels the smallest spark of understanding, of all the gears in his mind shifting into place to paint a clearer picture.
His secret…
Shoyo’s gaze drops to their intertwined hands. Tsukishima’s skin is as soft as it looks, and he has the tiniest of freckles scattered just across his knuckles.
They kind of look like stars.
He wishes he could run his thumb over one of them, but he can’t. And when he looks back up, Tsukishima is more nervous than Shoyo’s ever seen him.
Shoyo tries his hardest to recall his question, but it feels like his mind is lagging. “Uh.. I..” He stammers, glancing upwards. “I just…”
He must take too long, because he feels the slightest tug– and Shoyo grips Tsukishima’s hand harder than before. “You’re warmer than I thought,” He babbles, because it’s the first thing that comes to mind. Maybe it’s the only thing that will keep Tsukishima’s attention on him.
The soft chuckle he hears is welcome, even if Tsuki might be laughing at him. It's incredibly close. He's incredibly close.
Now would be a perfect time for a confession on Shoyo's part. Even if he doesn't know how much Tsuki figured him out, there's still time for one.
God, and he didn't even plan it out. Some heartfelt speech … Wait, what kind of speech would Tsukishima enjoy the most?
A newfound warmth brushes against his cheek– the corner of his lips.
A kiss. Or at least an imitation of one.
Shoyo stops himself from smiling from ear to ear, a burst of electricity rattling his core.
Then a small, “ What's with that face…?” from the blond.
Shoyo blinks, realizing he's biting down hard on his lip. His smile.
“I feel like I might scare you off if I grin too hard.” He tells Tsukishima quickly. Honestly.
“Like you haven't been doing that all day?”
Shoyo nearly chokes on his spit, ready to defend himself. “I… have not…!”
“Okay, whatever you say, shrimpy,” Tsukishima says, but it's laced with amusement. He's still holding his hand.
“Can… Can you try that again?” Shoyo asks. Begs with his eyes.
Tsukishima quirks an eyebrow at him, but he doesn't need to explain.
He's smart. He's the smartest person Shoyo knows. And so he does.
Leans downwards to meet him halfway, their hands still locked between them in a sweet sort of support.
When Tsukishima is close enough, Shoyo chases after his lips, in a proper kiss.
It's clumsy, in a way, but Shoyo already knows this will be his favorite activity ever, if future Tsukishima allows it.
“I like you,” He wants to say. Mutter it against the taller’s lips. But for now, this is enough. He knows Tsukishima can feel it.
Shoyo lets his eyes close, as the kiss is deepened.
Suddenly he wonders how he ended up so lucky.
And in a fleeting thought, he thinks about how telling Mr. Stranger about his new boyfriend.
[ Tsukishima also can’t wait. ]
[ He can resolve that misunderstanding another day. ]