Chapter Text
Kenma, Bokuto and Akaashi were still surprised when their raven haired host motioned them to follow. Kuroo stopped a second to look over his shoulder at the short man and said:
“Give us a moment.”
“As you wish, Kuroo-sama!” The man replied while bowing again.
Kuroo lead his three weary friends to some boxes that were piled up near the corner. He sat down and the others followed his example, Kenma noticing that Kuroo sat in a way that only the three of them could hear and see what he was saying.
“Look, I’ll be back in a second. Please, while I’m gone, don’t talk, listen, or pay attention to anyone. If someone orders you to do something, don’t do it unless they say it’s from me. Don’t say anything, and please, don’t do anything that could bring attention to you. And, above all else, do not move from this place. Am I clear?”
They just nodded slowly, not bothering with questions anymore. Right now, the only thing they know for sure, is that the situation at hand was beyond complicated, and the only one they could trust was Kuroo. They knew he would guide them, and keep them safe. He would make sure that they’d all survive.
Or at least, they hoped so.
“Oh, and,” he said, looking at Akaashi, “keep an eye on them, please.”
Akaashi just nodded and the three watched as Kuroo stood up to walk over to the short man who walked away with Kuroo immediately following. The silence stuck around them for a couple of seconds, before they finally took a breath.
Only to hold in when Kuroo abruptly came back, looking slightly uncomfortable with a small bag in his hands.
“Umm… I need you to do something else… Uh, I’m sorry, but could you give me your cellphones?”
That took them by surprise, though none of them protested as they reached out and put them in the bag. Bokuto was first, followed by Akaashi. Kenma went last, moving his arm slightly reluctantly and noticeably slower than the other two. Kuroo shot him an apologetic look, he saw the unhappiness in Kenma’s face, yet he felt proud the shorter boy moved no muscle to complain.
With all three phones in the bag, Kuroo closed it and disappeared in the sea of people, leaving his three friends in the heavy atmosphere of the unknown happenings.
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His dad stared at him, and Kuroo saw the amusement hidden in his eyes. Finally, he let out a slight chuckle.
“You’ve got to be-”
His son didn’t let him continue.
“-As much as I despise it, I’m still your son. I’ve learned a couple of things from you. I hope you didn’t expect me to be as naïve to barge in and gamble my request without a little… Persuasion from my side.”
His dad grew frighteningly serious all of a sudden, but Kuroo wouldn’t back down.
“You’re threatening me. Do you really think I am afraid of you? At all?”
His father was getting more pissed with each second that passed by.
“Of course not, I do not mean it like that.”
Kuroo was extremely calm, though he would admit the he felt incredibly smug on the inside. He loved making the old man lose his cool. Just like now, he thought.
“Then what the fuck are you talking about?”
His dad had always been one of those who didn’t take to threats kindly.
“I am the only heir available, remember?” Kuroo resisted the urge to smirk. He knew exactly what his progenitor was thinking:
‘Oh no, not this shit. Again.’
His dad sank down on his chair and rubbed his temples. He could feel a migraine worthy of the gods of massive hangovers. Kuroo’s dad could barely control his anger, and he knew his son planned to push his buttons even further. He didn’t even brace for it.
“And we both know that, if you don’t let me try, I can disappear exactly like the others did.”
He was talking about his siblings.
Some died, others… Others just disappeared.
Kuroo was the only one who stayed.
His father knew his reasons were based solely on his mother and the few people he considered his ‘precious’ friends.
Kuroo accepted it, though he hated this kind of destiny. He was strong, he could and would bear with it.
The old man was about to snap, and Kuroo amusedly watched the throbbing veins on his father’s neck and forehead. He wondered how many seconds they had left before they blew up on their own.
“…Ok. Fucking do it, Tetsurou, but… If you fail-!”
The strain in his father’s voice brought a petty satisfaction to his ego. And Kuroo couldn’t help his smirk as he interrupted him:
“-I won’t fail. Don’t worry, I am fucking amazing at my job.” He said, smugness dripping from his voice, and he added just a small, cynical chuckle for further effect. As soon as Kuroo gave his back to his father and headed for the door, a spark lit in his orbs.
This had been the only issue left between Kuroo and his goal.
But now… Now, his father gave him the green light.
A loud scream filled with rage came from inside the room, followed by a heavy ‘Thud!’ and things breaking.
Of course, it was typical of the old man to throw a fit when he didn’t get things his way. Kuroo mourned the loss of the furniture, it had been such a great desk…
Kuroo could barely control his chuckles at this point.
Kuroo – 1
Old man – 0
The guards looked at him dreadingly, and Kuroo couldn’t hold back his laugh this time when they took a step away from him.
Yes, things were running perfectly, just as he had planned.
Now… Who would he choose as his first target?
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Kuroo walked through a short hall, reaching a pair of imposing metal doors. His dad was on the other side of these doors.
Kuroo pushed them open.
This kind of brings back beautiful memories, doesn’t it?
He tries not to smirk, he really does! But, alas, his will was too small against his need.
“Mission accomplished, old man- I mean! Father.”
His dad rolled his eyes.
“Whatever, just show me which idiots you brought in, and which ones you… left out.”
Kuroo chuckled, approaching the desk – He still missed the old one. – And threw six folders on its surface, right in front of his dad.
“The first three are the ones I… Left out, and the other three are the ones who I brought in.”
His voice made it sound as if he had no interest in the matter, but Kuroo was kind of proud of his work.
His dad quickly skimmed through the folders, releasing some of the stress on his shoulders when he realized Tetsurou had actually avoided fucking everything up, as he actually chose useless people. Of course, his pride forced him not to show his relief in front of his heir. And even if that wasn’t the case, he was still angered from their last conversation.
“…Hn, what’s done is done. Be ready for tomorrow, 5:00 am sharp. And, also, don’t fucking bother me anymore.”
His dad uncaringly threw the folders to a corner of his new desk, and waved his hand in dismissal, but Kuroo didn’t budge from his place. The old man sighed angrily, and supporting his temple on his hand, he raised an eyebrow at the little demon- He means, at his little, precious only heir.
“…What now?”
“Can I borrow the soundproof room?” Kuroo grinned, the little shit knew what he was doing.
“I don’t give a damn about what you do, Tetsurou, just leave me. The fuck. Alone!”
He just chuckled and nodded, turning and disappearing from the room.
Once he was alone, Kuroo’s dad angrily gripped the borders of his desk, slightly panting from restrained anger and frustration. He considered flipping his desk to let out his anger, but he quickly remembered his last one and calmed down. He smoothed the inexistent wrinkles on his desk from gripping too hard. He would not lose another desk to his son. Not after he lost his favorite. Silently, resting his head on intertwined hands, Kuroo’s dad mourned for the loss of his old desk.
It had been such a nice desk…
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Outside, the raven haired volleyball captain released a relieved breath he wasn’t aware he had been holding. The first part had gone smoothly, but he was still uncertain of what would happen from now on.
Moreover, he had a huge explanation to give, and he wasn’t sure if he was actually ready to face it.
He wasn’t sure if he was ready to face them.
This scared him way more than the battle field.
Kuroo was scared of telling the truth to his only friends.
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The atmosphere was tense.
The three were basically drowning in uncertainty.
They didn’t know anything!
Why they were here? What was going on? When is Kuroo coming back? Is he going to come back? How much more are they going to stay here? Were they heading somewhere else after this? If so, where? Why? When? How?
It was driving them insane!
The people in the room didn’t help. The noise they made had helped soothe them, but they easily fell silent.
The only people who were talking were the guards, plus some important looking people.
They watched as some people seem to be drowning in the same uncertainty as them.
They watched as others seemed to be scared out of their minds.
They shared a glance and reached the same conclusion they had already known.
The three didn’t know what to think anymore.
But they would trust Kuroo.
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Akaashi seemed calm, as always. But, if you looked close enough, you would notice him fidgeting, as well as playing with his fingers. And, every now and then, he would look around scanning the room once more in hopes of catching a glimpse of their raven haired missing cat-member. Lots of thought were shooting across his mind, some good, and some bad. Yet Akaashi tried to subdue them in hopes of a rational explanation when Kuroo got back.
Kenma was playing with his PSP with the volume on mute. Sure, Kuroo took away their cellphones, but Kenma guessed that using something with no way of outer connection wouldn’t hurt. Besides, Kenma needed the distraction, all four of them knew it. If he didn’t distract himself, his thought would carry him to a dark place and then-! No, Kenma thought, you’re battling a boss. Look, his HP is almost depleted! Go in for the kill, or restore your Mana, but don’t get distracted from the fight.
Bokuto was swinging back and forth on his seat, occasionally moving his foot or dragging it across the dust on the floor. He wasn’t sure how much longer he would be able to stay still and quiet. Bokuto started to play with his shoelaces to try to focus his mind into something. Anything, really, he just needed something to do before he did something he would regret this time around.
The three of them were brought out of their musings when Akaashi spotted Kuroo walking to where they were.
“Follow me.” He said, picking up Kenma’s luggage while offering said pudding head a hand to help him stand up.
They walked in silence, Kuroo with his head held high, his eyes threatening all who looked at his friends. Bokuto, Kenma and Akaashi avoided eye contact with everyone, keeping their eyes on Kuroo’s back or on the floor. Their heads were low, and their steps hesitant.
Once they were a safe distance away from the mob, Kuroo talked again.
“Good thing you followed what I told you, because I kind of forgot to say that you should keep an eye on your luggage all the time. You never know the kind of people who could lurk around.”
The other three didn’t answer, they didn’t know how to answer. They felt tense, and their friend’s attempt at a joke didn’t help relieve it.
They kept on walking until they reached a metal door. It was smaller than the doors to his father’s office, yet Kuroo dismissed this fleeting thought as unnecessary. Really, he just wanted to avoid this, but he couldn’t. He owed them at least this much as a way to repay their trust in him.
Kuroo motioned for them to go in before he closed the door behind him. The room was on the small side, and it was empty bar a single light bulb on the ceiling. Kuroo turned it on, and sat on the floor. The others followed suit, Kenma sitting closer to his childhood friend in an attempt to seek comfort. He was scared, and only Kuroo could make him feel safe.
Kuroo smiled down at Kenma, before he took a deep breath. He held it in, then slowly exhaled. He repeated this a couple of times until he felt calm enough. The others waited patiently, knowing he’d come around. Finally, Kuroo opened his eyes, briefly wondering when he had closed them before gazing into the faces of his precious people.
“This is a soundproof room, we can talk freely in here, so… Well…”
The three of them looked at him, expectantly. Kuroo chuckled uneasily, before letting out a sigh.
“…I guess I owe you a huge explanation, don’t I?”
The three pairs of eyes burned holes into his being, and Kuroo finally said what they had needed to hear.
“Ask away.”
And hell broke loose.
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