Chapter Text
Tetsu tried his very best to not wake up a sleeping Kei. He was still amazed that he had actually made it into Kei’s bed. He had been convinced that we would be banished to the couch, but Kei being tired and frankly hungover had secured him a place in his bed.
Well, even better he was currently Kei’s personal body pillow, and it was just perfect. Well, almost perfect, because it led to Tetsu’s brain working overtime, in the not so early hours of the morning, in order to figure out how to make a fire out of this tiny little flame. He still couldn’t believe that Akasshi’s stupid plan had worked. Granted he was just really fed up with Tetsu’s constant pining over Kei.
“Talk to him! Tell him how you feel, get rejected and then you finally can move on with your life. I can’t take it anymore. Kei is the best. Did you talk to Kei this weekend?” Akaashi really was a master in mocking his desperate voice.
Tetsu almost laughed at himself. And yes, he was pathetic no doubt about it. But was he really that wrong? As long as Kei didn’t turn him down. He could stay in limbo, kept being Kei’s annoying friend, who had a crush so big and obvious that even Bo and Kenma felt compelled to talk to him about his obsession.
But Tetsu just wasn’t sure. Kei kept his distance, but also kind of flirted with him. They loved teasing each other so he could never be completely sure. The kiss, however, the kiss had changed everything, and he couldn’t just ignore his one shot here.
Oh yes, I’m really the master of subtility. Tetsu chuckled low and soft and his mind wandered once again to the moment in which everything changed. He was sure his comment would get him a shove and a scathing retort. He hadn’t expected to get a kiss and even less how his brain just stopped working altogether and make it impossible to react bevor it ended way too soon.
But Tetsu wanted nothing more than a second chance, he wanted to be more than the annoying friend with a vast knowledge on how to be a better middle blocker. He wanted so much more, but he didn’t know if Kei would let him be more. He was willing to try though because limbo never felt as good as lying in bed with Kei’s head on his shoulder.
He really wished he could reach his phone. He wanted to text Kenma just to keep his thoughts from spiraling.
Fuck it. Tetsu decided to just risk it and blindly reached for his phone.
He clearly had moved too much considering the rather displeased noises Kei made still half asleep.
“Could you stop moving, please? I’m trying to sleep here!”
Tetsu froze. He wasn’t quite ready for the talk that just waited to happen after last night. He really had hoped he could've texted with Akaashi and Kenma to clear his very complicated thoughts up.
Well, too late was his last thought before Kei opened his eyes and looked at him.
“Moring, Moonshine!"
Perfekt! Tetsu you Idiot you really want to mess this up.
“Moonshine?” Kei’s face made it crystal clear what he thought about this particular nickname.
Unfortunately, his brain had once again checked out, and his usual wit didn’t make an appearance. He just mumbled a halfhearted apology and watched how Kei took his chance to bring some distance between him and Tetsu.
He wasn’t clearly in the mood to have a rather heavy talk with his possible boyfriend seconds after he woke up.
Tetsu knew he had to tread lightly, or he would blow his chances here and he needed this, wanted this shot so bad.
“Hey” he said as he pulled Kei’s hands softly from his face. “I just want breakfast and a talk.”
Kei sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine.”
“Fine?” Tetsu’s heart started beating again.
“My fridge is empty, though.”
“No problem! I used our stop at Family Mart yesterday to buy more than just underwear and a toothbrush. I will make breakfast for us, and you can take a shower. Are instant ramen okay?”
Kei nodded relieved and vanished into the bathroom.
Tetsu really wanted to make this easy for Kei, while also giving him some time to think. He knew this was risky, it might be just enough time to convince him to blow this all off. Nonetheless he promised breakfast and so he made his way into the tiny kitchen.
The clothes he slept in were borrowed from Kei, and were simultaneity too long and too tight, but they would be enough for now. Hs brand-new Family Mart Outfit could wait a little longer, first he needed to prepare food, and maybe he was able to steal some more clothes from his boyfriend later on.
But now he really needed to convince Kei that he was boyfriend material. Dismantling bombs on a battlefield would be less stressful.
Let’s go and cook ‘Marry me, ramen! Tetus laughed quietly to himself and took spring onions, and eggs out of the fridge. He had decided to make his, most likely, last meal, at least luxurious.
Well, as luxurious as you can get with instant ramen.
He found Kei’s French press and started to prepare breakfast. He also sorted through his thoughts and figured out what he wanted to say to Kei.
The water stopped in the bathroom and Tetsu waited with hot coffee and ramen at the ready for Kei the moment he would emerge form the bathroom.
“Thanks” Kei stood uncertainly in the doorway. His hair still wet form the shower.
Tetus heart skipped a beat as he looked at Kei’s long, naked legs. At least he wasn’t watching Kei with his mouth hanging open, even though it was a very close call.
“Problem!” Tetsu cleared his throat. “No, problem!”
Great, now he thinks you are missing just two braincells in order to be a very gifted avocado. He said goodbye to the notion, that he could play the role of nonchalant, older boyfriend and settled for idiot in love.
Kei smirked at him and sat down at his tiny kitchen table. Tetsu did the same and took a sip from his coffee. Granted mainly to calm his nerves and to let Kei do the talking. He, however, was rather busy pretending as if he had never seen instant noodles before in his life. The silence between grew heavier and heavier.
Okay, so I guess it’s still my turn to be pathetic Great!
“You like the food?”
Kei just nodded still deep in thought.
“So, we are going to talk about last night or are we just going to eat in unconformable silence? No pressure, but I just would like to know how to handle this situation.” Tetus no longer could hold the sarcastic undertone back.
Kei just sighed and started to attack his noodles like they had somehow insulted him.
“I kissed you and I had a crush on you since the first summer camp. I thought it was completely one-sided, and I came to terms with just being your friend. But you destroyed this illusion, and I don’t have a clue how this will work between us. Are we together or not? How should we do this long distant relationship? Why do you want me in first place, Kuroo?”
The last question was just a whisper, and Kei couldn’t look him in the eyes while asking it.
Kuroo? Yeah, just another thing the needed to work on, but not right at this moment.
In two long steps Tetsu was at Kei's side and crouched before him.
“Kei, I want you, because I think you are amazing, and because I can’t think about anything else but you since the summer camp. I tried so obviously to convince you to be my boyfriend that Akaashi thinks I’m a completely hopeless case. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m convinced we will find a solution to all your questions, but you have to give me a chance for that to happen.” Tetsu had put his hands over Kei’s and all his feelings in the last sentences, but now it was on Kei to jump off the cliff with him.
“Okay”
"Okay? You give us a chance?"
Kei nodded and rested his forehead against Tetsu’s. Tetsu couldn’t fight the happy and bright smile that crept over his face.
“Tsk, you really are a hopeless case” Kei lovingly teased him, before he kissed him again.
This time Tetsu was prepared and pulled him closer to deepen the kiss. They would figure it out together, would find a way to make their relationship work on their terms.
But now? For now, this kiss and the feeling of Kei’s heartbeat against his chest was enough. Tetsu decided to concentrate on this one glorious, endless moment and on all the new things it promised.