Chapter Text
Later that day Kuroo called his family at home informing them of the change of plans, announcing he was bringing along his boss home this weekend. At first formulating a proper sentence to explain how the man he spoke so hastily of hundred and one times was now, apparently, his boyfriend visiting his family house, his first boyfriend doing it, was a mess. But then, when his grandmother started to show more interest, not rejecting the idea Kuroo talked more freely. After all, he was still free with them.
When Friday night arrived and both were placed in their respective seats, accordingly one next to the other, Kuroo found the right opportunity to help Kenma prepare for his individual interview. Despite the other making zero effort in getting to know each other. He handed him a list of questions that he had gotten on a website page after investigating what was frequently asked. For Kuroo’s luck, or more like Kenma's, the black haired boy was unquestionably aware of his boss' preferences, therefore he knew what to reply to most of them however the other was a lost cause.
“I know most of these because I work for you but I’m sure you barely recognize my full name so good luck with that.”
Kenma eyed him dumbfounded, was that a challenge…?
“What’s my favorite food?” He asked.
“Apple pie.” It was right.
“What sport did I play in the school years?” He inquired this time, not even minding to read the personal questions.
“I’m pretty sure you played volleyball.” Correct again.
“Do I have any tattoos?” Kenma smiled winningly prior hearing his answer, there was no way Kuroo knew this because he never revealed such information to anyone.
“Not visible ones but I could guess you have one… at least.”
What the- “How do you know that?”
“I received a call from a dermatology center while you were in a meeting, they wanted to be sure you cancelled the appointment to erase it… Where’s it? Can I see?” Kuroo asked back with the biggest smirk on his face.
Kenma calculated how much force he would have to put on his fist to knock him right in this moment. He certainly contemplated the idea of doing it.
“So funny Tetsurou. I won’t tell you.”
“What if they ask?” Kuroo pointed out.
“They won’t.”
The hazel eyed boy left it at that, decided to urge the change of topic back to him. “Well, you will have the weekend to learn more about me.”
“These are dumb questions.” Kenma scoffed frustrated whilst rotating his whole body delighting the other with the view of his back indicating he was going to sleep the rest of the flight.
And he did.
They reached their destination the next morning, Kenma assumed, innocently, at the moment Kuroo mentioned his family was staying in Alaska, that their house was an old rustic homely place. One that didn’t look more loaded than his.
Oh, how wrong he was.
Kenma, at home, was used to the minimalistic luxury of his apartment, to live in one of the most expensive and private places of the city. However this… he was not believing it. The place in front of his eyes was astonishing, the entrance was magnificent to the eye, a landscape that people only get to see in the perfect picture movies, it held the resemblance of a cozy home yet money exuded from every corner, from its upper part looking at the high windows to the exterior material of its facade. This man was wealthier than him, he could take a guess that even more well-off than his boss and to Kenma, that was impressive, not by the money itself but Kuroo's humbleness since it's of common knowledge most wealthy people enjoy bragging about their properties more than living in them, though, he had never heard his secretary mention his bank account number in the slightless.
“Honey, you never told me you were rich.” Kenma spoke, calling for Kuroo’s attention by knocking the arm next to him with his, still half astounded.
“I’m not-” He started but was silenced by his grandmother's tight hug.
“He doesn’t like to boast about it.” The old lady replied cheerfully, siding her head to look at Kenma without letting Tetsurou get out of her arms. She seemed grateful to see her grandson, the golden eyed boy could notice from the glow in her eyes immediately.
“Grandma! I missed you!” He imitated the gesture, reciprocating the hug as tight as he could. “I’m sorry for not visiting before… work was busy.”
“If that’s what you call work.” Kuroo’s father showed right into the picture; his son not surprised by the comment.
They had lengthy history referring to this topic, he wortheartely despised what Kuroo chose as his way of living with every fiber of his body, not thinking twice before reminding him of it in every degrading comment he spitted out, in every sloopy step he gave. Kuroo’s father's wish had always been, from the instant he was born, to inherit his company yet instead he was rewarded with a secretary pursuing his dream, a bit far from home. Of course he was disappointed, his dear son crushed his dreams not letting him dwell on what would be of the empire he built all his lifetime, Kuroo consciously knew he wouldn't drop it until every person in this world recognized his son's mistake. Including the new addition to his close periphery, Kenma, who was looking at Kuroo sympathetically.
“Nice to see you too, dad. This is Kozume Kenma, my boyfriend.” Kenma beamed at them, extending his arm with the sole intention of shaking hands; however he was pulled in surrounded by the arms of the old woman.
“Thank you for bringing my grandson home.” A sincere tone of voice perceptible her voice, he only nodded, there wasn’t much to say. “I organized a room for you both. Kuroo you should show Kenma around. There’s a party to attend tomorrow, enjoy the day.”
They were disregarded after that, Kuroo boldly tried to hold Kenma’s waist on their way in but the response he received was a sharp slap from the other followed by a ‘don’t overdo it.’ when Kenma hissed.
“We are in love, sweetheart.”
Kenma growled. Kuroo laughed. He could get some enjoyment out of it too.
Their afternoon as expected, was uneventful, wandering around for some hours, passing by the blooming gardens, the main floors and the stunning natural lake, until both grew tired of walking, the chatting in the meantime was close to nule, short comments accompanied their route, some about what they were seeing, some others it was only Kuroo explaining what was the meaning of some random yet gorgeous flower but no more than that, there wasn’t any personal progress.
That was until they found themselves in their shared room, with only one bed. The place itself was dreamy, the sunlight that trespassed held the perfect amount to keep it amiable and everything there, including the decoration was heartwarming yet Kenma’s panic was noticeable no matter how hard he tried to hide it, Kuroo didn’t comprehend what the commotion was about.
“There’s only one bed!” Kenma yelled, complaining about the obvious. Kuroo shrugged.
“I know.”
“Why aren’t you disturbed about this?”
“Does the thought of us sleeping in the same bed disgust you that much honey?” He teased emphasizing the pet name knowing it would provoke Kenma.
“If you want to keep your job, you better close your mouth.”
“And what if I don’t?”
Kuroo recently discovered that teasing his boss this way was more entertaining than he expected to and he wasn’t going to miss his chance. If he was going to get married at his twenty-nine to someone he never planned to, then it wouldn’t hurt to have some fun showing his charm.
“I’m this…” Kenma said bringing near two of his fingers “... close to kick you in the balls.”
Kuroo chuckled, mimicking a closing zip over his mouth. “You’re a drama queen, I will just sleep on the floor.”
Even if Kuroo was joking and Kenma was aware, he felt deeply relieved, releasing the air that was holding without noticing. Precisely it is not a big deal having his secretary in the same bed that causes him displeasure, nothing of this is related to their work status, however, he hasn’t had anyone in his bed for years and the new overwhelming proximity terrified him, no matter if it was all based on simply sleeping. It just has been long.
Kenma has never confined anyone about the truth behind his past lovers when he was of a younger age, or the flings on whom he found refuge when life was a turmoil. He never told anyone to stay in his bed for when he woke up or anything too personal like the countless times he cried after firing someone that he knew had no other place to go, or the loneliness that accompanies him in such a luxury of life, he had never trusted a single person with slightest things that could reveal his weakest points to sight, therefore Kuroo couldn’t know, Kenma was not blaming him for it.
Call him a coward, a dumbass, a piece of shit. Call him whatever, Kenma would still pretend that his life was perfectly puzzled, each of his pieces suiting perfectly with another. Pretending that he was the owner keeping them under control.
In reality, that wasn’t true.
Still, he covered all the heavy storm in his head with sharp replies. “Piss off.” He said, not meaning it. Kuroo laughed once again, amused by the situation they were in whilst indicating he was retiring to the bathroom with the excuse of taking a bath.
Despite what it seems, Kenma could identify when someone was being polite and kind with their hearts. Kenma himself, sometimes, rewarded others with the simplicity of stirring kindness. Contrary to public belief, his heart wasn’t made of stone, the emotions that went along with him were pure too, his choice was to have it very well hidden in a coffer whose key location had been long forgotten.
So rather than knowing that Kuroo was helping out for his own benefit, the blond-ish boss found the action heartening. Must have been another office worker, his ass would be flying to Japan once again.
He knew how harsh he was with him and how many times Kenma pushed the other limits. Anyhow his perseverance to obtain what he aimed for in life gained a little bit more of Kenma’s respect these days.
When Kuroo returned Kenma was lying in the king-sized bed, ready to go to sleep and prepare himself for what would be the longest day of his life, though his body was not letting him fulfill his wishes. He rolled over the bed sheets innumerable times, from one side to the other, annoyingly his eyes weren’t conceiving him with the gratitude of sleepness, releasing a heavy grumble under his breath.
“Do you have trouble sleeping?” Kuroo spoke quietly, from the very end of the bed.
Kenma didn’t grant him an answer. Kuroo, on the other side, didn’t stop there.
“When I was a kid, I couldn’t get the needed hours of sleep because of some usual nightmares I had so my grandmother used to sing to me...” Kenma didn’t understand why he was confessing such a personal matter, he still listened “She wasn’t a great singer.” Kuroo tittered, nostalgia noticeable in his tone of voice as if images of what he was remembering delighted him in front of his sight, yearning to have it back. “But she made me feel at ease, comfortable. I started to sleep better after a month.” He stopped only to continue a few seconds later. “What music do you like?”
This time Kenma conceded him a reply. “Do you know Little Dragon?”
“Can’t remember… could you sing a bit of it?”
Kenma wasn’t going to do it, he really wasn’t... until he was betrayed by his own-self humming to one of his favorite songs, voicing it softly, the sound nearly inaudible.
“...I have no choice but to close my eyes tight till I know it’s for sure you have been there all along right where you be-” He was about to finish the chorus when a crackle disturbed him. Was Kuroo making fun of him? “You’re an asshole.”
“Hey no!” Tetsurou said. “It’s just… I knew the band I only wanted to hear you sing.”
“Fuck off.” Kenma scoffed, mad at himself because of how easy he fell for the trick.
Both were silent for some minutes that felt highly uncomfortable for both boys' likings, Kenma still unable to find his way to sleep.
“My dearest, you hear me, this empty room loud, we had long conversations. I miss them so now…” Kuroo sang.
His voice was painful to hear, Kenma didn’t understand if he was trying to help him fall asleep or torture his ears, even so after noticing the other non-stopping voice, he joined his bad singing, loosing up until the two of them shared a chortle.
“That was terrible.” They said in unison, shocked at the realization, followed by quietness.
“I’m sorry...” Kenma opened up after a minute feeling it was something he should have mentioned long ago, “... for putting yourself in this situation, I know it wasn’t of your choice.”
“It’s not a big deal, we can learn to get along in the meantime.”
Kenma wasn’t so sure about that.
“Still, I apologize.”
His eyes started to feel heavy drifting him away to have one of the peaceful nights of sleep he had in a while. He never got to hear Kuroo’s reply missing the, ‘you’re not so bad after all’ that was voiced out.